Lulumahu Falls — Beautiful Bamboo Forest & Hidden Royal Hawaiian Palace
If you want a really fun jungle hike that does not take all day, Lulumahu Falls is definitely one of my favorites! Tucked away in the mountains, this trail takes you straight through towering bamboo forests and across little streams until you reach a beautiful waterfall. It is the perfect short hike for when you want to leave the city and see what the untamed mountains of Oʻahu have to offer.
Hawaiian Folklore & History
One of the most unique aspects of this area is its rich Hawaiian history. Hidden in the forest near the trail are the Kaniakapupu Ruins (Heiau in Hawaiian), which was the summer palace of King Kamehameha III. Built in the 1840s, the king and his chiefs used this estate to escape the heat of Honolulu and host massive luaus for thousands of guests. Today, the remaining stone structure is highly sacred. If you happen to see it, it is crucial to treat the area with deep respect by viewing it from a distance and never touching or sitting on the stones.
Where is Lulumahu Falls Trail Located?
- In the Nuʻuanu Valley: the trailhead is right off Nuʻuanu Pali Drive
Tips for Hiking Lulumahu Falls Trail
Bring bug spray (you are hiking deep into a wet, bamboo jungle, which means there are a lot of mosquitoes waiting for you).
Wear shoes or hiking sandals you donʻt ming getting dirty (you are going to be crossing streams and walking through thick mud).
Download your trail map (because cell service drops off almost immediately, downloading an offline map is highly recommended so you do not accidentally wander off the path like I did!)
Do not leave trash on the trails (Mālama ʻĀina, Aloha ʻĀina)
We recommend downloading an offline map and checking the recent reviews by others on AllTrails before going on hike so you can prepare!
My Personal Experience Hiking Lulumahu Falls Trail
I have hiked this trail many times, and it remains one of my absolute favorite waterfall hikes! My very first time hiking it was actually with my host family and another student. On the way back down the trail, our host family told us to go ahead because they had to take care of their five-year-old daughter and were moving a bit slower.
The other student and I honestly thought we were following the right path, but clearly, we didn’t! We got completely lost. There was incredibly poor cell service in the valley, so we could not even pull up a map or call for help (at that time, I didn’t even know the AllTrails app existed!). While wandering around trying to find our way, we accidentally stumbled right upon the Heiau and Kaniakapupu ruins. It was such a great surprise to just naturally discover something with so much history. Shortly after, we retraced our steps, found the correct path, and safely made it back to meet our host family.
As for the Lulumahu waterfall itself, it is beautiful and tall! However, I do not think the pool at the bottom is quite deep enough, so it is not really swimmable.
Hiking Lulumahu Falls is honestly such a great way to spend your day. You get a mix of cool history, a massive bamboo forest, and a stunning waterfall all in one short hike. Yes, you will definitely get your shoes muddy, but that just makes the adventure even more fun! I highly recommend checking it out if you want a true, unforgettable jungle experience.
Also, AllTrails is the tool we always use to check the trail features, routes, conditions, and reviews to be ready for hikes!