The Makapuu Lighthouse Hike on Oahu, Hawaii, is a great hike for those with children or just looking for an easy day hike. While the entire hike is a gradual incline, the path is fully paved to the top and there are outlets allowing people to break and look at the scenery.
Makapuu Lighthouse Hike Overview
- Location: Makapuu Lighthouse
- Overall Rating: Easy
- Total Trail Distance: 3 miles roundtrip
- Incline: 10 degrees
- Time: 2 hours
- Cost: Free
- Navigation: Google maps will be able to locate “Makapuu Lighthouse” and take you to the trail entrance/parking area.
About Makapuu Lighthouse
The Makapuu Lighthouse was built in 1909 to warn ships of the coastline. The lighthouse has been there since 1909 with its red roof.
The trail for Makapuu Lighthouse
The trail is a paved road that winds up the hills 1,200 ft to the top where views await out over Oahu.
The path is a gradual incline towards the top for approximately 1.5 miles. There will be multiple “pull out” or outlet sections where people can sit down, or read information plaques about what the view over the edge holds. One of these information plaques is the beginning of the path towards the tide pools.
The top includes some stairs to reach a platform to look around 360. From this platform is where you can peer over the edge and see the lighthouse down below.
Other than the tide pools trail, there are a couple of other paths that go over towards the edge allowing people to get different viewpoints. However, none of these paths are “approved” paths and are just trails that people have made by going off the road numerous times.
Views from the Top
The views from the top look out over the ocean, and back towards Koko Head and Koko Crater. You will be able to see basically 360 from the top platform. In order to see the lighthouse, you will have to go to the edge of the platform and view down, as the lighthouse is below the top platform.
There are great views all along the path – and as previously stated there are “pull-outs” with information plaques explaining either history of the trail, or to provide an explanation of what is the focus of that pull-out.
The time it Takes to Hike Makapuu Lighthouse
The total time to hike Makepuu Lighthouse: 2 hours
While this is a pathed road, the hike is still about 1.5 miles. The total time up will take most people upwards of an hour, maybe more. The descent, however, will be pretty fast.
Overall, the trail will take approximately 2 hours, unless you take a detour to check out the Makpuu Tide Pools as well. The trail can be accomplished quicker if you really book it to the top, as the trail is easy to run.
Hike Makapuu Lighthouse for Sunrise or Sunset
There is the option to reach the top prior to sunrise or for sunset. The one note would be that the parking area closes and opens at certain times.
For example, the parking lot will not be opened until 6 am, therefore you will have to walk a bit further in order to reach the top for sunrise.
However, this hike is a great opportunity to view sunrise or sunset as there is no rush to stay in the light. The path is well pathed and simple to where a flashlight or phone light would be adequate for the hike up.
The Makapuu Tide Pools Detour
If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, or maybe dangerous, there is also the option of visiting the Makapuu Tide Pools from the Makapuu Lighthouse trail. The trail starts at one of the turnouts that are on the road up to the lighthouse.
This hike takes you down to the tide pools at the ocean. There are two large pools that you can swim or soak in after a long gruelling hike down a rocky cliffside. This ocean filled tide pools are bright blue and green in color and full of a variety of ocean life.
From this bottom portion, you can also walk along the rocky bottom and see the Makapuu lighthouse around the corner of the cliff – offering a different viewpoint of the lighthouse.
This is a great break between the hike, but should be only done by those confident in their balancing skills and are moderately fit. The path going down is not too hard, but climbing back up can be challenging.
Hiking Attire for Makapuu Lighthouse
For what to wear during the hike up to Makapuu Lighthouse you should go with a comfortable athletic outfit. As stated numerous times, the path is pathed and basically a road. Therefore, just some comfortable walking/running shoes and comfortable clothes for the temperature is the best attire for this hike.
Bringing a backpack to carry the recommended packing list is also a great idea – as water is always recommended on any hike!
Packing List for Makapuu Lighthouse
- Plenty of water – the incline on the road up to the lighthouse can be a bit tiresome in the humidity.
- Sun Screen – There is no shade on this trail, so you will be exposed to the sun.
- Snacks – Always great to refresh after climbing, plus there are areas to sit on barriers to enjoy a quick snack and drink.
Facilities at Makapuu Lighthouse
There are no facilities at the Makapuu Lighthouse. There is a trashcan at the parking lot – but it will most likely already be overflowing. Be prepared to pack out anything that you bring in.
Parking at Makapuu Lighthouse
As stated with the directions, you will be driving to the “Makapuu Lighthouse” if the lot is open (which is at 7 am) then there is a parking lot that can be used. The parking lot can fit approximately 30 cars and is filled pretty quick. After that cars start to parallel park up the road to the exit of the lot. Ultimately, I would not be concerned about parking as there is always an option – some may just require a bit more walking than others!
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