Munro Trail on Lanai Island

Information about the Munro Trail on Lanai Island in Hawaii. The Munro Trail is a nine mile dirt trail that runs along the highest ridge on the island of Lanai in Hawii. The trail twists and turns as it runs along the ridge and it ends at the top of 3370 foot Mount Lanaihale, which is Lanai's highest point.

Facts About the Munro Trail
LENGTH: 11 miles round trip from the Lodge at Koele
TIME TO HIKE: Allow about 7 hours round trip
- Suitable for off-roading, mountain biking, and hiking
- Named after New Zealand naturalist George Munro (arrived on Lanai 1890)
- Starts at Lanai Cemetery behind Lodge at Koele
- Traverses interior valleys and lower mountain peaks
- Round trip drive from Lanai City typically takes 2 or 3 hours
- Lookouts: Maunalei Gulch Lookout and Hookio Ridge Lookout
- Hiking can take most of a day
- I have seen trail lengths described as 7 and 13 (which is correct?)
- the trail has a rugged and uneven dirt surface

You need a four-wheel drive vehicle to drive the Munro Trail, and the road can be very muddy. It is also possible to hike the Munro Trail, but it is a hot and difficult hike on steep, uneven terrain. The trail should not be attempted, either on foot or in a 4-wheel drive vehicle, when it has been raining heavily in the mountains.

The Trail's Namesake
The Munro Trail was named after New Zealand naturalist George Munro, who ame to Lanai in 1890 and was the manager of the Lanai Ranch. He planted pine trees on Lanai in the 1950's as part of his Lanai reforestation and watershed program.

The 7 mile trail climbs 1,600 feet to the foothills of Mount Lanaihale, highest point on Lanai. The trail does not climb to the 3,379 feet summit. There are several lookout points along the trail

DIRECTIONS
The trailhead is about a 10 minute drive from Lanai City. Drive north on the Keomuku Highway (State Route 430), turn right on cemetery Road, and follow the "Munro Trail" signs. Four wheel drive is required and the road may be impassible when wet, even with 4 wheel drive.

FROM FROMMER:
11 miles round trip. Uphill climb through Norfolk Pine groves. Beautiful views of Molokai, Maui, Kahoolawe, the mountain tops of Hawaii Island, and on the clearest days, glimpses of Oahu in the ditance. Hike typially takes abou8t 7 hours. Begins at Lanai Cemetery along Keomoku Road (highway 44). Follows the rim of an ancient caldera and ends at Lanailhale Mountain. After about 4 miles you will have views of Lanai City, the point where many hikers turn back. It's another 1.25 miles to the end of the trail, and if still have energy at that point, you can hike down the south side of the crater rim until you arrive at hte highway to Manele bay.

Photo Credit: Ron Dahlquist

Resources

Hawaii Tourism Authority "Munro Trail" Article

Dollar Rent-A-Car Lanai "Munro Trail" Article

Go Visit Hawaii "Munro Trail" Article

To-Hawaii "Munro Trail" Article

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Visitor Attractions on Lanai Island

Lanai Island Travel Guide

Visitor Destinations in Hawaii

Hawaii for Visitors

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