Makapu’u Puka Hike – Oahu (now closed)
The Makapu’u lighthouse and overlook is a well-known landmark on Oahu, and this ridge trail was an off-the-beaten path hike along the cliffs nearby.
These days, the trail is closed for safety, due to fatal accidents on the trail – most recently this past Spring. So we won’t be sharing any directions for this hike (which we did back before the official trail closure) but thought the pictures would still be worth sharing.
Side note: We had the unique opportunity to do this hike with Max, a former student where I used to work, whom we ran into while hiking the Maunawili Falls trail.
View toward Koko Head
The path we took was not an official, maintained trail (even back then) so following it safely definitely required some diligence.
We walked to “the Puka” (hole) and turned around (about two hours total) rather than continuing to the Tom Tom trail, which goes all the way to Waimanalo (4-7 hours one way).
Cliffs with highway below
Max and his dog
Fortunately, Max’s dog had mad hops and could power up a cliff when needed. There were a few places on the trail where the rest of us had to use all fours to scale up or down some of the rocks.
At the Puka. We actually saw whales breaching out by the islands, too!
After lots of up and down climbing and descending, we reached the Puka in less than an hour. We consider ourselves pretty fit, and we were definitely exhausted by the end.
Standing above the Puka with one of the ridges we just climbed in the background and Sea Life Park below
Again, this hike is closed for safety purposes. We are sharing these pictures not as an encouragement to do the hike but as a way to experience its beauty vicariously now that it’s off limits.
If you’re looking for other great hikes around Oahu, we’ve covered several hiking trails around Oahu.
Oahu First Timer Hiking Trails
Best Sunrise Hikes on Oahu
5 Day Oahu Itinerary
Is the Go Oahu Card worth it?
Where to Stay in Honolulu
Happy hiking!
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