I'll be staying on Waikiki for about a week this spring, and I'm looking for some good running places in advance. Does anyone have some experience running in Honolulu and can you suggest some good places to run or favorite routes? I've also heard there are some good hiking trails in Honolulu... are these open to runners? Any trail suggestions would be especially appreciated. Thanks.
Run up diamond head early in the morning-great workout.
Or depending on where you are staying. Run from the Hilton's Rainbow Tower, past the beach and past Diamond head on the south. You come to a nice, gentle uphill grade and will run into a residential neighborhood. There is an outstanding park where you can do some drills, or pushups and crunches. Then you can run back down toward the Hilton. Unfortunately, most of the run is on pavement.
Bump.
Thanks for the info.
Please check out Tantalus Trail - its a network of trails maybe 5 miles from town. Sort of hard to run on - they get muddy (it rains maybe every day in the mountains) but very nice to hike on. Roundtop Drive is the best run on the island - you'll need a car to get to the start of this 10 mile loop. It starts maybe 3 miles from town.
Right near the hotels is Ala Moana Park and Magic Island
Tantalus - Round Top
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Type: Paved
Length: 10 miles
Elev. Gain:
Danger:
Suitable for:
Location:
Topo Map:
Access:
Updated 9/25/98. Special mahalo to Ray Gandy for the corrections!
Description
Seldom referred to by its Hawaiian name, Puu Ohia (Puu means "hill"), this area attracts not only runners, but hikers, cyclists, and tourists as well. Tantalus (named after the mythical Greek king), located in the hills above Waikiki reaches an elevation of 2,013' at its summit.
Running up Tantalus Drive and back down Round Top Drive takes the runner through tropical rainforests fragrantly scented with eucalyptus and fruit trees. Each switchback in the road brings breathtaking views that all but erase the burning sensation caused by the steepness of the hills. After about five miles of climbing, Tantalus Drive becomes Round Top Drive, and the runner is rewarded with a pleasant coast back down to the bottom.
Distance
10 mile loop. Some folks run this one twice or even three times for a great, long run.
Environment
Paved, hilly (5 miles uphill, 5 miles downhill). Shade is available almost all day due to the forestation. Water and restrooms are available at the Nature Center about 0.5 mile up the road from the pumping station. Water is available on the run, but it is sometimes hard to locate. If you don't know where the water is, carry your own.
To Get There From Honolulu
From H1 East, take the Punahou exit. At the light at the end of the exit turn left and proceed mauka on Punahou. Proceed through the first light, and turn left on Nehoa Street. Take your second right onto Makiki Street, and follow the fork left onto Makiki Heights Drive. Park along the grassy area at the pumping station or back on Makiki Street.
Suggested Route
From the pumping station proceed mauka (up) Makiki Heights Drive. After approximately 1.3 miles you will intersect with Tantalus Drive. Turn right on Tantalus. Just over eight switchbacks and three miles of hill running later you will reach the peak. Congratulations, it's (almost) all downhill from here. Continue straight. The road will become Round Top Drive, which will take you back down to Makiki Street and to your car.
Notes
Be very careful of oncoming traffic. Some of the switchbacks are tight, and drivers may not see you. Water is available at the Nature Center mauka of the pumping station. There is also a faucet along the Round Top Drive side, just below the Manoa Valley overlook. This faucet protrudes from the rock wall on the mauka of the road. It is hard to find, and doesn't always flow, so carry some reserves with you.
There are several road/trail races run here annually. The Hawaii Ultra Runners Team (HURT) hosts the Tantalus Tropical Trek (10 Miles) and the Triple Tropical Trek (50K) trail races in September. MPRRC hosts the Tantalus 10-Miler on the road in October.
another vote for an out and back along diamond head. I only stayed there for a few days and didn't get to run many other places but that road is awesome.
Start at your hotel -
Go west on the main drag to the Ali Wai Canal - run along the canal - their is a path (great views of the mountains) -stay on the east side of the canal - at end of canal (about two miles) you will see the library - make a right - go about 3 blocks and make a left (first stop light) - run on the shaded road behind the zoo for about 1/2 mile - make a left at the samll Queen Emma Park (the park is on the corner and is like 30 yards by 30 yards so it real small). Once you make that left just stay on that road - it will take you up the back side of Diamond Head. If you stay on this road (its mostly uphill) you will go up the back side of Diamond Head - right near the entrance to Diamond Head you will see a small white church. Just stay on this road to the T-intersection - make a right and this will take you right back to your hotel - this road is the final 2 miles of the Honolulu marathon and great view of the ocean on your left. Maybe 7-8 miles total.
Try:http://www.runningroomhawaii.com/main/routes/index.html
The Running Room store is at 819 Kapahulu, about a mile from the Waikiki hotels.
You'll have company on your runs, regardless of the time of day you head out. There's a ton of traffic in the Waikiki area so runner beware!