Kealia Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

From the bottom, the Kealia Trail starts off an access road on the west side of Dillingham Field. From there, the trail vaults up the mountain on an exposed singletrack with plenty of switchbacks. The views are great, but you'll work hard over the somewhat rocky terrain to earn them. This may not be the best option for hikers who aren't fond of heights.

At around the half-way mark you'll reach a clear viewpoint that can be an early turn around point, or an incentive to press on. The views of Dillingham Field, the North Shore (which often has huge waves for advanced surfers), and the expanse of the Pacific Ocean are continuous along the top half. The trail eventually ends at the intersection with the Kuaokala Firebreak Road and Mokuleia Firebreak Road.

If you're hiking down the Kealia Trail, the first half goes by fairly casually. But from the viewpoint on, you're knees will get a workout on the steeps as you hike constantly down, down, down to the airfield below.