24 Best Mountain Biking Trails in Hawaii

Hey there travel enthusiasts and welcome to my post where we will check out my 24 best mountain bike trails in Hawaii to power through the berms on this year. With its stunning natural beauty and diverse terrain, Hawaii offers some of the best mountain biking trails in the world.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner looking for a heart-pumping challenge or a leisurely ride through paradise, Hawaii’s mountain biking trails have got you covered.

Best Mountain Biking Trails in Hawaii

As above, Hawaii offers some of the most scenic and challenging trails for mountain bikers of all levels. Here are some of the top mountain biking trails in Hawaii that you won’t want to miss – island by island:

Oahu Trails

Oahu is home to some of the most popular mountain biking trails in Hawaii. If you’re looking for a challenging ride, the Ohana Trail features plenty of logs, roots and lava rock to navigate as well as some steep climbs and descents.

Other popular trails on the North Shore include the Pupukea Trail and Peacock Flats. The Pupukea Trail is a fast and flowy singletrack that winds through a dense forest, while Peacock Flats offers a mix of technical sections and fast descents. Here are a few more details on each:

1. Pupukea Trail, Haleiwa

The Pupukea trail system is located in the Pupukea-Paumalu Forest Reserve and offers a diverse riding experience that combines natural, old-school rooty singletrack with bermed out bomber runs and man-made features.

The trail provides a mix of tight and twisty low-speed maneuvering and fast bench cut sections, with varying scenery from deep woods to breathtaking ocean views.

• Location: Haleiwa, Oahu
• Length: The Pupukea Trail System has a total length of around 35 miles 
• Difficulty: Varies (from casual rides to challenging sections)
• Terrain: Mixed
• Type: Singletrack and Man-made features

2. Peacock Flats, Mokuleia

Located on Oahu’s north shore, Peacock Flats offers an epic ride that combines jeep roads and narrow singletrack. There are several trails and roads that lead to Peacock Flats, including the Mokuleia Forest Reserve Access Road, which is a 4.2-mile unpaved road and the Peacock Flats Trail, also known as the Mokule’ia Trail, which is a 7-mile round-trip hike entirely on a paved road, which is now inaccessible to cars.

The Peacock Flats via Mokuleia Access Road is a 7.2-mile lightly trafficked out-and-back trail that is primarily used for mountain biking and has an elevation gain of 1,500 feet.

• Location: Mokuleia, Oahu
• Length: As above
• Difficulty: Gentle to Advanced
• Terrain: Mixed
• Type: Singletrack and Jeep Roads

3. Ohana Trail, Kailua

The Ohana Trail, the first IMBA-created trail in Hawaii, is a flowy, bike-specific trail that winds through a lush tropical jungle. It’s designed with pumpable rollers and bermed switchbacks, focusing on momentum and flow.

• Location: Kailua, Oahu
• Length: Approximately 9 miles
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Terrain: Mostly free of rock and technical challenges
• Type: Singletrack

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Big Island Trails

The Big Island of Hawaii is home to some of the longest mountain biking trails in the state. Howver, due to a lot of private land and initiatives against the spread of invasive species, it’s challenging to legally get trails permitted for bicycle use.

However, what the Big Island trails might lack in features and berms, they make up for with their diverse terrains. On the Big Island, riders can experience wet and rooty technical climbs in the forest as well as lava rock gardens that stretch as far as the eye can see.

There are gravel rides along the coast, rough and jagged rock epics down volcanoes, and 50-mile stretches that take riders through the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) country with rolling green hills and pastures.

Some of the many trials on the big Island include:

4. Kalopa Trails

The Kalopa Trail System is located in the Kalopa Honokaa Forest Reserve and offers over 35 miles of singletrack trails. The trails range in difficulty from easy to difficult and offer a variety of terrain types, including forested areas, open meadows, and lava rock fields.

5. Mana Road

Mana Road is a popular mountain biking trail that is located on the slopes of Mauna Kea. The trail is approximately 40 miles long and offers stunning views of the island. The trail is rated as difficult and is only recommended for experienced riders.

6. Mauna Kea Summit

The Mauna Kea Summit trail is located on the summit of Mauna Kea and offers a unique mountain biking experience. The trail is approximately 6 miles long and is rated as difficult. The trail offers stunning views of the island and is only recommended for experienced riders due to the high altitude and technical terrain.

7. Pu’u ‘O’o Trail

The Pu’u ‘O’o Trail is located in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and offers a unique mountain biking experience through the lava fields. The trail is approximately 3.5 miles long and is rated as moderate. The trail offers stunning views of the Kilauea Caldera and is suitable for intermediate riders.

Book your mountain biking trip to Hawaii here!

Maui Trails

Maui is home to some of the most scenic mountain biking trails in Hawaii. The Makawao Forest Reserve is a popular destination for mountain bikers, offering a mix of pine forest and open meadows and features a variety of trails of varying difficulty, so there’s something for riders of all skill levels.

Other popular trails on Maui include the Skyline Trail and the Kahakapao Loop Trail. The Skyline Trail offers stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding landscape, while the Kahakapao West Trail is a fast and flowy singletrack that winds through a beautiful forest. Here are some of the best in Maui in more detail:

8. Pineapple Express, Kahakapao Loop Trail

The Pineapple Express can be accessed by ascending the Kahakapao Loop to the mountain’s summit. This trail offers a continuous descent transitioning from a mixed forest to a pine forest and is expertly designed with jumps, large bank turns and even a significant wooden banked turn with several drops.

It’s recommended however not to use this trail during rainy conditions.

• Location: Makawao Forest Reserve
• Length: 1.8 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Terrain: 0m Up & 260m Down
• Type: Singletrack

9. Skyline, Haleakala National Park

The Skyline trail starts just outside Haleakala National Park and trail offers a unique riding experience as it descends across a lunar landscape with earth tones in the foreground and the vast Pacific Ocean below. The trail has switchbacks above the Kula Forest Reserve and connects to the Waipoli doubletrack.

• Location: Haleakala National Park
• Length: 6.7 miles
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Terrain: 1m Up & 850m Down
• Type: Doubletrack

10. Mamane, Haleakala National Park

Located on Haleakala’s southwest slopes, the Mamane mountain singletrack is situated in a cloud forest. The trail offers a thrilling ride with several whoops and twists, opportunities for air jumps and a scenic ride through large, bushy pine trees.

• Location: Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area
• Length: 1.8 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Terrain: 0m Up & 239m Down
• Type: Singletrack

11. Kahakapao West

The west side of the Kahakapao singletrack starts at the summit of the Kahakapao East route and offers a descent through a lush forest, passing through an open-canopied forest of ferns and eucalyptus trees. The trail offers a mix of terrains and scenic views, especially through the lush, green rainforest.

• Location: Makawao Forest Reserve
• Length: 2.5 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Terrain: 7m Up & 262m Down
• Type: Singletrack

12. Ravine, Makawao Forest Reserve

The Ravine trail descends through a gorge before entering the Makawao Forest Reserve and offers a mix of smooth singletrack and more complex terrains as it dips into the canyon. The trail is challenging with newly improved features and alternatives, making it a thrilling ride for all.

• Location: Makawao Forest Reserve
• Length: 0.5 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Terrain: 0m Up & 77m Down
• Type: Singletrack

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Kauai Trails

Kauai is home to some of the most challenging mountain biking trails in Hawaii. The Kuilau-Moalepe Mountain Bike Trail is a must-try for intermediate to experienced riders, offering steep climbs and technical sections through a dense forest. The Kapaa Bike Trail is another popular trail on the island, offering stunning views of the coast and the surrounding mountains.

Let’s check some of them out here:

13. Kapaa Bike Trail

The Kapaa Bike Trail is one of the most popular mountain biking and cycling routes on Kauai with a paved path that offers great views of the ocean and nearby mountains. The trail is great for all levels, especially for biking with kids.

There are some hills along the way, but they are manageable and the trail is exposed, so it’s best to avoid during the heat of the day making sunrise or evening rides are recommended.

• Location: Kapaa to Ahihi Point along the island’s east coast.
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Length: 4.6 miles
• Terrain: Paved
• Trail Type: Coastal Path

14. Ke Ala Hele Makalae Bike Trail (Lydgate Beach Park to Wailua Beach Park)

This is a paved trail that provides incredible views. It’s separate from the roads, making it safer, especially for biking with kids. Along the way, there are archaeological and cultural stops ad during the winter months, whale and monk seal sightings along the coast are common.

• Location: Along the Royal Coconut Coast
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Length: 4 miles
• Terrain: Paved
• Trail Type: Coastal Path

Check out these: Best Whale Watching Spots in Hawaii

15. Kuilau-Moalepe Mountain Bike Trail

This trail requires solid intermediate biking skills as even though it starts off as a gentle uphill on a gravel road, it soon changes to a dirt singletrack bike trail.

As you approach the summit, the trail becomes more winding but near the top, there’s a clear ridgeline offering views of the jungle. The trail then leads to a picnic area before descending down the Kuilau Ridge.

• Location: Starts at the Moalepe trailhead
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Trail Length: 4.2 miles
• Terrain: Dirt and Gravel
• Trail Type: Singletrack

16. Waimea Canyon Mountain Biking

This trail starts at the rim of Waimea Canyon and descends 3600 feet to the Pacific Ocean and is not for beginners.

The trail offers stunning views of Kauai and is commonly done around sunrise and can be cold at the top so dressing in layers is recommended.

• Location: Waimea Canyon
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Trail Length: 13 miles
• Terrain: Paved
• Trail Type: Downhill

Book your mountain biking trip to Hawaii here!

Molokai Trails

Molokai is home to some of the most remote mountain biking trails in Hawaii. Popular trails on Molokai include the Kalaupapa Trail and the Molokai Forest Reserve Trail System. The Kalaupapa Trail offers stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding landscape, while the Molokai Forest Reserve Trail System winds through over 50 miles of mountain biking trails.

Here are some more details:

17. Waikolu Valley Lookout to Bog Trail

This trail is located in the Molokai Forest Reserve and is approximately 29 miles long. The trail is rated as difficult and offers a variety of terrain types including forested areas, open meadows, and rocky terrain. The trail offers stunning views of the Waikolu Valley and the ocean.

• Location: Molokai Forest Reserve, Molokai, Hawaii
• Length: Approximately 29 miles
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Terrain: Forested areas, open meadows, rocky terrain
• Type: Point to point

18. Molokai Forest Reserve Trail System

The Molokai Forest Reserve Trail System is a network of over 50 miles of mountain biking trails that offer a variety of difficulty levels and terrain types. The trails range from easy to difficult and offer stunning views of the island.

• Location: Molokai Forest Reserve, Molokai, Hawaii
• Length: Over 50 miles
• Difficulty: Easy to difficult
• Terrain: Varied
• Type: Network of trails

19. Papohaku Ridge Trail

The Papohaku Ridge Trail is located in the Papohaku Ranchlands and is approximately 13 miles long. The trail is rated as difficult and offers a variety of terrain types including forested areas, open meadows and rocky terrain. The trail offers stunning views of the ocean and the island.

• Location: Papohaku Ranchlands, Molokai, Hawaii
• Length: Approximately 13 miles
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Terrain: Forested areas, open meadows, rocky terrain
• Type: Loop

20. Kalaupapa Trail

The Kalaupapa Trail is located in the Kalaupapa National Historical Park and is approximately 3.5 miles long. The trail is rated as moderate and offers stunning views of the ocean and the island and suitable for intermediate riders

• Location: Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Molokai, Hawaii
• Length: Approximately 3.5 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Terrain: Varied
• Type: Point to point

Lanai Trails

Not to nbe left out, Lanai is also home to some great mountain biking trails. Popular trails include the Koloiki Ridge Trail and the Shipwreck Beach Coastal Trail. TheKoloiki Ridge Trail offers stunning views of the island and the surrounding landscape, while the Shipwreck Beach Coastal Trail give you great views of the beaches as well.

Here are some more details:

21. Munro Trail

The Munro Trail is located in the Lanaihale area of Lanai and is approximately 7.5 miles long. The trail is rated as moderate and offers stunning views of the island. The trail is primarily used for hiking, but mountain biking is also allowed.

• Location: Lanaihale area, Lanai, Hawaii
• Length: Approximately 7.5 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Terrain: Varied
• Type: Point to point

Check out these: Best Hiking Trails in Hawaii

22. Koloiki Ridge Trail

23. Shipwreck Beach Coastal Trail

The Shipwreck Beach Coastal Trail is located in the Shipwreck Beach area of Lanai and is approximately 3 miles long. The trail is rated as easy and offers stunning views of the ocean and the island.

• Location: Shipwreck Beach area, Lanai, Hawaii
• Length: Approximately 3 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Terrain: Coastal
• Type: Point to point

24. Keomuku Beach Road

Keomuku Beach Road is located in the Keomuku area of Lanai and is approximately 4 miles long. The road is unpaved and offers stunning views of the ocean and the island.

• Location: Keomuku area, Lanai, Hawaii
• Length: Approximately 4 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Terrain: Unpaved road
• Type: Out and back

Book your mountain biking trip to Hawaii here!

Conclusion

There you have it, 24 best mountain biking trails in Hawaii. As usual, let me know of your experiences here or if there is anywhere you think I need to add.

Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, or corrections or would like me to check anything else out for you.

Until next time.

Have fun

Paul