5 Great Routes to Run or Walk in Honolulu and Waikiki, Oahu
For visitors to downtown Honolulu and Waikiki looking to stay active, there aren’t any real hikes in Waikiki, but there are some great walking and running routes.
If you’re looking for non-urban hikes near Waikiki, check out our Honolulu hiking guide.
In this post, I’ll share my favorite running routes in or around Waikiki, Kaka’ako, and Honolulu’s historic district. They allow you to explore, people watch, and experience some highlights of Oahu while burning off that delicious Hawaiian food!
Sign up below each Honolulu or Waikiki walking maps to get an interactive look at the routes on MapMyRun.
We’ll cover:
– 3 Waikiki walking/running routes
– Kaka’ako walking/running route and points of interest map
– Downtown and historic Honolulu walks/runs
– Tips for running and walking in Honolulu Hawaii
Updated: June 2021. Originally published: June 2014.
Staying Active in Honolulu, Hawaii
We often visit Jedd’s family in Honolulu, Hawaii. With its picturesque landscapes and favorable climate year-round, Hawaii is an ideal place for an active vacation.
Honolulu is a unique place in that it is a “major” city on a relatively small island. While you may not get the traditional, quiet, country vibe if you stay in town, there certainly is a lot to see and do. And it’s easy to take day trips to the rest of the island.
See our suggested Oahu itinerary and list of things to do here
3 Waikiki Walking/Running Routes
If you want to be at the heart of all the action, then Waikiki is the place for you. There’s an abundance of hotels and condos for rent within walking distance of the beach. But you can also find a place elsewhere and do a day trip into Waikiki to see what it’s all about.
For more info, check out our free guide about where to stay on Oahu.
Heart of Waikiki Beach Walk
Distance: 4.45 miles (can easily cut it short numerous ways)
Description: This route will take you from one end of Waikiki Beach to the other, and you can start on either end – or in the middle. You’ll see the whole gamut of activity along the beach – from the well-used Kapiolani park, to the crowded beach full of surfers and sun-bathers, from high-end stores to tourist shops, lots of hotels, and also one of the marinas. Technically, you can walk the whole beach if you don’t mind soft sand and the crowds of beach-goers, but this mapped route stays on paved pathways and sidewalks since Waikiki running trails don’t really exist. Take a detour into Fort DeRussy Park (next to the Hale Koa hotel) to mix up your work-out with an exercise circuit (pull-ups, etc.).
Parking: There is free parking at the marina on the NW end of this route but you may have to wait for a spot to open up. Paid parking ($1/hr) is usually easiest to find around Kapiolani Park or the Zoo parking lot. Or test your luck throughout Waikiki.
Enter your email below to access this Waikiki beach walk and 5 other route maps for free:
Diamond Head Loop Walk/Run Route
Distance: 3.89 miles
Description: This is a nice big loop around Honolulu’s most iconic landmark. It’s been one of our favorite Honolulu running routes over the years. There’s one good uphill (and a few small ones) either direction you choose to go. You’ll see some high-end homes, part of Kapiolani Park, and pass a number of eateries on Montserrat if you want to reward yourself with a coffee or snack. We sometimes take a break to watch the surfers from above or time our run to end up at Kapiolani Community College for the Saturday market. If you really want a work out, do this route and then pay $1 per person to walk in (or $5/vehicle) to the State Monument and climb the stairs to Diamond Head’s scenic overlooks. This is the closest hike near Waikiki. Or stop off at one of two exercise parks near the Monument entrance to get in some pull ups.
Parking: There’s paid parking in Kapiolani Park along Kalakaua Ave and free parking around Fort Ruger Park (a.k.a. Triangle Park) and some of the surrounding neighborhoods. If you’re going to the Saturday Market or into the State Monument area afterward, you should also be able to find parking around those areas.
Enter your email to access this Diamond Head map, plus our other routes:
Walk Magic Island & Ala Wai Harbor
Distance: 4.35 miles (can shorten to about 3 miles)
Type of Route: The bulk of this route is a 3 mile paved loop around Magic Island and Ala Moana Beach Parks. It’s a fun place for watching surfers, paddle boarders, and outrigger canoe teams. I added an additional leg on the East side, through the neighboring marina, to boost the distance- you’ll also start there if you’re coming on foot from Waikiki. Also, some people will probably prefer to just go out and back along the beachside of Magic Island as it is more scenic than making the loop back on the trail that parallels Ala Moana Boulevard. Apart from little bridges, this route is actually quite flat.
Parking: You can park free within Ala Moana or if you drive all the way in to the marina, but you may have to wait for a spot as they are popular with surfers.
Sign up to access all our Waikiki walking routes:
Honolulu Walks and Running Routes
The following three Honolulu walks might still be considered near Waikiki, but they’re closer to downtown. While not entirely off the beaten path, you’re likely to see fewer tourists this side, especially in the mornings.
Kaka’ako Art Walk
Distance: 3.2 miles
Type of Route: To add some distance to this flat route around Kaka’ako wall art, you can start at Kaka’ako Waterfront Park for sea views. This is another great place to watch surfers and see Diamond Head from a distance. The rest of the route goes through town, though there are not always sidewalks. This used to be an industrial/warehouse part of Honolulu, now known for its street art, trendy restaurants, and ever-growing number of condo buildings. SALT is a hub for eateries and cute shops. Wander around and discover murals painted in the annual POW!WOW! street art festival throughout the district.
Parking: Free parking lot inside Kaka’ako Waterfront Park opens at 6am; a paid parking garage is in the Keauhou Place building
Enter your email below to access our interactive Kakaako walking route map, among others:
Historic Honolulu Self-Guided Walking Tour
Distance: 2.2 miles
Type of Route: This Honolulu walk in the heart of the city is mostly on sidewalks and may require stops at street lights. You’ll see historic sites like Kawaiahaʻo Church (built in 1842), Iolani Palace (former home of Hawaiian monarchs), Honolulu City Hall and Hawaii State Capitol building, King Kamehameha statue, Aloha Tower (a 1926 lighthouse), and Hawaii Pacific University.
Parking: Street parking may be available; a paid parking garage is in the Keauhou Place building
Tip: Iolani Palace and nearby Honolulu Museum of Art are included in the Go Oahu all-inclusive pass.
Sign up to access all our Honolulu walking tour maps for free:
Ala Moana and Kaka’ako Waterfront Park Walks in Honolulu
Distance: 5.3 miles (options to extend or shorten)
Type of Route: A flat Honolulu walk through two waterfront parks. This can also be combined with the Kaka’ako art walk or any Waikiki walks on either end. Connecting between Ala Moana and Kaka’ako is not the nicest looking area, but it’s a small section of the route. Great for watching surfers and other activities going on in the parks and marina.
Parking: You can park free within Ala Moana or Kaka’ako parks, though you may have to wait for a spot at peak times
Access our Honolulu walks interactive maps below:
What travel restrictions and rules are in place in Hawaii?
Find post-pandemic travel updates for Hawaii here:
What you need to know about Hawaii travel right now
Tips for Runs and Walks in Honolulu Hawaii
- Early morning always has fewer crowds and cooler temperatures for running Oahu.
- Stay hydrated! Waikiki, Ala Moana, and Kaka’ako Waterfront parks do have water fountains.
- People without homes do sleep outside in the parks and streets of Honolulu. Please be courteous.
- Be sure to hide all valuables when you park in Honolulu.
Looking for more hikes on Oahu? Read our guide to hiking Oahu
Looking for other things to do on Oahu? Check out our Oahu itinerary and activities list
Need an awesome place to stay on Oahu? Grab our free Oahu Accommodations guide
Want to save money on Hawaii activities? Find out if the Go Oahu card is worth it
We welcome your thoughts and questions! Please use the comments section below.
Like this post? Pin it for later or share with friends!
