Kalauao Falls: A Slippery, Muddy Trek to Hidden Falls
- Stephen Warner
- Mar 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 3
Only flowing after heavy rains, Kalauao Falls is a secluded beauty that showcases the raw power of Oahu’s rainforest. However, reaching it is no easy feat—it requires a steep and slippery descent into the valley, followed by multiple river crossings. This is not a hike for the faint of heart, but for those who are up for the challenge, it offers an unforgettable experience in Hawaii’s lush jungle.
Trail Info
Trailhead Name | Aiea Loop / Kalauao Falls Trail |
Distance | 4 miles / 6.4 km (out and back) |
Estimated time | 2-4 hours |
Elevation gain | 700 ft / 210 m |
Highest point | 1,000 ft / 300 m (start of trail) |
Permits / fees | None |
Parking | Paved lot |
Toilets? | No |
Dog friendly? | No (rushing river) |
Know before you go
These falls only flowing after a heavy rain. If you visit during a dry spell, you’ll find little more than a trickle and question why you even attempted the hike.
The hike requires river crossings and the valley is prone to flash floods. This creates a delicate balance—you need enough rain for a good waterfall, but not so much that it becomes dangerous. If caught in a flash flood, get to higher ground immediately and wait it out.
You can make this a loop, but I don't recommend it. While AllTrails shows this as a loop hike, the trail past the falls becomes less defined, and the ridge ascent is overgrown and difficult to navigate. Stick to the out-and-back route for a more tolerable experience.
Other trails nearby
Distance: 4.8 miles (7.7 km)
Elevation gain: 900 ft (270 m)
Details: A well-defined loop through the forest, featuring scenic woodland views and partial lookouts of the surrounding area.
Distance: 9 miles (14.5 km)
Elevation gain: 2,800 ft (850 m)
Details: A challenging hike leading to the Ko‘olau Summit Trail, offering sweeping views of the island’s windward side.
The Trail
Start from the Aiea Loop Trail. This initial segment is well-maintained and provides a nice warm-up before hitting the junction to the Falls Trail.
A mere 10-15 minutes in, you’ll reach the connector trail to the falls. Look for the obvious path leading left off the loop—thankfully, it's marked with ribbons.
You will get out onto the ridgeline for a brief moment. Soak in the limited mountain views while you can because the rest of the hike will be deep in the jungle.
Look for the purple tree marking the descent into the valley. Yes, it’s literally a tree with purple paint on it, and it’s usually tied with a ribbon. This marks the start of a steep descent. Follow the path to the right of the tree to descend.
See I told you it's purple :).
The descent begins....and it's tough. While the river crossings are the toughest part of the hike, this steep and slippery downhill section is no walk in the park either. The trail can be muddy, although there are ropes in some sections to assist with footing. Expect to take your time and possibly slip a few times.
Welcome to the valley! Time for some river crossings. At this point, you’ll need to navigate multiple river crossings—I counted seven in total. There are two main ways to handle these:
Ford the river – Your feet will get wet, but you’ll have more stability.
Rock-hop across – Keeps your feet dry but increases the risk of slipping and taking an unintentional swim.
Personally, I’ve always found fording the river easier. At some point, you’re going to get wet anyway, so why not embrace it?
💡 Pro Tip: If you hike these kinds of trails often, invest in good water shoes. I used to hike in my regular hiking boots and let them dry out afterward, but the smell the next day was... ripe. Do yourself a favor—get water shoes!
Stick to the path—there’s a reason for all the crossings. It might be tempting to stay on one side to avoid multiple crossings, but the trail markers were laid to set up for the path of least resistance. Follow it.
And we've made it to the falls! If you picked the right day, you’ll hear the waterfall before you see it. And when it’s flowing hard, it’s a stunning sight.
And boy is it a beauty! The water was rushing so fast that I couldn’t even swim—it was that powerful. That’s what I call a good flow!
One final exposure to capture the entire scene. Now for the muddy and slippery ascent out of the valley. I could use a hot spam musubi after this one!
SS Reflections
I love hiking the sharp and treacherous ridges of Hawaii, but if there’s one thing that feels uniquely "Hawaii," it’s a tough waterfall hike. Every time I reach that first river crossing and feel the strong current testing my balance, I think, why am I doing this again?
And then, when I finally arrive at the falls and feel the raw power of the rushing water, I remember exactly why it was worth it.
Other helpful resources
Noah Lang's post about this hike