Field guide
Honolulu running routes and active spots for visitors
Find Honolulu running routes and hiking trails. Information on Kapiolani Park, Ala Moana Park, the Diamond Head Summit Trail, and Manoa Falls Trail.
Visitors looking for running routes can use Honolulu's large public parks. Kapiolani Regional Park offers open green space and a crushed coral path. Ala Moana Regional Park provides a mile-long beach and a paved drive, with plans for a wider shared path for pedestrians and bicycles.
For hiking, the area has several well-known trails. The Diamond Head Summit Trail is a short but steep and strenuous hike with significant elevation gain. The Manoa Falls Trail is another popular trail option within Honolulu.
| Place | Distance (official) | Hours | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kapiolani Regional Park | Not listed | Not listed | Crushed coral |
| Ala Moana Regional Park | Not listed | 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily | Repaving Ala Moana Park Drive |
| Diamond Head State Monument | 0.8 mile from trailhead to summit | 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Daily; 4:30 pm for 4:00 pm reservation | Concrete walkway shifting to natural tuff surface |
| Manoa Falls Trail | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
Kapiolani Regional Park
Kapiolani Regional Park is a 200-acre public park in Waikīkī, located at the southwest base of Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head). It is free and open to the public, offering a large green space for many outdoor recreational activities.
A notable feature for running or walking is the King’s Carriage Road, which has a crushed coral surface and is lined with a double row of Ironwood Trees. The park also contains many large Indian Banyan Trees.
- Park size
- 200 acres
- Park type
- One of the largest and the second oldest public park on Oʻahu
- Description
- Large green open space with many outdoor recreational activities
- Public access
- Free and open to the public
- Location
- Waikīkī
- Location relative to landmark
- Southwest base of Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head)
- King’s Carriage Road surface
- Crushed coral
- Entrance fees
- None
Source: Kapi'olani Regional Park (honolulu.gov). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Ala Moana Regional Park
This 119-acre park is open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. It includes a mile-long beach and is built on reclaimed land. The park has bathhouses at both ends and improved shower facilities near the Magic Island entrance.
The park has LED lighting. Proposed improvements include repaving Ala Moana Park Drive and creating a wider shared path for pedestrians and bicycles. Parking layouts may also be reconfigured.
- Type of land
- Reclaimed land, once swampy marshland
- Park size
- 119 acres
- Beach length
- mile-long
- Proposed road surface
- Repaving Ala Moana Park Drive
- Park hours
- 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Proposed parking layout
- Reconfiguring parking layout without losing stalls and improving the roadway
- Proposed parking capacity
- Increase the total number of stalls in the park
- Bathhouse facilities
- At both Diamond Head and Ewa ends of the park
Source: Ala Moana Regional Park (honolulu.gov). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Diamond Head State Monument
This state monument includes a historic hiking trail on over 475 acres. The Diamond Head Summit Trail is 0.8 mile one-way from the trailhead to the summit, with an elevation gain of 560 feet. The hike is described as steep and strenuous.
The trail surface begins as a concrete walkway and transitions to a natural tuff surface. The recommended duration for the hike is 1.5 to 2 hours. Pets are not allowed on the trail, with an exception for service animals.
- Type of place
- State Monument encompassing over 475 acres, known for historic hiking trail, coastal views, and military history
- Location
- Near the eastern edge of Waikiki’s coastline
- Diamond Head Summit Trail length (one-way)
- 0.8 mile from trailhead to summit
- Diamond Head Summit Trail elevation gain
- 560 feet
- Diamond Head Summit Trail surface
- Concrete walkway shifting to natural tuff surface
- Diamond Head Summit Trail difficulty
- Steep and strenuous
- Normal operating hours
- 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Daily
- Last entry time
- 4:30 pm for 4:00 pm reservation
Source: Diamond Head State Monument (dlnr.hawaii.gov). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: The Diamond Head hike for runners and hikers
Manoa Falls Trail
Manoa Falls Trail is a popular trail in Honolulu. In the past, the trail has been subject to closures for safety improvements, including the installation of a rockfall hazard mitigation fence.
- Type of place
- Popular trail
- City
- Honolulu
- Reason for previous closure
- Installation of a rockfall hazard mitigation fence
- Trail improvements
- Trail safety improvements
Source: Closure: Trail (dlnr.hawaii.gov). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Before you go
- Reservations are required for non-residents to enter and park at Diamond Head State Monument.
- Check park hours before an early or late visit, as Ala Moana Regional Park is open 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
- Confirm that trails are open before you go, as some, like Manoa Falls Trail, have closed for safety work.
- Be aware that some paths may be shared with cyclists.
- Note that Diamond Head State Monument has entry and parking fees for non-residents.
- Pets are not permitted on the Diamond Head Summit Trail, except for service animals.
More cities: City running and hiking guides.