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Trip Planner: USA / Hawaii / Oahu / Honolulu / Makapuu Lighthouse Trail

Makapuu Lighthouse Trail, Honolulu

4.8

#2 of 94 in Trails in Hawaii

Historic Walking Area · Hidden Gem · Hiking Trail

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Makapuu Lighthouse Trail will take you over the hills and by the sea, from a stunning beach to a volcanic point. According to legend, Makapu’u was a supernatural being, with eight bright eyes. Today, instead of a giant at the point, you'll find a lighthouse named after her, with a red roof and what's thought to be the biggest lighthouse lens in the United States, standing 3.5 m (12 ft) tall. Bring water, a hat, and binoculars--if you’re lucky, you’ll see whales in addition to seabirds. Be mindful of the prickly cacti along the way. Make Makapuu Lighthouse Trail part of your personalized Honolulu itinerary using our Honolulu trip website.

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Makapuu Lighthouse Trail reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating

2,637 reviews

Google

4.8

By NikkoGandiaTravels

I hiked this & many other trails on 09/12 during my first visit to Hawai'i & posted a vlog! Search "Nikko Gandia Travels" on YT. Parking lot was almost full by 7:30am on a Friday. Great views at the..... more

I hiked this & many other trails on 09/12 during my first visit to Hawai'i & posted a vlog! Search "Nikko Gandia Travels" on YT. Parking lot was almost full by 7:30am on a Friday. Great views at the..... more »
By thomaswZ8603TP

We did a morning hike so it was cooler. It was very windy that day. There are plenty of places along the way to stop, look out and catch your breathe if you need to. Again the hike is worth the...

We did a morning hike so it was cooler. It was very windy that day. There are plenty of places along the way to stop, look out and catch your breathe if you need to. Again the hike is worth the... more »
By Ken Q

We enjoyed our hike up to the top of the trail which provided magnificent views of the surrounding area.

We enjoyed our hike up to the top of the trail which provided magnificent views of the surrounding area. more »

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Google

By cody pyard

Great hike to do with a dog. It's paved all the way up so maybe don't do it with a dog when it gets too hot out because there is no shade. We got there at 7:30am and parking was full but you can park on the shoulder. Everything is pretty clearly marked. Super popular trail. By the time we left the place was absolutely packed. All in all relatively easy hike that will get your blood pumping if you let it. Great views at the top. Take the other trail down to Alan Davis Beach for a dip before you take off!

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By Gem L

Good hike for beginners since it’s on a paved path. Somewhat steep with a few curves but not a winding path. Bring water and an energy bar. Also wear sunscreen and a hat. It gets really hot and there’s barely any shade. Lots of lookout points to see great views and for photo ops. Parking can be tough to get when it’s busy. Better to carpool if going with a group.

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By Istvan Molnar-Szakacs

A nice beginner hike about 2 mi. Doesn’t have that ‘adventure’ feel, as it is a paved road from a parking lot all the way to the top, but the viewpoints are nice. Also found the lighthouse unique, because I think it’s the shortest one I’ve ever seen. Be careful with valuables left in car as the lot is known for theft. There are no facilities here, and be sure to bring water.

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By Ronnie Neumann

This hike is completely paved but don’t underestimate it. It involves a very large incline and I recommend all hikers bring water. With that being said it is very doable. It includes gorgeous views of the light house, ocean and more. The parking will be the worst part, as it gets incredibly crowded!

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By The Booku

The winding Lighthouse trail is completely paved which makes it very accessible for almost everyone. The views at the different lookout points and at the top are stunning on a clear day! It may take around 30 minutes to get to the top if you stop to take pictures at the different points. There is also a side trail off the main path that takes you to the beach. There are no washrooms here and it can get windy at different points as well. There is also no shade so it can get hot on sunny days.

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