8 Best Dog-Friendly Hikes on O‘ahu
Leashed dogs are allowed on dozens of state trails. Here are our top picks for where to hike with your furry friend.
One of the best ways to get into exercise is to do it with a friend—whether on two legs or four. With temperatures a little cooler these days, it’s a good time to hit the trails with your pup.
Dozens of trails managed by the state allow dogs. For a full list, go to hawaiitrails.ehawaii.gov/trails and filter by “dog on leash.” You can also download the OuterSpatial app, which lets you sort dog-friendly hikes by proximity or alphabetical order.
Just because dogs are allowed doesn’t mean they’re going to have a good time, though. We combed through the list of hikes for the ones that aren’t too difficult, sunny or long for pups of various sizes, ages and abilities. Be sure to consider your dog’s (and your own) fitness level before heading out. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few of our top recommended dog-friendly hikes on O‘ahu.
A few key things to keep in mind:
- Dogs must be leashed at all times.
- Consider getting a GPS collar (not an Apple AirTag) in case you and your dog get separated.
- Bring poop bags, enough water and a collapsible water bowl, snacks, and a first-aid kit.
- Beware of unleashed hunting dogs on certain scheduled days as well as the possibility of running into wildlife.
SEE ALSO: Your Ultimate Guide to Runs, Walks, Swims and Cycling Events on O‘ahu
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
‘Aiea Loop Trail
This trail works best for dogs with stamina. Though it isn’t strenuous, it’s almost 5 miles, so give yourself a few hours to complete it. There’s plenty of shade (and sometimes mud) to keep your pup cool. Since it’s a loop, you won’t encounter many people heading past you in the opposite direction, which is also good for nervous dogs.
Photo: Katrina Valcourt
Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail
There are two hikes that start at the end of Kala‘au Place in East Honolulu, and while both are dog-friendly, they’re quite different experiences. The ridge trail goes up to the right and is often busy, so make sure your dog is well-behaved around others. There’s plenty of variety to get in a good workout among the trail’s switchbacks and a few wide spaces to take breaks. The picnic tables about two-thirds of the way up are a good place to stop and turn around; the rest of the trail beyond that is sunny and more of a stair climb, which may not be as fun for pups who don’t care about the awesome view at the top. The full trail can sometimes take four hours to complete roundtrip.
Photo: Jennifer Adams
Kuli‘ou‘ou Valley Trail
The much shorter, less strenuous valley trail has a slight incline if you’re looking to just spend about an hour hiking. And while it isn’t usually busy, you have to look for parking in the neighborhood along with everyone hiking the ridge trail—so even though the hike itself is totally shaded, you should still consider the time of day in regard to hot pavement.
SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Guide to Hiking on O‘ahu
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail
We love a paved path when we’re looking to get our heart rates up and don’t want to worry about slipping or tripping on uneven surfaces. Makapu‘u’s trail is nice and wide so you don’t have to pull over to let others pass, and there’s often a nice breeze. It’s a quick 3 miles, but there is no shade, so dogs should only accompany you on this hike when the sun isn’t beating down. On a recent Saturday, the parking lot was overflowing by 7 a.m., but there’s usually space to park along the highway.
Photo: Lennie Omalza
Makiki Valley Loop Trail
Multiple trails intersect here, so follow the signs to hike the Kanealole, Makiki Valley and Maunalaha trails in a 2.5-mile loop. There are lots of tree roots and rocks, so if you want to get the steeper part of the hike out of the way first to make sure your pup can handle, start with Maunalaha and go counterclockwise.
Photo: Laura Dornbush
Mānoa Falls Trail
It’s a pretty busy trail, but for good reason—it’s short, easy and well-maintained. Safety upgrades a few years ago made the trail more family-friendly, which works well for dogs, too.
Photo: Taylor Ellis
Pu‘u Pia Trail
Not quite as deep into the valley as Mānoa Falls so it’s a little more secluded, Pu‘u Pia offers a fun trek most dogs can enjoy. It’s mostly shady with a nice couple of grassy clearings at the end and is only 2.4 miles roundtrip.
Photo: Taylor Ellis
‘Ualaka‘a Trail
Barely over 1 mile roundtrip, the well-defined trail begins in Pu‘u ‘Ualaka‘a State Wayside (before the lookout) and takes you through towering pines and banyan arches. Let your dog take time exploring after the winding drive up since it’s such a short hike. A few other trails branch off at the uphill end of the loop.
Katrina Valcourt is the executive editor of HONOLULU Magazine.
