North Shore (Mokuleia Beach Park to Kaena Point)


Type: Paved / Trail
Length: 3.5, 6, 11, or 16 miles
Elev. Gain:  
Danger:  
Suitable for:  
Location:  
Topo Map:  
Access:  

Description
Oahu's North Shore is famous for its "country" like atmosphere and big surf. Surfers from all over the world flock to the North Shore during the winter months for what many consider the biggest and best surf in the world. The suggested route is run on the remote, north-west corner of the island.

Distance
Variable. Suggested routes are approximately 3.5, 6, 11, and 16 miles.

Environment
Flat, paved road with little traffic, changing to a rocky, sandy surface with no traffic at the end of the road. Water and restrooms are available at the beach park. This route is hot and sunny.

To Get There From Honolulu
Take H1 west to H2 north. At the end of H2 continue straight on Farrington Highway. Follow Farrington down beyond the town of Wailua. The Mokuleia Beach Park is on the right side of the road just past the entrance to Dillingham Airfield, approximately 13.2 miles from the end of H2. Park in the beach park, or if it is full, along the highway.

Suggested Route
From Mokuleia Beach Park proceed west (right) on Farrington Highway toward Kaena Point. After about 3 miles you will come to the end of the road. (You can turn around here at the end of the paved road for a round-trip run of approximately 6 miles.) Proceed past the barricade and follow the dirt road through Kaena Point. A small lighthouse (actually more of a "lightpost") is at the point, about 2.5 miles beyond the barricade. At the lighthouse, turn around and proceed back toward the beach park for an approximately 11 mile run.

To add more distance, you can proceed beyond the lighthouse through to the other side of Kaena Point. On the other side you will rejoin Farrington Highway. There are restrooms and water available about 0.3 miles down the road. This round-trip run is about 16 miles.

For an alternate route you can turn into the rear entrance to Dillingham Airfield (by the State of Hawaii trail marker) a little over 1 mile from Mokuleia Beach Park. Follow this road through the airfield. When you exit the airfield (through the front entrance) you will be approximately 0.8 miles on the Honolulu side of the beach park. Turn left on Farrington Highway to return to Mokuleia. This circuit, from the beach park, through the airfield, and back to the beach park is about 3.5 miles.

Notes
There is little shade along this route, and it can be hot. Carry water with you if you plan on a long run. During the winter months (October - March) it is not uncommon to spot humpback whales or dolphins playing off the coast of Kaena Point.