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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.
Trades are breezy right now with scattered showers on the windward side and mountains; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Tomorrow stays breezy with the same pattern.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is still uncertain. If it comes closer, expect heavier rain over a longer stretch; if it stays farther out, impacts will be shorter and lighter. Winds will increase late this week, with potential gusts over 70 miles per hour on the highest summits.
Plan your leeward beach time and snorkeling for today through Tuesday. Save summit drives and offshore water sports for after Saturday, and check updates daily as this develops.
0:000:53
Voice
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Trade winds are pushing across Maui right now and staying breezy through tomorrow. Windward slopes and peaks will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. Rough seas mean a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain. Late this week, winds will increase across Maui, with summit gusts potentially exceeding 70 mph on Haleakala. The Big Island—especially Hilo and Puna—faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding if the storm tracks close.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work best today through Tuesday. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:55
Voice
Read the transcript
Trades are kicking today with moderate wind and rough seas. Windward slopes will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain, but the Big Island faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding, especially in the Hilo and Puna areas. Summit winds could exceed 70 mph late in the week. Check forecasts daily as the situation develops.
Leeward snorkeling and beach time work well through Tuesday. Save summit drives and windward hikes for today or tomorrow, and avoid offshore water sports and high elevations Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:58
Voice
Read the transcript
Trades are steady now with scattered showers on the windward side and ridges; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Through Tuesday it stays breezy with rough seas around Maui and the Big Island, where a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is uncertain. Winds will increase across the eastern islands late this week, with potential for summit gusts over 70 mph on Maui and the Big Island if the storm intensifies.
Get your beach and snorkel time in today and tomorrow on the leeward coast. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday as conditions deteriorate. The track could shift significantly—check updates daily.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
