Judd Trail

This is a lovely hike.
I was surprised how easy it was to find the trail head. The trail is a loop that connects to Nuuanu look out. We decided to head up Nuuana lookout which was a vertical climb with a dozen switch backs.
The entire trail was covered except parts on top of the Nuuanu trail. Will definety do this hike again!

This is a great hike with beautiful scenery. A few things I highly recommend
1) Bug Spray:
The first time I went I didn’t apply as much mosquito repellent as I should have and I left with dozens of bites. This hike is close to fresh water so there are lots of Mosquitos.
2) Water shoes & walking stick if it’s been raining lately:
You will cross running water and it is much easier to walk in the water with water shoes or even barefoot that to try to balance on slippery rocks. Most of the trail is extremely muddy (at least both times I went). I like to refer to it as a muddy slip n slide, so don’t wear shoes that you want to keep clean. I wouldn’t recommend sandals either since some of the mud is deep and would rip your slipper right off.
One of my favorite things about this trail is it is almost completely shaded. My dog loved it!

Do you like walking in mud pits? If so, this trail is for you! The .75 miles would likely take 20 minutes or less to walk, but due to the fact that the entire trail is a slippery, muddy mess it took us closer to 1 hr. I know some people like hiking in the mud, but for me it really takes away from the enjoyment of what would have otherwise been a lovely walk in the woods, alongside a stream. For what it is worth, if you want to go to the pool, go right once you cross the river and after a few minutes, look for the trail that goes downhill towards the river.

b*e*a*u*t*i*f*u*l trail! Great for the ohana! Make sure you bring some bug spray and your camera. Take your time and look up not only down and in front of you. take in the sounds and smell and every step you take enjoy it all!

Easy hike, we need to cross a small stream at the beginning. Lot of big pine trees are amazing, and also lot of mosquitoes all over the trial :(. There is a Jackass ginger pool and is really cool.

Pretty easy hike except for the stream crossings (over and back). If wearing water shoes, the stream crossings aren’t an issue; I was using my hiking boots and didn’t want to get them wet (for use the next day) so boulder hopping over was a bit of a challenge but it worked out.
There’s two small waterfalls and the jackass ginger pool below. I didn’t get in the water this time but there were a few people enjoying the water while I was sweating from the humidity!
Use bug spray as there’s lots of mosquitos. The parking area seems pretty shady as there was lots of broken glass on the ground (we didn’t have any problems).
This is a nice easy walk with the availability of jumping in the jackass ginger pool at the end.

Fun, great for exploring with keiki. Lots of different routes. Waters beautiful. I wouldn’t swim in it but I like watching other people just off the high rocks! Good, easy fun!

Short easy loop with a few off-​shoots that lead to small swimming holes. The pine trees are really cool. Parking can be tough, and there are frequently a lot of mosquitoes and mud.
You can also take the Nuuanu Trail which branches off the Judd Trail. It’s a steeper, long ridge trail with some nice views.

On Mother’s Day 2015, my family and I decided to take a chance on this hike. We were looking on going on hike that was going to expose us to direct sunlight, as we were going on a hike around 11:00am. this hike was great for beginners. We had 4 teenagers with us, so naturally they were faster than my husband and I and they found the trail that lead us to a small waterfall and pond. (It’s really not a waterfall, just a collection of rocks about 5 – 6 feet tall that the upper pond flows from). All I can say is that we enjoyed our family hike. If we just did the loop, it may have only taken 30 mins. But we also took some time in the pond. Parking is on the street, so be careful opening your doors onto oncoming traffic. The location is beautiful filled with bamboo walls and tall conifer trees as well as ginger plants. I would do this hike again with friends and family.

CAR BROKEN INTO. And I have a Tacoma not a tourist rental. I grew up Waialua so I know for hide everything. And they still busted the window. Friend of mine had this happen last month. Seems like it’s a popular spot for chronics to hang out. (Or live in the bushes) They ask for money and the hippie hikers leave trash everywhere. Took a chance and this was not a good decision. It’s just a fricken dump.

Did the full 5 mile trail that goes up the Nu’uanu Trail to the lookout. Personally, I felt like the best part of the hike was the waterfall. The views at the top of the trail were decent but, in my opinion, not worth the long switchbacks 13 times up an incline. The water at Jackass ginger pools looked clean, was very cold. Didn’t take the time to swim but would go back just for the falls! Falls take only about 30 minutes round trip. Good idea to bring mosquito repellent!

Super easy hike but man! Please clean up after yourselves. Hey route clearing guys route clearing means to clear not put in bags a dump it in the forest!

I’m not going to give the full details because if you’re interested in hiking this area, I want you to experience the hike instead of giving you intricate details about whats in it and what to expect. I want you to «carpe diem» and live in the moment. :)
Judd-Nu’uanu Trail is located at Nuuanu, Old Pali Road. Keep driving til you get to a bridge established on 1932. Park on the side of the road: weekdays are the better days to visit to avoid the crowd. Its a maintained trail that is extremely easy to hike. Good for beginners, children, and pets (please kokua and clean up after dogs). However, please be careful when crossing the river as water levels may rise or flood after rainy days and it could get slippery and muddy. Bring/​apply mosquito repellent that contains deet (OFF deep woods or other brand) before hiking because mosquitos infest the area. If you want to challenge yourself even more, continue to the Nu’uanu trail located at the fork in which you’ll see the sign; it will take you an hour and a half ’til the first rest stop depending on you or your parties’ pace.
Please keep trails free of litter and free of grafitti. Respect nature and enjoy the scenery!

Very fast and easy trail (kid friendly) with a pool looking stream at the end. lots of mosquitoes and not alot of parking. It’s just on a side road so parking is not great… you have to cross a tiny stream as well. I gave it a three because it’s super short and nothing too impressive in my opinion. it is pretty though don’t get me wrong. But there are much better hikes out here :)

One of my best friends loves to go one this «hike» because the location holds a lot of meaning to him. I think over the course of our almost 7 year friendship, we’ve done this hike together at least 4 times. When I call it a hike, I really mean that it’s a pleasant walk amongst the trees and quiet solitude of nature.
You can find the entrance near Old Pali Road. You have to cross a stream pretty early in the hike. If it’s a day after heavy rain, like yesterday, this may pose a slight challenge. The hike will also be muddy if that is the case. We walked up a winding hill for a little over half a mile this time around until we reached a light waterfall and decided to turn around.
On dry days, this is a cool walk to take. Safe for any age, steep at times, but not very challenging. I certainly hope to return in the years to come.

length: 30 minutes
the cost: free
difficulty: beginner
the way: If you’re visiting oahu on vacation and want to do a cool hike, this one should not be at the top of your list. But if you’re a local or just want to do a fairly easy hike then this one may be for you. First off, bring bug spray because you will get bitten and you will get muddy. Google map «Judd trail» and it will take you to exactly where the trail head is. Park along the road. As you enter the trail, to your left will be a small waterfall and looking around you have one of those «am I in Jurassic park» kind of moments. Follow the trail until it ends at which point you will cross the stream. It is a pretty wide stream and you will likely get your feet wet. Once you cross you will see a sign pointing to the right. If you want to go to the Jackass ginger pool then take this path all the way down with the stream directly to your right.
If you want to actually take the loop trail (the one shown on google maps) then keep going up the trail to the left past the sign. Soon you’ll hit a fork in which case veer right. Once you get to the top of the small hill, you’ll see another trail sign pointing to the right and the beginning of the trail should be marked with a bright pink ribbon. Once you’re on this trail it should be fairly straight forward and will loop back around to this same spot. The loop goes around the forest which reminds me of the redwoods in California. Very majestic and calming.
Overall, a nice easy short hike. Do it if you have time but personally not a MUST

I love coming here. Parking is on the side of the street only, and can be cramped, and if it is, maybe you should take a pass. It’s usually busy on the weekends, but during the week, it mostly free.
As you walk past the sign labeling it as «Judd Trail,» your first thought might be that it’s really not all that special, the flora is trampled, there might be a slight musty smell, the buzz of mosquitos can be chilling, and signs of overuse by those who really don’t care for nature are all to often apparent. But, with most good things, you must go deeper, overlook small blemishes, and give it a chance. What’d got to lose?
There is a small steam you cross, this can become a small river during heavy rain season, so be advised. Once crossed, you enter a plush, green bamboo forest. Follow the narrow trail to your right as it rambles it’s way through the bamboo and along Nuuanu Stream till you will be rewarded with what is commonly called Jack Ass Ginger Pool (I like to say it was named after me!). Here, the rugged water fall is often roaring, the mood is serene, and you can just drink in (don’t drink the water!!!) the sensation.
To return, you climb up the hill above the pool and walk past old growth pines, what looks like red juniper berries (but don’t quote me and don’t eat them!), and moss cover rocks.
It’s a short easy hike.
Once you have been here enough, you find new paths, there are several trails that lead through the bamboo, but I have found a place where I go, where none of the sounds of the city permeate the surrounding topography. A place so quite and pristine, that often as I lay on a blanket watching the wind rustle the trees, I realize the wind makes no sound. It’s my little slice of heaven. I sometime escape here with a book, (often with a wine bottle ;)), picnic with family and/​or friends. The quite serenity of this spot stills my soul and relaxes my brain. It is nothingness in the middle of everything. A atoll in the eye of a hurricane.
Find your atoll. Aloha

Beautiful trail … you do have to cross the stream so if you’re hoping to stay dry — good luck! The stream can be low enough for you to cross the rocks without stepping into the water, but if it’s not, the rocks are definitely slippery. Trying to avoid dipping yourself ankle-​deep is NOT worth possibly face-​planting from walking on the rocks (or maybe it could be, it depends on who you’re going with and whether or not they’d laugh).
Special perks: the entrance is right off Nuuanu Pali Drive, the trees keep it nice and cool and wonderfully photogenic, the trail is considerably easy to follow. It also goes into the Nuuanu Trail if you’re up for a longer hike.
A relatively easy-​going hike. Recommended for photographers!

It’s haunted!!! If you plan to hike here, you better read those reviews! Apparently, its a loop hike. You definitely can get lost because the trees all look the same. OMG!
I may have overreacted a lil bit there. But a place with no signal on your phone, and not that much people around, darn creepy. However, it was a really nice hike. Taking pictures here are beautiful.
Parking can be a little complicated and confusing because people park anywhere near the entrance (as long as you don’t block the cars coming). You have to cross a river, hopping on rocks to get to the other side… the beginning of the hike. There are a lot of signs to tell you where to hike, but it goes both ways. WTH?! Around 15 – 20 minutes hiking, you should be able to see/​hear a mini waterfall at the bottom. It’s really small, but really nice. Like a secret mini Tarzan land.
Make sure to spray some insect repellent because I got so many bites. Scratching all over the next day. Quite irritating! argghhhh!
I really don’t know if I would hike here again. Oh yea, there’s also a Nuuanu trail along the way, don’t take that unless you wanna hike a loooooooong one.

Looking for a breezy, easy and shady hike, with lots of picturesque greenery? Judd Trail’s a good pick. Even at a real slow pace, you can finish this hike within an hour or less. I like it because it’s not a far drive from town to experience some peaceful forestry beauty. At the start of the trail, you’ll need to cross a stream, which is quite an adventure in itself. Be careful of those slippery rocks!
Once you cross, you’ll find yourself in the middle of a lush bamboo forest — definitely not something you’d expect to see in Hawaii, but wow.
From there the trail is mostly flat. The loop takes you through different types of trees, like Cook pines and guava trees.
Great place to get lost in your thoughts but not so much where it would deter you from finding your way back to reality, so to speak.