Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail image

Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail

Tourist attraction Park Hiking area

One of the Best Places To Visits in Honolulu


Address

Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail, Waimanalo, HI 96795, United States

Website

dlnr.hawaii.gov

Contact

+1 808-587-0300

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (4K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 7 am to 6:45 pm
  • Saturday: 7 am to 6:45 pm
  • Sunday: 7 am to 6:45 pm
  • Monday: 7 am to 6:45 pm
  • Tuesday: 7 am to 6:45 pm
  • Wednesday: 7 am to 6:45 pm
  • Thursday: 7 am to 6:45 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: hike (32) views (24) paved (20) trail (19) lighthouse (12) great (11) beautiful (11) walk (10) view (10) road (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Tracy T. 2 years ago on Google
    One of my favorite hikes in Oahu! Very family and dog friendly. I would say this is more of a challenging walk than a hike. The road is paved to walk up. It’s really nice to see people young and old. Love seeing all the cute dogs enjoying this hike too. Definitely a hike I would recommend to everyone. An overall easy hike for such a great view! Highly recommend
    19 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lauren Klaus H. 2 years ago on Google
    The paved trail is easy to walk and is stroller or wheelchair accessible. Lots of families with children and people walking dogs. It's about 1 mile up and is at an incline that is slightly challenging. The best time to go is before sunrise and be there right when the gate opens otherwise parking along the road is required, which is quite a distance from the entrance. There are no public toilet facilities. Once you get to the lookout, views are spectacular. The lighthouse is picturesque and the view is great in every direction. The crowd is usually very polite and the sunrise is gorgeous. With the right shoes one can continue to climb upward amongst rocks to some of the cement structures at the very top. Great exercise and well worth your time.
    15 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mayur P. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a great trail for about a 3 mile hike on a paved road. The light house still exists near the bottom of the cliff but the viewpoint from above is very beautiful. You can see tide pools below, which you can also hike to and swim in/around - however the waves looked rough on the day I came. I would recommend this hike/walk but be prepared for about 1.5 miles to the top!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Rahul J. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a must visit place if you want to witness great ocean views and lighthouse sitting at a cliff. Trail leading up to is well paved and easy to walk on to. Not too steep I most places, some sections can be a bit challenging. However, there are some breathtaking views all around you. From the top, you can see both sides of the island as it is the narrowest part of the island. There are two sets of the stairs at the summit that offer two completely different views. One shows you the top of the lighthouse and other, real blue water with a small island. Parking can be a challenge but be patient, park of the sides of the road and walk to the trail head. Worth visiting.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Julia G. 1 year ago on Google
    Gorgeous early AM walk. Because it is paved, it does attract a wide ranging crowd, some who prefer blasting music rather than the sounds of nature. It’s unprotected, so bring water and sun protection if you’re going during the day. Sunrise is fabulous! It technically opens at 7am, but cars line the street to the entrance on both sides to catch the sunrise. Worth it, but the crowds and pavement -1.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chris W. 2 years ago on Google
    Spectacular sunrise views. The trailhead parking lot doesn't open until 7:00a.m. but you can park on the road and walk in. It's only a couple minutes longer rounding off to about a 30 minute hike up to the lookout. The main trail is wide, smooth, and very well maintained. The offshoot trail to the lighthouse itself is closed off due to rock falls but it can be seen from the overlook.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Blaine P. 2 years ago on Google
    This “Hike” is a nice paved leisure incline. All ages can do it. I watched someone push their grandma in a wheelchair up the slope (I wouldn’t do that) but it can be done. We went for a “sunrise hike” but missed the sunrise. I’ve done the sunrise before and it’s beautiful. Disclaimers: Wear Sunscreen. Take your time. Don’t go to close to the edges if you don’t have good balance. It’s windy so hold on to your hats.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stefano S. 5 months ago on Google
    You can see the beginning of this trail from the road. What you probably don't know is that it's just the beginning. It's paved, but it's a pretty steep incline the entire way. They have a few stops along the way so you can check out the views and catch your breath. In the end, you're looking down at a not that impressive lighthouse that you can't go in. It's a good physical challenge and the views make it all worthwhile.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brandt C. 8 months ago on Google
    What a great hike! Family friendly, dog friendly, and bike friendly! It is paved and moderately difficult. It could get hot, but the wind was quite strong on the day we went and it was very pleasant. Nothing can compare to the views though. Absolutely stunning! We saw many people pushing strollers and saw two bikers (I honestly can’t imagine biking it, though). There are a few steep grades that may cause some to take a few breaks. We went in the morning and it was not too busy. Had a blast—would do this one again. Loved the history lessons along the way with the markers/placards of explanations of things.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Curteis R. 1 year ago on Google
    This is one of the best hikes I've ever done. It's a beautiful paved pathway all the way to the top. You have to go up and down the dame way and it's about 4km. There is a path that takes you along a rock ledge or cliff that is worth the extra steps because you get a clear picture of the coast. The light house and view is really beautiful.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cole P. 2 years ago on Google
    Easy hike with the paved trail, more of a longer steep walk rather than a hike. Parking can be challenging but hike and views are well worth it. Amazing view of the sunrise. Recommend going up to the pill boxes for the best views and to avoid the crowds at the overlooks.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Tricia M. 2 years ago on Google
    Moderate hike with a slight incline. Paved path all the way up. Take water. Beautiful view at the top. Watch for whales in the distance. It seems there use to be a path down to the lighthouse itself but was destroyed.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 The Whole Truth according to the B. 2 years ago on Google
    Truly I’m not an active person as I should be. But I survived the climb. It was a steady uphill climb that you will feel before you reach the first turn. Haha. But it’s fun and beautiful and I got some great sunset shots. That was my motivation to get to the top and why I made it. But we also went left at the fork and took the of road path to the top of the other mountain which is where most my shots came from. I loved it.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lea F. 1 year ago on Google
    What an amazing way to start your day with this hike. A quick, beautiful scenic walk up with non-stop views. It is a hill, so you'll be walking up most of the way with some resting spots. But you won't be too discouraged with the view of the ocean the whole way up.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Svetlana G. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely family hike...it's a paved road in fact. So lots of strollers, kiddos, etc. Nice view from the top. And really fun to see wales... fountains, tails:) Trail to the lighthouse is closed:( Free parking but it was difficult to find a spot at 8am.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Nathaniel E. 4 months ago on Google
    4.5/5 - A nice semi-easy hike to do especially for visitors! Has a great view of the Waimanalo/Kailua coastline. The trail is paved with multiple stops to enjoy the view or take a break. No restrooms available. You are able to see the lighthouse from the top but not allowed to access the area around the lighthouse.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Erica K. 4 months ago on Google
    Great paved trail for all ages. The views are phenomenal. It can be a great spot for whale watching if in season. It is very hot with no shade, so cover up, brings lots of hydration and go earlier. Parking fills up fast. Do not leave values in plain sight in your car either.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Issack O. 2 years ago on Google
    Decent amount of parking and the trail is all paved. Only downside is not much shade but the views are spectacular and sometimes you can see some whales in the distance. Would definitely recommend for an easy hike.

  • 5/5 Victor San G. 5 months ago on Google
    Makapu'u Point Trail is a great place for awesome views of Hawaii. The hike is paved the whole way. There's some semi steep part of the trail but very manageable. The path is wide enough for you to go at your own pace without you having to worry about holding people back. The views along the way are very much worth the hike up. The lighthouse itself is nice but personally I think the landscape views are better. We came during sunset and even though the sun sets on the other side of the island it still has great views.

  • 5/5 Hudson H. 4 months ago on Google
    This trail is awesome! This trail is paved all the way up to the lighthouse viewing area from what I remember. It’s a consistent climb all the way up and there is no shade so prepare accordingly. The views at the top are awesome. I feel like this area of Oahu deserves more love, it’s really a cool place to check out.

  • 5/5 Mariella L. 4 months ago on Google
    Overall an easy hike on a fully paved path, just a high incline going up. The top is beautiful but so is the views going up. I highly recommend this hike it is short about an hour in total.

  • 4/5 Jeremie T. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice trail with strong wind on certain stretches and beautiful scenic views along the way and at the top. Parking space is limited, and there is no restroom or water dispenser, and no shelter is available, should it rain. So, check the weather and plan to arrive early and be well prepared if you plan to hike. The hike takes about half an hour uphill. During the hike, my wife and I were on the lookout for humpback whales on the ocean side, but none surfaced or were seen. The lighthouse is located on another trail, which we did not venture towards.

  • 5/5 Michael D. 1 year ago on Google
    Great hike, I would suggest if you are living here and have a choice to do it when it’s cooler, there is no shade, bring lots of water. It’s paved the entire way. There are spots you can go off the trail to some great view points! Have fun and be safe!

  • 5/5 Melissa 1 year ago on Google
    Easy hike up a paved and spacious walkway. It is about 2 miles total. There is a parking lot at the base of the trail. The views from the top are very beautiful. There are many look out points along the way. However, the path provides little to no shade along the way so recommend a hat and lots of sunscreen.

  • 5/5 Michelle C. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely beautiful views! Paved path was extremely clean and easy to hike. I definitely suggest this hike!

  • 5/5 Kristin F. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing hike to the top with beautiful views of the shoreline for miles! Lots of rest stops along the trail for going up to the point too. My family LOVED this trail!

  • 5/5 Dallin Y. 2 years ago on Google
    We have done about a dozen hikes on the island. If you like open views of vast blue ocean and cliffs with waves crashing below, this is your hike. It's also paved which makes it easier despite it being a fairly steep climb. We are in pretty decent shape and made the trip in about 55 minutes. If you are looking for wild, lush, jungle then this is not your hike. Probably a good spot for whale watching during whale season but we were here the wrong time of year


Call +1 808-587-0300 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Activities
    • ✓️ Hiking
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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