MAKIKI VALLEY LOOP TRAIL + TANTALUS LOOKOUT
Forest Hike & Beautiful Sunset
I've got just the ticket for an afternoon you'll never forget - a little sweat, a little sustenance, and a whole lot of scenic splendor. Our journey kicks off at Foodland, the largest locally owned and operated grocery retailer in Hawaii. This gem is the go-to spot for stocking up on sunset picnic essentials. My personal favorites? Musubi, chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, and a thirst-quenching beverage to salute the evening.
Tantalus Lookout at Puu Ualakaa State Park
Armed with our picnic supplies, it's time to hail a car from the ride-sharing app of your choice and set course for the Makiki Valley Loop Trail. This beginner-friendly trek through a tropical forest serenades hikers with nature's harmonies – think rustling leaves and the dulcet tones of cascading waterfalls. Unleash your inner adventurer at the Makiki Valley, where a myriad of trails lie in wait to captivate eager explorers. Each route offers a unique sensory experience, from a gentle ascent through lush foliage to a tranquil amble among towering eucalyptus trees.
Heads up: the Makiki Valley Trail can sometimes be muddy, so be sure to wear sturdy footwear and pack bug spray to ward off mosquitoes
Sure, you could just do the loop around the Na Ala Hele trail, but for something truly extraordinary, you can take the fork in the middle and make your way directly to Tantalus Lookout for a sunset picnic:
Start at the Makiki Valley State Recreation Area and find the trailhead for the Na Ala Hele loop trail
Begin hiking the Na Ala Hele loop trail in a clockwise direction. The trail will take you through a lush, shaded tropical forest, with beautiful native plants and trees all around.
Continue on the Na Ala Hele loop trail for most of the way until you see the sign for the 'Ualaka'a Trail.
Take a turn here, leaving the Na Ala Hele loop trail, and follow the 'Ualaka'a Trail path. This trail will lead you away from the forest and towards a road.
Once you reach the road, turn left and follow it uphill. This road will lead you to Puu Ualakaa State Park.
As you enter the park, keep an eye out for signs pointing towards Tantalus Lookout. Follow the signs, and you'll soon be rewarded with a spellbinding panorama of Honolulu, Diamond Head, and the glistening Pacific Ocean.
This local haunt is one of Oahu's best-kept secrets, so make sure to arrive early and stake out a prime spot on the grassy knoll. Unfurl your picnic and sit back, as the sun begins its elegant descent toward the horizon. The sky erupts into a dazzling display of vibrant pinks and oranges, bathing the cityscape below in a warm, golden hue.
So, strap on those hiking boots, gather your provisions, and embark on this delightful afternoon escapade. The Makiki Valley Loop Trail and Tantalus Lookout eagerly await the chance to enchant you with Hawaii's bewitching beauty.