Hiking Diamond Head

One of the most popular hikes on Oahu is the Diamond Head Crater Hike. Located in the Diamond Head State Monument in Kapahulu, this hike takes you from the inside of the extinct Diamond Head volcano to the top of the ridge where you will get exciting views of the Waikiki and the surrounding city.

General Information

The trail gets very crowded during peak hours between 10 AM and 2 PM, so it’s best to go as early as you can or later in the day. The trail offers multiple resting areas along the path, but it does get very hot and there is no shade. Come prepared with water and sunscreen.

Hours

The hours are from 6 AM to 6 PM daily with the last entrance being at 4:30 PM. Unfortunately, this is not a pet-friendly hike, unless it is a service animal.

Arriving At Diamond Head

When first arriving at the Diamond Head State Monument sign between 18th Ave. and Diamond Head Road, you will need to drive/walk up a road that takes you through a tunnel. This road leads to the admission booth. It costs $5 per vehicle and $1 per individual walk-in cash only.

Parking

There is parking after the admission booth. There is also parking on the road up to the monument, but the parking is limited, and it fills up quickly. Parking is also available at the bottom of the crater around the neighborhood, but it is quite a long ways to walk up to the admission booth.

Tunnel. “Diamond Head State Monument” by katsuhiro7110 is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

Hiking the Trail

Once you get inside, there is a clear pathway up the crater just to the left of the restrooms. The trail head starts out paved. However, uneven ground and protruding rocks are common on the path ascending the crater wall, but it isn’t too difficult to navigate.

“Diamond Head Trailhead” by Edmund Garman is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

The trail has a few sets of staircases and tunnels leading up to the top. It’s okay to just go slow and take your time with these.

“Diamond Head Stairs” by Edmund Garman is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

Once you exit the tunnel, at the top of the stairs, you can choose to go either right or left. Going right will take you up another set of stairs that leads you through the bunker at the top. Going left will take you on a little longer, more scenic path with not as much stairs involved. You may also want to go up one way and come down the other, which is totally fine!

The more scenic route will take you to a viewpoint that overlooks a lighthouse.

“Diamond Head State Monument” by Mathieu Thouvenin is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

The bunker at the top of the trail. “The Summit” by Andym5855 is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

Once you get to the top of the trail, you will se an observation area. This area gets very crowded. However, you can take stunning panoramic photos of the shoreline from Koko Head to Waianae.

That’s all to this hike! It’s one of the must-do’s if it is your first time to Oahu or even if you haven’t done it yet.

Feature image courtesy of Alawai on Morguefile.com