The eight main Hawaiian Islands occupy a space of approximately 6,400 square miles, making it the fourth smallest state in the country. But despite its size, Hawaii is a nature lover’s paradise and is home to countless incredible hikes for people of all skill levels and athletic endurance. Whether you’re just not up for completing a strenuous day hike, only have a few hours before work, or you’re new to hiking as a sport, sometimes you need an easy, enchanting hike in Hawaii.

While we’ve showcased our favorite hikes under five miles, sometimes those can still take quite the chunk of time – especially when any elevation gain is involved. That’s why we’re back today with 15 of our favorite hikes that clock in at less than two miles. Some of the featured hikes are less than a mile, making them the perfect length for anyone new to hiking, families with younger children, or those who simply don’t want to put in a ton of effort for an incredible view.

  1. Pu’u O Hulu Kai, 1.9 miles

Megan Shute/Instagram Similar to the wildly popular Lanikai Pillbox trail, Pu’u o Hulu is located on the opposite side of the island – but still just as gorgeous, and far less crowded. Experienced climbers love to scale the rock faces, while novices can easily climb the steep – yet short – switchbacks to the bunkers at the top. We love this Pu‘u‘ohulu Kai, Pu‘U‘Ohulu Kai, Hawaii 96792, USA

  1. Lava Tree State Monument Trail, 0.7 miles

Frank Hamm/Flickr A 17-acre park that features a forest of lava trees, the result of a lava flow in 1790 that swept through the forest, leaving behind lava molds of the tree trunks. The park is free to visit, and features a 0.7-mile loop path and picnic tables. The Lava Tree State Monument, HI-132, P?hoa, HI 96778, USA

  1. Waihou Spring Trail, 1.4 miles

Derek/Flickr This trail, located in Upcountry Maui at the end of Piiholo Road, leads hikers through a Cypress, Eucalyptus, native Hawaiian Koa, and Halapepe forest. The upper trail is perfect for families, while the lower trail is reserved for more experienced hikers. If you’re in Maui and looking for Waihou Spring Trail, 2463 Olinda Rd, Makawao, HI 96768, USA

  1. Kauaupea “Secret” Beach Trail, 0.4 miles

Quinn Comendant/Flickr This Kauai beach is often referred to as Secret Beach, probably due to the steep hike to reach the massive 3,000-foot-long stretch of sand. Even if there are other people here when you visit, with so much sand, you’re bound to feel pretty secluded. This Kauapea (Secret) Beach Trail Head, 2868 Kalihiwai Rd, Kilauea, HI 96754, USA

  1. Koko Crater Botanical Garden, 1.9 miles

Patricia Barden/Flickr This lightly trafficked loop trail is far easier than the nearby Koko Head Stairs, as this hike is only 1.9 miles, and gains only 337 feet in elevation throughout the trek. We love this Koko Crater Botanical Garden, 7491 Kokonani St, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA

  1. Lapakahi State Historical Park, 1.0 miles

Jen/Flickr Found within the rugged 262-acre oceanfront park is this easy one-mile loop trail through the partially restored remains of an ancient coastal fishing settlement, with a variety of historic structures to check out throughout the carefully-placed footpath. This Lapakahi State Historical Park, HI-270, Waimea, HI 96743, USA

  1. Salt Ponds Trail, 1.1 miles

Garden State Hiker/Flickr Located near the Port Allen Airport on Kauai, this one-mile trail leads to some incredible sights, all while gaining only 62 feet in elevation, the perfect walk for families. A day on this Salt Pond Beach Park, Salt Pond Rd, Eleele, HI 96705, USA

  1. Pu’u Ohia, 2.0 miles

Hikers In Paradise/Facebook Near Mount Tantalus on the island of Oahu is this serene hike known for stellar vistas, as well as a beautiful aroma of tropical plants. If you’re in Honolulu and looking for an Pu’u Ohia Trail, Honolulu, HI, USA

  1. Thurston Lava Tube, 0.4 miles

Sarah-Rose/Flickr Located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this short 20-minute walk through a thick forest leads visitors to a 500-foot lava tube that once carried molten lava. Thurston Lava Tube is a classic hike at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, but there’s plenty to love at this national park! Thurston Lava Tube, Hawaii 96778, USA

  1. Twin Falls Trail, 1.5 miles

Terence/Flickr Also known as Hololawa Falls, these twin waterfalls are the first notable attraction on Maui’s Hana Highway coming from the north. Many guidebooks will argue that the falls are not worth the hike, but we tend to disagree. While the falls are short, the picturesque pools are quite lovely. Both swimming hole and waterfall, this Twin Falls Hike, 6280 Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708, USA

  1. Lanikai Pillboxes, 1.6 miles

Hilton Lim/Flickr A short hike up to three old U.S. Marine pillboxes on Oahu’s east side provide views of Kailua Bay, Kaneohe and beyond. This one-mile hike not only provides stunning views of Windward Oahu – but a glimpse into World War II history as well. During the 1940s, the structures were equipped with telescopes, and soldiers would keep watch for enemy ships and send all relevant information back to Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station. This Lanikai Pillbox, Kailua, HI 96734, USA

  1. Olivine Pools, 0.6 miles

bobafred/Flickr Though the journey to reach these picturesque tide pools is short, it can be slippery, and the pools themselves can be dangerous - we’d maybe stick to just teens + adults on this trail for that reason. While definitely a Olivine Pools trailhead, Maui County, HI 96793, USA

  1. Puuhinahina Lookout Loop, 1.7 miles

Wally Gobetz/Flickr For a short and sweet hike in Kauai’s Koke’e State Park, consider the Puuhinahina Lookout trail, a 1.7 loop trail full of wildflowers, and perfect for pups and children. We love this Pu’u Hinahina Lookout, Waimea, HI 96796, USA

  1. Manoa Falls, 1.5 miles

Kanaka Rastamon/Flickr Just miles from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu is the lush Manoa Valley, and this beautiful hike through bamboo and banyan trees leads to a picturesque waterfall – and in less than 45 minutes one way. A great Manoa Falls, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA

  1. Polulu Valley Trail, 0.9 miles

Abhijit Kamerkar/Flickr Often bypassed for other lookout points on the Big Island is Polulu Valley, perhaps due to the fact that you must drive to the end of the Highway 270 to reach this picturesque location. If you do make the drive out here, don’t settle for the views from the lookout – definitely take the time to hike the Awini Trail that leads down to the stunning black sand beach. The half-hour hike is steep at times, but the views – and the destination – are well worth it. One of the most Polol? Valley, Hawaii 96755, USA

Have you done any of these enchanting hikes in Hawaii? What did you think? Did you love it? Let us know in the comments below!

Megan Shute/Instagram

Similar to the wildly popular Lanikai Pillbox trail, Pu’u o Hulu is located on the opposite side of the island – but still just as gorgeous, and far less crowded. Experienced climbers love to scale the rock faces, while novices can easily climb the steep – yet short – switchbacks to the bunkers at the top. We love this Pu‘u‘ohulu Kai, Pu‘U‘Ohulu Kai, Hawaii 96792, USA

Frank Hamm/Flickr

A 17-acre park that features a forest of lava trees, the result of a lava flow in 1790 that swept through the forest, leaving behind lava molds of the tree trunks. The park is free to visit, and features a 0.7-mile loop path and picnic tables. The Lava Tree State Monument, HI-132, P?hoa, HI 96778, USA

Derek/Flickr

This trail, located in Upcountry Maui at the end of Piiholo Road, leads hikers through a Cypress, Eucalyptus, native Hawaiian Koa, and Halapepe forest. The upper trail is perfect for families, while the lower trail is reserved for more experienced hikers. If you’re in Maui and looking for Waihou Spring Trail, 2463 Olinda Rd, Makawao, HI 96768, USA

Quinn Comendant/Flickr

This Kauai beach is often referred to as Secret Beach, probably due to the steep hike to reach the massive 3,000-foot-long stretch of sand. Even if there are other people here when you visit, with so much sand, you’re bound to feel pretty secluded. This Kauapea (Secret) Beach Trail Head, 2868 Kalihiwai Rd, Kilauea, HI 96754, USA

Patricia Barden/Flickr

This lightly trafficked loop trail is far easier than the nearby Koko Head Stairs, as this hike is only 1.9 miles, and gains only 337 feet in elevation throughout the trek. We love this Koko Crater Botanical Garden, 7491 Kokonani St, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA

Jen/Flickr

Found within the rugged 262-acre oceanfront park is this easy one-mile loop trail through the partially restored remains of an ancient coastal fishing settlement, with a variety of historic structures to check out throughout the carefully-placed footpath. This Lapakahi State Historical Park, HI-270, Waimea, HI 96743, USA

Garden State Hiker/Flickr

Located near the Port Allen Airport on Kauai, this one-mile trail leads to some incredible sights, all while gaining only 62 feet in elevation, the perfect walk for families. A day on this Salt Pond Beach Park, Salt Pond Rd, Eleele, HI 96705, USA

Hikers In Paradise/Facebook

Near Mount Tantalus on the island of Oahu is this serene hike known for stellar vistas, as well as a beautiful aroma of tropical plants. If you’re in Honolulu and looking for an Pu’u Ohia Trail, Honolulu, HI, USA

Sarah-Rose/Flickr

Located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this short 20-minute walk through a thick forest leads visitors to a 500-foot lava tube that once carried molten lava. Thurston Lava Tube is a classic hike at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, but there’s plenty to love at this national park!

Thurston Lava Tube, Hawaii 96778, USA

Terence/Flickr

Also known as Hololawa Falls, these twin waterfalls are the first notable attraction on Maui’s Hana Highway coming from the north. Many guidebooks will argue that the falls are not worth the hike, but we tend to disagree. While the falls are short, the picturesque pools are quite lovely. Both swimming hole and waterfall, this Twin Falls Hike, 6280 Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708, USA

Hilton Lim/Flickr

A short hike up to three old U.S. Marine pillboxes on Oahu’s east side provide views of Kailua Bay, Kaneohe and beyond. This one-mile hike not only provides stunning views of Windward Oahu – but a glimpse into World War II history as well. During the 1940s, the structures were equipped with telescopes, and soldiers would keep watch for enemy ships and send all relevant information back to Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station. This Lanikai Pillbox, Kailua, HI 96734, USA

bobafred/Flickr

Though the journey to reach these picturesque tide pools is short, it can be slippery, and the pools themselves can be dangerous - we’d maybe stick to just teens + adults on this trail for that reason. While definitely a Olivine Pools trailhead, Maui County, HI 96793, USA

Wally Gobetz/Flickr

For a short and sweet hike in Kauai’s Koke’e State Park, consider the Puuhinahina Lookout trail, a 1.7 loop trail full of wildflowers, and perfect for pups and children. We love this Pu’u Hinahina Lookout, Waimea, HI 96796, USA

Kanaka Rastamon/Flickr

Just miles from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu is the lush Manoa Valley, and this beautiful hike through bamboo and banyan trees leads to a picturesque waterfall – and in less than 45 minutes one way. A great Manoa Falls, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA

Abhijit Kamerkar/Flickr

Often bypassed for other lookout points on the Big Island is Polulu Valley, perhaps due to the fact that you must drive to the end of the Highway 270 to reach this picturesque location. If you do make the drive out here, don’t settle for the views from the lookout – definitely take the time to hike the Awini Trail that leads down to the stunning black sand beach. The half-hour hike is steep at times, but the views – and the destination – are well worth it. One of the most Polol? Valley, Hawaii 96755, USA

With so many amazing hiking trails to choose from, we certainly weren’t able to include all of the best short hikes on the islands – so, share with us, on our Only In Hawaii Facebook page, your favorite short, easy hikes. And don’t forget to check out these 12 easy hikes to add to your outdoor Hawaii bucket list.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Hawaii, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Enchanting Hikes In Hawaii July 06, 2022 Megan McDonald What is the most scenic hike in Hawaii? It’s a tough one to choose just one, and really; a top five from each island would be a better way of narrowing it down. But for those short on time based in Oahu, we love Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail for the maximum exposure of beauty in a short amount of time. What is the most hardest hike in Hawaii? While Koko Crater Trail gets referenced a lot as a challenging hike on Oahu, but The Kalalau Trail on Kauai is known world wide as a dangerous, difficult trail within the Na pali Coast State Park.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Enchanting Hikes In Hawaii

July 06, 2022

Megan McDonald

What is the most scenic hike in Hawaii? It’s a tough one to choose just one, and really; a top five from each island would be a better way of narrowing it down. But for those short on time based in Oahu, we love Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail for the maximum exposure of beauty in a short amount of time. What is the most hardest hike in Hawaii? While Koko Crater Trail gets referenced a lot as a challenging hike on Oahu, but The Kalalau Trail on Kauai is known world wide as a dangerous, difficult trail within the Na pali Coast State Park.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

It’s a tough one to choose just one, and really; a top five from each island would be a better way of narrowing it down. But for those short on time based in Oahu, we love Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail for the maximum exposure of beauty in a short amount of time.

What is the most hardest hike in Hawaii?

While Koko Crater Trail gets referenced a lot as a challenging hike on Oahu, but The Kalalau Trail on Kauai is known world wide as a dangerous, difficult trail within the Na pali Coast State Park.