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Pali Puka Trail
Located within the East Region on Oahu
Guide Snapshot
A quick fit check before you commit to this trail.
Difficulty
Expert
Distance
About 1 mile
Estimated time
About 1 hour
Elevation & terrain
Short, steep, exposed ridge
Family fit
Not for kids
Highlights
Pali Lookout · Exposed · Short
East Oahu Hiking Trails
Best Hiking Trails on Oahu
Pali Puka Trail
The Pali Puka trail is a short mile suitable for advanced hikers. Located about half an hour from Waikiki, there is parking at the Pali Lookout lot. It takes about an hour to trace the trail, heading off to the left of the parking lot, because there are some steep areas and narrow ridges you’ll have to navigate.
Following rainy weather, the trails can be quite muddy. However, it is worth the trip to see the views of the Puka, Three Peaks, Kaneohe Bay (K-Bay), Kailua, and Kaneohe.
Once you find the entry for the trail, you will reach a fork where you head right. Be prepared as you will immediately be faced with a steep incline that is covered with roots that can be a pain to climb. However, you’ll reach the ridge faster than you expect and the trail will open to the lovely Windward views. Things get easier from here although it can be narrow and very steep in some areas; use extreme caution. There are safety ropes to hold when passing through these areas. If you feel nervous, you can opt to take the back route through the trees.
You’ll also get excellent views of Pali Notches, the Lanikai Pillbox Hike, and Three Peaks. Leeward you can see Nuuanu Valley and a view of a distant waterfall. However, it’s not until you reach the end of the ridge at a massive rock that you take in the stunning view of the puka. You won’t be disappointed as you enjoy the view of the hole in the ridge framing the coastline, creating a truly unique natural feature.
To get down to the puka you can take two impromptu trails, but it gets pretty crowded in that area because it is a very narrow ridgeline. However, your patience will pay off to get a closer look at this stunning natural wonder.
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.
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.
0:000:54
Voice
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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
