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Maunawili Falls Trail
Located within the East Region on Oahu
Guide Snapshot
A quick fit check before you commit to this trail.
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
About 5 miles via alternate access
Estimated time
2-3 hours
Elevation & terrain
Muddy jungle route with stream crossings
Family fit
Experienced hikers
Highlights
Waterfall · Status-Sensitive · Mud
East Oahu Hiking Trails
Best Hiking Trails on Oahu
Maunawili Falls Trail
Maunawili Falls is in the Maunawili Valley at the foot of the Pali Cliffs. It’s about 40 minutes from Waikiki.
Important Notice: The original Maunawili Falls trailhead via Maunawili Road has been closed since July 2021 and remains closed. The trail is currently accessible via the alternate Maunawili Demonstration Trailhead on Pali Highway. This alternate route is approximately 5 miles roundtrip. Check the DLNR website for current access status before visiting.
Trail day tools
Before you drive to the trailhead, check the trail and weather layer.
Hawaii hikes can change quickly with closures, rain, mud, heat, and daylight.
From the sign marking the trail, walk a short distance to the hillside. The trail can be quite muddy and is an upward climb that is rather adventurous. There are some steps along the trail, and by the time you follow the stream, you’ll find the ground becomes a little less challenging. You’ll have to hop some rocks to cross streams that can be a bit of a balancing act.
When you reach the plateau, you can admire the view of the valley and jungle before the path heads downwards to the falls. The steps here are large and should be taken slowly. You’ll reach the cascading falls where you’ll navigate across another stream and some boulders to reach the cool natural pool at the bottom of the 20 ft waterfall. It can be tricky to dive or swim in the area, but people do take the risk. As well, the water can be contaminated with leptospirosis bacterial disease that could make you very sick.
From here, you can follow the trail to reach the top of the falls, although many people choose to swim to the falls and then climb the side. At the top of the trail, you will discover a second waterfall to enjoy before you head back.
Founder & certified Hawai'i travel expert with 20+ years in Hawai'i tourism, University of South Carolina climate-research training, and NOAA weather-station experience.
Dry conditions on Oʻahu today, with breezy wind in exposed areas. Drier weather continues through Wednesday as moisture clears out.
A medium-sized northwest swell will bring elevated surf to north and west-facing shores tonight through Sunday morning—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. Winds remain breezy through Sunday, easing slightly Monday and Tuesday before picking up again Wednesday. A Small Craft Advisory is active through Monday morning for most coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Scattered showers arrive Thursday into Friday.
South and west shore beaches work well through Sunday for calmer conditions. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're drawn to bigger waves.
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Skies are drying out across Maui today through Wednesday as moisture clears. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed and terrain-favored spots.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell moves in—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then strengthen again Wednesday. The next chance of scattered showers arrives Thursday through Friday.
If you're heading to the beach, south and west shores are your best bet through Sunday. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're into bigger waves.
0:000:53
Voice
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Mostly clear and dry today on the Big Island, with noticeably breezy winds in exposed areas and terrain-favored spots. That breeze continues through Sunday.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell arrives—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. South shores stay small. A Small Craft Advisory covers most coastal waters through Monday morning due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive statewide Thursday to Friday.
Head to the south and west shores for beach and snorkeling through Sunday. If bigger waves interest you, the north shore has surf to watch tonight into Sunday morning.
0:000:49
Voice
Read the transcript
Drier air is moving in through Wednesday. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed areas.
Tonight into Sunday morning, a medium-sized northwest swell will push elevated surf onto the north and west shores—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive Thursday or Friday.
Hit the south and west shores for swimming and snorkeling through Sunday. If you want to watch big waves, the north shore is worth a look tonight into Sunday morning.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
Created with AI from this HawaiiGuide page and read by a computer-generated voice. Double-check fees, hours, and reservations on the full page before you head out. Hawaiian pronunciation is tricky for synthesized speech and a few words may land slightly off; mahalo for your patience as we keep refining.
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