Great Bike Rides on the Island of Oahu

Few places in the world equal the scenic beauty of Hawaii, and traveling by bike is one of the best ways to experience the unforgettable island sights. Besides giving you a more up-close-and-personal view than you'd get if you were traveling by car or bus, you have the added sensory pleasures of hearing the warble of birds or the whistling of the wind. Add the pleasantly fresh smell of tropical flowers, and this might just be as close to heaven-on-earth as anyone can get.

You need not be a gung-ho cyclist to enjoy one of the many bike rides available on Oahu, because there are roads and tours available for every ability. From single track and dirt paths, to glassy smooth paved roads, there's sure to be a Hawaii biking excursion that suits you. And if you're more of the adventure-seeker type who doesn't like the rigidity of guided tours, there are plenty of places on Oahu to rent a bike to explore the island at your own pace.

Here are a few of the guided tours offered on the island of Oahu.

Bike Hawaii's "Mountain Bike Adventure" in East Oahu is ideal for beginner to intermediate cyclists. On this epic valley ride with sheer cliffs and stunning ocean views, cyclists explore the historic 1,000-acre Kaaawa Valley at the Kualoa Ranch. You'll stop to listen to a narration about various movie sites located on the ranch, including Godzilla and Jurassic Park. You'll visit a Kauhale (small village) and learn about life in early Hawaii, then splash through a tropical stream before arriving at a WWII military bunker that's been converted into a movie museum. The trail then rises above the Pacific Ocean where you may catch a glimpse of a Humpback Whale in season (Dec-April) before arriving at a shaded pavilion for lunch.

For a truly unforgettable all-day adventure, it's hard to beat the "Bike, Hike, Sail & Snorkel Tour" offered by Bike Hawaii. The day begins with an air-conditioned shuttle ride to an exclusive 75-acre private property in Manoa Valley for a 2-mile guided hike in the Ko'olau Jungles. You'll travel past a jungle stream and a mountain pool before reaching a 200-foot cascading waterfall that's so magnificent it'll leave you breathless. Along the way, you'll learn about the Hawaiian culture, and walk the grounds where native Hawaiians farmed taro.

Then it's on to the top of Pu'u Ohia (Mt. Tantalas) for a thrilling 5-mile downhill cruise on paved roads through a lush, tropical rainforest where the heady scent of tropical fruit and flowers is always in the air. The sheer valley walls provide a striking backdrop for this memorable Hawaii biking experience. A lunch break gives you time to admire the breathtaking views of Waikiki, the Manoa Valley and the Pacific Ocean 1800' below. After the bike ride, you'll board a 40-foot catamaran for a 2- hour sail and snorkel excursion amongst schools of tropical fish, green sea turtles and spinner dolphins. Bike Hawaii also offers a shorter "Hike & Bike" Tour that's identical to this one, without the Sail and Snorkel portion of the trip.

If you decide to rent a bike to explore Oahu on your own, Peacock Flats is an area of public land with exceptionally beautiful views and lots of native flora and fauna on varied singletrack and jeep roads. If you go up the paved path, be prepared for a strenuous climb to the top. Scenery-wise, this ride is amazing. However, some areas of Peacock Flats are off-limits to mountain biking, and with numerous trails there is a good chance of getting lost, so unless you're going with a tour, a good map is an absolute must! And yes, there are lots of real, live peacocks here.

No matter which tour you take, an Oahu bike ride is sure to be a memorable part of your Hawaii vacation. Happy trails to you!