Makamakaʻole Falls Trail (13 Crossings)

This is a roughly 2-mile out-and-back through Makamakaʻole Stream to two base waterfalls. Give it about two hours; repeated crossings, slick stones and faint path near the falls can slow things down. When the stream is low, you may be able to rock-hop; expect wet shoes when water is higher. Footing and route-finding are harder than the climb. I’d choose a settled-weather day and turn back if the stream starts rising. The route is regularly walked, but its managing agency and formal public-access rules aren’t clear, so check posted local guidance before setting out.

The informal trail entrance is on the south side of the Makamakaʻole Stream bridge on Kahekili Highway. Parking is on the road shoulder and space is limited. If you have to park farther along the highway, remember the road is narrow and its curves hide approaching traffic; don’t walk in the lane. Break-ins and shattered glass have been reported more than once, so leave nothing visible in the car.

After a short walk through trees, the path drops to the stream beside a banyan. From there it alternates between crossings and brief stretches along the bank. Thirteen is the usual count for the named trail, but the forks change how people count. In dry weather, some crossings can be rock-hops; otherwise expect shallow wading, muddy banks and slippery stones. There’s little graded tread to follow, and the line gets less obvious near the falls.

Around the sixth crossing, the stream route passes a short bamboo grove and dry-stacked stone walls. The walls’ purpose isn’t established; a claim that they mark a heiau is only speculation, so don’t treat it as fact. Route observations also note mountain apple (ʻōhiʻa ʻai), ʻawapuhi, kukui, guava and ferns, with introduced ginger and guava mixed among the plants.

Past the thirteenth crossing, paths around a grassy wall lead toward separate waterfalls. One well-described version visits a first fall, retraces to the fork and continues to the more obvious main fall; another follows a connector between the north and south stream forks. The mapped route covers both base-level branches. You can turn around at the first waterfall for a shorter outing, but don’t count rope-assisted climbing above the falls as part of this hike. At the base, keep the pool and dark rock wall in the frame with the cascade; there’s no need to climb for the picture.

Flash flooding is the serious hazard. In March 2020, eight visitors had to be airlifted after rising water trapped them in the gulch. Heavy rain can raise the stream quickly, and the narrow ravine leaves little safe ground near the waterfalls. Skip the route if rain is falling or forecast nearby, or if the water is already rising. Pet rules and trail maintenance responsibility also aren’t confirmed, so verify those before bringing a dog or relying on the route.