Hiking the Nuʻuanu Trail on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Distance (Roundtrip): 5.6 miles / 9.0 km
The Nuʻuanu Trail on Oʻahu is a relatively short, 2.8-mile (4.5 km) day hike off the Judd Trail in Nuʻuanu Valley that is most often seen as a connector trail within the larger Tantalus Trail network, which extends from Makiki Valley to the Koʻolau Summit atop Puʻu Kōnāhuanui.
That said, the Nuʻuanu Trail can most similarly be compared with the ʻAihualama Trail, located on the Mānoa Valley side of the mountain, as these two trails are seldom hiked on their own.
By this, I mean that just as the ʻAihualama Trail can be used to create a loop with Puʻu Kōnāhuanui and the Mānoa Middle Ridge Trail, the Nuʻuanu Trail is also a preferred route to create a loop with the Lulumahu Ridge Trail and Puʻu Kōnāhuanui.
All this to say, I personally think that the Nuʻuanu Trail makes for a great standalone day hike, which is something that I would not say about the ʻAihualama Trail.
However, for those interested in hiking to the summit of Puʻu Kōnāhuanui from Nuʻuanu Valley, know that the distance is 5.5 miles (8.9 km) each way, with an additional 860 ft. (262 m) of elevation gain compared to 4.1 miles (6.6 km) each way from the traditional Puʻu ʻŌhiʻa Trailhead on Tantalus.
Nuʻuanu Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Nuʻuanu Trail is located at the Judd Trailhead on the side of Nuʻuanu Pali Drive, but out of caution, consider the Judd/ Nuʻuanu Trailhead to be a high-crime area for petty theft. Never leave bags or anything valuable in your car.
To add to this warning, never park at this trailhead with an expired registration or safety check. The Honolulu Police Department and towing companies target this area for cars that they can legally tow if one of these two things is expired.
Google Maps Directions: Judd Trailhead
Hiking the Nuʻuanu Trail
The Nuʻuanu Trail begins at the Judd Trailhead, which it will follow for the first 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to the upper part of the loop.
Nuʻuanu Trailhead (Judd)
Nuʻuanu Trailhead (Judd)
Shortly after the trailhead, the Judd Trail appears to split, but to stay on the official route, go right to continue across the Nuʻuanu Stream.
Go Right
Nuʻuanu Stream
After just 0.1 miles (0.2 km), the Judd Trail crosses the Nuʻuanu Stream.
That said, there is usually a way to cross on the rocks without getting your shoes wet, but this may not be the case if the stream is running high—typically during the wetter winter months.
Judd Loop Trail
On the far side of the stream, there’s either the option to go left (straight) around the upper side of the Judd Loop or right on the lower but longer side.
Personally, I recommend going left (straight) at the split, in order to follow the fastest route to the Nuʻuanu Trail junction.
Read My Separate Post: Judd Trail
Lower Nuʻuanu (Judd)-Makuku Ridge Junction
When the Judd Trail passes this very obvious, steep trail on the left-hand side, go straight to continue on the Judd Loop toward the Nuʻuanu junction.
That said, the Makuku Ridge Trail will intersect with the Nuʻuanu Trail once again, but it really is a very steep and direct route up the mountain.
Go Straight
Lower Nuʻuanu (Judd)-Makuku Ridge Junction
Nuʻuanu-Judd Junction
After 0.5 miles (0.8 km), the Nuʻuanu Trail will split to the left.
This is where all of the uphill begins for about 850 ft. (259 m) of elevation gain to the Pauoa Flats Trail on Tantalus.
If you are interested in learning more about the full Judd Trail Loop and the Jackass Ginger Pool, I encourage you to check out my separate article using the link below.
Read My Separate Post: Judd Trail
When the Nuʻuanu Trail begins to switch back and forth rapidly, the trail is nearing the end of the Cook Pines and the beginning of the four major switchbacks that climb up to Tantalus.
The photo below shows where the Nuʻuanu Trail begins climbing the first of four long switchbacks to the upper ridge.
ʻIeʻie - (Freycinetia arborea)
Please bear with me :)
Upper Ridge
After walking under the beautiful Banyan Tree in the photo above, the Nuʻuanu Trail begins the upper ridge, which is where the best views on the entire hike can be found!
This ʻŌhiʻa-Koa forest is the only part of the entire Nuʻuanu Trail that passes through a predominately native forest.
Nuʻuanu-Pauoa Flats Junction
The Nuʻuanu Trail ends where it meets the Pauoa Flats Trail, about halfway between the Mānoa Cliff Trail to the right and the Pauoa Flats Bench to the left.
That said, one of the most popular destinations to hike to on Tantalus is the Pauoa Flats Bench, located roughly 0.4 miles (0.6 km) away from this junction.
If you are interested in hiking more of the Tantalus Loop Trail, I encourage you to use the link below to check out my separate article about the entire network of trails beginning from the trailhead in Makiki Valley.
Read My Separate Post: Tantalus Loop Trail
I chose to go left to continue hiking out to the Pauoa Flats Bench.
Pauoa Flats-ʻAihualama Junction
About 0.1 miles (0.2 km) after the Nuʻuanu junction, the Pauoa Flats Trail will pass the final split before the bench.
This is the ʻAihualama Trail, which serves as a connector between this point on Tantalus and the Mānoa Falls Trail below.
That aside, to continue hiking up to the Pauoa Flats Bench, go straight at this final junction.
Read My Separate Posts: ʻAihualama Trail / Mānoa Falls Trail
Even on a beautiful sunny day like this, the Pauoa Flats Trail between ʻAihualama and the bench is often very muddy!
Pauoa Flats Bench
This is the Pauoa Flats Bench, and this viewpoint is the end of the maintained trail network on Tantalus.
By this, I mean that the ridge does continue farther up to the Koʻolau Summit, but if you weren’t prepared to hike that far, I recommend turning back, as the trail only gets more and more challenging from this point on.
Read My Separate Post: Puʻu Kōnāhuanui Ridge Trail
Native Plants on the Nuʻuanu Trail
For the most part, the Nuʻuanu Trail is a heavily invaded Oʻahu trail, with little to no native species below the upper ridge.
However, there are still a few native plants to look out for, including ʻŌhiʻa lehua, Koa, Uluhe, and Palaʻā.
If you would like to learn more about these and many other native Hawaiian plants from across the islands, I encourage you to check out my separate post linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
