Great place to come for a total body intense workout. The stairs seem to be endless. LOL!! I tapped out very close to the top once I saw that spiral staircase. I couldn't afford to take more pics or pics while hiking. I needed every bit of my energy and breath. Many people come here. The Hawaii sun is BRUTAL!! I darkened a few shades and sunburned to where my skin started to peel. I'd be interested in doing this again on my next trip to Hawaii. read more

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This is a great way to get exercise and have an incredible view at the end of it all. read more

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If you are staying in Waikiki I highly recommend spending a few hours hiking Diamond Head. Remember to get a pass beforehand. Parking is limited, but we rented e-bikes and were able to get there and "park" easy peasy. The beginning of the hike is paved and then goes into a clear path slow incline switch backs. its good for beginners and makes a nice loop. Note: when you get to the top crawl into the fort and take the spiral staircase to complete the loop. It felt wrong so we ended up missing out. read more

Diamond Head State Monument - Parks Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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You must make a reservation online to do this hike. Be sure to book in advance! I booked a few days in advance and was unable to get any morning times so I opted for the next best thing which was the 12-2pm time slot. I bought both two entries and parking in my booking. Upon arriving, we got our tickets scanned by the park ranger booth. You must arrive within the first 30 minutes of your reserved time since the park ranger said our parking would expire exactly at 2pm. They did have bathrooms and refreshments available. The hike starts out on a paved pathway but then turns into a rocky trail. Please do your feet a favor and wear athletic shoe wear for this. It goes up at an incline consistently thoughout and there are a few sets of long stairs to trek up. The heat was intense the higher we got up but the views were spectacular once you've reached the very top. You can see the ocean and city so clearly from a bird's eye. It was neat to see the bunkers they used too for the military. Take small breaks as needed and don't forget to bring water! The views are worth it. This was a a harder hike than mokapu'u lighthouse trail in my opinion, so I'm glad I did that one first before diamond head. It took us about 1.5 hours to complete and head back to our car. read more

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We were planning on making it before the sunrise but didn't work out. Being locals we get in for free and do not have to pay for parking. Everyone in car has to show IDS to prove we are all Hawaii Residents. We headed up the uneven cement trail making our way up the trail which also had handrails. It was early but the exposed trail was already growing warm and already had a lot of tourist traffic. Make sure to bring water. Once we were closer to the top we went through a short tunnel and start climbing stairs finally to the top. It was busy. The views were nice 360 degree of mountains, Honolulu, crater and the ocean. read more

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Spectacular! A little bit of a hike to make it to the top, but the views are worth it! One of the best things we did on the island. Make sure to make your reservations before going. read more

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We came to the Diamond head state monument just for the hike to the top of the outlook, there are some other things the park offers but time was short during our weekend visit so we didn't get to check anything else out. Since this attrition is a popular tourist site make sure you visit their website for details on parking and making reservations time slots to come for the hike up Diamond head at least a day or two in advance. We were staying in the hotel resort part of town on Waikiki Beach which was only 2 miles away so we just walked over to the park, showed our online reservations and walked right in to start out hike. After we were done we noticed there's a few bus routes on Diamond Head Rd (the street we walked up to get here) and for $3 we were able to take the back back right to the resort area where we were staying. So if parking or driving here might be a concern there are other affordable options to get to the park. read more

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Well worth the hike! A very doable but challenging hike. Took around 1 hour and 15 minute round trip, including extra time to bird watch and enjoy the views. Lots of stairs but the summit views were amazing! read more

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Definitely should be on your to do list when visiting Oahu. Must make reservations through Hawaii State Parks or go with a tour group. We went at 0600 and were able to watch the sunrise and avoid the heat. Wasn't terribly crowded and folks mostly stayed to themselves that early in the morning. The hike wasn't overly strenuous, but it is a fairly steady climb with a sometimes rough trail. Took us about 30-35 min to make the climb at a leisurely pace. Great views at the top and some neat places to explore. Breeze was nice too. You can also see Maui and Molokai. Wear comfortable shoes. Flip flops would be a mistake. Recommend making early morning reservations as I imagine it's probably brutal anytime after about 10 AM. Reservations open about 2-3 weeks in advance, Hawaii Standard Time, prior to the day you want to visit. Be ready, because they go quickly. We saw several folks without reservations get turned away while we were there. read more

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It's a must do whenever you're in Waikiki. It's not a hard hike so it should be pretty easy for everyone. Mainly on a path the whole way up with some cobble stone parts here and there. It is uphill but not crazy steep. But the views are amazing starting off and ending at the top. Be advise that you will be encountering other hikers so going up and down so share the path. We've even seen people hiking with flip flops and bare foot. To each their own. At the top, it can get busy as everyone is there taking pictures and enjoying the view of Waikiki. Took us about 20 min up normal pace and stopping every few times to take pictures and enjoy the view. Round trip about an hour with pictures breaks and a nice break at the top enjoying the scenery. There's a faster way up or down with stairway. Its juts cuts off the winding path and takes you straight up to the top. Also going through a bunker. Overall, nice great place to have a quiet hike. You do need to make reservations for entering. There is a few for entering and parking. We took the trolley in from the city which runs about every hour. read more

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***DO NOT hike this trail if you aren't physically capable of handling steep uphill climbs, tight spaces, and/or stairs!*** Diamond Head is a challenging, fun out-and-back hike to a lookout with amazing views of the south coast of Oahu! The trail features a significant elevation increase and a lot of stairs. But the views at the top make the strenuous climb well worth the effort! The trail starts with interesting plant life on either side of a paved path. Even after the paved portion stops, the unpaved trail is never too unruly; it's pretty well worn throughout. There's also a narrow tunnel that's fun to pass through as you approach the final leg, as a fun change of setting toward the top. Be sure to make a reservation in advance! Time slots fill up quickly. It's definitely worth the price of entry for a fun challenge and an opportunity for amazing views! read more

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Certainly any trip to Honolulu needs a visit to this famous site of amazing geology. Diamond Head State Monument is just about the most famous landmark in Hawaii. It's the highlight for sure of Waikiki. Famous for its use in photography, especially on calendars and postcards that let people show off where they've been. This is crazy that it used to be an active volcano, but now people are on top of it, making duck faces and posting selfies. A lot of the island of O'ahu was created by its eruptions. It's been for than 150,000 years since the last one. This means hiking it will be pretty safe. Of course it's always important to be prepared before going. There's bathrooms and water fountains at the base, along with some food options. Getting up it can be hard but it's also fun. There's two sets of stairs, so there's lots of stepping. Also there's a tunnel that was used by the military. The Birkheimer Tunnel is another one that's currently used by the State Civil Defense Agency, interesting stuff. It takes about 30 minutes or so to get to the top of it. There's views of the islands of Lanai and Molokai. It got its name when British sailors noticed the sparking calcite crystals on the beach and crater. The federal government built some structures allowing the use for coastal artillery defenses in the 1930s. Then after the Pearl Harbor attack, they built more as well as foxholes and pillboxes. A lot of these are still here. The entire site was later made a monument. For sure it's a must visit for tourists, even if they just want to party on the beach. It's open from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. The entrance is at Diamond Head Road and 18th Avenue, where there's bathrooms and usually food trucks. read more

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If you are staying in Waikiki, you can't miss it. The unmistakable Diamond Head State Monument. On our previous trip to Hawaii, we saw it, but unfortunately missed out, due to Covid restrictions. This time, we were committed to hiking this iconic landmark, and we are sure glad we did.This is more than your usual hike. It's challenging, but not overly so. It has spectacular vistas for incredible photo ops. And, of course, lots of history. More than 300,000 years of it. Must admit, after watching some of the videos on its website, we were wondering if we were up for the challenge. However, if you are up to it, it's worth it. We are not what you would consider superfit, expert hikers, but we do like to hike and trek about. We would classify it as moderate difficulty. The path is well marked with plenty of places to take a rest. The beginning is paved, wide, and only a slight incline. As you progress, the path grows narrower, and less smooth. Your ascent has plenty of switchbacks to ease the vertical rise. At points the path narrows to a single person width, and is pretty rough, but passable on foot with a good walking shoe. Everyone talks about the tunnel, which is pretty cool, and offers some great video options. Once you exit the tunnel you can choose a very difficult path to the top, or less difficult. We took the less difficult. At the very end is where you encounter the most challenging part, with steep climbs and stairs. However, plenty of people make it, and you are rewarded with some of the most outstanding views of the Pacific, Waikiki, the Mountains, and the crater floor. There's even some war era pill boxes to explore. Definitely worth what's really a short moderate hike. We did it in just over 30 minutes, and weren't rushing, but we weren't stopping often either. We spent about 2 hours total, but most of that was at the top. Once at the top, we could see how people could get in trouble. It was busy, but not crowded the day of our visit. Some acted like they were walking around their house. While generally safe, we always have a healthy respect for nature, and the toll it can extract if you are not aware and careful. Unfortunately, we did see some folks walk around fences and take risks to get that perfect photo. Not only to risk harming the monument, you risk seriously harming yourself. Fences and signs are there for a reason. Rant completed. Recommend doing a little research on Diamond Head and the surrounding area before going. It will help you gain perspective, and add to the experience. Understanding the volcano and how it was formed, the cultural significance to native Hawaiians, how the name changed from Le'ahi to Diamond-you can thank the colonizers again, its use as a military installation during World War II, then ultimately transitioning to a landmark and state monument. They do offer a trail map at the entrance and there is a small visitor hut, with retail, water and restrooms. Some other tips include - get your entry ticket online, early. They limit the number of visitors each day. Most advise going early to avoid the mid-day heat. We went mid-day, and while hot, it wasn't unbearable. Though it wasn't at the height of summer, either. There is little shade. Lather up with sunscreen and take water. The last water station is at the visitor hut, bring enough to last. Sturdy walking shoes are fine. The path gets rocky and uneven, but you won't need hiking boots, unless that's what you want to wear. Hang on to your hat. It gets windy, and you can see a few hats on the side of the mountain. Take your time, take your lunch, and take in the view. We enjoyed hanging out at the top having lunch. Trash cans are sparse on the trail, so plan to bring your trash out with you. The hike to the summit isn't for everyone, but there are other accessible trails with some decent lookout points for those with limited mobility . Diamond Head is well known, and most people will make it a part of the Hawaiian stay. We found it enjoyable, busy, but not overcrowded. While a matter of personal taste and preference, we did the hike up the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse trail as well, and found it equally, if not better, in the spectacular views category. It's a great no-cost alternative. One thing that made it extra special was Taco Tuesday so I stop by in this Mexican grill restaurant on situated in Wikiki Boulevard and got me a couple burritos and 2 bottles of watered my lunch was delicious with incredible views, needless to say everyone look kind a jelly lol so keep that in mind and TAKE YOUR TRASH when you leave this awesome park. read more

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Magnificent hike.....highly recommend!! POSITIVES incredible 360 degree views Some shade and seating breakpoint spots Visitor center shop Water refilll stations Clean bathrooms Shaded Picnic tables/benches near parking lot Few shaded parking spots if you arrive early NEGATIVE Packed with visitors no matter the time Constant 2way hiker traffic Lots of folk coughing up a storm Humid and hot in May read more

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Christmas holiday excursion with my family while in Honolulu. The trail can be exhausting so for those with less endurance, you will take frequent breaks and for those with a lot less endurance you will probably only make it halfway. My sons, 23 and 17 made it all the way to the top, although I must admit, they beat me by 20 minutes! Some areas can be quite narrow and steep but it was really a sense of accomplishment to do it, and the views are great. Use the restrooms before beginning the hike and treat yourself to a trinket from the small little souvenir shop when you're done. read more

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Bring water, good shoes, a hat, sunscreen and patience! The reward is at the very top but the views along the way are stunning too. We enjoyed a cool breeze as we completed the switchback summit to the peak of Diamond Head. You must make a reservation on the state's website, the State ensures there are only so many entries per hour and the trail closes at 2 due to a current project to reinforce the area. The trail was packed on a Saturday which is to be expected but the fellow hikers were pleasant and patient as I'm not the fastest hiker. Be sure to wear good shoes and watch were you step! The majority of the hike is paved but as you progress towards the top you find the trail has eroded and it's not a smooth path. There are hand rails and short tunnels that provide relief along the way. The true reward is at the very top where you enjoy a view that can't be beat! read more

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If you're not a morning person... you should be for this hike. The views were downright breathtaking! We did the 6am hike so we could see the sunrise and don't regret that decision at all. We did the hike in late December so the sunrise was about 7:15 which was perfect because it takes an hour to to go up with the "shortcut" and an hour and a half-ish to go the long way. We opted for the shortcut which just meant tackling some steep stairs and steeper hills verses a gradual incline. When we started it was completely dark, many people (including us) brought mini flashlights because the path starts out paved, then changes to steeper gravel, then natural rocks, then some stone stairs and finally if you take the shortcut you take a narrow spiral staircase to the top. Once we got there there were already about 30 people at the peak, but we managed to find a place for our family to wait 40 mins until the sun was to come up. It was a gradual rise, but so beautiful! We did the trek with a 3 yr old who we carried 70% of the way and then walked the last 30%. Definitely tiring for the arms, but you can't really take a stroller up there. He also walked the whole way down (going the longer way to avoid the spiral staircase) and was totally fine. There were a few moments where the rocks were a little slippery, but if you're watching where you step it's not too bad. I saw people of all ages and body types making the trek and even a few people running it as a workout! ****You do have to make a reservation to hike Diamond Head now, so make sure you go online and do so** we also paid like $5 bucks for parking, but several people just parked outside of the national park area and did a pre-hike walk to get to the entrance. Definitely recommend this hike and if you're lucky like us, you might catch a rainbow! read more

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This was a really nice hike and there are some lovely views at the top. It's not near as terrifying as Koko Head. You have to make a reservation online and there is a small fee for parking. The climb isn't that steep but it is a good deal of walking. There are a lot of different platforms at the top to look out on beautiful Waikiki and Honolulu. read more

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Extreme crowds but an iconic view. I'm glad we did this hike only because, well, when you're in Honolulu you really can't NOT go here. The problem was not the climb itself--which is about a mile straight up to the summit, exerting but quite doable if you pace yourself. The problem was that at 9:30 am on a Sunday in January there were hundreds and hundreds of other tourists jostling by one another on a very narrow steep trail. It was actually pretty ghastly. The reward at the top is a majestic perspective on the dormant volcanic crater that is Diamond Head, as well as the Waikiki coast and various mountain ranges. Had we known about the crowds we would have gotten there much earlier. By the way while it's true you have to reserve timed tickets ($5) in advance, in fact no matter what time you book, they will allow you to enter the reserve earlier. Eg, the earliest we could reserve online was noon and they let us in at 9:30. read more

Diamond Head State Monument - Wagon train of tourists climbing the trail to the summit - Parks Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

The views were amazing! This was only a 1.6 mile hike but it's all uphill. We were able to go up and down in 45 minutes at 2pm which wasn't busy and burned a lot of calories. Make sure to pack some water as most of the trail is not covered and can get warm. There are a few shaved ice trucks at the base which was a nice treat at the end of our adventure. read more

Diamond Head State Monument - Trail pit stop - Parks Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We were not able to go into Diamond Head to do the hike since we were not prepared for the entry fee. However, we did walk to it and up to the side of it. It is amazing to see it up close and very different. We walked from town which is a good walk and started to incline up the hill. Next time we will make the needed reservations and hike through it! read more

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This is a must while visiting O'ahu. The hike to the top is 100% worth it for the spectacular view. Note it is a tourist destination that requires a reservation so make sure you plan accordingly. I'd recommend going first thing in the morning before it gets really crowded. The hike itself is not easy. They're are a few very steep sets of stairs and uneven rock. I wouldn't recommend taking smaller children for this reason. I also recommend wearing shoes with a decent tread for traction as the rocks are slippery when wet. I would say for the average able body person it will take you a little over an hour to go up and back down. It might take you more time depending on your level of physical capability. read more

Diamond Head State Monument - View from the top of Diamond Head - Parks Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Great hike just minutes from Honolulu! A must-do when you are on Oahu, you will get stunning views of the area and the coast. Make sure you make reservations through the Hawaii Parks Department- we almost forgot and managed to snag the last time slot of the day the night before. The park closes around 6 pm and you get a two hour window to do the hike. That's plenty of time, as the trail is not long. There is an elevation gain and several sets of stairs at the end, but take it slow and you will be just fine. 100% recommended hike that's great for families too. read more

Diamond Head State Monument - Parks Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Mark and I visited here while on vacation in October 2023. It's important to book advance reservations for the tickets plus a parking pass. This is a high demand tourist site and I recommend booking three weeks in advance or you will be disappointed and unable to visit. Book a morning time slot to avoid the extreme heat and sun. The confirmation email and QR code arrived immediately in my email when I booked in advance from my home in Atlanta. The gate guard quickly scanned my code upon arrival and we luckily found a shady spot to park the car. Guards and tourists are everywhere and we felt safe leaving our rental car parked at this tourist attraction. There are filtered water dispensers at the trailhead entrance. Bathrooms are clean and safe. The hike to the top is stunning. Because the park service is limiting the number of visitors per day, we never felt crammed or crowded on the trail. The most dense crowds were at the peak lookout and even this was not bad compared to years past. I'm loving the decision to limit daily visitors!! It's important to be in moderate health and bring lots of water. The temperature was 89 on our hike however the intensity of the sun made it feel like 110. We were drenched in sweat and a little tired after spending 3 hours on the round trip hike at a leisurely pace and taking pictures along the way. I highly recommend visiting this attraction and planning weeks in advance!! read more

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Every hike I went to in Oahu has been a sanctuary for the soul, this one was the only one I had to make reservations for. And it gets tricky because it seems like when the rsvp page is ready, it's sold out immediately. I think locals are the only ones who don't need to rsvp. But I recommend everyone go on this one, just be prepared because I noticed a few tourist weren't. Bring water and take breaks, don't force yourself. And go to the bathroom ahead of time. To me, this was the easiest hike, but the stairs is what gets a lot of people. I recently climbed the statue of liberty and the stairs aren't as steep as those. I started really early so I went on an empty stomach. I had my musubi and since I knew I was going on a few more hikes that day, I took my time, rested, ate, and kept going until I got to the top. read more

Diamond Head State Monument - Parks Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Diamond head hike is an absolute must!! We had the best experience! Loved the hike! Mostly paved, and very well taken care of grounds! Breathtaking views that you will forever remember! read more

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As expected, Diamond Head is a very tourist-filled location. We arrived very early in the morning to avoid the high traffic during the middle of the day. The hike is easy, but it can get very steep. The entire pathway to the view is paved, with railings and a few benches to rest along the way. The stairs can have high inclines. There aren't any shaded areas along the path, so be prepared for the sun to beam directly on you. The view itself is spectacular. You get an amazing view of the ocean as well as Waikiki. We got a few amazing shots - very worth it as part of your itinerary. read more

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Absolutely stellar experience at Diamond Head. The trail was steep in parts but there were also plenty of spots to stop and rest along the way up. Views were breathtaking, and they have souvenirs available at the visitor center (if you are into that sort of thing), bathrooms by the parking lot, and water fountains and vending machines. Our only mistake was going to South Shore Grill for lunch afterwards which was absolutely awful and I would not recommend to anyone. read more

Sooo... the last time I did this hike, it had to have been in like 2011 or so. LOL. That's like 12 years ago... wow. I don't remember there being so many stairs. Must've repressed that in my memories #trauma. Just kidding... (low key anyway) The park is open from 6am till 4pm daily unless stated otherwise. Last entry is ar 4pm. The gate closes at 6pm. Diamond Head is located directly across Kapiolani Community College. The Hawaiian name for Diamond Head is Lē'ahi. One translation means "forehead" or "brow" of the ahi (tuna) fish. The name Diamond Head comes from foreigners that thought the calcite crystals found in rocks along the slope of the crater were diamonds. In 1968, Diamond Head was recognized as a National Natural Landmark as an excellent example of a tuff cone. To get there by TheBus, you can take the #2 or #3 bus and get off a bit before or at Kapiolani Community College. Then walk up the hill, past the tunnel and into the park. When driving, you go up a hill and there is one road that is used for traffic in both directions (high key dangerous) to get through a tunnel. Then you keep going till you reach a gate with workers in a booth. After checking in with them, there's the parking lot. In the front is the Visitor Center/ Gift Shop and then some tables, benches, restrooms, water fountain + water bottle refill, and vending machines. The restrooms have air dryers and no paper towels to dry your hands with. These are the only restrooms before and after the hike. For tourist/ non-residents, yall will have to make reservations online before you hike. Refer to their website for more information: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oahu/diamond-head-state-monument/ For locals with a Hawaii State ID or Driver's License, admission and parking is free. And there are no reservations required. The Diamond Head hike involves a lot of stairs. The terrain isn't too bad, but the incline is steady, think switchbacks. There is also a long tunnel with lights towards the end. The actual walking path and up the stairs along the mountain were kinda narrow. Think two people going in opposite directions, politely trying to avoid each other's path. A lot of people brought young children with them, but please watch your kids. Although there are metal hand rails in place, it's still pretty dangerous. There were a few rest areas with benches along the hike that I really appreciated. These were also a good place to take in the view, take pictures, or rehydrate. Sunscreen, a hat, shoes with grip, breathable clothing and water are recommended. There's no coverage from the sun and it gets pretty hot. Though there were people hiking in sandals, slippers, long sleevers. So to each their own. The air pressure also changes as you get up higher. There are less air molecules in the air to provide oxygen. There was lots of wind so mosquitos weren't a problem. We started the hike around 1035am on a Tuesday. It was pretty busy towards the top. We finished the hike around 1145am, a bit over an hour later. I'd say if you aren't fit but enjoy walking and "nature" then this hike is totally do-able. The pamphlet recommends setting aside 1.5 to 2 hours for the hike. Just be safe. Be respectful of others and the environment. And most importantly, don't get sunburned, I mean, HAVE FUN! :D read more

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Make sure to get reservation online before going! Entry is $5 per person and parking is $10 a car. You'll have to show them your QR code when you go in. Go early cause it will get packed! I got there at around 7AM and there was already a good amount of people coming down and going up. The trail was relatively easy was slight incline. It took me about a hour to finish the whole trail, including some time to rest, take pictures, and soak in the scene when I got to the top. There was section where you get to walk in a tunnel! There are bathrooms (not dirty at all) and a small gift shop by the parking lot. read more

Diamond Head State Monument - View from the top. Double rainbow after the rain! - Parks Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Reservations are required. I'm used to exercising in air-conditioned gyms and not outside (especially since it's supposed to be hotter in the crater than normal) so felt like I was overheating halfway through! I also got really dizzy once we sat back on the trolley bus and would recommend bringing electrolytes. There's a water refill station and bathrooms near the entrance as well as a map/guide (pictured). The hike is only about 0.8 miles one way (climbs to 560 feet above the crater floor) and includes around 200 stairs halfway through. The views of the deep blue ocean were amazing! read more

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A friend who is from Maui but lives in California made reservations for the three of us to hike Diamond Head... at 7am.  What the... The unnecessarily early time turned out for the better as we avoided the crowds! FYI, reservations are required for visitors, not for kama'aina. Same goes for entry and parking fees. PARKING: Money-conscious tourists filled the small parking lot outside of the crater, trying to avoid paying the $10 parking fee inside. For the rest of us, lots of parking is available inside the crater. Check in at the ticket booth.   EXPERIENCE: A visitor's center greets all, with souvenirs, park information and optional audio guide. Restrooms, a small covered pavilion and a spacious green field with a few benches are thereafter. The 0.8 mile trail starts with a concrete sidewalk, turns into a natural, uneven rock, then gets narrower with switchbacks. It's very safe with guardrails (where needed), void of sheer drops so long as you stay on-trail and is mostly free of loose pebbles so traction is very good. Everyday walking shoes are sufficient. It's about a 50/50 percentage of shade vs. none, time of day depending, naturally. If viewing flora is your pleasure, you'll be a bit disappointed as it's mainly shrubs, grasses and uninspiring trees. About halfway up sits a lookout that offers great photo ops with views of the crater bowl and Pacific Ocean. You know you're near the top when concrete steps suddenly appear, followed by a looming 225' lit tunnel. After exiting the tunnel, you have one of two choices to crest the trail; a daunting and dizzying 99-step vertical staircase followed by a Statue of Liberty-like spiral staircase that ends up in a lookout bunker that requires some contortionist moves to exit. Or, head left and walk up some easy switchbacks. We of course did the former and came down the latter. Either way, it's a circle. The 560', 360° viewing summit is where all those iconic pics of Oahu's southern coast can be experienced. You can see the mansions of Diamond Head, the Waikiki and Honolulu skylines, all the way to the Ewa plain and Waianae Mountains to the west. Simply breathtaking!   Total time up and down was under 1.5 hours which included leisurely walking, photo ops and observing. The reservation system is a great thing as the majority of hikers were visitors. The trail never felt overly crowded. TIP: There were no food trucks in the morning as shown in some pics, so bring your own food & beverage should you require it. OVERALL: On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being extreme, I'd rate this trail a 4. A definite return! read more

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No schedule today. Hopped on a random public bus, then decided to hike Diamond Head from the Honolulu Zoo. FYI, take the 2 or 23 to get back to Waikiki beach. Quality/Quantity - Easy hike, but I still recommend shoes, NOT flip flops. As this was an impulse trip, my wife was not prepared... Need QR code and reservations to enter the park. Met a great "kid," recent college graduate that is traveling the world on her own; KUDOS to her! So she joined us on the hike, or we joined her, LOL. She helped me navigate the QR process. Very easy to order and pay. We booked our appointment for 1pm, not knowing how long it would have taken us to walk to the entrance from the very bottom. Well, we got there at noon and they let us in early! It was great to have a "partner;" we took turns taking each other's pictures. We all hiked at about the same pace. Atmosphere - Beautiful, asphalt paved for the beginning of the hike, rock/mountains for the latter part of the hike. Then, stairs for the very last part. Very beautiful views. Got so lucky as it stopped raining just for our hike. It rained before and after our hike. It can get slippery/dangerous when wet. Pictures do NOT do justice versus the actual scenery. Well, at least my pictures do not do it justice. Service - Good. The few employees we met at the visitor center were very nice. Joked about the cost of the trolley ($15, for tourists) versus the $3 bus. Price - Bus ride cost $3 each, admission to park was $5 each + fees. Owner Comment - Thank you, had a great time, met some great people. read more

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Went to Diamond Head with a friend before the Honolulu marathon. It was a really great hike! We walked from our hotel (1.5 miles) and really enjoyed the challenge! Lots of elevation quick (steep points and steps), definitely have to watch your step. There wasn't too much traffic on an early Friday morning. Gives great views of the ocean, and it's a state park, so why not! If you have kiddos with you, highly recommend stopping by the kiosk at the bottom and asking for a Junior Ranger packet. It's a really fun activity that teaches you a lot about the local flora and fauna, and has reflection questions about your journey. At the end you can earn a really cute die cut wooden badge. There are also plenty of nearby locations to eat afterwards. Highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time. They are strict and will check to see if you've made a reservation and have at the correct arrival time. Definitely helped to mitigate big crowds. So definitely plan ahead! read more

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I hiked up to the Diamond Head Crater Trail entrance on Tuesday, November 25th around 10:15 AM. I didn't know that reservations were required, and when I reached the ticket booth the attendant told me I needed one. Then he said, word for word, "If you shake my hand with $20 in it, I'll let you in." I was really surprised -- that felt like a request for a cash bribe. I declined and walked away. I was disappointed because the hike itself looked great, but the interaction at the entrance left a bad impression. Visitors shouldn't be put in that kind of situation. Just sharing my experience so management is aware and other visitors know what to expect. read more

Tl:dr: conveniently located in town, this hike is short, easy, has a great view, which makes it the people' choice. During high season the trail is super crowded pretty much around the clock. If you want to avoid the crowd come early morning, otherwise be prepared to rub shoulders with everybody. If you're reasonably fast it takes ~30 minutes round trip even with the crowd. There is no shade which again makes early morning an ideal time. You get a great panoramic view on top. Crowd is the biggest downside of this hike. read more

Diamond Head State Monument - Parks Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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My dad was born on Oahu, and we came back for vacation more than once when I was a youngster. Interestingly he never took us on this hike up Diamond Head probably because he didn't want to deal with our whining en route. All these years later and I convinced Jamie W. to take the $3 public bus and make the climb. You have to make a reservation in advance. Otherwise you might find yourself stuck at the visitors center entrance gate waiting for an opening. It costs $5 per person plus a nominal processing fee. We were able to reserve the day before, but you may need to reserve further in advance during high season. It was a long walk from the bus stop to Kahala Lookout and through a tunnel to the visitors center. Here you'll want to take advantage of the restrooms as there aren't any on the summit. It's not that far to the top, about 0.8 miles, and it starts pretty easy with a curving paved walkway. For the last half-mile, it gets steeper and uneven as you traverse on switchbacks, scale a couple of lengthy stairways, and make your way through a long dark tunnel. It may sound challenging, but honestly the most difficult aspect was avoiding the foot traffic coming in the opposite direction. Bitch, watch your pineapple purse! Yes, the panoramic views of Waikiki and Honolulu are fabulous on a sunny day (photo: https://bit.ly/3maVRNx), and in the opposite direction, the views eastward of the caldera and beyond are gorgeous, too. I wish my dad was with me. Maybe he was. RELATED - Exploring Hawaii? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3Kz5ksc read more

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Super cool hike! We took an Uber and got dropped off past the gate. Apparently that's something new, Uber used to not be allowed to drop off past the ticket both but now they do! Yes, you do have to make reservations, tickets were $5 per person. The hike is pretty much uphill the whole way. It was fine for our group, I wasn't fast, I did get hot and it was a nice challenge. Even though I was going slowish and stopping to take photos it took about 22min to reach the top. I liked the hike a lot but was bummed it was short. No fault to the trail! It was a beautiful day, a little too windy, but very happy to fit this into our schedule. read more

Diamond Head State Monument - Top of the Peak - Parks Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Park entrance: $5 on foot and $10 if you need to park your car. Free for Hawaii residents. Reservations are required. Book them online so you can get into the park, bring your QR code. I printed it out just in case, but I got great cellular service on the mountain Getting here: there are so many tour companies that charge crazy prices to come here. Ranging from $40, $80, and higher! If you are staying at a hotel in the Waikiki area, just take the bus and save your money. It is $3 one way CASH only and look for Bus 2 or 2L. Jump off at the Leahi Millennium Peace Memorial. Then it is .5 miles from bus stop to the park entrance. If you get Holo card at ABC stores for the bus, it is even easier to get on the bus and not have to pay cash. When to come: the park gives you a one hour window to get your tickets, our window was 9-10am. I would recommend to come earlier because the sun was intense at 9am and there is not a lot of shade to get relief from the sun. I recommend bring a hat or umbrella to provide relief from the sun. Again make sure to bring water to stay hydrated. Bathrooms: they are located just inside the park and right before you start the climb. Very clean for a park. Outside the bathroom are water fountains and water filling stations so that you stay hydrated. Sturdy shoes are recommended because there are some rocky areas with uneven surfaces. I wore sneakers and had no problems. There are areas that are narrow and requires to share with those exiting the crater. If you are in good shape this is an easy climb. If you get winded going up stairs or down the driveway, this will be tough. As you get closer to the summit, there are a lot of stairs. There is one section that is a tunnel and got a bit dark but some side light helped, but if you are afraid of the dark, this could be a challenge. But getting to the summit ... wow the views! It is so worth it! read more

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A must see when visiting Honolulu. Read first: Book a reservation in advance. It costs $5 / person. Don't pay a tour company to take you to Diamond Head. If you're staying in Waikiki, take a local bus ($3/person/trip). The no. 2 line bus dropped us at teh Leahi Millennium Peace Garden just outside the park. From that drop off point the official park entrance is exactly 1/2 mile. The hike to the summit is a 4/10 for intensity and difficulty. From where the bus dropped us off and back was 3.4 miles with 682 feet of elevation gain (I logged the hike on my Garmin Fenix 3 watch). If you're obese or crippled, think about skipping the hike. Wear good shoes and socks. Use sunscreen and wear at hat. Bring 2 bottles of water if you're hiking at any time other than dawn. The views from the summit are incredible. If you like birds and animals pay attention. The cardinals are beautiful and have personality, and you may encounter a mongoose looking for a handout. read more

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