The Aiea Loop Trail sits inside Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area, about 12 miles from Waikiki in the hills above Aiea. It’s one of the better options for families who want a real forest hike without driving to the windward side or the North Shore. The park has picnic areas, a historic heiau worth seeing, and camping if you want to make a weekend of it. The trailhead starts right at the parking lot.
About the Hike
The Aiea Loop trail meanders past tall trees and fallen logs with peeks of the Waianae mountains, Pearl Harbor, and Halawa Valley. At 4.8 miles it’s a bit on the long side for a family hike. Still, it’s worth considering. It lacks crazy drops offs, steep ascents, bouldering, it’s well-marked, mostly shaded, and, really, who doesn’t love a loop hike?
Over the winter months, the Aiea Loop trail gets muddy and you have to slog through parts, but overall it’s a mellow, family-friendly hike. There are some native plants along the trail along with the rare native Hawaiian bird sighting. Keep an eye out for the remnants of a B-24 bomber that crashed here in 1944 — it appears about halfway through the loop. If you’re feeling spunky, you can detour to the Aiea Ridge trail which is not kid-friendly but has more native flora and fauna and even better views.
Is it Really a Kid-Friendly Hike?
Overall, it depends on the kid … and the day. On this particular day, six-year-old Micah managed it with minimal complaints. There are many geocaches along the trail and those kept him moving ahead excitedly. Still, the last hour was a bit rough because we didn’t bring enough food (that kid can eat!) and his stomach was rumbling. Four-year-old Mila isn’t much of a hiker. She used the trek as an opportunity for an extended nap in her carrier.
The Logistics
Getting there: Take H-1 to Moanalua Highway (Route 78). Take the Aiea cutoff to the third traffic light, turn right on Aiea Heights Drive and follow it about 3 miles to the end. Continue on the one-way park road to the trailhead.
Park hours: 7am to 6:45pm year-round. No entry fee.
Dogs: Welcome on leash. Clean up after them.
Mountain bikes: No longer allowed on this trail.
Mud: The trail gets muddy after rain, particularly in winter. Sturdy shoes are worth it year-round.
Ohia trees: The trail has native ohia trees which are vulnerable to Rapid Ohia Death, a fungal disease spreading across the Hawaiian islands. Don’t move plant material or soil between trails.
Camping: Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area has 10 campsites available Friday through Wednesday. Permit required, reserve through explore.ehawaii.gov. Fee is $20 per campsite per night. Facilities are basic and rustic. The park has a notable cat population. Wild chickens, mongoose and pigs are also present and will steal any food left out.
Still Have Energy Left after the Aiea Loop Trail?
Trade your muddy shoes for swimsuits and dive into the protected lagoon at the tip of Magic Island in Waikiki to end your day with a gorgeous Honolulu sunset.
If you’re looking for more family-friendly hikes on Oahu you can check out this roundup of favorite hikes near Waikiki and this roundup of hikes in windward Oahu.
Family Photos Near Aiea
Not every family wants to be on the beach. If the idea of trading sand and sunscreen for towering pines and dappled light sounds more like your people, reach out. You can see what a morning in a park looks like here, here, and here. And if it looks like something your family would be into, here’s where to start.
Aiea Loop Trail FAQs
A: Most families with young kids complete it in 3 to 4 hours with snack and rest stops. A six-year-old in decent shape can manage it, though the last stretch tends to be the hardest. Bring more food than you think you need and more water than that. A carrier is a good idea for toddlers.
A: It can be, especially after rain and through the winter months. Parts of the trail require slogging through mud. Sturdy shoes with grip make a real difference. The trail is hikeable year-round but late spring through early fall tends to be drier.
A: Yes, on leash. Clean up after them. Mountain bikes are no longer permitted on the trail.
A: Yes. There are 10 campsites available Friday through Wednesday. Permits are required and booked through explore.ehawaii.gov. The fee is $20 per campsite per night. Facilities are basic and rustic. Worth knowing: the campground has a large resident cat population, along with wild chickens, mongoose and pigs.
A: The Keaiwa Heiau itself is worth a few minutes before or after your hike. It’s one of the only Hawaiian healing temples open to the public. The park also has picnic areas with covered pavilions and barbecue grills. Along the trail about halfway through, look for remnants of a B-24 bomber that crashed here in 1944.
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