The Honolulu Fire Department had identified the upper portion of Manoa Falls Trail as a hotbed for hiker injury, according to an earlier Star-Advertiser story . Trail type: Out and back. This beautiful hike takes you to the secluded upper portion of Manoa Falls. Enjoy all the 360 views of epic tropical rainforest environment. Love Hawaii? This is a moderately difficult hike as the last third is steep and a little slippery. Not busy at all in the morning but picked up around 10am, so go early to avoid crowds, Super easy trail. It is more like a pleasurable one mile stroll through lush botanical gardens that lead up to the grand waterfall. Growing up in Manoa, friends and I used to go to upper Manoa falls all the time to swim in seclusion with great views. The trail is a bit wet and there are some steps. Although the way up to it wasn't 100% safe, if you had any experience climbing and were careful about where you stepped it was a pretty simple and short hike, with plenty hand holds and ropes. All Rights Reserved The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. This video is about Upper Manoa Falls Hike, Honolulu- Best hikes Honolulu Waterfall- Waterfall hike upper Manoa Falls- View from upper manoa falls- Hike to upper manoa falls- How to get to Upper Manoa Falls Trail- Where to park?- Best things to do and see Honolulu, HawaiiLocation: One of the seven waterfalls deep in Manoa Valley. The trail itself was fairly easy. It's been a while since I've been to Manoa and I forgot just how beautiful the area is. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Elevation gain: 800 feet (244 meters) Mnoa Falls height: about 100 feet (32 meters). Hike Details Elevation 600 Feet The upper falls is up there somewhere, in between the trees. LENGTH: 1.6 miles round trip. Entre de stationnement payant. A bit muddy- but lovely- moderate. The trail cuts through a dense bamboo . At a five-point intersection, veer right onto Mnoa Road. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. It had been pouring rain all day, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) website, Oahu Itinerary January 18, 2007 to January 22, 2007, Guide To The Best Waterfalls You Can Swim In The Big Island, Guide To The Best Waterfalls You Can Swim In Maui & Molokai, A Guide To The Best Waterfalls You Can Swim In Oahu, A Guide To The Best Waterfalls You Can Swim In Kauai, A Guide To The Best Waterfalls In The Big Island Of Hawaii, The Best Waterfalls In Maui & How To Get To Them, The Best Waterfalls In Oahu & How To Get To Them, The Best Waterfalls In Kauai & How To Get To Them. Some plant species included are heliconias, gingers, aroids, bromeliads, and some native Hawaiian plants. All the "in the know" people who hike Manoa Falls know to pick up an Andy's sandwich (and muffin or cookie) pre/post hike. HOME PRIVACY POLICY TERMS, Affiliate Disclosure: We receive compensation from companies whose products or services are used, referenced, or reviewed regardless of whether we endorse or criticize them. The falls are beautiful once you get there. Length: 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometers) one way. Some rain so there werent many people on the trail, but not too muddy. [more], 2006-2023 World Of Waterfalls, All Rights Reserved Let's hike! Did upper Manoa falls today, but it was dangerous for us to even swim or across the fallvery windy but it was still amazing to see the two waterfalls flowing with so much water Every moment counts, try not to waste it. Park offsite in the neighborhood and save the $7. The sky was getting dark. With 150 feet of what seems like an endless waterfall, youll be able to lose yourself in the cascading water and sheer beauty of nature. If you're in Waikiki, take H-1 West towards the Airport and take the Punahoe Exit. It's no wonder. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 2904 E Manoa Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822. . During the hot and dry summer months, it is hardly more than a small dribble. [2] Many tourists are attracted to the waterfall and the scenery throughout the trail leading to it. This trail eventually reaches the ridge, where you will have views to the eastern side of the island. Since the area surrounding the waterfall is considered a tropical rainforest, it is prone to heavy rainfall often making the ground damp . Can't wait for the next one. Is It Necessary? Overall pretty and easy walk! Upper Manoa Falls is just above the well known Manoa Falls and there are great views of Manoa Valley. And speaking of swimming holes in Hawaii, here are 12 of our favorite spots to cool off. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS HIKE IF YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE CLIMBING IN HAWAII. The Lyon Arboretum is located in the Manoa Valley section of the Manoa Falls Trail. Just minutes away from the bustling state capital of Honolulu but still within the city limits is the lush Manoa Valley. And in the midst of this real-life Garden of Eden, the small-but-stunning Onomea Falls is a glorious scene that looks too beautiful to be real and is an easy-access waterfall in Hawaii worth seeking out. If you reach some tree roots like this, you are going the right way. Manoa Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. $7 parking for non-resident/military. #8, 19, or 20 to Ala Moana Shopping Center, then transfer on #5 to Manoa. Type: Waterfall Hike Hike Difficulty: Intermediate Total Time: 1 hour Distance: 2 miles round trip. Just before the lower falls, you should see this sign for the Aihualama Trail. Go this way. Manoa Falls is closer to Waikiki and Honolulu. Manoa Waterfall Small-Group Adventure with Hidden Trail Hike 184 Reviews Badge of ExcellenceHonolulu, United States 4 hours (approx.) The climbs got pretty vertical, and there were points like this where a slip would probably end poorly. Why not live vicariously through YouTube user Howzitboy, who documents his hike to Upper Manoa Falls in this video: Because this incredible destination is a waterfall, it is important to issue a friendly warning about the risks associated with flash flooding, as well as the leptospirosis bacteria found in many of Hawaiis natural pools. Tallest falls I've seen on Oahu. And we made itto Lower Manoa. It was simple, filled with beautiful rainforest, and had no rough steepness. Only a short ride north from Waikiki into the beautiful Manoa Valley, there is parking accessible for a little charge, yet other than that, you will end up in an especially lavish and remote wilderness territory. It is an easy but slippery hike through a rainforest. Lovely but busy. History Museums, Historic Sites, Military Bases & Facilities. Manoa Falls And from what we could tell, this thin 55ft waterfall is one of the island's more impressive waterfalls. Manoa Falls has to be one of the most fascinating waterfalls on Oahu to be seen! Great for taking photos along the way. But since it is located on private property, it was closed to the public. 3737 Manoa Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA Open in Google Maps Meet us at the Manoa Falls Parking Lot. Watch gallons of water per second crash down the rocks and rush down like school kids leaving the building on their very last day of the semester. You can read our Moving to Hawaii wiki. His body wasn't found until around 2p.m. There are some ropes now to help you on the climb up. The hike can be dangerous in the rain and very slippery on the steep parts climbing up. And this is the part where the hike gets a tad tricky. Nestled snugly in the Koolau mountains, it is surrounded by a tropical rainforest that houses many rare species of plants. A couple landslides have occurred, so don't have anyone below you due to loose rocks. Press J to jump to the feed. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. The waterfall and the area surrounding it are incredibly beautiful and attract many people who visit Honolulu. And finally at the top. Went by 9 am. "Just need to shimmy around this rock" LOL sure. And mere moments after going on Aihualama you will see this sign. Now that the fences are there, does anyone know if the upper falls is accessible anymore? With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. Watch gallons of water per second crash down the rocks and rush down like school kids leaving the building on their very last day of the semester. Photo: David Schueller / Shutterstock. And while these attractions are all incredible in their own right, there is a hidden gem few people even know about: a natural infinity pool carved into the mountainside and overlooking this lush valley, Honolulu, and the Pacific Ocean, and its the wondrous UpperManoa Falls. Growing up in Manoa, friends and I used to go to upper Manoa falls all the time to swim in seclusion with great views. Are there any hidden gems youd like to see featured on Only In Hawaii? Great little hike! My sister and I tried to find the infinity pool above the first water fall and we ended up getting lost on the way there during a rain storm. The first hike to the First falls is outstanding. Some sources say it is taller and closer to 150 feet. Cascading 150 feet down the mountainside, it will seem more like 1000 feet as you stare up at the endless water falling down the rocks. The content on this website may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission. The average commute in Upper Manoa takes about 20 minutes. So I'll have to settle with some edge selfies, looking down on the hikers below (and contemplating how many tacos I would eat later). A bit muddy but wasnt terribly buggy until you got to the falls, Super lush & green morning hike, but very buggy & muddy! The TV series "Lost" has been filmed along this trail. Wash yo body with citronella soap before coming! This is the first waterfall trail me and my friend decided to do, and we were blown away. Went while it was raining, thought it was just as fun as if it were dry. ", Disclaimer: If this hike is not a part of the Na Ala Hele "State Maintained" Trails, it may be illegal or dangerous to hike, so do not attempt or HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Little muddy but wrk worth it. Get more stories delivered right to your email. It features a vertical drop of over 200 feet (61 m). Phillip Scott Mann fell from the top of the falls and died on April 11th 2012. Why you should go: Not far from Waikiki Beach and the University of Hawaii. The trip itself was very quick, and took us around 30-45 minutes each way. Encounter enormous prehistoric ferns, native Hawaiian species, and the snaking roots of the giant . The Manoa Falls trailhead is located at the end of Manoa Road. . You can also park on the residential streets and walk about 1/4 a mile in. Forget hotel pools; gorgeous swimming holes are where its at in Hawaii! Be advised, if you park in the official Manoa Falls parking lot, you will have to pay $5. There aren't any markers so you have to navigate on instinct. The waterfall was beautiful and I lingered in awe of it! Manoa Falls is better to get to by bus from Waikiki. For many, visiting Hawaii is the ultimate escape. These waterfall hikes in Hawaii are some of those adventures, and many are shorter treks that are accessible to hikers of all abilities and skill levels. The falls were amazing. *****. Follow University Avenue as it turns into Oahu Avenue. muddy if it has rained recently, but beautiful, and well worth it. Save. Challenges: Muddy and slippery, Climbing up tree routes, Crowds. What are the most beautiful waterfalls in Hawaii? Each place has a total for the amount of precipitation it usually receives in a year. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. The falls itself was a natural infinity pool, with a clear view of Waikiki. Regardless of the tourists, it is quite pretty. Wear old pair of shoes that you don't mind getting dirty or even throwing away. Swimming in the pool below the waterfall is highly discouraged. Waimea Falls has more things to do in the area. And you have your own private little waterfall pool to enjoy. To get to the upper falls, you need to head up the Aihualama Trail and then veer off the right side and climb up a tree. Manoa Falls Hike: 1.6 Miles (1.29 km) Round-Trip hike with an 800-Foot (243 m) elevation increase. Go this way. Beautiful spots on the trail and a good flow in the waterfall from recent rains. Top 10 Best Waterfalls in Hawaii & How To Visit Them, User-submitted Waterfall Write-up of the Month, and the latest news and updates both within the website as well as around the wonderful world of waterfalls. Wet and muddy but not too slippery with proper shoes. Hawaii is known across the world for its amazing waterfalls, and while there are many no-hike falls that can be viewed from highway pullouts or scenic overlooks, there are many, many more tucked away in the lush forests, craggy shorelines, and wondrous jungles of the Aloha State -- and hiking is the best way to experience them! The trail is significantly muddy and slippery at times but nothing some good choice of shoes or hiking sticks can't deal with. Itself was very quick, and we were blown away most fascinating on... 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