The trail begins in a thick swamp mahogany and guava forest, ascending slowly. Shortly, the trail bursts out onto the cliffs above Manoa Valley. The trail contours the cliffs above Manoa Valley, and around Tantalus Crater to Pauoa Valley. This trail offers spectacular views of Manoa Valley, and three waterfalls in the back of the valley. Once out of the thick guava forest, the trail becomes mostly native, offering hikers the opportunity to view koa, o‘hia, mamaki, haha, kokio‘keo‘keo, and many other native plants. This trail is also a good place, close to town, to view native birds. Look carefully over the ginger, just before the Pu‘u O‘hia junction, for a unique view of Kaneohe. This trail will intersect three other trails. The first intersection will be with Pu‘u O‘hia Trail on the left. The second intersection will be with Pauoa Flats Trail on the right. This intersection has a map of the Honolulu Mauka Trail System. The Mānoa Cliff Trail ends at a junction with Kalawahine Trail, which you may take 1.1 miles back to Tantalus Drive.
Descriptions for route, history, plants and birds were provided by Stuart Ball, author of The Hikers Guide to Oahu and other hiking books.