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Waikamoi Forest Ridge Trail
Located within the Hana Highway Region on Maui
Guide Snapshot
A quick fit check before you commit to this trail.
Difficulty
Easy
Distance
0.8-mile loop; up to 1.5 miles with extension
Estimated time
30-60 minutes
Elevation & terrain
Short rainforest loop with roots
Family fit
Good for active kids
Highlights
Rainforest · Road to Hana · Short
Maui Hiking Trails & Nature Walks
Road to Hana Sights
A little over half-mile past mile marker 9 on the Road to Hana keep your eyes open for the parking lot (mauka) to the Waikamoi Ridge Forest Trail and Overlook. It is easy to miss due to the fact it’s around a bend in the road.
After parking in the often crowded lot, head up to the open area to your left to a small overlook with picnic shelters and the Waikamoi trail head. The Waikamoi Trail is a beautiful, short nature walk through trees, bamboo, and ferns with scenic overlooks at various points along the way. There are actually two sections to the trail: one being a short loop that takes about half an hour and ends where it starts (at the picnic area), and the other a one-way extension from the loop trail. Both trails start at the picnic shelter located near the parking area.
Trail day tools
Before you drive to the trailhead, check the trail and weather layer.
Hawaii hikes can change quickly with closures, rain, mud, heat, and daylight.
The trail is usually in good condition but that can change with just one good rainstorm. The worst part of the loop-trail (when heading counterclockwise) is the part beyond the extension trail. It goes steeply downhill at times and can be filled with roots. We suspect this will be “fixed” in the future, as volunteer groups have already improved the first half of the loop.
There are no facilities at this site, and we do recommend bug spray because mosquitoes like to congregate here. The Waikamoi Trail is a total of 0.8 miles if you do the loop-trail alone and about a mile and a half if you do the extension. You can expect to spend about 30 minutes to an hour here depending on which trails you hike.
Founder & certified Hawai'i travel expert with 20+ years in Hawai'i tourism, University of South Carolina climate-research training, and NOAA weather-station experience.
Mostly dry and breezy across Oʻahu today through Monday, with northeast winds holding steady and only light showers popping up on windward slopes. Leeward and resort areas stay dry.
Late Tuesday the pattern shifts. Winds drop and turn southerly, and tropical moisture moves in Wednesday through Friday—heavy rain will hit the islands, with potential flash flood conditions. Timing and intensity are still uncertain, but plan on wet weather. Ocean conditions will be choppy and elevated through Monday, then gradually ease midweek.
Hit the leeward beaches and snorkel sites Monday and Tuesday. Save indoor plans for Wednesday through Friday.
0:000:56
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Steady northeast winds and mostly dry skies today through Monday. Light showers may pop up on windward slopes and in the mountains, but leeward and resort areas stay mostly dry.
Late Tuesday the pattern shifts. Winds drop and turn southerly, then deep tropical moisture moves in Wednesday through Friday. Heavy rain is likely statewide from late Wednesday onward, with potential flash flood conditions—timing and intensity are still uncertain. Ocean conditions are rough and choppy through Monday on windward shores due to strong winds, then gradually ease mid-week. A slightly larger northwest swell peaks Wednesday, and a west swell from a distant typhoon may bring moderate surf to west-facing Big Island shores by Thursday.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work well Monday and Tuesday. Save indoor plans for Wednesday through Friday.
0:000:52
Voice
Read the transcript
Steady northeast winds and mostly dry skies today through Monday, with only light showers scattered across windward slopes and the mountains. Leeward and resort areas stay dry. Ocean conditions are rough and choppy—a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday evening.
Late Tuesday brings a shift. Winds drop and turn southerly, and tropical moisture moves in Wednesday through Friday. Plan for heavy rain and potential flash flooding from late Wednesday onward. Timing and intensity are still uncertain. Surf will ease mid-week, though a northwest swell peaks Wednesday and a distant typhoon may send moderate west swell to west-facing shores by Thursday.
Leeward beaches are your play Monday and Tuesday. Plan indoor activities starting Wednesday when the rain arrives.
0:000:50
Voice
Read the transcript
Steady northeast winds are pushing cool, dry air across Kauaʻi right now. Light showers will pop up mainly on windward slopes and mountains through Monday, but leeward and resort areas stay mostly dry.
A pattern shift arrives late Tuesday. Winds will drop and turn southerly, and deep tropical moisture will move in Wednesday through Friday. Heavy rain is likely statewide from late Wednesday onward, with potential flash flood conditions—timing and intensity details are still uncertain. Surf will be choppy and elevated through Monday due to strong winds, then gradually ease mid-week before a slightly larger northwest swell peaks Wednesday.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling are best Monday and Tuesday. Plan indoor activities for Wednesday through Friday.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
