From mountain ranges to rainforests to beaches, Oahu is home to some of Hawaii's most beautiful natural scenery. If you're an outdoorsy person who loves taking photographs of your travel adventures, you likely want to know where to find the most breathtaking views. Here are some scenic hiking trails on Oahu to explore.

A Guide to Oahu's Most Scenic Hikes

1. Makapu'u Lighthouse 

For an easy hike with no shortage of gorgeous views, try the Makapu'u Lighthouse trail. This paved, 2-mile trail is easy to hike with strollers or wheelchairs and takes about two hours to complete. Additionally, since it has a gentle incline, you likely won't even notice that you've hiked up 1,200 feet to the lighthouse. From this Oahu landmark, you'll enjoy panoramic views of Makapu'u Bay, Waimanalo Bay, and the Ka'iwi Channel. 

2. Manoa Falls

This trail takes you through the lush rainforest as you travel toward the falls. On the hike, which takes about 1.5 hours, you'll pass through towering trees, colorful flowers, and tropical plants, which can provide a beautiful background for portraits. At the magnificent 150-foot waterfall, which has been a filming location for several Hollywood movies, you can shoot photos of the cascading water and enjoy a picnic lunch at the foot of the falls.

3. Diamond Head Crater

Diamond Head Crater consists of about 450 acres of volcanic rock. This Oahu landmark is clearly visible from Waikiki Beach, and you might even notice it from your hotel windows. You can also hike the crater, which takes about 1.5–2 hours. On this slightly more challenging hike, you'll navigate a sightly steeper gradient along with a handful of narrow corridors and steep steps. As you approach the top, you'll notice sparkling stones embedded in the rock—shiny calcite crystals that gave this landmark its name. The summit provides breathtaking and photo-worthy views of nearly all of Oahu.

4. Koko Head

If you're looking for a challenge, hike the Koko Head trail, which features over 1,050 steps that lead up an abandoned railroad track on Koko Crater. If you're athletic, this may not sound too difficult, but climbing the steps can be strenuous, as they're occasionally wide, steep, and far apart. The view from the top makes the journey worth it. If you begin the hike about an hour before dawn and bring a flashlight to make sure you can see the steps clearly, you'll get to view and take photos of the sunrise over Sandy Beach. 

If you plan to travel to Oahu for outdoor adventures, stay at The Breakers Hotel. Located just half a block away from Waikiki Beach, this hotel offers comfortable rooms, suites, and studios along with an onsite pool. Call (808) 923-3181 to make hotel reservations, and visit the website to learn more about this beachside hotel's amenities.