Pali Notches Hike - Activities On Oahu Kaneohe, Hawaii

Pali Notches Hike is for highly experienced hikers only, and those who are well prepared for the extremely difficult and dangerous hike and climb that lies ahead. In fact, you should really just put this one on your "do not attempt" list because it's just not for most people. People have fallen and died on this one, it's that dangerous.

Image credit: Marvin Chandra

At the same time, it's a hike that can only be attempted in good weather and when the wind isn't blowing too hard. This hike is different from the Pali Puka Hike which is also located here at Nu'uanu Pali Lookout but starts on the west side of the lookout.

The Pali Notches Hike hike starts on the east side of the Nu'uanu Pali Lookout and takes you high in elevation fairly fast and then onto some skinny ridges where the only way down is a fast and painful route that would likely end in your death. If you make it, you'll encounter two notches that, should you continue to move forward, will require you to do some rock climbing on very vertical rock faces.

Again, this isn't for the average hiker, not even the well experienced hiker. The actual notches were actually carved out of the rock by the ancient Hawaiians and leveled out so that cannons could be placed in the notches to protect that area from invaders. During the Battle of Nu'uanu in 1795, Kamehameha's army was sent to destroy this cannon placement which helped them win that battle.

Hiking to these notches is not advised, hiking beyond them is really not advised. You've been warned. If you ignore this warning at least make sure you've read up on Hiking Safety & Essentials.

• General: Cost: Free	• General: Photo Opportunity	• Hiking: Hiking	• Hiking: Length: 1-2 Miles	• Hiking: Level: Difficult
• Hiking: Level: Experts Only	• Hiking: Major Elevation Changes	• Hiking: Out & Back Trail	• Hiking: Ridge Hike	• Hiking: Rock Climbing
• Sightseeing: Great Views