Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail | Oahu Website: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/hiking/oahu/makapuu-point-lighthouse-trail/ Know Before You Go: There is no shade on this trail so take sunblock and a hat. Pay attention to park hours because they block off the exit at closing so you can’t get your car out. They close the summit part of this trail on New Years Eve for a nearby fireworks show. Length: 2 miles round trip Time: We hiked this in 40 minutes but we ran the end of it because the park was about to close. Difficulty: Moderate Terrain: Paved with very steep slopes Kid-Friendly: Yes Dog-Friendly: Yes
This was the last trail we hiked in Hawaii, and the last of the year in 2022 - and what a grand finale! Don’t let the paved surface fool you. This trail is a steep incline to a fantastic viewpoint, climbing 500 feet in 2 miles.
The Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail leads to a summit overlooking the Makapuu Lighthouse built in 1909. On a clear day you can see the other Hawaiian islands of Molokai and Lanai. This trail is also known for its humpback whale viewing from November to May. We had just driven around Oahu along the North Shore and had some time to kill before our very late flight. We decided to take a spur to Makapuu Point, and arrived just in time to make it up to the summit and back for a view of the lighthouse.
As we turned around, we were blessed with one of the most spectacular sunsets of 2022. Even though we had to jog the end of this hike to make it to our car before the park closed, we truly enjoyed this last hike of the year.