Lulumahu Falls is a 1.7-mile out and back waterfall hike through bamboo forest and dense jungle near Nuuanu on Oahu’s windward side. It’s moderately challenging, has enough diversity to keep all ages of hikers interested, is super short, and rewards you with falls you can stand under. You need a $2.50 state permit to hike legally. The parking area has a high rate of break-ins, so leave valuables at home. Go early or in the late afternoon when crowds thin out, but leave enough time to get back before dark.
Into the Unknown
Have you ever seen a jumble of cars parked at a seemingly random spot along the road? There are a few places like this around the island with cars jammed haphazardly into tiny dirt lots or a long line of cars balanced on the edges of a narrow road. It’s my personal goal to explore all of these areas. What secrets lie beyond? Yes, I could look it up online but where’s the fun in that? This time, we explored the crowded dirt lot at the junction of the Pali Hwy and Nuuanu Pali Drive. We discovered Lulumahu Falls and we weren’t disappointed.
A Popular Waterfall Hike
The slippery mud and boulders make it a slightly challenging hike, but there were crowds of families with babies and young children making the trek. Micah (age 5) managed it in slippers. He’s not a hiking savant, so it’s very doable. It took us about two hours in total, but we spent time investigating plants and fungi and lunched at the falls.
Before You Go: The Permit
You officially need a permit for this hike, and honestly it’s not a big deal. It costs $2.50 to process and you can book it online at trails.ehawaii.gov. The state issues 100 permits per day (which is a lot) and you can usually grab one close to your visit date, so no need to plan months ahead. This is state watershed land and an active hunting area. Dogs are allowed on leash which I recommend as it’s a crowded trail and I have run into hunting dogs on occasion.
Hike Parking
The trailhead is a high theft area off Pali Highway. Seriously. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen police taking a report for some sad hiker as I’ve driven past. Do not leave valuables in your car (or anything that looks valuable). Leave them behind or bring them with you. You’ll find a dirt and gravel lot that fills up fast, especially on weekends. The lot is in rough shape with big holes, mud and tree roots to navigate as it fills up. Take care.
Preparing for Your Lulumahu Falls Hike
The non-negotiables. Water, more than you think you need. Snacks, since this one runs long enough for little ones to need refueling. There are nice big boulders by the falls which make a lovely spot to enjoy a snack.
Footwear, and the honest truth about it. Your feet will get wet. There’s no easy version of this hike where they don’t. Leave the pretty white sneakers at home, they will not survive, and neither will your patience trying to keep them dry. I hike this one in light wool socks, which work fine wet and let you walk straight through the stream crossings without tiptoeing across a wobbly rock hoping for the best. You do you, but plan for wet feet either way.
Mosquito repellent. Bring it if mosquitoes love you. I don’t notice them personally but mosquitoes aren’t overly fond of me. They do, however, find my daughter if they’re around.
Bathroom stop. There are no bathrooms anywhere on the trail so you may want to make a pit stop beforehand. Nuuanu Valley Park is worth a stop before or after. It has public toilets (and it has a playground, and it’s gorgeous and worth it’s own stop).
On the Trail
Just past the trailhead you have two options: straight through the dense bamboo forest (claustrophobic in the best possible way, and a little creaky and mysterious on wet days), or bypass it to the left for open views of the valley as you walk along the reservoir. Either route gets you to the same place. Cement stairs lead to a fenced pond and beyond that the trail parallels the stream through dense forest and over boulders to the falls. The trail isn’t clearly marked so follow the pink ribbons tied to trees, stick close to the stream when in doubt, and follow the crowds. On a popular day you’ll have plenty of company to keep you on track.
What makes it worth it
This hike is just the right size for a family adventure, with enough variety along the way to keep any whining to a minimum.
Your first challenge is the bamboo maze. Listen for the creaks and groans as tall stalks sway overhead, the forest floor dimmed and a little eerie. Then you’re spat out into an open clearing with the reservoir to your left, fenced off now, and the trail continuing ahead into a thicket of greenery and boulders. You’ll tightrope across some man-made dam structures, follow the stream through dense forest, and take breaks when you run into a giant banyan to swing on its roots. The boulders evolve from small to enormous as you get closer to the falls. You’ll hear it before you see it: the echoes of people whooping, chatting, the general sounds of a good time. On a sunny day, hikers sprawl across the rocks in front of the falls, snacking and taking in the view. The daredevils scale the sides looking for places to jump. You can enjoy it all from below.
One note on timing. The parking lot has multiplied in cars over the past decade, which makes sense: it’s close to Waikiki, genuinely jungly, and Oahu doesn’t have many accessible waterfalls. My favorite time to visit is when everyone else has left. Go late. Just not as late as I did once, when our group all but sprinted to the falls in the fading light, barely lingered, then sprinted back. I blew out a slipper and scrambled out barefoot in near darkness. Maybe don’t cut it that quite close.
For the Family That Explores Together
Families who’ll bushwhack through a bamboo forest for a waterfall are usually the same families who show up fully for a photo session, not a rushed five minutes in matching outfits on a schedule. If that sounds like you, Nuuanu is one of my favorite places to work, there’s a Nuuanu maternity session with light coming through the trees the same way it does on this trail, a Nuuanu family lifestyle session that leans into exactly this kind of wild, exploring energy, and if your kids are the type to believe in magic in the forest, there’s even a session built around searching for fairies. And if it looks like something your family would be into, here’s where to start.
What to Do Near Lulumahu Falls
If Lulumahu is full or you can’t get a permit. Judd Trail nearby is a similar bamboo forest hike with its own swimming hole. No falls, but a solid backup with easier logistics.
If you’re looking to cool off after your muddy, sweaty hike, head to the beach! The Pali Highway drops you straight over to the windward side, so Kailua Beach makes an easy next stop with bathrooms, clean water, soft sand, and lots of good lunch options.
Lulumahu Falls FAQs
A: Yes. A state permit is required to hike legally. Permits cost $2.50 processing fee and are limited to 100 per day. Book at trails.ehawaii.gov. You can usually reserve shortly before your visit.
A: Moderately challenging. The trail is 1.7 miles out and back with stream crossings, boulders, and muddy sections. A 5-year-old can manage it in good conditions, but shoes with traction are super helpful. My 50-year-old non-hiking cousin made it without incident. She loved the adventure but was well outside her comfort zone.
A: The parking area off Pali Highway has a high rate of car break-ins. I often see cops here taking reports and sometimes just monitoring. The parking area is riddled with potholes and tree roots so take it slow, leave valuables behind or bring them with you. Do not leave anything visible in your car.
A: There is a small pool at the base of the falls. It’s lovely to cool off but not deep enough for a swim. Keep in mind all freshwater has a leptospirosis risk. Avoid getting it in your mouth and stay out or covered if you have open cuts.
A: Yes, of course it depends on the kids. We have hiked this trail many times with toddlers to teens and it’s doable. Expect to get muddy and wet and take it slow. Bring water, bug spray, snacks, and maybe a change of clothes for after. Avoid hiking after heavy rain when the trail becomes slippery and stream levels rise.
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