Manoa X-Country Loop

Contributed by Ray Gandy. Mahalo Ray!

Type: Paved, some grass
Length: 10 Kilometers
Elev. Gain:  
Danger:  
Suitable for: All ability groups
Location:  
Topo Map:  
Access:  

Description
A favorite training run for Punahou School Cross-Country runners for decades. You see many University and High School runners on this route throughout the school year. The route passes through upper Manoa Valley and includes great views of the valley walls. Also includes scenic venues like the Waioli Tea Room, turn of the century Hawaiian homes, and the historical Chinese Cemetery.

Distance
About 8-10k for the loop if you start and stop at Punahou School. Can be made longer by looping inside the valley.

Environment
Paved mixed with some grassy areas. Mostly rolling hills once inside the valley with a short steep hill leading into and out of the valley. Shade varies along the route depending on time of day, more in lower and upper thirds of the valley. Water and restrooms are available at the Manoa Recreation Center in the center of the run. Water also available at Punahou track where the run begins.

To Get There From Honolulu
From H1 East, take the Punahou exit. At the light at the end of the exit ramp turn left (mauka-toward the mountains) onto Punahou Street. Cross Wilder and Nehoa Streets as you continue up Punahou Street; you will see the Punahou track to your right. AFTER the end of the school day, turn right into Punahou at the top of the track on Piper's Pali and park in any empty stall. DURNING the school day continue up hill one more block and turn right onto Lanihuli Drive. Park any place on the street you can find.

Suggested Route
Out Route From the Diamond Head (east) end of the track continue east on Piper's Pali past the Junior School play ground and exit the school grounds onto Vancouver Dr. Turn mauka (left) onto Oahu Ave. and continue up the valley into Manoa. After a little over a mile make a half right onto Manoa Road (this is a five-way intersection). You soon pass Manoa Rec. Center on your right. Continue up Manoa Road to the end where you U-turn at Paradise Park-Lyon Arboretum.

Return Route After the U-turn; retrace your steps makai (toward the ocean) about a mile on Manoa Rd. then turn east (left) onto Pawaina Road. As you pass the Chinese Cemetery on your left, make a left turn around the lower edge of the cemetery onto Pakanu and a right turn onto East Manoa Road. After a half mile on East Manoa Road you will pass the Manoa Rec. Center once more on your right. Continue down East Manoa Road till it intersects Oahu Ave. You can turn left onto Oahu Ave. and retrace your steps via Vancouver back into Punahou OR continue on East Manoa Road and intersect Punahou Street again just above the track.

Notes
The route instructions sound more complex than they really are. The reality of Manoa Valley is you can't get "lost". Just keep running into the valley towards the mountains and you will get to the Manoa Rec. Center and the upper valley. Once you're in the valley, feel free to run anywhere, the whole area is residential.

If you do get "miss directed" coming out of the valley, just ask anyone where Punahou School is and they can point you in the right direction; it's been there since 1841and has a 70 plus acre campus.

'Ka Punahou' means "new spring" and the School was named after the artesian well which still flows in the center of the campus in the Lilly Pond. The water fountain at the Lilly Pond has also won the Hawaii Newspaper contest many times as having the best tasting water on O'ahu; a great place to "tank up" before and after the run.

There are several road races run from Manoa Rec. Center each year. Check with any local running store or club for information.