Hiking on Army Land
All hikers wishing to use hiking trails on Army land must first obtain permission from the Directorate of Public Works.
- Getting Access
- Trails on Army Land
- Hiking Safety
To obtain approval to hike the beautiful trails located on Schofield Barracks and other Army land, all you need to do is send a short letter to Bobbie Puahala at the Directorate of Public Works’ Real Estate Office, which includes the date of your requested hike, the number of people in your party, and your contact information.
Your letter must be signed and forwarded to our Real Estate Office within 10 business days of the date you intend to hike.
Requests should be sent to Bobbie via e-mail (barbara.c.puahala4.civ@mail.mil), fax (808-656-3290), or U.S. Postal Service mail (U.S. Army Garrison, Hawaii, Directorate of Public Works, 947 Wright Avenue, Building 104, WAAF, Schofield Barracks, HI, 96857-5013).
Upon receipt and approval of your request, a letter of approval with specific info regarding installation access procedures and other information relevant to your visit will be sent to you. This letter must be carried with you while you are conducting your hike. Please be aware that hiking is only available on weekends and from sunrise to sunset.
For further information, please call 808-656-3259.
The following trails are completely or partially on Army land and require permission from the garrison for access.
- Kalena
This hike has been closed to the public due to troop movements. - Kaunala
The main portion of this trail is not on Army land and permission is not needed for access. If hikers want to complete the extended portion of this hike or continue to the Pupukea Summit, permission is required. - Kanehoa-Hapapa
This hike has been closed to the public due to troop movements. - Kawainui
This six-mile round trip valley hike has an elevation gain of 800 feet and is suitable novice and intermediate hikers. It is located in the Kawailoa Forest Reserve above Haleiwa. - Opaeula
This two-mile round trip valley hike has an elevation gain of 200 feet and is suitable for novice hikers. It is located in the Kawailoa Forest Reserve above Haleiwa. - Pupukea Summit
This nine-mile round trip graded ridge hike has an elevation gain of 900 feet and is suitable for novice and intermediate hikers. It is located in Pupukea Paumalu and the Kahuku Forest Reserves above Pupukea. - Schofield-Waikane
This 14-mile round trip graded ridge hike has an elevation gain of 1,200 feet and is suitable for novice, intermediate and expert hikers. It is located in the Ewa Forest Reserve, above Wahiawa. - Wahiawa Hills
This five-mile loop foothill hike has an elevation gain of 1,300 feet and is suitable for intermediate hikers. It is located in the Ewa Forest Reserve, above Wahiawa.
The Army Environmental Command has information on munitions safety online. Click here to view a hiker's resource card.
The following tips are courtesy of the Hawaii State Parks system. For a listing of trails open to the public and other resources, visit www.hawaiistateparks.org/hiking/.
- Inform Others of Your Plans. Let someone know which trail (name and location) you plan to hike on, and when you expect to return. If something should go wrong, rescuers will have accurate information on where to start searching.
- Hike With a Partner. Don’t hike alone. Frequently, people who get into trouble are alone. In case of an emergency, your partner’s help can be invaluable.
- Get Information About the Trail. Learn about the trail so you will know the route, where to start, and degree of difficulty.
- Assess Your Capabilities. Compare your level of fitness, ability, and experience with the trail description. Be practical and realistic. There are a wide variety of trails in Hawai`i, so pick one that suits your level.
- Check Weather Conditions. Sunny and clear mornings are sometimes followed by rain and wind later in the day. Flash floods are dangerous possibilities in the narrow gulches. Call the National Weather Service for the latest forecast.
- Wear Proper Clothing. Dress in layers so you can protect your skin from the intense tropical sun. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended. Hiking boots offer traction and ankle support to prevent slipping and injuries on muddy trails and slick or sharp rocks. Light raingear is good to carry because of the quickly changing weather conditions.