After a few days in the busy streets of Honolulu and more than enough sunshine on the crowded beaches, it is great to escape to the remote areas of the island to find the hidden beauty and peacefulness of the hiking trails of Oahu.

There are numerous hikes and walks in every region of Oahu -- pleasant, short strolls along the ocean, shady walks through dense tropical forests and hikes along steep ridges where you have breathtaking views.

With 900,000 residents, Oahu is the most populous of the seven main Hawaiian Islands and is the destination for a large portion of the 6 million tourists who visit Hawaii each year. Increasingly, visitors to Oahu are seeking areas where they can learn about Hawaiian culture and the plants and wildlife of this tropical island. On the hiking trails of Oahu, there is an amazing variety of plants, trees and birds, as well as terrain for every level of hiker.

In researching my book, "Oahu Hikes," I found 35 day hikes that are suitable for the average hiker and are easily accessible from Waikiki. I enjoyed all the trails I hiked, but there are five that are special and offer a flavor of the wonders of hiking on Oahu.

Manoa Falls

This trail, a short drive from Waikiki, is a pleasant one-mile stroll up to the falls. It is best to plan the hike the day after a rainfall, when there is a greater volume of water cascading over the 200-foot drop. Because of the popularity of Manoa Falls, hikers are encouraged to start early in the morning to avoid excess traffic on the trail.

There are benches near the tropical pool at the base of the falls. Bring your lunch and take a break at this magical spot.

From the Manoa Falls Trail, you can access the Aihualama Trail, which climbs steeply out of the gorge and leads to the Nu'uana Lookout. From this high point on the Ko'olau Range, you can view the easterly side of the island and the towns of Kaneohe and Kailua. This is one of the easiest accesses to the summit of the Ko'olau range, which divides Oahu.

Makiki Valley Loop

Also close to Waikiki is the 2.5-mile Makiki Valley Loop. This shady loop trail winds alongside trickling streams and out to viewpoints where you can see Honolulu and Diamond Head in the distance.

The trail begins and ends at the Hawaii Nature Center, where you can pick up trail maps and learn about Oahu's natural history.

The Makiki Valley Loop is part of an extensive trail system developed by Na Ala Hele, the Hawaiian Statewide Trails Access Program. The trail system was enhanced in 2006 with the addition of the Makiki Arboretum Trail, which features indigenous plants.

The islands of Hawaii are one of the world's most isolated land regions. Before contact with explorers, there were many plants that were found only there. Since the arrival of Europeans in 1778, many alien plants have been introduced that are out-competing the endemic, indigenous and Polynesian varieties.

On the trails of Oahu, you will see many alien plants, but the more trails you hike, the greater opportunity you have to view indigenous species and plants brought by the early Polynesians: the koa tree, known for its excellent woodworking qualities; the ti plant, used to wrap food for luaus; and the kukui, Hawaii's state tree, to name a few.

Take along a Hawaiian plant guide to help you find these increasingly threatened species.

Maunawili Demonstration

For the next hike, you travel on the Pali Highway away from the Honolulu region across the Ko'olau Range. The Maunawili Demonstration Trail begins on a hairpin turn about a mile past the Pali Lookout. This eight-mile hike skirts the Ko'olau Ridge and descends 600 feet to the delightful town of Waimanalo. There are views at every turn, beginning with the spectacular spiral peak of Olomana, and extending to the windy seas of Waimanalo.

After a rainfall, there are numerous small waterfalls cascading down the steep rock face beside the trail, and pools you can wade in to cool off.

Hau'ula, Ma'akua

To reach these routes, stay on the easterly side of Oahu and travel north to the small town of Hau'ula. There are two loop trails, Hau'ula and Ma'akua, each 2.5 miles long.

On the Hau'ula loop, you pass through a gorgeous ironwood forest, and on the Ma'akua loop you will cross over a lava saddle -- one of the most unusual land forms of the 35 trails I hiked.

From both loops you have views of the quaint town of Hau'ula and the deep blue-green of the Pacific Ocean.

The Hau'ula and Ma'akua loops are only a few miles south of the popular Polynesian Cultural Center.

Kuaokala Ridge

You cannot leave Oahu without a visit to the North Shore and a hike on the high Kuaokala Ridge, situated above the most westerly point of Oahu.

To hike the ridge loop, you ascend the steep switchbacks of the Kealia Trail, which begins opposite Mokuleia Beach Park. As you walk up the 18 switchbacks, you have a clear view of the ocean.

We spotted whales offshore -- just dark shapes, but clearly visible in the clear, clean water.

The first leg of the loop follows gravel roads that lead to the Kaena Point Satellite Station. Then the route follows a narrow forest trail that takes you to the spectacular Kuaokala Ridge. The trail leads over eroded ridges of red rock and around hoodoos. From this high point, there are views of the valleys and peaks of the Waianae Range, which includes Ka'ala, the highest mountain on Oahu.

Before leaving the North Shore, I recommend a visit to the delightful town of Haleiwa, where one of the funky restaurants -- the Kua Aina Sandwich Shop -- serves what locals describe as the best sandwich on the island.

To end your day on the North Shore, travel a few miles north to Sunset Beach to see the experts ride the waves of the Bonzai Pipeline and rest on the warm sands to watch sunset -- a perfect end to your days of hiking in paradise.

IF YOU GO

While Hawaii offers what some consider the most pleasant hikes in the world, there are safety concerns.

To avoid overheating and sunburn, take plenty of water, wear sunglasses and a light sunhat and use sun block liberally. Take extra clothing in case of chilling rainstorms.

Be cautious along narrow trails and in gullies. Hawaii is known for rock falls after heavy rain.

To avoid leptospirosis, a bacterial disease, do not drink stream or lake water and do not swim with an open cut.