The Arch (Natural Attraction, Windward) If you park at the Halona Blowhole parking lot (Kalanianaole Highway heading east in Honolulu) and walk across the highway, head west past where the rail ends, you’ll be heading in the right direction. You can pick a comfortable spot to scale the rocks and […]
hike
Pu’u O’Mahuka Heiau (History, Northshore) This is a tiny park full of history is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the northshore on a great hill overlooking the ocean (Pupukea Homestead Road from Kamehameha Highway [across from Pupukea fire station]). After turning in you find a small lot […]
Koko Crater Botanical Gardens (Educational, Windward) This was the first botanical garden we went to on the island. We hiked Koko Head earlier in the morning, then checked out some oddball spots such as: the spitting cave, the arch, and the hanola blowhole, and then had a huge Japanese lunch […]
Top Picks: Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden (Educational, Koi Pond, Wildlife Sightings, Windward) Just try to keep your jaw from dropping as you drive into this utterly amazing and free green space (45-680 Luluku Road, Kaneohe, HI 96744). Great parking lot and visitors center here, pick up a map and start going. […]
Hau’ula Loop Trail (Wooded, Waterfall, Northshore) This trail was a lot different from all of the others we hiked in Oahu. It was very wooded with habitats that reminded us of home. We only encountered one other group while hiking which was nice for a change, probably because it’s location […]
Diamond Head (Lighthouse, Military Remnants, Tunnels, Waikiki) This is the quintessential Oahu hike located right in Waikiki, everyone does it and the trail is packed accordingly. There are many things that make this hike very interesting and unique, but it is really hard to look past the throngs of people […]
Manoa Falls & Lyon Arboretum (Waterfall, Educational, Honolulu) A waterfall hike has a great draw, what a beautiful payoff for your labors. There was work being done on the road to the trailhead so the only free place to park was down the road a bit. We didn’t mind walking […]
Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail (Paved, Lighthouse, Military Remnants, Windward) This would make a really great sunrise hike because it’s paved and therefore easy to navigate, and on the windward side where the sun rises most visibly. The park that contains the trail is called Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline (8751-9057 Kalanianaole […]
Top Picks: Koko Head (Workout, Military Remnants, Windward) This hike is a serious workout even if you are in good shape. As you drive towards the park you can see the cone looming in the distance, and you can make out the steep trail that lies ahead of you. There […]
Top Picks: Ka’ena Point (Coastal, Endangered Species Sightings, Leeward) This was such a memorable hike on account of the amazing wildlife sightings. The trailhead is located at the most northwestern part of the island, at the end of Farrington Highway and impossible to miss! Gorgeous drive and interesting to see […]
Top Picks: Lanikai Pillbox Trail (Military Remnants, Ridge Trail, Windward) Definitely one of the cooler hikes I have taken and my first ridge trail, I would highly recommend checking this spot out. It is relatively easy and short (less than a mile to the first pillbox) with truly amazing views. […]
Nyack Beach State Park is a fantastically beautiful trail to hike in the town of Nyack, upper Westchester. My mother and I have hiked it on thanksgiving, Christmas, and in all seasons it never disappoints (there is a seasonal charge, but if you have the Empire Pass it is free […]
Untermyer Park is probably one of the cooler hikes I’ve been on. I wouldn’t classify it as a hardcore hike by any means, almost more urban exploration in a natural setting. The park is located in Yonkers, NY (Westchester) and it is the site of a ruined estate and gardens. […]
On my last visit home I took a walk about Hart’s Brook Preserve in Hartsdale, Westchester with my Mom. The snow coverage wasn’t so bad making for a relatively easy hike. There are many different loops to take, some with a bit of elevation than others. My favorite took us to a […]
I am gearing up for a vacation to Oahu, Hawaii, and it is all I can think about! That’s no good because I still have a week of finals left. My future trip has me reminiscing about last year when I first visited Hawaii and stayed on the island of […]