Likeke Falls Hike | A Short and Sweet Family Adventure

Likeke Falls is the shortest waterfall hike on Oahu — 0.8 miles round trip, with a modest climb through rainforest, a stretch of historic cobblestone road, and a stream crossing before you reach the falls. The two-tiered drop is about 20 feet with shallow pools at the base. It’s spring-fed so it runs year-round, though summer can reduce it to a trickle. The trailhead is near the Pali Highway, making it an easy add-on to a windward day.

An Easy Waterfall Hike for the Family

The rainforest trail winds past tropical ginger and heliconia, through a tree tunnel, along a stretch of historic cobblestone from the old Pali Road, and across a gentle stream before the falls come into view. The two-tiered drop is about 20 feet with shallow pools at the base — small enough that you’re not fighting a crowd to see them, big enough to be worth the walk.

The falls themselves are a lovely two-tiered spectacle with shallow pools beneath to splash in. Although they stand at a modest height of approximately 20 feet, don’t let their size deceive you; they are perfect for splashing around or simply a background for a picnic lunch. Keep in mind that, during the dry summer months, the flow may reduce to a gentle trickle. Nevertheless, these falls are spring-fed, ensuring they never completely vanish, guaranteeing year-round charm.

A Tale of Nature Tour Guide

Once upon a time, in the midst of my grad school days, well before the responsibilities of parenthood, I found myself in a rather unexpected role – that of a tour guide. The entirety of tour guide training consisted of shadowing another guide once on each of the 7 tours. After this brief apprenticeship, I was deemed competent, and it was time for me to lead a group on my own. The “Rain forest Hike” aka the Likeke Falls hike was our most popular Oahu adventure and my first tour.

It had been 2 weeks since I shadowed the other guide and heavy rains had transformed the trail into an unrecognizable muddy mess. At some point I turned onto a trail that wasn’t actually a trail. I slogged up the mountainside through ankle-deep mud as the group of 12 dutifully followed behind. Eventually, I found myself at a perplexing crossroads; the trail I had been following seemed to vanish into the muck. “A mudslide,” I announced with a touch of solemnity, realizing we had no choice but to turn back. Surprisingly, the group seemed to relish the unexpected challenge, finding joy in the slippery muck underfoot.

Fortunately, they were having a grand time slopping through the mud. I showed them traditional Hawaiian plants and we sampled starfruit and mountain apple while White-rumped shamas escorted us back to our van.In the end, not a single person in the group even mentioned the missing waterfall, for they were brimming with excitement from their unique, tropical adventure. To my surprise, they generously tipped me for the unforgettable experience. I got lucky.

Preparing for a Hike to Likeke Falls and the Old Pali Road

Getting to Likeke Falls

The easiest access to the Likeke Falls hike is in the parking lot for the Koolau Ballrooms. Sadly, the days of open gates and free parking ended during the pandemic. Currently, First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu has limited access hours and started charging to park. They open their gates from 8am – 6pm and charge $10 for kamaaina and $15 non-residents to park. Note they are often closed on Sundays for church parking and sometimes for no reason. You can park along the road outside the gates, however, you may get towed if any part of your car is on the road and it’s a high break-in area. We left our car open and someone still smashed our windows and stole my work mileage log for some reason. It made taxes annoying that year.

On the Likeke Falls Trail

The hike to the falls takes 15-20 minutes from the trailhead at the southwest corner of the parking lot (when you drive through the gates, the ballrooms will be on your right and the trailhead will be on the left in the very back corner of the lot). A chained off service road will lead you to a water tank. The trail continues to the left of the tank and here you will find the steepest, muddiest section. Enjoy a glimpse of the pali lookout above, pass through a tangle of hau trees and find yourself on cobblestone from the historic pali road. Here you’re close to the turnoff for the falls. Look for a spur trail to the right marked by a large tree that has fallen across the path. Someone has drawn an arrow and flagged the direction of the falls trail. From here continue on until you hear the rush of water. walk up the shallow stream and the falls are on your left.

Alternate Hiking Routes

There are different hikes in the area and you can connect and explore different paths. One of my favorite routes is a loop that starts at the bottom of the old Pali road, makes a detour to the waterfall, and finishes back at the parking lot. It’s short, scenic, and fun, but potentially confusing. Skip it or go with a guide. Another favorite is walking up the Old Pali Road to the lookout and taking the much longer path to Maunawili Trail.

You can also choose to continue your hike beyond the falls on Likeke Trail, hike up the old Pali road to the lookout (currently closed due to rock fall) or head to Maunawili Falls via with the Maunawili Deomonstration Trail. There are many options, but with the exception of the old Pali, road, none are well marked and it’s easy to get lost.

Essential Packing List

Although Likeke Falls is a short trail, it’s helpful to be prepared. Expect mud, exposed roots, slippery rocks and wet feet.

Shoes. Trail runners or light hiking shoes with grip. The trail has mud, exposed roots, and a stream crossing. Sandals are not the best idea.

Layers and sun protection. The trail is mostly shaded under tree cover, but if you extend to the old Pali Road it opens up. A hat and reef-safe sunscreen are worth having. Skip the aerosol — applying it in an enclosed forest means everyone around you inhales it. Since you are so close to the mountains, sudden rain squalls are more common. A light jacket is a good idea during winter months.

Water and snacks. It’s a short hike but it’s humid and warm. Bring more water than you think you need.

For kids who like to find things. Geocaching works well on this trail and keeps kids moving. AllTrails has a good description if you want to preview the route before you go.

Curious what Likeke Falls looks like?

This is what Likeke Falls actually looks like on a real morning, mud and all. It’s also a pretty good look at what a family morning adventure with Little Bird Photography feels like in motion.

Can you swim in Hawaii’s freshwater pools?

If you stumble along a fresh water pool, waterfall, or stream in Hawaii, you will usually find a group of kids or adults playing in the cool water. However, it’s not without risk. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease present in freshwater puddles, ponds and streams. It’s passed through open cuts or through soft tissues (nose, eyes, mouth). Decide where your comfort levels is, but don’t go in if you have open cuts, avoid putting your head under water and definitely don’t drink the water.

If you’re bringing a dog, the same risk applies and realistically you’re not going to win the battle of keeping them out of the stream. Make sure your dog is current on their leptospirosis vaccine before hiking here.

Post-hike fun – What to do after a visit to Likeke Falls Trail?

Places to eat nearby

Tasty eats await you in nearby Kaneohe town –

• Haleiwa Joe’s. Featuring fresh catches, locally grown produce, and quality steaks all with stunning mountain views.
• Fresh Catch. Take out poke and plate lunches.
• Adela’s Country Eatery. A variety of favorite local dishes using homemade Hawaiian noodles and locally grown produce.

Nearby Beaches

Jump in the ocean for a refreshing dip after your muddy hike to Likeke Falls. These options are all nearby.

• Kualoa Regional Park. A lovely park with calm water, mountain and bay views.
• Kaneohe Sandbar. Not so easy to get to, but I had to recommend it as it’s one of my favorite spots on the island!
• Kailua Beach. A long stretch of family-friendly, white sand beach with amenities at Kalama Beach Park and Kailua Beach Park.

More Fun for Families in Oahu

Looking for even more ideas for family fun on Oahu? Head off-the-beaten-path with one of these options –

• Macadamia Nut Farm. A beautiful stop under towering monkeypod trees with local goods, lots of samples and the option to crack your own macadamia nuts.
• Byodo-In Temple. A peaceful spot nestled at the foot of the Koolau mountains.

Family Photos Near Likeke Falls

The windward side is where I spend most of my mornings with families. Kaneohe, Kailua, Waimanalo — it’s my home turf and it shows in the images. If you want to see what a morning adventure on this side of the island looks like, you can find sessions here, here, and here. And if it looks like something your family would be into, here’s where to start.

Likeke Falls FAQs

Q: How hard is the Likeke Falls hike?

A: It’s the easiest waterfall hike on Oahu. The trail is 0.8 miles round trip with about 200 feet of elevation gain. It takes 15 to 20 minutes to reach the falls. Expect mud, a stream crossing, and some slippery roots, but nothing technically difficult.

Q: Is there parking at Likeke Falls?

A: The trailhead is in the parking lot for the Koolau Ballrooms. As of 2026 the lot charges $10 for kamaaina and $15 for non-residents, with access from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The lot is sometimes closed on Sundays and occasionally without notice. Street parking outside the gates is possible but the area has a high rate of car break-ins. Don’t leave anything visible in your car.

Q: Can you swim at Likeke Falls?

A: The pools at the base are shallow and people do splash around in them. However, freshwater streams in Hawaii carry a risk of Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection transmitted through open cuts or soft tissue. Don’t go in if you have open cuts, avoid putting your head under water, and don’t drink the water.

Q: Are dogs allowed on the Likeke Falls trail?

A: Dogs are allowed on the trail (mine loves the falls!). Keep them leashed and be aware the stream crossing and muddy sections can be challenging for small dogs.

Q: What else can you hike near Likeke Falls?

A: Several options connect from the same trailhead. You can walk the historic Old Pali Road toward the lookout, detour to the falls and loop back, or connect with the Maunawili Trail for a longer adventure. The Maunawili Falls trail is also nearby.