Best part of the trail is behind the luxurious Lodge at Koele. Moderate hike that ends high on the headland looking across the ocean at Molokai. Superb 2 hour walk you will not soon forget. Lodge provides you with water and a map if you are a guest there.
We did the short walk that starts behind the Lodge. Stop at the concierge and get a map before you start and give your name for safety reasons. Get a bottle of water too while you are there. Took about 4 hours round trip. Beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding mountains. Mild to medium exertion on this hike.
We rented a jeep and they told us we were not allowed on this road 12/16/12 by Dollar. So if this is why you are coming check to see if its open.Not much of a review but info that could save you a trip. This was good island to drive a 4wd around even though this trail was closed. I still felt like we got half a trip.
Many posters are confusing the Munro Trail with the Koloiki Ridge Trail. The latter is the 5 mile hike behind the lodge, and there is a small amount of overlap with the Munro Trail. The Munro trail itself is a 12.5 mile dirt road that begins about a mile from the Lodge and ends at the road 2.5-3 miles above Manele Bay. On a late December morning, much of the trail was shrouded in mist and the road was largely empty. There were a few people out on an ATV excursion, and they looked cold and somewhat miserable, possibly also because the visibility was terrible and so there was nothing to see at most of the viewpoints.The trail did make for a very enjoyable, cool and shady long run. If you plan to traverse on foot, definitely bring enough water as once you get out of the cloud, the weather can be quite hot.
Ok so we weren't supposed to do the last 2.5 miles but somehow we got turned around and started at the end. It was raining and the roads were muddy. All the things they warn you about. We survived and the views were spectacular. Thank goodness we had rented the Hummer, otherwise we might still be on the trail or worse! When the road is muddy this is a dangerous drive. Parts of the trail have steep drop offs.
We rented a jeep from Dollar and did it anyway. Most of the trail was dry and it was a pretty smooth road considering where you're at. I wouldn't advise it if the road was wet.Well worth the effort but on that day we went the VOG was pretty thick so we couldn't see Oahu and the Big Island. I don't know if I would rent a Hummer because the road is very narrow in some spots, seemed just big enough for a Jeep Wrangler....
This is a great trail behind the Koele lodge hotel. The trail is a medium effort trail and expect to take about 2 hours. The view from the top are amazing we saw whales.
Want an exhilarating adventure? Drive the Munro Trail in a Hummer! Amazing flora and spectacular views of Kahoolawe, Maui, Molokai and Lanai from the top of that world!
Pick up a map from the Lodge at Koele front desk. The 5 mile round trip hike starts behind the lodge near the golf pro building. Directions are very well marked for the hike that goes through pine forests and other unique plants. We never expected to see these forests on a Pacific Island. Check out how the Cook and Norfork Pine actually got to Lanai.After the forest, the hike follows the Munro Trail for about a mile before a left turn toward Koloiki Ridge. You can keep going on the Munro Trail (actually, a one car width dirt road) toward the higher ridges and beyond, but that would be for another day!As you reach the end of the Ridge, the forest gives way to open views of the valleys, ocean and near by islands. A real wow experience! Watch out for the steep drop off spots too!The trail has several rather steep up and down sections with slippery leaves and muddy areas. On the return hike watch for #9 tree tag and turn right up the hill track. We missed it and had to back track.This is a one of a kind trail because of its location on Lanai. Don't miss it!
We hiked a major portion of this trail, to a good lookout, and the road is/was rough enough much of the time that most rental cars companies won't even let you take a 4 x 4 on it.... Probably a good idea... Saw plenty of wildlife, and some excellent scenery...