Some people come to Hawaii to lie on the beach and drink Mai Tais. Others feel the need for extreme physical exertion on their vacations. I can be prone to that tendency, sadly enough, and can relate. The only way to see some of the most beautiful, isolated places in Hawaii is on foot. Helicopters are nice but don't really count -- you can't hardly land anywhere insanely beautiful due to air regulations and other rules. So in the interest of those pain-loving souls, here's my list of three of the most exhausting hikes in Hawaii.

# Mauna Loa Mountain (Big Island): This trek runs roughly 19 miles one-way from the end of Mauna Loa Road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to the summit of the largest active volcano in the world. This hike climbs 7,000 feet and requires a stop at a rest cabin at the 10,000 foot mark to reduce risk of altitude sickness and break up the hike. There are no trees. Trails are marked by stone cairns and run over dangerously jagged lava. NPS Guide

# Kaupo Gap Trail (Maui): The National Park Service says "Do not hike this trail if you have weak knees, heart or lung conditions, or a bad back." Ooph! This trail plunges nearly 7,000 feet over 8 miles from the Paliku campsite through majestic koa forests before ending up in the barren Kaupo Region. The views from the trail over the barren windward, volcanic landscape, are, spectacular. Just be sure to pack your own water and a defibrilator. Note: This is a multi-day hike as it requires camping in Haleakala Wilderness Area. NPS Guide

# Mount Ka'ala Trail (Oahu): This is a little used trail that runs to the highest peak on Oahu, 4,000 foot Mount Ka'ala. There are a number of sections where hand-over-hand climbing is required and, although this is a day hike, its defintely an exhausting one. At the summit you'll enter one of the last remaining rainforest bog plateaus in the islands, a treasure trove of endangered Hawaiian flora and fauna (which is why the trail is on a boardwalk and everyone is required to clean their boots of seeds before entering). The hike back down the Dupont trail can be equally nerve-wracking on tired legs You need a permit from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to access this trail, part of which is controlled by the U.S. Military. Backyard Oahu Guide

—Alex, 09/25/06