Comprehensive Park This expansive park features a variety of facilities and activities to keep even the most active broods busy for hours. Kids can monkey around on the playground, feed the animals in one of the ponds, or stroll with Mom and Dad. The 1K, 2K, and 5K trails are marked and offer fantastic vistas. After a walk, cool off on the water slide or in the pool. To get there, head out Camp Foster's Legion Gate on Highway 81. When Highway 81 becomes Highway 329, look for Comprehensive Park on the left.

Kenmin no Mori The Okinawa Prefectural Citizen's Forest is a large park run by the prefectural government. The hiking paths are very well marked and feature some excellent views of the coast. The playground is sure to keep kids entertained. While the park is open everyday except Mondays, camping is only permitted during the open season, April 1 to November 30. To get there, take Highway 58 north toward Nago and follow the signs to Kenmin no Mori.

Kurashiki Dam There are several flat, paved trails weaving throughout the park adjacent to the dam. Stroll along them, enjoy a picnic in one of the open grassy areas, and listen the music playing in the background. Pack a picnic lunch and bring the kids along to stretch their legs. To get there, exit Kadena Air Base Gate 3, proceed straight along Highway 26, and follow the signs to Kurashiki Dam.

Maeda Point A noted diving hot spot, Maeda Point also features lovely scenic pathways with excellent views of the Yomitan Peninsula. After working up a sweat hiking, head down the road to Maeda Flats for a summer swim on a secluded beach. To get to Maeda Point from Kitamae Gate on Camp Foster, turn right onto Highway 58. Go north for 15.1 km, passing Kadena Circle. Turn left at the stop light with a sign for Ryukyu Mura Village. Travel 3.2 km to a T intersection. Turn left at the light on Highway 6. Go .8 km and turn right at the sign for Cape Maeda. Go .5 km to the parking lot. To get to Maeda Flats, turn left just before the parking lot for Maeda Point. Go .2 km, park by the tombs, and walk down the path to the beach.

Todokori-no-Taki Todokori-no-Taki's best feature is a spectacular waterfall. Use caution when ascending the path, as it may be slippery due to excess moisture. In late January and early February, sakura, or cherry blossoms, dot the landscape. To get to Todoroki-no-Taki, head north on Highway 58 toward Nago. After passing the intersection of Highway 58 and the Kyodo IC of the Expressway, turn right at the next light. Make a left turn just after crossing the river; park just past the factory.

Benoki Dam Consisting of a paved path around a scenic dam, this hike isn't difficult but it may take a couple of hours to complete. The dam is just north of Okuma. Look for the signs for Benoki Dam.

Hiji Falls Arguably the most popular hike on the island, Hiji Falls features a well built and well maintained trail. At many points, the hike seems uphill both ways, as visitors must climb several dozen sets of stairs. It's a taxing hike, but the time spent at the falls is well worth it. Diving is prohibited, but hikers can wade in the cool, clear waters at the base of the falls. To get to Hiji Falls, head north on Highway 58 past Nago. Turn right at the sign for Okuma and follow the river to the falls. Entrance fee is ¥200.

Ishikawa People's Park There are several hiking trails featured at this small facility, lengthy enough to give you time to commune with nature. Head north on Highway 58 past Kadena Circle and turn left onto Highway 73. Go under the Expressway, and then turn left past a car garage. After about four kilometers, you'll see a parking lot for the park. Most trails start just past the castle.

Kayauchi Banta Located at the northernmost tip of Okinawa, Kayauchi Banta is a sacred spot for locals and features two temples at the top of the trail. The trail is short, but the climb is steep, and diligent trekkers are rewarded for their hard work with an outstanding panorama at the end of the trail. Take Highway 58 north past Okuma. Before reaching Cape Hedo, follow the signs for Kayauchi Banta.

Kongou Sekirinzan Opened within the last five years, this park features massive, jagged rock formations jutting out of the ground, sometimes co-mingling with surrounding vegetation. The difficulty of the hike isn't in the presence of large hills or mountains, but in the ruggedness of the terrain. Admission is ¥800 for adults and ¥500 for kids. To get to Kongou, take Highway 58 to Hedo Point. Instead of turning left to Hedo, turn right. Follow the signs to the park.

Forest Park This area abounds with hiking and biking trails. Start with the one near the parking area, which eventually loops back to the parking area. Log cabins and tents are nearby. If you like stay on the paved road, around 5-6 kilometers later there is an artesian spring. The water has a very sweet taste. To get to Forest Park, take Highway 58 north. Continue about two kilometers past the Okuma turn, cross a small river, and take a right just before the tunnel. Follow the signs to the park at the top of the hill.

Nago Mountain Trails leading to the summit of Nago Mountain abound, so trekkers could reach the summit several times and never take the same path. The views are stunning and the hike can take anywhere from two to four hours. To get there, head north on Highway 58, and turn right onto Highway 18 in Nago. Take the first left, then turn right at the large banyan tree and drive until you see a large torii.

Yamada Stone Bridge The path to Yamada Stone Bridge contains a shrine, several caves, a well, a bamboo forest, and an ancient bridge. This is a fairly easy trek featuring some fabulous views of both the Pacific and the East China Sea. To get there from Camp Foster, drive north on Highway 58 and turn right at the light just before the Ramada Renaissance Hotel. After the road curves to the right, you'll see a narrow ramp to your left. The trail begins at the top of the ramp.

Aha Falls The trek descending to the bottom of Aha Falls is a challenge. The nearby Aha Tanaga-gumui Plant Community, whose name means "pool of freshwater prawns," is designated a natural monument. To get to Aha Falls, head north on Highway 329 (which becomes Highway 70 in Higashi near the Northern Training Area). Follow Highway 70 to Aha Village; the falls are located just to the north.

Gusuku Yama The hike up this 568-foot mountain, located on Ie Island, initially is just a climb up a long set of stairs. But trek over the craggy rocks, and the hike becomes advanced. At the top of the mountain is a rock with a deep impression in the middle; locals maintain that long ago, an ancient giant sat atop the mountain and defended the island by hurling rocks at invaders. The impression, they say, is his footprint; follow the lead of the locals and place a ¥1 coin in the footprint for good luck. To get to Gusuku Yama, take Highway 58 north to Nago. Turn left at Highway 449 and follow the signs to Motobu Port. Take the ferry to Ie Island, and take a cab or bike to Gusuku Yama.

Mount Katsuu A rough, steep trek of only about a kilometer, this trail is lined with foxholes and caves because Mount Katsuu was the site of some fierce World War II fighting. The summit provides amazing vistas of nearly the entire island. To get to the trail, take Highway 58 north to Nago. From Nago, take Route 449 west. Just past the intersection with Route 72, turn right off the main road at the sign for Mount Katsuu and follow the signs to the trail.

Mount Tamatsuji, Mount Inyu, and Mount Yonaha These three neighboring mountains offer an array of hikes with difficulty levels ranging from intermediate to advanced. Mount Tamatsuji is the first in line and features an hour-long, moderately challenging walk from the Fukuji Dam to its peak. From here, you can continue four hours up the trail to Mount Inyu. If you still have lots of energy, head up the steep and narrow trail toward the summit of Mount Yonaha, which takes about eight hours to reach. Go north on Highway 329, past Camp Schwab. The road will change to Highway 70 near Higashi Village. Turn left at the sign for Fukuji Dam campsite.