The Best Hikes for Kids in Hawaii

Hawaii is a beautiful tropical paradise that offers a wide range of outdoor activities for families and visitors alike, from swimming and snorkeling to kayaking and hiking. Hiking is a great way to get out and explore Hawaii’s stunning natural beauty, and there are a number of hikes that are perfect for families with kids. Here are some of the best hikes for kids in Hawaii to explore during your next trip.

Manoa Falls

Manoa Falls is one of the most popular hikes in Hawaii, and it’s perfect for families with kids. The hike is a relatively easy one-mile out-and-back trail that leads to a stunning 150-foot waterfall. Along the way, visitors will find lush rainforest vegetation, as well as several bridge crossings. The hike can be done in about an hour, and the reward of a refreshing swim at the base of the falls makes it a great option for kids.

Manoa Falls is also a great choice for families with younger kids because the trail is mostly flat, and is wide enough for strollers. There are also some smaller waterfalls along the way, and plenty of photo ops. The trail is also well maintained, making it a safe and enjoyable hike for families.

The only downside to Manoa Falls is that it can get crowded, especially on weekends. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to get an early start or go during the week.

Waimea Falls Park

The Waimea Falls Park is another great option for families with kids. The park is home to the beautiful 75-foot Waimea Falls, and the hike to the falls is an easy one-mile loop. Along the way, visitors will find lush rainforest vegetation, as well as several small waterfalls. The hike takes about an hour, and the reward of a refreshing swim at the base of the falls makes it a great option for kids.

The trail is mostly flat and wide enough for strollers, making it a great choice for families with young kids. The trail is also well maintained, making it a safe and enjoyable hike for families.

The only downside to Waimea Falls is that it can get crowded, especially on weekends. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to get an early start or go during the week.

Koko Head

Koko Head is a great choice for families with older kids who are looking for a challenge. The hike is a difficult one-mile loop that leads to the summit of Koko Head, and the reward of breathtaking views of the ocean and Honolulu make it worth the effort. Along the way, visitors will find lush rainforest vegetation, as well as several small waterfalls. The trail is mostly flat and wide enough for strollers, making it a great choice for families with young kids.

The trail is also well maintained, making it a safe and enjoyable hike for families. The only downside to Koko Head is that it can be very steep and challenging for younger kids, and it can get crowded on weekends. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to get an early start or go during the week.

Diamond Head

Diamond Head is another great option for families with older kids who are looking for a challenge. The hike is a difficult one-mile loop that leads to the summit of Diamond Head, and the reward of breathtaking views of the ocean and Honolulu make it worth the effort. Along the way, visitors will find lush rainforest vegetation, as well as several small waterfalls. The trail is mostly flat and wide enough for strollers, making it a great choice for families with young kids.

The trail is also well maintained, making it a safe and enjoyable hike for families. The only downside to Diamond Head is that it can be very steep and challenging for younger kids, and it can get crowded on weekends. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to get an early start or go during the week.

Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail

The Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail is a great option for families looking for an easy, scenic hike. The trail is a relatively easy two-mile out-and-back trail that leads to the Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse. Along the way, visitors will find stunning views of the ocean and Honolulu, as well as several small waterfalls. The trail is mostly flat and wide enough for strollers, making it a great choice for families with young kids.

The trail is also well maintained, making it a safe and enjoyable hike for families. The only downside to the Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail is that it can get crowded, especially on weekends. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to get an early start or go during the week.

Waimea Valley

Waimea Valley is a great option for families looking for an easy, scenic hike. The valley is home to the stunning Waimea Falls, and the hike to the falls is an easy one-mile loop. Along the way, visitors will find lush rainforest vegetation, as well as several small waterfalls. The hike takes about an hour, and the reward of a refreshing swim at the base of the falls makes it a great option for kids.

The trail is mostly flat and wide enough for strollers, making it a great choice for families with young kids. The trail is also well maintained, making it a safe and enjoyable hike for families. The only downside to Waimea Valley is that it can get crowded, especially on weekends. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to get an early start or go during the week.

Kauai’s Maha‘ulepu Heritage Trail

Kauai’s Maha‘ulepu Heritage Trail is a great option for families looking for an easy, scenic hike. The trail is a relatively easy two-mile out-and-back trail that leads to the beautiful Maha‘ulepu Beach. Along the way, visitors will find stunning views of the ocean and Honolulu, as well as several small waterfalls. The trail is mostly flat and wide enough for strollers, making it a great choice for families with young kids.

The trail is also well maintained, making it a safe and enjoyable hike for families. The only downside to the Maha‘ulepu Heritage Trail is that it can get crowded, especially on weekends. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to get an early start or go during the week.

Kauai’s Kalalau Trail

Kauai’s Kalalau Trail is a great option for families looking for a challenging hike. The trail is an 11-mile out-and-back that follows the breathtaking Kalalau Valley. Along the way, visitors will find stunning views of the ocean and Honolulu, as well as several small waterfalls. The trail is mostly flat and wide enough for strollers, making it a great choice for families with young kids.

The trail is also well maintained, making it a safe and enjoyable hike for families. The only downside to the Kalalau Trail is that it can be very steep and challenging for younger kids, and it can get crowded on weekends. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to get an early start or go during the week.

Kauai’s Na Pali Coast Trail

Kauai’s Na Pali Coast Trail is a great option for families looking for a challenging hike. The trail is a 22-mile out-and-back that follows the breathtaking Na Pali Coast. Along the way, visitors will find stunning views of the ocean and Honolulu, as well as several small waterfalls. The trail is mostly flat and wide enough for strollers, making it a great choice for families with young kids.

The trail is also well maintained, making it a safe and enjoyable hike for families. The only downside to the Na Pali Coast Trail is that it can be very steep and challenging for younger kids, and it can get crowded on weekends. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to get an early start or go during the week.

Summary

Hawaii is the perfect place for families to explore the outdoors, and there are a number of hikes that are perfect for kids. Manoa Falls, Waimea Falls Park, Koko Head, Diamond Head, Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail, Waimea Valley, Maha‘ulepu Heritage Trail, Kalalau Trail, and Na Pali Coast Trail are all great options for families looking to explore Hawaii’s stunning natural beauty. All of these hikes are relatively easy and offer plenty of opportunities for photo ops, as well as a refreshing swim at the end. The only downside is that they can get crowded on weekends, so it’s best to get an early start or go during the week.