Hiking Aiea Loop Trail

Everything you need to know before hiking Aiea Loop Trail

Driving through the town of Aiea wouldn’t inspire visions of hiking in nature. Mainly a spin-off military town it’s not known for much more than an H-1 off-stop.  Yet, if you turn eyes towards the mountains you’ll discover the lesser known side of Aiea, shady tropical forests as the city gives way to green valleys and ridges. It’s atop one of these lofty cool ridges that you will find the Aiea Loop Trail.

A short trip off the highway, you climb upwards through residential neighborhoods (as with most Oahu trails) until you reach the boundaries of the Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area.  The park is great for full-day excursions or even overnighters if you like to camp. Besides the hiking trail there’s a small camping area with 10 campsites, a picnic area, and an ancient Hawaiian heiau with cultural and historical significance.

Scenic view rest-stop on the Aiea Loop Trail on Oahu. (Erica McMillan photo HonoluluVibes.com)

The trail is a 4.8 mile loop located at the farthest end of the park. Despite the length it’s not a strenuous hike. Unlike many Oahu trails that lead you on steep uphills, down slopes, or through stream beds, this trail is mainly flat giving it a more leisurely feel. If you have little ones with stamina they should be able to handle just fine. You’ll be treated to stunning views of green canopies spreading out to Pearl Harbor and the ocean beyond and the H-3 freeway snaking through the valley until it disappears into the mountain.

Plenty of varied terrain on the Aiea Loop Trail on Oahu. (Erica McMillan photo HonoluluVibes.com)

This is one of the few easy hikes on Oahu where you can see native Ohia Lehua (Hawaii state tree) growing amongst huge eucalyptus trees that perfume the air and provide lots of luxurious shade. An additional interesting feature was the B-24 bomber that crashed there in 1944. Overall, as a nature lover and mother, I really enjoyed the easy pace of the trail and the unexpected beauty that I never knew existed in this part of the island.

One word of caution about the Aiea Loop Trail, would be the weather. If there’s been any significant recent rain, be prepared for mud, and not just any old mud. There are a few sections where the well maintained trail becomes slick & slippery like walking on ice. Most trail mud here is deep and sticky, enough to suck the shoes off your feet. This mud is like a thin layer of pure grease that will have you stepping cautiously at a snail’s pace. Bring boots, use a hiking stick, and cling tight to anything you can hold onto!

Hikers carefully navigate a section of slippery mud on Aiea Loop Trail on Oahu, HI. (Erica McMillan photo HonoluluVibes.com)

Here’s a link to the state park website to find out more: Hiking Aiea Loop Trail

Here’s a quick kids’ take on hiking Aiea Loop Trail:

Wild baby boars on the Aiea Loop Trail on Oahu. (Erica McMillan photo HonoluluVibes.com)

Zohar (14): Well maintained, muddy, long, loved the wind and variety of terrain. Lot of nice views and seeing live baby boars was a plus. I give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Tamar (11) Professional Mud Expert: In the beginning I didn’t like the mud because it was too watery and greasy but then it got thicker and became a nice squishy gooey texture that was slightly moldable. Besides that the trail was too long but I liked the view and plants I never saw before. I give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Leo (11): I liked the landscape, it felt adventurous! Very shady, there was lots of mud to play in and I enjoyed the length. I give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

by Erica McMillan