Lulumahu Falls is one of the most underrated waterfall hikes on Oahu, taking you through a lush rainforest filled with bamboo forests, stream crossings, and incredible mountain views along the way. The trail ends at a stunning 50-foot waterfall that flows year-round, even in the drier summer months, with a small plunge pool where you can cool off after the hike.

The hike is about 2 miles round-trip and is considered moderately difficult. While the distance is short, the trail can be very muddy, and you’ll need to cross the river multiple times and climb over rocks, which adds to the challenge.

If you enjoy adventurous hikes, getting a little muddy, and exploring off-the-beaten-path spots, the Lulumahu Falls hike is a great way to spend a few hours on Oahu!

Where is Lulumahu Falls Trail and How to Get There

The Lulumahu Falls trail is located just off the Pali Highway, about a 20-minute drive from Honolulu. The drive itself is beautiful, especially as you get closer to the Ko’olau Mountains, with dense greenery and dramatic cliffs surrounding you.

Parking at Lulumahu Falls Trail

There is a small dirt parking lot near the trailhead, located right off the side of the highway. It fits around 30 cars, and it can fill up quickly, especially on weekends, so getting there earlier in the day is a good idea.

It’s also worth noting that there have been break-ins reported here, so be sure not to leave anything valuable in your car.

Tips Before You Go

The first thing to know is that you do need a permit for this hike. It’s easy to get online ahead of time and only costs $2.50.

This trail is known for being muddy, even if it hasn’t rained recently, so proper footwear makes a big difference. Hiking shoes or boots with good grip are highly recommended. I’d also bring a second pair of shoes to change into after, especially if you don’t want to track mud into your car.

You’ll be crossing the river multiple times and using your hands to climb over rocks in certain areas, so having a backpack is really helpful to keep your hands free.

Try to avoid this hike during or right after heavy rain. The stream can rise quickly and become dangerous, and the trail gets even more slippery.

One of the trickiest parts of this hike is that it’s not always clearly marked. It’s easy to accidentally take the ridge trail and miss the waterfall, so following directions carefully is important.

What to Expect on the Hike (Step-by-Step Guide)

First, note that when you reach the river along the trail, there are a couple of paths that lead to the waterfall, but it’s easy to go off track and end up going past it. We will outline the exact route we took to reach the waterfall, along with tips and tricks to make life as easy as possible. 

The trail starts by taking you through a bamboo forest, with a lot of it having been cleared away unfortunately, but you’ll find areas with dense clusters of bamboo trees as you move further in. You will soon see a wired fence on your right with a hole in it that you can move through, otherwise carry on through the bamboo for another minute and you will find the designated exit from the forest. 

At this point, you will walk up the grass hill and intersect a paved trail, which you will follow for a few minutes, passing the Nu’uanu reservoir on your left and gaining a glorious view of the Ko’olau Mountain range.

The path slopes downwards a hundred yards past the reservoir and you’ll veer left at the end to find the entrance to the next portion of the forest hike. 

Make your way up the steps into a stunning rainforest and continue along the trail until you see another wired fence on your right-hand side. Follow the fence and make a right turn at the end of it, you will soon come across a few more steps to climb. The trail continues towards the mountain and there is a really scenic spot where the trees open up, giving you another view of the mountains on your right. 

You will soon come across the Lulumahu River as well as a stone wall to make your way further forward. Afterwards, use the rocks in the stream to cross to the right-hand side of the river, then a few yards up, make your way back across to get onto the path on the left-hand side of the river.

Soon you’ll find a split in the trail, one path taking you to the left, which you ignore, while the other takes you down a riverbank, and you will again use the rocks in the water to cross over to the opposite side of the stream.

Continue along, making sure not to stray too far from the river, until you reach another section that you will cross over to the left side of the river, recognizable by the large boulders and shallow stream. Soon you’ll see another fork in the road, and again, you will ignore the path going to the left and take a right towards the river. You will see a lot more large rocks and boulders here, which you will use to climb up the river. You will likely hear the sound of the waterfall as you get closer. 

Stay near to the river as you make your way up the rocks until you find a path to your right, and soon, after one more river crossing, keep moving up the path to the left of the river until you reach the waterfall. 

Is Lulumahu Falls Trail Worth It?

As adventurous hikers who love rainforest trails and waterfalls, we found the entire hike was fun and rewarding. There are diverse plants and trees to appreciate throughout, including the native Hau and Mamaki Trees. However, gazing up at the cascading Lulumahu Falls is the highlight and easily makes the hike worthwhile on its own.

There are plenty of boulders to hang out on and have a snack while enjoying the view of the waterfall. The plunge pool is about 3 feet deep in areas so not deep enough for a swim, but you can still take a dip and cool off and the water feels amazing. Lulumahu Falls is one of Oahu’s most treasured natural attractions, and seeing it with your own eyes is something we guarantee you won’t regret.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Lulumahu Falls Trail

Do I need a permit to hike Lulumahu Falls?

Yes, you will need to obtain a day-permit for this hike. It will cost $2.50 and can be purchased online very easily.

How long is the hike?

The hike to the waterfall is just under 2 miles round-trip and, depending on your pace, it will take roughly 1.5 hours to complete.

What should I bring on the hike?

Hiking boots and a change of shoes for afterwards are a must. The trail is quite well shaded for the most part but bringing some sunscreen is worthwhile and bug spray is also good to have. A water bottle that stores at least 32oz and, if you plan to cool off at the waterfall, a small towel should be packed. A practical, compact backpack to store everything is highly recommended, keeping you mobile and minimising obstruction as you climb rocks.

Can I swim at the waterfall?

No, the water is too shallow for swimming, but you can sit or lay down in the water to cool down, as it is a few feet deep in certain areas.

Is it a family-friendly hike?

Yes, this is a great hike for families but particularly for older children given some of the challenging aspects to the trail.