More resources to plan your trip to Hawaii There are wonderful family-friendly places to stay on Oahu, or you can look at these excellent budget-friendly vacation rentals on Oahu. Ko Olina – Marriott Ko Olina or Disney Aulani.Waikiki – Hilton Hawaiian Village or Hyatt Regency Waikiki.Now that you’ve figured out which hikes are on your must-do list, it’s time to choose where to stay! Use this detailed guide to help you decide, and in the meantime here are a few quick picks by area: Even the gentle walk to Waimea Falls can get slippery if it’s been raining ( ask me how I know ).Īnd, of course, don’t forget the snacks. But for kids? No question, they’ll have the most success with closed-toed shoes that have good tread. We saw adults on each of these walks wearing flip flops, but with varying degrees of success. Pack your bags! Check out our full (but minimalist) women’s packing list for Hawaii.Įven though these are all technically easy hikes, the most important thing to bring is appropriate footwear. After your hike, drive five minutes to this little shop in Waialae for some of the best shaved ice on Oahu at a fraction of the price!Ĭheck out more awesome things to do on Oahu with kids What to bring for easy hikes on Oahu The prices are insane! $10 for a smoothie, $6-9 per coconut. Pro tip: Yes, there’s a concessioner selling pineapple smoothies, fresh coconuts and even shaved ice. Upon arrival you’ll receive a brochure that’s loaded with fascinating information about Diamond Head history, science and ecology – I read it aloud while we waited our turn to park, and it made the whole walk more interesting (plus it was a great worldschooling opportunity). If you don’t have a rental car, you can easily grab an Uber – click here to save $5 on your first ride. Parking is $5 per car at the trailhead, or you can pay $1 per person to walk in. Overall our kids voted Diamond Head as their favorite hike on Oahu – they liked it so much that they requested a return visit. There is no swimming at Manoa Falls due to the presence of leptospirosis. Fortunately she was in good spirits by the time we returned to the flat, stunning valley at the beginning of the trail. The fatigue was real by the time we reached the waterfall and then descended back through the steepest section, but it was more of a mental fatigue than a physical one (in the picture below, we’d already had a good 15 minutes of relaxation so everyone was feeling better). It’s also narrow and technical in some of the same places where it’s muddy and slippery, which can be very frustrating for young hikers who may not be as sure on their feet. But the ubiquitous shade and high ambient humidity mean that this path is almost always somewhat wet and muddy. It’s best to conquer hikes to waterfalls in Oahu (or anywhere else) when there’s been at least some rain. The valley views near the beginning of the trail are simply magical.īut our younger kid was (sort of) miserable during parts of the hike. There’s also abundant shade throughout the hike, so you probably won’t hear complaints about heat like you would at some of the other best hikes on Oahu. After all, it’s not especially long or steep, it’s right near Honolulu and there’s an enormous waterfall at the end! If you look at most lists of Oahu family hikes, Manoa Falls is generally at the top. The best kid-friendly hikes on Oahu Waimea Fallsġ.9 miles each way, 200 feet of elevation gain Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Oahu, Hawaii But these easy hikes on Oahu will do the trick for most visitors, just pick your scenery! As you can imagine, it takes some planning – and trial and error – to satisfy everyone’s needs. He’s an experienced hiker who’s tackled mountains in Patagonia, she’s only done a few hikes on her own two feet (with the rest being in our favorite baby carrier and toddler carrier). One of these short Oahu hikes is sure to fit the bill for your crew!įor context, our son turned 7 during our time on Oahu and our daughter was a little over four. We checked out some of the top kid-friendly hikes on Oahu (which are also perfect for less experienced adult hikers) and now we’re reporting back to you on what it was really like taking your average mainland kid on them. Sometimes, though, the challenge is getting our *cough* younger *cough* team members on board. The island has some great options, ranging from beautiful coastal views to classic waterfall hikes on Oahu. There’s something awe-inspiring and deeply gratifying about reaching a beautiful view after you’ve really worked for it. Every traveler has their own priorities in travel planning, but for us exploring the natural world is always high on the list.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |