Searching for the Best Hikes in Molokai? Check Out a Few that May Lead to Gorgeous Hawaiian Waterfalls!

The island of Molokai is the most authentic of all the Hawaiian Islands. However, that doesn’t mean you will find everything you would see on the other Hawaiian Islands on this one. There are not dozens of tourist attractions to keep you busy on Molokai. But there are plenty of outdoor options to keep you entertained. When you are not relaxing on the beach, enjoying the local culture, and participating in water sports, you may want to take your family on a hike on the island of Molokai. As with everything else on Molokai, your hiking trail options are limited. But the time you spend on the trails with your family will be the time you will cherish forever!

Best Hikes in Molokai that May Lead to Gorgeous Hawaiian Waterfalls

Kamakou Preserve

Hiking the Kamakou Preserve is quite a task since it covers more than two thousand acres of land. The trails consist of either dirt or a boardwalk. There is a guided hike within this preserve once a month. However, you are more than welcome to hike on your own at any time. It is best to stop at the office when you arrive at the Kamakou Preserve. The Educational Hike Coordinator can give you a map and other instructions that will be helpful for your hike.

In order to hike the trails in the Kamakou Preserve, all your gear must be clean. If you have any soil or debris on your shoes or any other gear, you will not be allowed to hike. The reason for this is the plants found in this preserve are highly vulnerable to invasive species. And since 90% of the plants are found nowhere else in the world, the locals are doing everything they can to ensure every plant stays alive.

Kalaupapa Pali Trail

The Kalaupapa Pali Trail is one of only two ways you can reach the Kalaupapa Peninsula and the Kalaupapa Community, where the leper colony is located. If you are interested in the history of this colony, you can fly or take a guided hike. Everyone must be at least sixteen years of age in your family to enter the colony. This is at the request of the people who still live there.

Currently, this trail is closed due to a mudslide. While the goal is to have the trail reopened sooner than later, you can only reach the colony via air for now. If you are interested in hiking this trail, I will communicate with the park prior to creating your itinerary to see if the trail has since been reopened.

Halawa Valley Falls

The Halawa Valley Falls is on private property, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go hiking to see the spectacular waterfall! The owners are currently giving hiking tours every day of the week except Sundays. As you are hiking, the owners will share quite a bit about Hawaiian customs, culture, and so much more.

This is not a difficult hike, but there are two points where you will be scrambling over boulders. You will also be crossing a river during the hike. This trail is approximately five miles long, and it normally takes at least four hours to complete. You must have reservations to do the Halawa Valley Falls hike, and I will take care of that as I am planning the rest of your Molokai family vacation. I always recommend doing this hike at the beginning of your family vacation in Molokai. This way, if it rains and your hike is canceled for one day, I can always get it rescheduled for another day of your trip.

As you can see, there aren’t too many hiking trails on the island of Molokai. However, the few that are on the island are simply amazing. They are well worth the time you will spend on the trail. I can’t wait to hear which of these hiking trails in Molokai is going to be on your wish list!

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