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 and remains on the Judd Trail for the first 0.5 miles (0.8 km).
Nuʻuanu Stream
Within the first 0.1 miles (0.2 km), the Judd Trail crosses the Nuʻuanu Stream.
Unless the stream is running high, there is usually a way to cross on the rocks without getting your shoes wet.
Judd Loop Trail
On the far side of the stream, you can either go left (straight) around the upper side of the loop or right on the lower, but longer, side.
Personally, I recommend going left (straight) at the split, in order to take the fastest route to the Nuʻuanu Trail junction.
Read My Separate Post: Judd Trail
These Cook Pines are some of the most beautiful sections on the entire hike, and they make for a great place to take photos when the late afternoon light is just right!
Nuʻuanu-Judd Loop 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
After the first few small switchbacks in the beginning, the Nuʻuanu Trail will climb four major switchbacks to gain the upper ridge that leads up to the Pauoa Flats Trail.
The photo below is the first of four switchbacks.
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.
Pauoa Flats Trail
The end of the Nuʻuanu Trail is the Pauoa Flats Trail. That said, one of the popular destinations to hike to on Tantalus is the Pauoa Flats Bench, located to the left, less than 0.5 miles (0.8 km) away from this junction.
If you have any interest in hiking some of the Tantalus Loop Trail or hiking to the beautiful Mānoa Cliff Restoration Area, I encourage you to use the map in the photo below or check out my separate article about the entire network of trails up on Tantalus.
Read My Separate Post: Tantalus Loop Trail
Pauoa Flats Bench (Puʻu Kōnāhuanui Ridge Trail)
As the saying goes, all Tantalus trails lead to K1.
While this is true regarding the Nuʻuanu Trail, I highly recommend reading my separate post if you’d like to learn more about hiking to the top of the Koʻolau Mountain Range.
I say this because beginning from the bottom of Nuʻuanu Valley wouldn’t be ideal, but as previously mentioned, the Nuʻuanu Trail does make for a great return hike if you’re considering Lulumahu Ridge or the Koʻolau Summit Trail (KST) up the Pali Notches to K1.
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 hike, with little to no native species below the upper ridge.
Still, there are a few to look out for, such as ʻŌhiʻa lehua, Koa, Uluhe, and Palaʻā.
If you would like to learn more about tons of 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
