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    Hawaii Loa Ridge Trail

    4.4 (99 reviews)

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    Leah H.

    Great trail, great view. The fog rolled in as we got close to the top but the views on the ways up were amazing the whole time!!!! Roots, rocky, muddy, big steps are included in this hike. You hike in and out of forested shaded areas to hot open areas that give you the views you crave. Only 10 cars are able to be parked at a time. So make sure you get there early. As people leave others can go up. You must have a Hawaiian ID or Mil ID to hike and sign a waiver. Bring water and snacks!!! As this is a climb! You will get thirsty.

    chantel young ..

    Beautiful scenery awesome it is a long hike although we did not finish it was nice to see and eat lunch

    Maxine P.

    Back a second time and still love this challenging trail with amazing views. Must have someone with Hawaii ID or Military ID to show security at private community gate to enter property to drive to trailhead which is on State land. There is limited parking so they limit how many cars come in at one time. We did early on week day hikes and have not had a problem. It nice not to have too many people on the trail especially in the stair section which has close quarters for passing. The conditions were slightly damp toward the top, and made for slightly slower progress, taking time to not slip. The trail is eroded in spots, with high step ups, because of steps missing. One areas was difficult to get up on because of the erosion, but with team work we all made it up. After the steep climb we were treated to an amazing view of the other side of island. Depending on cloud cover you may or may not see it. After sharing our lunch we started our journey down. We did use crampon for the steep section of the trail. We did make better time going back down however still need to be careful on our footing. Of course the young people that could be our grand children's age flew down the trail. We are happy we can still do trails that are rated hard at our age. Two of us near 70 and one over 70. I would not do this trail if raining, can become slick with the potential of water running down the trail. It so worth the challenge and absolutely stunning views.

    Summit. It's small and may be able to fit 6-10 people comfortably
    Ace T.

    I underestimated this trail due to it being shorter than Kuliouou Ridge and Wiliwilinui Ridge. In my opinion this trail difficulty is rank between the 2 with Kuliouou being the easiest of these bunch. It took me about 2 hours to get to the summit and another 2 hours going back. Also it started to rain a bit so I took my time along with my crampons and hiking sticks. The summit was covered in the clouds so there was no view. I will definitely go again to see it. The AllTrails app made it seem like you were 70%in the trail at the 45 minute mark. Don't be fooled as the last 10-15% of the trail is the hardest part as the ridge gets into a steep incline. Be ready to get on your butt and your hands dirty as it gets arduous. Theres areas that's sketchy with a hazardous cliffs. So be extra careful especially when it drizzles when you're close to the summit clouds. I will definitely go again to see the view at the summit. As always I bring hiking sticks to help with deceleration when going back down. Knee braces to keep your knees from hurting or slipping. Also bring enough water and snacks. I go on weekdays as the crowd is small and either go in early in the morning for the first batch or parking passes or around 11am - 12pm for the next batch. But you can always try your luck on weekends. Happy hiking!

    Rise D.

    This was a challenging hike for me. Out of wiliwilinui, kuliouou, and hawaii loa ridge, this was the most difficult. We started at 7:30 am and ended almost at noon while taking our time and spending about 20 minutes at the top. Make sure to get there early to get a parking pass. The security guard will ask for your drivers license and have you and the people in your car sign a waiver. The trail itself is very beautiful but some parts are super eroded. I had to pull myself up a few times because my legs were too short to climb some of the stairs. There is also a narrow mud tunnel that was slippery in some parts. I would recommend doing this hike on a clear day and skip it if it's raining. Luckily the clouds cleared a bit at the top. Overall, I'd say the other two ridge hikes offer a similar view, are easier to access, and probably safer if you are a beginner or moderate hiker. Bring lots of water, a hiking stick, and gloves if you can. My hands were dirty and muddy after finishing this hike! I consider myself in decent shape but my legs and upper body hurt afterwards lol.

    I love you hazardous cliff sign
    Nadia K.

    Having finally completed Wiliwilinui and Kuliouou Ridge Trails, I felt an urgency to complete Hawaii Loa Ridge Trail - the last ridge trail in the area. According to the All Trails app, Hawaii Loa Ridge is 4.5 miles out and back and rated as hard. When I hiked Wiliwilinui the week before, it was super muddy so when the hiking reports said the trails were dry I took off an afternoon off to explore Hawaii Loa Ridge. At the guard shack, you'll need to present your Hawaii state ID and sign a waiver to obtain a parking pass. I hear there are 10 parking passes available. That Thursday afternoon, I had pass #5. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow. Most of it is exposed so I was thankful for the cloud coverage that day. What I liked most about this trail is that there are beautiful views right away. I was pretty excited to be hiking a new trail so I started at a pretty fast pace and then I lost fuel 40 minutes in. That was when I reached the first steps. It took me another 50 minutes to reach the top as I struggled with the steep incline. I had read that when you reach the Hazardous Cliff sign you were steps away. I kept a look out for that sign and I was so happy and relieved when I finally saw it. There was no view at the summit as we were covered with clouds, but experiencing the same thing a week before at the Wiliwilinui summit just made me laugh. I met a couple of other hikers at the top and they were so nice to take my picture. I had to rush back home so I got back to my car in about an hour. It was a challenging hike, but totally possible, especially if you take it slow and steady. The least thing I liked about the trail were the narrow mud walls in some sections. As you can tell, I am not a fan of mud.

    See photo
    Mari M.

    Limited entry. We are so happy we were able to visit here again. Located at the end of a private community.

    Jill M.

    I came here at the suggestion of my friend who was staying in the subdivision where the house is located on a house sitting gig. She told me about this amazing hike just up the road from where she's staying that we should check out. I was game, so on a Thursday after work, I picked her up and off we went. Full disclaimer: We did not hike the entire trail. We hiked about 30 minutes of the trail before the views stopped due to entering the bush. Yes, there is a security booth you check in at, but because I went on a Thursday afternoon, there was no issue getting in. All I had to do was show my I.D. and let them know I was picking up my friend. I didn't mention we were going hiking, so perhaps that's why I wasn't required to sign a waiver. Getting up to the park is easy - you just follow the winding road up and up until you get to the top. The park up there is gorgeous - it reminded me of Napali lookout on Kauai. It was really windy when we went, but we didn't let that deter us from exploring the area. There's a small loop trail around the parking area where you can grill out at various grills or sit and enjoy the spectacular view from one of the benches. Once you enter the hike, it's easy to see why it's rated so highly. There's no huge elevation gain to achieve to enjoy payoff views pretty much right away. After coming out on the other side of the first ironwoods forest patch, you're greeted with gorgeous Portlock and Diamond Head views. Picture opportunities are ample. I would love to come back and do more of the ridge sometime. Given our time constraint, this fast and easy stretch of hike we completed was more than worth the drive up the mountain.

    Heidi B.

    Tl;dr: come in dry season. Make sure you have a good couple of days of dry weather before you do it. Why? Because it's SO freaking muddy and slippery on the top 50% otherwise. Long pants are your friends to prevent bush poking. If rain hiking is your thing, wear hiking boots. First 50% of the trail is flat and damp (covered in leaves), and alternates between canopied and exposed. Once you get to the upper 50% it gradually becomes muddier and muddier. You have poorly maintained stairs with exposed nails. All fours are needed to get up certain parts without slipping. The trail also narrows significantly. As you go up the elevation it gets super windy too. When we were close to the top it was so rainy, windy, and muddy that we had to turn back (granted wearing tennis shoes didn't help in that situation). Trail wasn't hard but the muddiness + poorly maintained stairs at the end present real danger if you aren't geared up properly. A few guys we passed advised us to slide down on our butts and they weren't joking - the ass marks on the way down confirmed that LOL. Nice view but I've seen better. I'm all for strenuous hikes but mud just isn't my thing. Not on the top of my list to come back to. PS: the neighborhood surrounding these mountains is beautiful. If I can live anywhere on the island this would be on the top of my list.

    Misty ridge
    Winlee W.

    This is one of my favorite hikes on Oahu. This hike is great if you are an intermediate or novice hiker. I don't recommend this hike for beginners because it's more than 3 miles long, and takes a bit of strength to get up, not to mention getting back down and out. Even if you are fit, something on your body WILL hurt after this hike, most likely are calves or quads (or perhaps your butt, from falling). More often than not this hike is a little muddy/slippery. I recommend shoes that have a bit of grip, at least a liter of water, and some kind of snack such as a granola or energy bar. The first half of the hike is usually sunny, with some areas that go through a forest of guava trees. If it's a humid day, you'll be inhaling lots of fruit flies. I know, super gross, but still true. If you're like me, I'd like to keep a good pace while hiking, he will most likely be sweating so you'll need a decent amount of water and definitely a snack. at the end. One of the best parts of this hike is about three fourths of the way in, turn around and you'll see beautiful views of the valley. One of my other favorite parts of this hike is the end, where you can sit at the top of the ridge right in the clouds. I definitely recommend this hike on a sunny or overcast day (but never rainy) as the trail gets a lot harder the wetter it is. Give yourself 3 to 4 hours for this hike.

    Panoramic view from the top
    Ryan M.

    Really nice view at the top, but you gotta work for it; so don't give up half way. An intermediate to med/advanced hike depending on your level of fitness. The beginning is easy and relatively flat but at about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way it gets a bit steep with high stairs and slopes, some parts even have rope to assist you in the assent and more so the decent. The view from the top is just breath taking, a full view of most of the kailua coast, all the way from mokumanu to rabbit island! You can really see the crater too. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/fqadg9iecS-LqqYIqA8I-w?select=RijveSa5e6tE9ewRiOXBuw If it's cloudy the view might be obstructed (might not be able to see anything but clouds.) someone put some army men in the trees at the top, see if you can find them its kinda like where's Waldo. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/fqadg9iecS-LqqYIqA8I-w?select=LE8hTKhYZGWPiUEC4qd3Ow Hike took me 4 hours with stops and some time to take in the view at the top. Tips: 1. Hawaii State ID REQUIRED to pass the guard shack (Just 1 ID per car is okay) don't waste your time if you don't have one! 2. Only 10 cars allowed at a time so kokua and carpool. 3. Go early to avoid the sun, its difficult enough in the shade. (also because of #2) 4. Lots of water the more out of shape you are, the more water you need. 5. Hiking shoes required, up is okay, it's coming down that you'll really need it. 6. Consider canceling if its wet. Steep inclines and muddy is a bad idea.

    Alicia H.

    One of my favorite hikes! Took us about 4 hours round trip. Parking can be limited. There are some shady areas that you walk through and some a straight sun so wear sunscreen. The views at the top were amazing as we went on a clear day.

    Ronald L.

    Went on this trail a couple of times. The first time the trail was dry. It took our group about 3.5 hours up and back. The second time it was wet from beginning to end and it took us about 5.5 hours. This was with a 20 minute rest at the summit. What I like about this trail is that compared to the other nearby summit trails this is the quickest. Keep in mind that the last part of the trail is very steep! Limited parking at the trail head and once the parking stalls are filled, they won't let any other cars in to park at the trail head.

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    At the guard shack, you'll need to present your Hawaii state ID and sign a waiver to obtain a parking pass.

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    Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park

    Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park

    4.8
    (173 reviews)
    5.2 mi

    Visiting Pu'u Ualaka's State Park is on my top ten favorite things to do in Honolulu. The Park…read moreoffers spectacular views of the entire Southside of the Island. I travelled up Mount Tantalus to the Park yesterday with my daughter. We travelled through beautiful dense forest at the Park entrance. At the highest overlook, we could see everything and more from Diamond Head out to (and beyond) the airport. We could see all of Honolulu. I felt like we were on top of the world! Plaques offer fascinating overviews of the history and geology of the landmarks below. We could even see inside the famous tuff cone, Punch Bowl! Nearby is the first macadamia nut orchard in Hawaii. The overviews are paved with railings and easily accessible. The Park offers picnic areas with a couple pavilions and picnic tables. There is a charge for non-resident parking of $7 that can be paid electronically. Resident parking is free. Parking is limited, but there are several parking areas. We had no trouble finding parking mid week. Warning signs tell guest not to leave valuables in the car. Pu'u Ualaka'a State Park is only two miles from downtown Honolulu (maybe a couple more miles to the top). The Park is an easy 5 star and worth a visit.

    Puʻu ʻUalakaʻa State Park offers some of the best views of the greater Waikiki and Honolulu area…read more It's well worth the drive up for the panoramic vista that stretches from Mānoa all the way to Diamond Head, and out toward Honolulu Airport and Pearl Harbor. The park officially closes at 6pm, but I've walked in after hours before to enjoy the city lights, and the views are just as impressive at night. It's a bit off the typical tourist path, so it doesn't get overly crowded. Highly recommended if you want a different perspective of Honolulu.

    Photos
    Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park
    Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park
    Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park

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    Mānoa Falls Trail

    Mānoa Falls Trail

    4.4
    (1.3k reviews)
    4.6 mi

    This is a great little hike that is not difficult at all. The trail seems mostly maintained for the…read moremost part. It was raining when we went, so it got super muddy, but that is to be expected and was totally fine. My only real disappointment was that you cannot actually get into the water to swim anywhere along the trail or at the falls. Also, be aware that they charge for parking, though they do offer a military discount if that applies to you. Overall, it is a nice, accessible walk through nature, just do not bring your swimsuit expecting to dive in.

    Manoa Falls Trails was recommended from someone as a short and relaxing hike. Although it was quite…read moreshort (our group finished within an hour), it wasn't very relaxing. It felt more intense. As it is surrounded by breath taking views and lots of trees. And once you reached the end, there is a waterfall -- lovely view, you can see it but you cannot touch the water or swim there. It's a lovely hike and experience; I did sort of enjoy it but please keep in mind and know that it is quite muddy and there is a lot of incline, uphills. The pavement is mostly rocky and muddy throughout. As it is a short distance, our group finished within an hour. I also a saw three people fall down. I wished that there were signs to warn people of the muddy and rocky areas or the inclines coming for safety. I would recommend this trail but to dress comfortably and to stay hydrated. There is a small parking lot available, the parking fee is $7. It was an experience for one time but I most likely wouldn't go again.

    Photos
    Spectacular!
    Spectacular!
    Water fall behind me and my boo 3
    Water fall behind me and my boo 3
    Lonely self

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    Lonely self
    Lulumahu Falls

    Lulumahu Falls

    4.5
    (360 reviews)
    5.8 mi

    A beautiful day for a hike! Every time I do this hike it's a little different. Today the waterfall…read morewas cold and bracing and there were a lot of people hiking the falls. We started out around 8:45 AM and by the time we reached the waterfall, it was getting full of families and pairs of hikers. I recommend go early to skip the crowds. The hike itself isn't too technical and there are only a few places where you have to step up high over a rock or scramble through a stream.

    Here are clear and concise directions for this hike!!…read more Main parking off Pali hwy. Entrance is easily visible. You'll enter the bamboo forest. Within the first 50 feet it will split into a Y trail, take the left path. If you go straight you'll likely end up in the bamboo section for 20-40 mins. If you do not exit the bamboo area within 10 mins, you're lost. You'll exit the bamboo area through a lifted/broken section of the fence. Walk uphill onto the paved pathway. This will open onto a wide valley. You'll pass a large bridge structure. Follow that till road till you get to the supply shed structures. Look for a small concrete stairway in the trees. Stay left mostly, and look for pink ribbons. Pass the old fenced off pool looking area. Once you hit the rock/mud path (approx 10 mins) there's a hard right turn down into the main river area. A large tree has fallen so you'll need to spot the ribbons, and climb over this tree. If you pass this fallen tree by mistake, the trail will seem oddly difficult and dense. You'll need to turn around. Walk until you see the man made rock wall with a small waterfall, and walk across this to the other side. Follow the ribbons up the path and you'll need to cross the river 3-5 more times after this. Keep looking for clear open paths. There's two ways you can continue after that point so don't worry. (One way is just more difficult) Before the waterfall there's a larger section of rocks you'll have to climb over. Main takeaways: You will have to walk across slippery rocks several times. It is muddy. It's not that difficult but can be dangerous at some parts. If you don't see a pink/orange ribbon for more than 5-10 mins at any time, you are likely lost.

    Photos
    Lulumahu Falls
    Lulumahu Falls
    Crossing through the stream - hopping on the rocks

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    Crossing through the stream - hopping on the rocks
    Diamond Head State Monument

    Diamond Head State Monument

    4.5
    (2.2k reviews)
    4.4 mi

    We're back to hike up the trail to Diamond Head after 10 years. Our grandchildren, ages 8, 6, and 4…read moreare hiking it for their first time. We visit Oahu every year but we're usually relaxing at the beach and not really doing touristy things. Ayyy...But the son and DIL were interested in visiting DH, so I made a reservation. First time going online to make a reservation. Back in the day you just got there early, parked, and walked up. LOL Made a reservation online for 7 people and it was $45 which included parking. Little did I know we would end up not renting a car, so we Ubered from our hotel. If I would have known three days ahead of time, I could have received a refund. But alas, I did not. Oh well. The kiddos all hiked up to the top with the adults and did a great job. One of the kiddos was a little cranky having to avoid people and pull over next to the rocks to let people pass, but she survived and quit complaining once we offered a shaved iced once we were back at the trail head. #highlyrecommend

    No reservation needed for local residents. I visited Diamond Head State Monument on a Sunday…read moremorning and the parking lot was packed. I drove up to the guard shack, showed my ID and was able to park in the open lot. I recommend carpooling as parking is limited. I hadn't hiked Diamond Head in 10 years, so I forgot how strenuous it can be. I wore comfortable athletic sneakers, a large sun hat and brought a 24 oz water bottle with me. There's little to no shade for most of the hike. Certain parts of the hike are steep and uneven. Definitely take your time and don't feel rushed. There's enough room for people to go around you, if needed. I saw some elementary kids zip past me, so even younger kids can do it. There is a steep stairwell and a dark tunnel that leads to the top. Once I got to the lookout, it was so crowded. It was hard to take photos and gather with my friends. I felt so claustrophobic. After that, I climbed back down. When I got to the end of the hike, I went to the gift shop kiosk. There's a bunch of Sanrio exclusive merch that I picked up for my friends. I thought that was the best reward for my hike.

    Photos
    Top of the crater
    Top of the crater
    Super Mommy and Son Son
    Super Mommy and Son Son
    Happy Hikers!

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    Happy Hikers!
    Makiki-Manoa Cliffs Hike

    Makiki-Manoa Cliffs Hike

    4.3
    (38 reviews)
    5.5 mi

    Did this amazing hike again starting at a different location with an alteration due to a closure of…read moreone section of the trail. I love the combination of this trails because the variety of beautiful views, landscapes, type of surfaces. Dense lush rainforest to dryer areas with a variety of foliage. Started at the Makiki Arboretum trail, taking the loop to the right on the Maunalaha Trail. This section will get the blood flowing as you climb upward over a very rooted trail. Once you arrive at an area with metal benches there is an intersection of multiple trails. Take Makiki Valley Trail to the Right. After a short hike take the Moleka Trail to the Left. The Moleka trail becomes the Manoa Cliff trail which you stay on for a number of miles. If you struggle with narrow trails with drop offs this section may not be for you. There are beautiful views of Manoa Valley from the trail. Some sections of this trail can be muddy. In the past Hike once you go through the gate the Manoa Cliff trail takes a sharp turn to Left at Intersection of other trails. In our case there was a recent landslide and there was a warning sign not continue on the Manoa Cliff Trail. No problem we took Pauoa Flats Trail until we reached Kalawahine Trail and took a Left on it. Take this trail until you reach a paved road, take a right down the road until you see the next trailhead, Nahuina Trail which zig zags its way down. When you come to Makiki Valley trail go left. When you reach Kanealole take it to your right. This trail will take you back to trail you started on. Since there are so many different trails to do this loop I suggest using Alltrails download. We clocked over 10 miles. I'd rate it as intermediate. Bring plenty of water, I carry crampons in case there are muddy slippery areas. Would not do if heavy rain or strong winds expected.

    Afternoon hike at Manoa Cliff, Kalawahine, and Makiki Valley Loop…read more Great trail, awesome views. Best if you can download the map as you loose service in several areas of the trail. My trail map also showed I hiked 7.3 miles and my husband stated 6.4, but either way it is long. Just be ready for a good long hike. We started in the rain so yes mud was around, and yes places were pretty slippery. But all in all not too bad to get around. Just wear good hiking shoes. Conditions: bugs, muddy, easy parking, great views, dog friendly, well maintained, wild flowers

    Photos
    Son son and mommy
    Son son and mommy
    Mommy and son son
    Mommy and son son
    Makiki-Manoa Cliffs Hike

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    Lanikai Pillbox Hike

    Lanikai Pillbox Hike

    4.6
    (993 reviews)
    6.6 mi

    I hadn't done the Lanikai Pillbox Hike in quite a few years. Parking in Lanikai has changed quite a…read morebit and so you can't really park anywhere in the neighborhoods anymore. For this reason, my husband dropped off my son and I, and we went up by ourselves. I would say that if you have a rambunctious 7 year old, like I do, be prepared that they will run around like crazy and you might need help wrangling them as I did with mine. I think he was giving other hikers heart attacks because he was close to the edge and there's nowhere but down in most spots since you're going up and down. The view is always spectacular, but it can get quite windy up there. Be prepared to get your shoes dirty if it's rained. The path does kind of deviate, but follow the most treaded path and keep going up and you should see other people along the way. A beautiful hike that probably takes less than an hour if you take your time enjoying the view and taking pictures. Just remember to respect the parking rules!

    Lanikai Pillbox Trail is a hiking trail near Lanikai Beach in Kailua offering views of the ocean,…read morecoastline, and nearby islands. You can park in the residential neighborhood and walk a short way to the trailhead. Pillboxes are small fortified concrete structures used in warfare and the ones here are from World War II. The hike was only 1.6 miles round trip but some points were a little narrow, steep, and slippery. The beginning was the toughest with a rocky incline. It was only about 15 minutes to the first pillbox already with good views but if you walk another 5 minutes you'll reach the second pillbox. The views of the ocean were beautiful and you can see the coastline far and wide. You can continue going past the pillboxes but most people get to the stop and go back down. Going down was a little slippery so watch your step, be careful, and ensure you're staying on the trail going down. This was a short and slightly strenuous hike but fulfilling.

    Photos
    Lanikai Pillbox Hike
    Lanikai Pillbox Hike
    Lanikai Pillbox Hike

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    Koko Crater Trail

    Koko Crater Trail

    4.6
    (918 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    If you know, you know. Koko Head is an absolute beast, and let's be real....this trail is not for…read moreeveryone. Looking up from the bottom doesn't seem that bad, but once you start climbing those railroad ties, reality hits quick. It's a straight-up vertical leg burner. My biggest advice is that slow and steady wins the race. This isn't a sprint. Don't worry about the people flying past you; just find your rhythm and take breaks. Most importantly: be careful and hydrate. There is zero shade out there and the sun will absolutely cook you. Bring way more water than you think you need and wear good shoes. Once you finally crawl to the top, the views of Hanauma Bay are insane and worth every agonizing step. Just take your time coming down because your legs will feel like Jell-O. Even if you have to climb slowly, just be careful...Don't worry about anyone else except you.

    1000+ Stairs is not for the weak or faint…read more So fun!! Stretch, take water, follow the guidelines of how people are on thw path up and back. Stay to the sides and let people who run up or down have the right of way. Take your time. There are plenty of spots to stepnoff to the side and rest when needed. People will check in with you, root you on, ensure you are ok, encourage you! Good vibes only!

    Photos
    Gorgeous view from the top
    Gorgeous view from the top
    Sept 2025 - Top view of the city
    Sept 2025 - Top view of the city
    Sept 2025 - Are you ready?  That's how high you will go...all the way up that mountain :)

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    Sept 2025 - Are you ready? That's how high you will go...all the way up that mountain :)

    Hawaii Loa Ridge Trail - hiking - Updated July 2026

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