For some of the best family hiking in the park, set off along the straightforward 0.1-mile Cliff Trail, which starts 0.8 miles down Halemanu Rd. Enjoy the canyon views, then keep going on the forested, 1.7-mile Canyon Trail, which descends steeply before reaching a vast red-dirt promontory, poised above stark cliffs. Just beyond, some huff-and-puff climbing brings you to Waipoʻo Falls.
If you’ve had enough, turn around at the falls. Otherwise, follow the trail across the stream to the canyon rim. It ends at Kumuwela Lookout, where you can rest at a picnic table before backtracking to Halemanu Rd.
For an alternate return route, make a right at the signed intersection with the Black Pipe Trail at the top of the switchback where you leave the canyon rim. This half-mile route ends at the 4WD road, where you turn left (downhill) and walk back to where you started.
If you have a 4WD, you can skip the steeps by accessing the trail system from the end of Kumuwela Ridge.
