Maunawili Falls Hike – Oahu

The Maunawili Falls trail is an Oahu hike that will take you on an adventure through bamboo forest, streams, and epic trees to a scenic swimming hole. It’s another beautiful part of Kailua with a nice pool and waterfall at the end

Maunawili Falls Hike Details

Hike Distance (Round Trip): 3.7 km / 2.3 mi > 5 miles with the new route
Hike Difficulty: Medium
Terrain: Hills, Stream, Loose Dirt, Mud

A note about Maunawili Falls Hike: Access to Maunawili Falls through the Maunawili neighborhood is still temporarily closed as of July 2021. A new five-mile round-trip route has been established, called the Maunawilli Demonstration Trail.

Hiking the Maunawili Falls Trail  

Now we know why this hike had three “difficulty points” despite being only 2.3 miles long. We did the Maunawili Falls hike on a week that had seen very little rain, so for the first ten minutes, I thought we were in the clear.

Turns out there is no avoiding the mud and water on this one. While not as messy as our escapades at Lulumahu, crossing the creek at Maunawili seemed a little more challenging.

Fortunately, there was a bamboo forest nearby with ample supply of walking sticks!

Now that we look back on the map that was posted at the entrance, I’m pretty sure we didn’t take the prescribed route the whole way.

But neither did anyone else we saw that day – with the exception of one group of ladies we spotted across the creek while we were on our way back.

Our fatal flaw seems to be that we missed the first creek crossing and continued too far along the left side of the water. Oh well, we survived.

There were trails on both sides. And who knows how challenging the “official” route would have been compared to ours.

As with most hikes on this side of the island, the scenery was lush and jungly with beautiful tangles of tree roots and rich, rusty earth beneath our feet. As I mentioned before, we went on a week free of rain and it was still wet.

This picture below is from the “dry” part of the hike.

This is about as big as the elevation changes get.

Stream crossings are much easier with a walking stick. If you have water shoes (a.k.a. aqua-socks) with good grip, this would be a good place to wear them. Otherwise, step carefully!

We’re always astounded by the trees we find on these hikes. Each one is like its own work of art if you take the time to admire them.

At the end of the hike, Maunawili waterfall is tucked into the corner of a serene lagoon. Many people come to jump off the rocks into the pool below.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maunawili Falls Hike

Is Maunawili Falls Trail closed? The original Maunawili Falls Trail through the Maunawili neighborhood is temporarily closed since July 2021. The Maunawilli Demonstration Trail entrance is open.

Why is Maunawili Falls Trail closed? Access to the Maunawili Falls through the Maunawili neighborhood has been temporarily closed for realignment.

Will the Maunawili Falls Trail reopen? As of January 2024, there’s still no update about the reopening of Maunawili Falls Trail. 

What is the best time of year to hike the Maunawili Falls Trail? The best time to hike the Maunawili Falls Trail is during the dry season, which typically runs from April to October. This period offers more stable weather and less chance of encountering heavy rains that can make the trail challenging and dangerous.

Are there any entry fees or permits required for the hike? There are no entry fees or permits required for the Maunawili Falls Hike.

Tips for Happy Hiking Maunawili Falls Trail

• Be sure you have good footwear with traction. You will cross the creek a few times on wet rocks and the trail can get muddy in places.
• Use a walking stick. We picked up a bamboo walking stick during the hike, which was definitely helpful.
• Spray yourselves with bug repellant. We made sure to spray ourselves with mosquito repellent before heading out.

What to Bring on the Hike to Maunawili Falls Trail

Proper footwear. Wear sturdy and comfortable hiking shoes that provide good traction and ankle support. If you have water shoes (a.k.a. aqua-socks) with good grip, this would be a good place to wear them.

Bamboo Stick: Crossing the creek and walking through the muddy and wet trail will be less challenging with a walking stick.

Bug repellent. Ranger Ready deet-free bug spray has scented and unscented options for up to 12hrs of protection from ticks and mosquitos.

Water. We recommend taking a reusable water bottle.

* Access our free Hawaii packing checklist here *

If you have hiking plans for your Oahu trip, we’d love to hear about them! Let us know if you have any questions, or if there are hiking tips you think we should add to our list.

For further reading:

Best hikes on Oahu – A visitor’s hiking guide
One Week Oahu Itinerary Ideas
Where to Stay on Oahu
What to pack for a week in Hawaii: Packing Checklist
The Best Sunset and Sunrise Hikes on Oahu

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