Hiking the Hauʻula Loop Trail on Oʻahu’s North Shore
Distance: 2.7 miles / 4.3 km
When it comes to hiking on the North Shore, Oʻahu doesn’t have a ton of trails to choose from.
However, the Hauʻula Loop Trail is easily the most scenic North Shore hike, and it’s one of the best kid-friendly day hikes on Oʻahu. I say this because the Hauʻula Loop is not too long, there’s not too much uphill, and compared to other nearby trails, it’s not very muddy.
The same can’t be said about the nearby ʻEhukai Pillbox Trail, which can be very muddy if it has recently rained.
Hauʻula Loop vs. Maʻakua Ridge
If you’re trying to decide between the Hauʻula Loop Trail or the Maʻakua Ridge Trail, I personally recommend the Hauʻula Loop.
The Hauʻula Loop is, by far, the better choice, and that’s mainly because it’s a much more beautiful trail, with views such as one shown below.
Read My Separate Post: Maʻakua Ridge Trail
Hauʻula Loop Trailhead Parking
Since parking is limited in the neighborhood leading up to the Hauʻula Loop Trail, it is best to park at the Hauʻula Beach Park, located directly across the street from where the trail begins on Hauʻula Homestead Road.
Note that the distance above is not the distance from the Hauʻula Beach Park, but rather, from the start of the first trail sign on Maʻakua Road.
Google Maps Directions: Hauʻula Beach Park
Hiking the Hauʻula Loop Trail
The Hauʻula Loop Trail begins at the end of Hauʻula Homestead/ Maʻakua Road, which is marked by a Nā Ala Hele trail sign for both the Hauʻula Loop and Maʻakua Ridge Trail.
Shortly after passing the sign in the photo above, the road will lead through two sets of gates before reaching the true trailhead, located about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away on the right-hand side of the road.
Hauʻula Loop-Maʻakua Ridge Trailhead
After 0.1 miles (0.2 km), go right to being the Hauʻula Loop Trail, as the trail to the left begins Maʻakua Ridge Trail, along with Papali Ridge and the Castle Trail.
Read My Separate Posts: Maʻakua Ridge Trail / Papali Ridge Trail / Castle Trail
The Hauʻula Loop Trail starts off on a relatively flat trail before coming to a stream crossing within the first 0.1 miles (0.2 km) of the trailhead.
Depending on how recently it has rained, this stream may or may not be flowing.
After the stream crossing, the trail climbs a number of switchbacks until the split for the Hauʻula Loop.
Hauʻula Loop Trail
In my opinion, the north side of the loop (right) is the more beautiful half, and the south side of the loop (left) is the less beautiful half.
That being said, I personally prefer to go left through the less-scenic half first because I think it makes the loop more enjoyable, which is exactly the direction this article is written.
From the Hauʻula Loop split, the trail gradually climbs about 430 ft. (131 m) until both sides of the loop meet at the second Waipilopilo junction.
East Waipilopilo Junction
The path leading up the ridge to the left is for the longer Hauʻula-Waipilopilo Loop Trail.
However, go right if you weren’t planning on hiking further than the Hauʻula Loop, as the less-trafficked Waipilopilo Trail is a bit more confusing and adds an additional 1.8 miles (2.9 km) to the hike.
After the first Waipilopilo junction, the trail descends down to a small stream crossing.
West Waipilopilo Junction
Shortly past the stream, the second Waipilopilo junction meets with the Hauʻula Loop Trail at the first Kaipapaʻu Gulch viewpoint.
In my opinion, the Cook Pine forest is the best part of the Hauʻula Loop, which is why I like to save it for the end.
Toward the end of the Hauʻula Loop, the trail descends back down to the original split from the beginning.
Hauʻula Loop Junction
At the end of the loop, go left to head back down to the trailhead.
Native Plants on the Hauʻula Loop Trail
Since the Hauʻula Loop Trail is relatively low-elevation adventure, there isn’t a ton of diversity when it comes to native plants. Furthermore, many of the plants that you will come across are non-native/ invasive species, like Christmas berry.
However, toward the upper elevations of the trail, you can see native species, like ʻĀkia, Uluhe, Koa, Palaʻā, Kōlea, and some ʻŌhiʻa lehua trees.
If you’d like to learn more about these and tons other native Hawaiian plants from across the islands, I encourage you to read more in my separate post linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
