The Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail is a 2.5 mile hike with 505 ft elevation gain. This is trail is one of Oahu's most popular hikes and often gets crowded due to its easy access, paved trail and stunning views.
Getting There
The trailhead is located along the southeastern coast on Oahu. There is a large parking lot at the start of the trail that fills up quickly, and street parking is available along the highway. Be sure to hike this trail early, as their is no shade along the trail, and it gets hot quickly!
The Hiking Adventure
The kids, dogs and I ventured out to explore this hike one day while my husband was at work. Although the trail was not crowded, since we visited during Covid times, we did not start out early enough and we experienced just how hot the trail can get. Learn from our mistakes, go early and pack plenty of water!
The trail is a steady climb up to the summit that offers panoramic views and a clear view of the Makapu'u Lighthouse, which was built in 1909. Along the trail there are several lookout spots, and during winter months humpback whales can often be viewed from these points. There are also several trails off of the main path that led to the Makapu'u Tide Pools, however we did not venture down to check these out during this visit.
On a clear day, Lanai and Molokai may be viewed off in the distance. There are plenty of photo opportunities a the summit, and a few small trees to rest under. The trail is paved the entire way, however there are stairs at the end of the summit.
As mentioned earlier, I recommend visiting this hike in the early morning and packing plenty of water, a hat, and sunscreen, as there is no shade and this hike gets hot quickly!
Overall this is one of Oahu's easier hikes with incredible views!
Check out our "Family Friendly Hikes in Hawaii" for other great hiking trails the family can enjoy! (coming soon)
On our scenic drive back through the mountains, we pulled off to check out the Halona Blowhole...such an awesome sight to see and worth pulling into after you hike the Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail.
Kids hiking shoes linked here.
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