OOne of the best ways to exercise is with a friend, whether you have two legs or four. With the slightly cooler temperatures these days, it’s a great time to take your pup for a walk.
Dozens of state-run trails allow dogs. For a complete list, go to hawaiitrails.ehawaii.gov/trails and filter by “dog on leash”. You can also download the Outer Space app, which lets you sort dog hikes by proximity or alphabetically.
Just because dogs are allowed doesn’t mean they’re having a good time. We’ve combed the list of hikes for those that aren’t too difficult, sunny, or long for pups of different sizes, ages, and abilities. Be sure to consider your dog’s (and your) fitness level before heading out. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some of our recommended dog-friendly tours on O’ahu.
Some key things to keep in mind:
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
- Consider buying a GPS collar (not an Apple AirTag) in case you and your dog get separated.
- Bring poop bags, enough water and a collapsible water bowl, snacks and a first aid kit.
- Be aware of loose hunting dogs on certain scheduled days, as well as the possibility of encountering wildlife.
SEE ALSO: Your ultimate guide to running, walking, swimming and biking events on O’ahu
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
This trail works best for dogs with stamina. While not strenuous, it is almost 5 miles, so give yourself a few hours to complete it. There is plenty of shade (and sometimes mud) to keep your pup cool. Since it’s a loop, you won’t find many people passing you in the opposite direction, which is also good for nervous dogs.
Photo: Katrina Valcourt
There are two hikes that start at the end of Kala’au Place in East Honolulu, and while both are dog-friendly, they’re quite different experiences. The ridge path climbs to the right and is often busy, so make sure your dog is well behaved with others. There’s plenty of variety to get a good workout in between the switchbacks in the trail and a few wide spaces to take breaks. The picnic tables about two-thirds of the way up are a good place to stop and look around; the rest of the way beyond that is sunny and more of a stair climb, which might not be as much fun for pups who don’t mind the awesome view at the top. The full route can sometimes take four hours to complete round trip.
Photo: Jennifer Adams
The valley path, much shorter and less intense, has a slight incline if you only want to spend an hour walking. And while it’s not usually busy, you have to look for parking in the neighborhood along with everyone else on the ridge trail, so even though the hike itself is fully shaded, you should still be mindful of the time of day in terms of hot pavement.
SEE ALSO: The ultimate guide to hiking on O’ahu
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
We love paved roads when we’re looking to get our heart rate up and don’t want to worry about slipping or tripping over uneven surfaces. The Makapu’u trail is nice and wide, so you don’t have to stop to let others pass, and there’s often a nice breeze. It’s a brisk 3 miles, but there’s no shade, so dogs should only accompany you on this hike when the sun isn’t out. On a recent Saturday, the parking lot was overflowing at 7 a.m., but there is usually room to park on the road.
Photo: Lennie Omalza
Several trails intersect here, so follow the signs to hike the Kanealole, Makiki Valley, and Maunalaha trails in a 2.5 mile loop. There are lots of tree roots and rocks, so if you want to tackle the steepest part of the hike first to make sure your pup can handle it, start at Maunalaha and go counter-clockwise.
Photo: Laura Dornbush
It’s a pretty busy trail, but for good reason: it’s short, easy, and well-maintained. Safety upgrades a few years ago made the trail more family-friendly, which also works well for dogs.
Photo: Taylor Ellis
Not as deep into the valley as Mānoa Falls, so it’s a bit more secluded, Pu’u Pia offers a fun hike that most dogs can enjoy. It’s mostly shady with a nice couple of grassy glades at the end and only 2.4 miles round trip.
Photo: Taylor Ellis
Just over 1 mile round trip, the well-defined trail begins at Pu’u ‘Ualaka’a State Wayside (before the lookout) and takes you through tall pines and banyan arches. Let your dog take his time exploring after the winding path since it’s such a short walk. A few other trails fork at the uphill end of the loop.
Katrina Valcourt is the executive editor of HONOLULU Magazine.
