5 off-the-beaten-path adventures for your Oahu vacation

Have you covered all the top things to do and see on Oahu on previous trips and you’re looking to get off the beaten path? Do you try to avoid crowds on your vacation? Perhaps you’ll find some new aspects of Oahu to discover and enjoy.

I’ve designed this list to include a bit of culture, history, nature and of course lots of scenery. Without further ado, here are five Oahu adventures and places to see without the crowds.

1. Hike the Puu Pia Trail

The Puu Pia Trail leads you into the jungle-y peace of Manoa Valley. Though this trail starts at the edge of the highly populated city of Honolulu, within steps you feel miles away from any city. Soon after you get into the trail, you’re in a deep green forest and hearing birds and distant waterfalls instead of Honolulu traffic.

2. Drive the jungle roads of Tantalus and Roundtop

If hiking is not your thing, no worries. You can see the hilly, forested edge of Honolulu by car on Tantalus and Roundtop Drives. (Tantalus Drive and Roundtop Drive flow into each other, which is why you usually see them listed together.) Make sure you include a stop at Puu Ualakaa State Wayside Park for an amazing view of Honolulu.

3. See Kukaniloko Birthing Stones

In the middle of a field in Central Oahu , you’ll find a red dirt path through a field that leads to ancient birthing stones. This site is consided sacred by Hawaiians as it was a place where children of chiefs and chiefesses were born. See more about this fascinating, and some say spiritual, site – Kukaniloko Hawaiian Birthing Stones.

4. Go to Oahu’s largest heiau at Puu o Mahuka

For learning a little more about ancient Hawaiian culture, visit the heiau (Hawaiian temple) at Puu o Mahuka on Oahu’s North Shore. By the way, views of Waimea are excellent from this site. To learn more, see our video and post about Puu o Mahuka.

5. Get lost for LOST

Though the hit television series LOST completed years ago, people are still searching for LOST filming locations. I’ve created a list of the top 3 LOST filming locations that include fairly off-the-beaten path sites that anyone would like whether you’re a LOST fan or not. The three locations include a secluded beach area, the end of a drive on Oahu’s western shore and an ancient Hawaiian fishpond.