Hiking the Judd Trail & Jackass Ginger Pool on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
The Judd Trail, also called the Judd Loop Trail, in Nuʻuanu Valley on Oʻahu, is a short 1.0-mile (1.6 km) loop at the base of the Nuʻuanu Trail and the extensive Tantalus trail network.
However, the Judd Trail is most often hiked on its own, as it makes for a great but muddy Oʻahu trail run, while being even more well-known for the beautiful Jackass Ginger Pool, only a short distance from the trailhead!
That said, the Jackass Ginger Pool is why I personally love to hike the Judd Trail, as the small cliff jump from the sides of the waterfall is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do on Oʻahu—especially in the late evening, when the light in the forest is the most beautiful!
Judd Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Judd Trail is located on the side of Nuʻuanu Pali Drive, but out of caution, consider the Judd/ Nuʻuanu Trailhead to be a high-crime area for petty theft. Never leave bags or anything valuable in your car.
To add to this warning, never park at this trailhead with an expired registration or safety check. The Honolulu Police Department and towing companies target this area for cars that they can legally tow if one of these two things is expired.
Google Maps Directions: Judd Trailhead
My Hawaiʻi Hiking Checklist
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Judd Trail
The Judd Trail/ Jackass Ginger Pool is a relatively flat hike, with one stream crossing that can be challenging if the water is running high.
At this first split, stay to the right.
The Nuʻuanu Stream crossing will be shortly ahead.
Nuʻuanu Stream
Unless the stream is running high, there is usually a way to cross on the rocks without getting your shoes wet.
Judd Loop Trail
On the far side of the stream, you can either go left around the upper side of the loop or right to get to the Jackass Ginger Pond only 0.2 miles (0.3 km) away.
However, if you’re planning on hiking the entire Judd Loop, I recommend going left on the upper trail first for a few reasons.
First, the upper half of the trail is slightly longer, so when you reach Jackass Ginger, it’s a great spot to stop and cool down before completing the hike. Second, the Judd Trail can be very muddy, which is why Jackass Ginger makes for a convenient place to clean off since most of the hike is already behind you.
Upper Judd Loop
In these photos, I went left on the upper half of the Judd Loop Trail first.
These Cook Pines are some of the most beautiful sections on the entire hike, and they make for a great place to take photos when the late afternoon light is just right!
Judd-Nuʻuanu Junction
After 0.5 miles (0.8 km), the Judd Loop Trail meets with the lower Nuʻuanu Trailhead.
That being said, the Nuʻuanu Trail is more or less a connector hike to the much larger network of trails up on Tantalus.
Personally, I think that the Nuʻuanu Trail makes for a great workout hike, with amazing views once you get to the upper sections of the trail. However, the Nuʻuanu Trail makes for an even better connector trail for longer day hikes, such as Lulumahu Ridge or the Pali Notches to Puʻu Kōnāhuanui Ridge Trail on the Koʻolau Summit Trail (KST).
Read My Separate Post: Nuʻuanu Trail
Lower Judd Loop
Toward the back of the loop, the Judd Trail will make a hard turn back to the beginning and the Jackass Ginger Pool shortly ahead.
Jackass Ginger Pool (Kahuailanawai)
The easiest way to find the Jackass Ginger Pool is to listen to the sound of the stream getting louder.
At the split in the photo below, the pool and waterfall are only a short walk away.
After the Jackass Ginger Pool, there is only 0.3 miles (0.5 km) to the Judd Trailhead.
Judd Loop Junction
This is where the Judd Trail completes loop adjacent to the Nuʻuanu Stream crossing.
Nuʻuanu Stream
I usually find the second crossing back over the Nuʻuanu Stream to be easier because of one tall rock that is easier to jump off of on the far side of the stream.
Native Plants on the Judd Trail
The Judd Trail is a very low-elevation trail for Hawaiʻi, meaning that the trail is predominately non-native/ invasive plants. I think the only native species that I noticed was a few Hau trees.
If you would like to learn more about native Hawaiian plants and better trails to see them, check out my separate post below.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
More Oʻahu Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing Oʻahu adventures, check out my separate posts below!
Best Hotels & Restaurants in Waikīkī
If you’re trying to decided where to stay on Oʻahu, check out my top 10 list for the best resorts and restaurants in Waikīkī.
I break down what makes one hotel a better choice over another, so that you can find the best fit for your stay on the island.
Read My Separate Post: Best Waikīkī Hotels & Restaurants
Waikīkī
HNL Airport-Hotel Shuttle
Prices on ride-share apps like Uber/ Lyft cannot beat the price of booking your hotel shuttle prior to arrival. I say this because there are additional fees for ride-share airport pick-ups at Honolulu Airport (HNL), which is why I recommend booking your transportation in advance using the options below.
Additionally, the last option below will go as far as the Ko ʻOlina Resorts on the West Side and Turtle Bay on Oʻahu’s North Shore!
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Oʻahu
Visiting Other Islands
If you are visiting Oʻahu or heading to another island, check out some of my personal recommendations for Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) in these separate posts.
If you’re trying to decide which island is right for your visit, check out my overview about each island in the post below.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit?
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
The weather in Hawaiʻi can often appear to be warm and beautiful throughout the year, but in my experience, there is a lot more to consider when planning what time of year to visit the islands, such as what island you are considering, what sides of each island do you plan to stay, what activities are you most interested in, the wildlife, and countless other nuanced variables that can all impact the type of trip you can expect to have.
For these reasons, I highly recommend reading through my separate article to not only understand my thoughts regarding the best time of year to come to Hawaiʻi but also what you need to consider based on the time of year that you plan to visit.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
10 Best Tours & Excursions on Oʻahu
There are a lot of different tour options to choose from on Oʻahu, but to make it easier to decide, I made a list of my favorite tours because some things simply are better with a local guide!
Read My Separate Post: Best Tours on Oʻahu
Oʻahu
Safety
All hikes in Hawaiʻi should not be compared to trails outside of the islands, and hikers should exercise due caution on every adventure, given that many are extremely dangerous.
By this, I mean that Hawaiʻi is known for hot, humid weather, steep, dramatic, and unstable cliffs, and flash floods, which can occur without warning. Therefore, it is important that you check the local forecast, understand the physical condition of your entire group, and pack sufficient food and water before attempting any adventure.
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
Noah Lang Photography LLC makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided here, and readers should use their own discretion, judgement, and seek professional advice where it is appropriate.
Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
All said, the content on this blog is for the sole use of Noah Lang Photography LLC, and unauthorized use or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited.
Disclosure
This post is not sponsored.
However, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission if a purchase is made through one of those links. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, and I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support, which enables me to continue creating more!
To read the full privacy policy, click here.
About This Blog
Noah Lang Photography, also known as @noahawaii, is 100% reader-supported!
I do not accept guest articles or sponsored content of any kind on my blog, which is why, if you enjoy the outdoor and travel content I create, please consider buying me a coffee!
I appreciate your support, which helps me continue to keep this blog alive!
