Hawaii is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in the world, and what better way to see it than from on top of a mountain?! There are lots of hikes you can do on Oahu, one of the most popular being Diamond Head Mountain. Diamond Head is super close to Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, and is easy to get to by car or bus. Keep reading for my guide to hiking Diamond Head Mountain on Oahu.
Getting to Diamond Head Mountain
The official start of the Diamond Head Mountain hike is at the Diamond Head State Monument.
By Bus: Diamond Head Mountain is less than a 10-minute bus ride from the Honolulu Zoo via number 23 or 24. The stop to get off at is at the intersection of Diamond Head Road and 18 Avenue. Once you get off, you’ll have to walk 10 minutes or so up the mountain to the start of the trail.
By Car: There is a parking lot at the base of the hike, at Diamond Head State Monument. The parking lot is super busy though, so the earlier you get there the better.
The photo below is of a tunnel you have to walk through if you take the city bus to the bottom of the mountain. The walking path is on the left. It is a very skinny path for people walking in both directions.
Cost
Admission to Diamond Head is $5 per car or $1 per pedestrian. Note, admission is cash only.
Hours
The trail is open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last entry to the parkis at 4:30 p.m.
The Trail
The first part of the trail is flat and paved, but this does not last long. The majority of the trail is uneven and fairly steep. It is not accessible for wheelchairs, strollers or people with mobility issues. However, it is easy enough for children, and there are railings if you need them.
At one section of the trail, you have to walk through a tunnel. It is dark and very skinny, but it is pretty short.
Tip: Be sure to wear good shoes and bring lots of water. There is little to no shade along the trail, so be prepared for it to be hot!
How Long Does it Take?
In total, it took us just under 30 minutes to hike to the top of the mountain from the Diamond Head State Monument/visitor center area, including water breaks along the way.
Fork in the Road
Near the end of the trail, you have two choices for getting to the summit.
One is an insanely steep staircase (below), and one is a normal staircase (2nd pic). The steep staircase leads to a bunker built into the side of the mountain. Walking/crouching through that leads you to the lookout point.
The other route is slightly longer, but is easier and has more views along the way. Once you get to the top via the second route, you can go into the bunker if you want, although there is really nothing to see inside.
Hiking Diamond Head Mountain is an awesome and super cheap activity to do while visiting Oahu, Hawaii. Have you done any hikes in Hawaii? Which one was your favourite?
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Love Hawaii? Check out these posts:
Guide to Free Hawaiian Cultural Activities and Hula Shows
xo,
Andrea
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