This hike is pretty difficult, especially if you've never encountered a hike with rope climbing before. The whole thing, up 3 waterfalls and around the entire perimeter of the crater, took us 6 hours. And it definitely felt like it had been 6 hours by the time we crawled back into the parking lot. You don't need to be an athlete to do this hike, but being in good shape certainly helps, especially if you decide to go around the whole crater. Also keep an eye on the weather. Rain = mud, and mud makes this trail a whole hell of a lot more complicated. I really enjoyed the hike through the woods and up the waterfalls, and would have been really happy to stop there. That felt like just the right kind of challenge for me. But no way was my group going to just end it at that! The hike up the rim of the crater got a little sketchy for me. I had one freaky moment going up the side where it got super steep and there was a rope, but the terrain was sandy and rocky, and my feet just kept going out from under me. I was dangling by that rope for a while until I could figure out where to put my feet...yikes. But the best lookout point is just beyond that....hello nearly 360 view! At this point, you can either turn around and go back down the rope, and back down the waterfalls, like one group we passed. But the trail is a loop, so we chose to keep going around the whole perimeter of the crater. As you move past the lookout point, the terrain does a complete180. Now we were all sliding downhill in the mud on our butts. Gotta be honest, I hated this part. It felt like I was going to zoom right off the side of the crater. But if you control your movements and don't go too fast, you will be fine. The trail leveled off pretty soon, and our next challenge was trekking through some thorny vegetation. The trail leads all the way down the crater and back into the forest, bypassing the waterfalls. That was a relief. Our energy was drained by that point, and we trudged our way back to the cars in silence. Once we refueled though, this hike was all we could talk about :) Things I'm glad I had: -2 liters of water. I drank it ALL. -snacks -bug spray!!! Things I wish I had: -gloves. My hands got a lot of cuts from the ropes. -longer pants. My lower legs were sliced from the thorny plants. I might have got snagged on a rock or two as well when I was butt-scooting. read more

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*UPDATE* I finally finished the entire hike sometime around August of 2012. In response to my safety message, you can bypass the 3 driveways altogether by entering the hike to the left of the road right where the 'KAPU' sign is. There is usually a sign there to indicate the entrance to the hike that is made by one of the boys who lives in the cul-de-sac. I used to take capoeira lessons with his mom. Incidentally, the not-so-friendly dogs belong to them too. They are good people though. Stay off the driveways. This hike is beautiful and fun. What I especially enjoy about this hike is the diversity of environments and activities. You start in the lush jungle, make your way past some waterfalls, rope climb, rock climb, clearing, ridge, and peak. What is Good: 1. Diverse landscape and challenges 2. Amazing views at the top a. Seeing the crater once you emerge from the jungle. 3. Fun rope climbing 4. Beautiful waterfalls What is Bad: 1. Bug bites 2. Mud (watch your footing) What to Bring: 1. 1 - 2 large bottles of water is sufficient 2. snacks 3. extra socks due to mud and stepping through water 4. bug spray 5. gloves (optional) What you Should Know: 1. This is a long, intermediate to advance hike. Getting to the first waterfall is moderate while reaching the peak is more advance. 2. The ridge portion near the end can be dangerous especially if it's windy like when I went. Keep your body low to the ground and don't give the wind any surface area to take you out. The high moisture also contributes to loose gravel and muddy conditions. Some other hikers offered my friend and I a ride back home after we finished. I said 'no' as to not inconvenience them. My friend wanted to kill me. We took the bus. read more

If you're like me, into the Lost series and want to trek through a jungle-like atmosphere, you've got it! Let's just say I had less than a Nalgene bottle full of water for a hike that took 3-4 hours. First off, we made several circles trying to find the entrance. If you can comprehend and navigate using the instructions provided by other Yelpers, do try but be patient. The entrance, or rather small space, is literally right behind these 5 mailboxes. It looks kind of sketchy for about a minute. Luckily, we were directed there by the mailman and the neighbors who lived around the bend. I wouldn't recommend going on a misty or moist day, nor would I go if the forecast predicted rain. We went on a fairly dry day but because of the trees' moisture, we still got our shoes muddied up. You can slip easily. The hike was long and you swipe your body across plenty of plants, use your hands to haul yourself up by tugging on tree vines, roots, and rope, and have about 1 foot of space walk to through at some points. Be careful of roots over the surface on these narrow trails and stay on the trail because I've heard some people plummeting down. Cover up with clothes but stack on as light as you can. I don't suggest heavy backpacks because it might throw off your balance. Because we went on this hike on a whim, we dressed in shorts and tanks with a big backpack so got bitten and lost footing a couple times. No bueno. Follow the pipes and pink flags that'll signal you when to cross the stream. Be careful not to roll your ankles and bring enough water because rest-assured the water has a clear brown tint to it. The NEAT thing about it is that after crossing much terrain and feeling like you're engulfed by Jurassic Park, the first waterfall is about 45min to 1.5hrs away. It's a relief because thereon after you climb some ropes up to the 2nd waterfall which is no more than 15-20mins. Neat tadpoles swimming around, too. Then about 10mins of climbing using tree vines, roots, and ropes, you can actually see the 3rd from afar. For us, it was time to head back, going down always seems faster but should be taken with caution because those ropes you went up? You have to go down now. Some passersby said that there's a way to loop around back to where we started but we just came back the same way we went down. We didn't get to the rim because we would've missed our surf lesson, but it's okay, I think it's awesome enough that we went through that without maps. It definitely wasn't a leisure hike where you can talk and tra la la through the forest. Finding our way out during the last stretch was tricky because you have different options from all the trails made. We found a road that kept us stuck between a government shack and a fence that says, "Beware of Dog". Rumors say the neighbors let their dogs loose and even though we didn't see any dogs, we had headed down, only to feel lost and headed back up since our patience was wearing thin. Aha, from that same road we found a trail that goes behind the fence. Weren't we relieved *phew* but at the fork, out came a white pitbull mix charging at us, barking. So yes, the dogs DO attack! I jumped. But on the other hand my boyfriend took command of the dog and tried to pet it but it became defensive and nibbled. So as long as you don't cross the borders and be extra ninja, you should be fine. The black dog stayed barking from the hill but I don't think these dogs are trained to hurt. This hike exemplified some of nature's best: not governed by the state, maintained by locals, so please be respectful and kind to the neighbors. Because this was probably the most exhausting hike of all them hikes in Oahu, I had to exhaust the heck out of my review for it. Thee end :) read more

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Oh my goodness... just completed this hike today. My friend didn't tell me we were hiking this... I was NOT PREPARED at all! He just told me we were 'hiking,' a generally broad statement. So I just wore shorts, tanktop, and CONVERSE shoes. Man did that hike beat us up! Luckily, he brought bug spray. BRING BUG SPRAAAAAY!! And some snacks because that hike is LONG! Took us 6 hours included stop rests to eat and enjoy the waterfalls. So plan this hike ahead! Don't go at like 12 if you plan on doing the whole hike because it will get dark before you finish the hike which is NOT a good thing. This is located inner Palolo valley and there's a Buddhist temple right before this, DON'T PARK THERE! They will get angry, there should be parking next to the hike (which is hidden) it will say: NO TRESPASSING VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED, but it's right next to the 5 mailboxes. Check out the youtube video for this hike, it will help you a lot. I slipped COUNTLESS times because I was wearing CONVERSE, and I'm bruised right on my butt because we have to cross through very narrow NARROW tricky muddy, SLANTED mud, and little stones to get to the other side of the waterfall and I completely died. It is VERY tricky. Not recommended for children AT ALL nor people ALONE because it's too dangerous. There's 3 waterfalls, the first waterfall BAM you see it, the second waterfall you use the ropes, just a couple of steps BAM you're there. But the THIRD waterfall... you are LITERALLY HIKING THE WATERFALL! They have ropes provided so you use those. Remember, it's easier going up then down! You have to keep that in mind. It's a great little fun adventure. Tons of yummy guavas on the way, so pick some of those to snack on (don't eat the skin! just the insides). And a camera because the waterfalls are just breathtaking; true beauty of Hawaii. And my friend wanted to venture INTO the crater because he thought it was flat, don't do that.. It's not flat. The weeds are all overgrown up to 4 ft. high! So if you want to go INTO the crater, no. You're just wasting your time and collecting more mud into your already muddy shoes. And upon reading further reviews, I did not know there was an easier way back to the cars... just be careful guys :'( & yeah, bring gloves because my hands are all fucked after hanging onto those ropes for my dear life.. and it rained while I was on the hike, and when this happens, please turn back... we made the foolish mistake of continuing the hike and maaaan it BEAT. US. UP! read more

Holay Molay! My thighs and calves are killing me! This trail took me from 10am - 5 pm. Definitely not beginner friendly - maybe intermediate, but its on the harder side. Also, can't be afraid of heights and rappelling down unseen ledges. Follow the directions found elsewhere - easiest trail head to access is right at the mailboxes at the beginning of the 3 way split driveway. Respect the land and the neighbors, I did see a bit of trash at the beginning and if I were the neighbor I'd be mad too. Amazing views on the way up! Its grueling and but there's rope to guide you. Take your time since the trail is pretty narrow and was muddy when I went. Did a lot of butt sliding on the way down too, so make sure you bring extra towels, change of clothes and slippahs. **ON THE WAY DOWN** , top of the 3rd waterfall, head towards the "town" side of the waterfall, there will be a trail that looks like it goes UP. Yes, I know, it sounds terrible at that point, but its only 45 mins back going that way. I ended up taking the waterfalls back down and took us almost 2 hours to get back down and there was a couple who came in after us and ended up leaving before us :( **Also there is no trail in the marsh area. So if you end up walking towards the center of the crater, turn around. Additionally, on the way back, you can follow the river back down after the 2nd waterfall.** Enjoy the views, enjoy the waterfalls. There's a reason why there's so many stars for this hike. read more

This is by far one of my favorite hikes on Oahu. I love that you just keep getting more and more awesome views as you go. I went with two friends and they were going at a fast pace. At least I got a good workout in! It took us about 5.5 hours, round trip. We did stop at each waterfall to take pics and probably spent a good 30 mins at the very top taking in the views and enjoying some food. I would love to go again! read more

Ka'au Crater - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Though dangerous, this might just be my favorite hike on the whole island. If you have Vibram fingers, I highly suggest you use them; if not, get a pair. It's muddy and you have to cross a lot of creeks and waterfalls, so a pair of shoes with tread that you don't mind ruining would be ideal. The first part of the hike is relatively easy. It's once you hit the ropes that it gets crazy. There are probably around 30 ropes, so make sure you trust your upper body. There is one scary part where you have to go out on a ledge and rely on yourself (and a tree root) to get across. I would NOT take children up there. The hike is about 5 hours, so clear your schedule. This hike is one of the best things I've ever done. Have fun! PS Bring bug spray. read more

Located in the back of Palolo Valley, this is the least known of the hike-able craters on Oahu. Due to how lesser known it is, the crater and the trail leading up to it is a lush green valley. But therein lies a problem. The valley receives quite a bit of rainfall, so the trail can get quite muddy. Not as bad as Maunawili, but still pretty annoying. If you don't mind getting down and dirty, then by all means. There are also a few stream crossings, so be careful during or after heavy rains. The true gem of Ka'au Crater are its three waterfalls. All three are an awesome sight. If you can come at the right time, you'll be rewarded with a fantastic view. However, while the first waterfall is easy to get to, the other two has some pretty steep ascents, making the trail overall a solid intermediate difficulty. Getting to the top of the third waterfall requires an ascent along the side of the waterfall as well as crossing it over a few times. So be very careful. At the top of the third waterfall, you have a choice of continuing along the crater rim, going back the way you came, or taking an alternate route back down into the valley. Going up along the crater rim grants you a beautiful view inside Ka'au Crater. If you want, you can circle the entire rim which will give you a great view of the windward side and have you traversing along the Ko'olau Summit for a bit. But be warned, it can get quite treacherous and should not be attempted by beginner or novice hikers. Wearing long pants is recommended if you are gonna hike the entire rim. I'd say it's roughly six miles from the trailhead, circling the entire rim, and looping back out. read more

One of the best hikes I've ever hiked. And much more awesome b/c my husband proposed to me up here. love. Reasons: 1) a variety of different scenes: jungle with ginormous trees, 3 different waterfalls, crater, and amazing view of the city 2) makes diamond head look laughable from what you see up here 3) ginger flowers, guava trees, swirlyplants; one with nature 4) rope climb up the side of a waterfall? YES. ABSOLUTELY. Tips: 1) Wear clothes & shoes & packs that you don't mind getting dirty (you WILL get muddy & are likely to fall on your butt a few times- esp if it's raining). Toe shoes seem to work really well. I would highly recommend butt pads if you have them :) 2) Bring plenty of water & snacks (seriously, it can get tiring when you reach the top & you'll need replenishment) 3) Read everyone else's reviews for directions. NOT KID FRIENDLY. nope. don't even think about it. read more

This hike is AMAZING, AWESOME, SUPERB, oh and BUTT KICKING. Did I mention butt kicking? This hike is definitely one not to miss. That being said though I would not recommend it for someone who is a beginner or someone who is not in good shape. Like others have said the hike starts right near a zen center deep withing the Palolo valley. Don't park in the parking lot near the zen center. Go up past it and there is some parking area to pull off in (Maybe 5 cars will fit) or just park along the road. We went with a group of six of us - one of which had done the hike before. Which of course meant he was the leader - we played a wonderful game of follow the leader, no matter what he does! Even when he by accident, of course, took the wrong way after the first waterfall (and also directed a group the wrong way also). This wrong way was intense. Seriously. We ended up scaling the side of the mountain, holding on to the roots, mud, whatever we could for dear life. Kicking rocks down into the person below us face. It was intense. It was also one of those things that going back down could have been the death of us - so up was our only option. This was a good 45 minute detour off the marked trail. During this detour I acquired some nice cuts with one massive one down my thigh which bled the entire rest of the hike and now is a pretty awesome scar. So really what I'm trying to say is don't always believe the leader and don't take this detour. Stay on the trail. That being said - this detour (once we survived it, I can say this) was pretty kick awesome. Anyways - we got back on track and finished out the loop without an other unnecessary detours. Three beautiful waterfalls is worth it within its own right. But don't stop, keep going! Don't turn back around and decide that the waterfalls are enough. DO THE WHOLE HIKE! The ridge was awesome. Super steep ridge with ropes to climb (or hold on to for dear life)! Be careful on the ridge - the one can really take you for a ride. There were numerous points where we had to squat down as low as we could on the ridge just to avoid the wind knocking us off the ridge. Beautiful views of Oahu, they are just breathtaking! Many times when we had to descend we ended up just squatting, with one leg in front of us and literally just sliding down. If you do this though please be careful as it can be kind of scary and you have to rely on grabbing roots nearby to stop yourself! All in all this hike is just awesome! Take lots of water and snacks this hike is about 5 and a half hours. Also use lots of bug spray. Don't pass up this hike though - it is amazing! read more

Ka'au Crater - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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To begin, there are no real clear directions to get here. We took Uber which took us up La'i road which is wrong. We were stopped by many residents who were upset that we were even on that road. My bf and I had to walk down La'i road to 10th and then up Wai'oma'o road to the beginning of the hike. The hike itself was very dangerous. The terrain is either muddy, rocky or crossing the stream. My bf and I have done very rigorous trails in the past so we thought this would be fine for us, but no hiking experience is necessary. The only experience needed is fear for getting hurt. My bf and I are both lucky to only leave with a few scraps and bruises. We only made it to the third waterfall and decided to turn back. Up to that point we didn't see any pretty scenery or even any pretty trees. The scenery was nothing great. Manoa falls trails was way better than this one. If you decide to do this hike make sure you get dropped off at the correct place, wear good traction shoes, be prepared to slip and to get muddy. read more

This is one of our most favorite hikes! It's a loop, so you don't have to go back the way you came, which is a great feature. Also, it's very challenging for people who are not hiking a lot. Note, that in Hawaii the hiking up by the ridges is more climbing, with steep drop offs and slippery clay. In otherwards - more fun! But be prepared with plenty of water as this is a challenging hike. Not only do you pass 3 waterfalls! You also actually hike up the 3rd waterfall and onto a ridge around the crater perched high, right below the Ko'olaus. When you are in Honolulu and look opossite the ocean - you see the Ko'olau Mountain Range and a portion of this hike goes along that drastically amazing ridge with sheer drops on either side. Don't want to deal with transportation, finding the train and food? Sign up with us Hawaii Outdoor Excursions - we run this hike every Thursday starting at 7:30am, pick-up in Waikiki and the price includes a lunch wrap selection from the local restaurant, Tucker & Bevvy. Reach out to us for info if desired! read more

I see many good tips. I don't want to be redundant so I will try to keep it short and add something of value. 1. If you have never done this hike, you should REALLY go with someone who has done it before! It's a good rule of thumb for all of the longer/more challenging hikes on island. If you insist on going without someone to act as a guide, please take excellent notes, ensure you start early enough so that you won't be out after dark, and be sure you know where trail junctions are. 2. IF YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE RETURN TRAIL, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A BAD TIME. I have heard many complaints from people that going back down the waterfalls is scary. You are not supposed to go that way! If you don't want to complete the loop around the rim of the crater, you need to know that there is a return trail at the very top of the third waterfall. Just go back straight a short distance and look for a pink ribbon marking a trail going up to the left. This is the way back and it will save you a TON of time vice doing an out-and-back, AND it is much safer!! 3. Long sleeves and pants are a good idea. There are tons of mosquitoes in the stream bed, and the sun can be strong on the ridge. There is also some climbing and scrambling involved. My friend who went with me in a tank top and shorts was covered in mosquito bites, scratched, and bruised after this hike. I came away unscathed because I dressed appropriately. 4. Gloves are a really good idea here. Kahtoola microspikes or something similar are also helpful. The trail is often muddy and the rocks in the stream bed are always slippery. This is a beautiful hike but your enjoyment is directly proportional to your level of preparation and fitness. read more

Careful folks! Beautiful but still dangerous. Hikers of all skills can slip, fall and DIE. In today's Honolulu News: Woman trying for scenic photo falls, dies on Kaau Crater Trail By Star-Advertiser staff POSTED: 01:49 p.m. HST, Oct 05, 2013 LAST UPDATED: 06:49 p.m. HST, Oct 05, 2013 A woman in her early 20s died this morning after falling from a ledge at Kaau Crater Trail above Palolo Valley, according to city Emergency Medical Services personnel. The woman fell about 30 to 35 feet into a waterfall pool, according to EMS. Capt. Carlton Yamada, a spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department, said the woman was with two other hikers above the first waterfall on the trail. "Apparently she was trying to get a picture looking down and basically lost her footing and ended up injuring herself and landing in the pool," Yamada said by phone. "When her friends went down to her side, they found her unconcious and started bystander CPR with the assistance of two other hikers on the trail." The department sent two crews to the scene, one by helicopter and one on foot. The helicopter got there first, immobilized the woman's spine, loaded her onto a stretcher and airlifted her to Palolo District Park, arriving about noon, Yamada said. He said she sustained mostly head injuries. The second fire crew continued to the waterfall and escorted the woman's companions, a man and woman in their 20s, off the trail, which was muddy and slippery, he said. EMS said it received a call after 10 a.m. read more

One of my favorite hikes on the island. Second time doing this trail. Went solo hoping there were others going up and around the rim of the crater but nope ended doing that by myself. Saw plenty of people on the way to the first waterfall. It took 50 minutes for me to reach the 1st waterfall. The deepest part of the pool was about 6 feet, more than enough to submerge yourself and cool off. The 2nd waterfall is another 10 min past this one. It wasn't flowing too heavily that day and there is no pool. Great for photos. The 3rd waterfall is 5-10 min climb up and around the second waterfall. Don't be too careless when on top of the second waterfall, there's been a couple of deaths and injuries from falling off the top (probably trying to take photos). The water these people fell into is less than 2 feet deep. Once you get to the 3rd waterfall you can climb up the side of it. It's not a completely vertical climb so don't worry. Its a multi-level waterfall so you can't see the top from the bottom. It goes up quite a bit. It's not for everybody. At the top of this final waterfall take the trail to the right and it will lead you around the rim of the crater and back to the beginning of the trail. This part of the hike took me about 3 1/2 - 4 hours and that included taking breaks for pictures. Overall awesome hike! I recommend not doing this alone. I had a couple slip ups that could've ended up badly but luckily no injuries. read more

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I recently hiked Ka'au Crater and honestly felt that it was the best hike I have been on in Oahu (and I've hiked quite a bit!). The trail starts at the end of Wai'oma'o Street , past the temple. I ended up parking a little ways down the road because the temple does not like folks parking on their property. The trailhead is to the right of 6 mail boxes at the end of the road (with all the no-trespassing signs). It's obvious and there will be ropes to help you down; but I ended up not needing them. Once you get down that steep incline, you are pretty much in a lush rainforest with a scenic stream running through the valley. As you walk, there are several rocks stacked up; which is something I have seen in Korea and Japan. It was so peaceful. You could pretty much do meditation here....at least when I went. I went very early so that I would have the trail to myself. Eventually, the trail comes to a rusty pipe which you follow all the way to the falls. It's a long walk along the side of a ridge that keeps turning. Several times, it would feel like the trail would end only to see it continue around the bend. On the way to the waterfall, parts of the trail had eroded away so it was kind of dangerous/slippery. I couldn't imagine doing this trail in the rain. ^^; Suddenly, the first falls came into view. It was so.....gorgeous. The rock walls had some shallow caves and the pool was pretty deep. I loved it there. After climbing back up, there was some mild rock climbing with ropes to the second waterfall. Easy stuff though, nothing like Olomana. I recommend gloves though especially for the later parts. The second waterfall was like the ultimate Zen meditation spot. It was about as large as the first one but it had many stacked rocks around it and it was in a large open area. The shallow caves had stones inside and it was just so peaceful. The climb up to the third waterfall was a lot easier than I was expecting. Yes, there is a spot with an extremely narrow cliff and a steep drop but there are ropes and it's only a small patch. Not too difficult. The third waterfall was a blast. Really, it was several waterfalls in one. You pretty much hike up the side of the waterfall with ropes but it's actually really easy. The ropes are in good shape and the incline was never too steep. Easy day. The crater at the top was pretty but at that point I had to go back. I had to pick my girlfriend up at the airport and didn't want to be late. ^^; On the way back, I ran into a few folks. There were some locals at the bottom of the third falls chilling while listening to Hawaiian music. Cool guys. Also saw a couple and two more guys getting a late start. Overall, I thought the trail was rather easy but I do hike all the time so that might be misleading. The waterfalls were beautiful and there was far less work to get to them than to some of the Hau'ula waterfalls. I did the climb up in exactly 3 hours and the way back took less than 2 hours (though I slipped a little). Wonderful trail. 5/5 stars read more

We still have 10 days and 2 islands to enjoy, but I will be SHOCKED if anything trumps this adventure. It is definitely an advanced hike (if you do the whole thing), my fiance and I regularly do 5-6 mile mountain hikes in Santa Barbara County but the steep, narrow ridgeline trails and slick mud make this hike very challenging - but even more appealing for our thrill-seeking thirst! Looking up at the mountain from our Waikiki apartment, there were big clouds but we decided to go for it. We got a bit of rain on the way up and the vast majority of the hike was slick and muddy - being a rainforest, I'm betting this is normal. The first stetch up the stream bed was a bit slow going due to slick rocks. The longest leg is getting to the first waterfall, and then the second and third come quick. My one tip here would be not to worry about getting your shoes wet and muddy. We could have saved 15 minutes mobbing it harder, but we tried to avoid deep mud, puddles, and used caution on each stream crossing. Once you start in on the crater ridgeline you forget about trying to keep clean, and we both scooted a lot on our butts and were covered in mud. SO yes, bring hiking boots or trail shoes, gloves if you have delicate hands, and pants if you want to avoid small cuts from overgrowth.. The waterfalls are neat, but by no means breathtaking - very secluded. After leaving our car, it took us 2 hours of hikng until we climbed the third waterfall and arrived at the first crater vista. . The rope climb up the third waterfall was a lot of fun, and there are a lot more rope-climbs as you climb the crater edge. For us, the most difficult segments of the journey were on the highest descents, where as I mentioned, we ended up doing a lot of butt-sliding. With cliffs on either side, there is a lot of adreniline and a bit of anxiety. There is almost always a small berm with shrubs alongside the trail, otherwise these segments might be a little too harrowing. The combination of the crazy ridgeline route and the breathtaking views of Waikiki, Diamondhead, Koko Head etc, made this hike a lifelong memory for both of us. It took us 3:15 to hike the crater ridgeline, this included approx 4 stops to snack, and wait for the clouds to pass to take more pictures. We didn't get any full views off the backside of the ridge, but the clouds moving through and the occasional glimpse were pretty cool. On a sunny day the ridgeline crater loop would take a lot less time assuming it would be drier.. Only took an hour to get from the crater back to our car via the return trail for a total of 6:15 - epic feeling of accomplishment and exhaustion as we rinsed off in the ocean after! A huge Mahalo to whoever hung the ropes up there as well as the three dude team who posted their video and blog here on yelp - those reassured us and cleared up any potential confusion about the trail. This is dangerous hike and the trail might become more dangerous if it gets more crowded and the berms erode, For now, enjoy one of the coolest Hikes on earth!!! read more

Fun hike but very disturbing to have to haul a trash bag and shopping bag full of rubbish from top to bottom. People, take out what you brought in! read more

Ka'au Crater - Beautiful? - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Totally underestimated this hike! Read a lot of reviews about it being 3-4 hrs long or even 4-5! And we started late so I thought we would do it in 8hrs due to it being so hot. Glad to say we didn't exceed 7 hrs and did it in 6. It took us 2 hrs to get to the actual ridge (took waterfall route, follow the pipes), 2 hrs around the crater (be ready to climb a whole bunch of ropes) and 2 hrs coming down (follow the colored markings tied around the trees because it's easy to get lost). We made several stops to take pictures, talk to a couple of people we met and took a long break before hiking the actual crater.. We were actually looking for the other way down where you skip the crater and skip coming back down the same way (which I do not recommended) anywho, we pushed forward and did the whole trip. It was a hot day, the sun was beaming on our skin and the hike felt like it was forever. I rate this hike 4 stars because some of the ropes were tied onto branches or trees where it moved when you tugged so don't rely on them!! Overall I loved the hike I would definitely do it again! Views are amazing! Tips! *Don't park at the temple parking lot. Instead park outside of it or push forward to the left where there's 4 parking spots right next to the sign of the hike (behind the mailboxes) *Bug spray!! Bugs were everywhere *Bring lots of water! My husband and I only brought 4 water bottles for us to share and we were so thirsty after the hike *There are 2 routes to the top. We took the route that followed the piping to the waterfalls. Follow the pipes and it'll lead you the right way! *There's a spot where the piping is hidden and you hit your first rope climb. Climb up to continue the hike to the next rope climb or if you want to just stop at the first waterfall, keep going straight past the 2nd rope climb *once you hit the 2nd waterfall, climb up and walk across the waterfall (there are ropes there for you, be careful it gets slippery) *It gets muddy! Don't be afraid to get dirty! *Have fun! read more

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Ok let me tell you, while it is very beautiful this thing is a PAIN and not for the faint of heart by any means. It's extremely dangerous and would advise against bringing any children or pets on this hike. The odds would not be in their favor by any means. I want to give it a 3.5 but can't. If you do decide to do this hike bring the right equipment like hiking shoes. Something to keep your electronics clean. Maybe even walking poles (don't know the correct name of them but they are long and have a pointy end) Took about 2.5-3 hours for my gf and I to reach the first waterfall and we turned around out of exhaustion. And the thing that sucks most is neither direction is easier than the other!! read more

This hike is definitely an advanced hike. It took us 6 hours to do the whole thing, from waterfalls to the rim of the crater, and back down to the car. It is steep, and once you finish the valley & waterfalls, you are hiking on a ridge line. If you are scared of hikes, this is not the hike for you. If your doing the crater part of the hike come prepared, gloves for rope climbing not necessary but I wish I had them due to rope burn and it being slippery. Bring lunch, it's a lunch hike not a snack. We were all starving by the time we reached the top. And still had a good hour and a half back down. We brought windbreaker jackets, it was chilly at the top and it started raining on the way down (watch the weather as well). Have hiking shoes. Tennis shoes will do but they have no traction no matter how much you try you still slip! Lots and lots of water!! Even though this hike is long and difficult it is very. REWARDING and very beautiful But it is dangerous if your not prepared. It is marked with yellow pink and orange trail markers. The Ka'uu crater part isn't maintained and kept up. So it is at your risk. If you do it have fun. Hope this helped!! read more

MUD!!! I did this with my 6-year-old, my wife, and brother-in-law on Christmas Day. We're seasoned hikers, and this was the most memorable hike we've ever done. The difficulty level depends on the conditions. I've hiked more technical and difficult mountains that would be impossible to ascend/descend on a rainy day. That's not to say this mountain was easy. The weather conditions today made it by far the hardest hike I've ever done. The 1.5 miles to the first waterfall was the most mentally challenging for us. My son is a competitive gymnast, loves to hike, and is accustomed to breezing through pretty challenging mountains, but his kryptonite is mud. He hates getting messy/dirty, and the first 1.5 miles was filled with whining and constantly trying to clean off his hands and shoes whenever they got muddy. What should have taken 30 minutes to run to the 1st waterfall (even in the mud) took us nearly 2 hours. The mud got much better after the 1st waterfall, and my son started having fun. He was right at home with the gentle class 2 rock scrambling. Ropes were there, but weren't necessary. Some of those ropes were badly frayed. They're useful for descending, but not ascending IMO, but you shouldn't go down this trail anyway (more on that later). The scrambling got tougher and longer at the 3rd waterfall. The slick rocks made it much more dangerous than any scramble we've done. The vertical gain became more intense at this point. At the top of the 3rd falls, is a choice to go left or right. Left brings you to another fork where you have a choice of descending the alternate (non waterfall trail) or continuing clockwise around the crater. Going right goes counterclockwise, and eventually joins the alternate trail down. We went right, counterclockwise around the crater, the preferred direction (crater on the left). This was by far the hardest part of the hike. The verticals to the top were fun with lots of ropes, then came the mud going down. We thought we somewhat embraced the mud before the 1st waterfall. Nope. It was so slippery, it was literally impossible to stay upright. There were no ropes, and the only way down was to slide in the mud on our butts. I tried to descend belly facing down (in a plank position) to stay dry. Fail. We embraced the mud and slid, which turned out to be the favorite part of the hike for my son. It was hundreds of feet of water slide-like descent, except we slid on mud instead of water. The mud/clay was soft, so not painful through the bumpy sections. Just give the person in front of you plenty of room so you don't crash hard into them. Going clockwise would mean ascending this section. I don't think that's possible when wet. Once we could walk the ridge, there was no way to avoid the mud unless you go off the cliff, but by that time, we had all truly embraced the mud. My son was actually jumping into the mud and trying to splash it as far as he could. My wife has trouble climbing a 6-ft ladder because she's so afraid of heights. She managed the waterfall and crater scrambles just fine. Traversing the knife's edge of the ridge on the descent was a different story, but by that time she was so committed, she had to just keep moving forward. A little before completing the full loop was the alternate trail down, which avoided all the waterfalls. The entire alternate trail was calf-deep mud with well-defined steps leading down. There was minimal danger of serious injury here. It was pretty fast-going since we weren't afraid of mud anymore. It took less than 30 minutes to finish the last 1.5 miles compared to 2 hours starting the hike. While I had a great time and created deep memories, I would not do it again during the rainy season, and it's not a hike for everyone. That's why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. 6.32 miles, 2,631ft AEG, 5:51 moving time, 1:15 total breaks for food and pictures. Not sure why some trail maps say 4.5 miles. Tips: 1. Use Uber/Taxi. We drove and got there early enough to get the last of 5 parking spots (we actually had to create that 5th parking spot by parking half the car into the bushes). 2. There's a set of mailboxes at the trailhead. We hiked right past these boxes and continued up a driveway onto private property. That's NOT the way to go. We had to go back to the mailboxes and go behind those boxes and descend into the jungle to start the hike. 3. Wear pants if you don't want your legs to get scratched up. 4. Embrace the mud. Don't try to avoid it. The first mud puddle you see, just soak your shoes and keep them there until mud soaks through your socks. This will ensure you won't waste time trying to avoid the mud, which will get much much worse on the second half of the crater. 5. Follow the pipes and stream. Don't take the alternate trail up. 6. Go counterclockwise on the crater. 7. Don't look over the top of the waterfall to take pics like we did. Super slippery. People have died this way. read more

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Wonderful hike very muddy can be raining very hot if it's not. It can be a full loop or back and forth if you are short on time. It takes about 5-8 hours if you take a lot of breaks. 3 waterfalls and great river views as well. The 3rd waterfall takes you up the ridge of the old crater with amazing 360 views. Gone plenty of times and love it more and more each time, it's an Unmaintained trail so not for inexperienced hikers. Bring snacks and lots of water, namaste read more

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So, this is probably the craziest hike I've ever done. I completed the entire thing (3 waterfalls and around the crater) this winter, February 2014. DIRECTIONS: - Don't use apple or google directions (just use the map because the step-by-step directions will take you to the wrong place) - Get onto 10th ave. - Get onto Waiomao rd. (if you're coming from H1, you should be veering right at the fork) - Follow Waiomao rd down to the end, past the temple on your right - You should get to a driveway that has a few "beware of dog" signs and a "kapu" sign - There should be a small parking lot there (fits about 4 cars) (if you can't get a spot there, park down the road along grass, don't park at the temple) - The entrance to the hike is difficult to find--it's literally in some bushes across from the "kapu" sign - Do not walk up the driveway past the "beware of dog" signs--there is an unleashed dog who yearns human flesh/blood apparently - Once you walk through the bushes, the path goes downwards and there will be a rope - At that point, you're starting a pretty crazy hike which hopefully you can finish Like everyone else has said, this hike is not for the weak. Specifically, unless you're just confident in your ability to move through obstacles, this hike is for people with the following traits: 1) Agility 2) Endurance 3) Stamina 4) Strength (full body) 5) Non-obese 6) Adventurous What made the hike crazy? 1) Climbing up the side of a waterfall with slippery ground (fortunately there's a rope you can use) (another hiker said it was easier to just be bare footed) 2) Steep cliff sides right next to you (don't look down if you're scared of heights) 3) Narrow paths that only fit one foot (you may be sliding on one foot while trying to grab bare dirt with your hands) (there were a few times I almost slid off a cliff) 4) Deep mud puddles that will devour your shoes (almost impossible to avoid this) 5) Potential to slide on your butt down the path and off a cliff 6) Sharp broken pipes to cut yourself on (make sure your tetanus immunization is up to date) 7) People have died on this hike So, it wasn't really distance or elevation that made this hike difficult, it was the many potentials for death and unpleasant conditions. I thought that I could get away with not getting my feet wet the whole time but by the time we got to the summit, both feet were soaking wet. On the way down, I pretty much steeped ankle-deep into mud puddles every few minutes. Retrospectively, it didn't matter if I stepped into the water when crossing the river in the beginning of the hike because my feet were soaking wet in the end anyway. At the end of the hike when walking back, I purposefully stepped in the flowing river water just to clean my super muddy shoes. But honestly, anyone who has a little experience and can probably hop over a wooden fence can do this hike. It might just take longer the less experience you have. If you think you can do it, you probably can. If you're just not the adventurous type and want to walk a cement path, this place is not for you. A lot of people say this hike takes around 5 hours. If you're taking your time, or you're traveling with someone who isn't the greatest hiker but can handle all the obstacles, allot about 7 hours for the entire trip (going all the way around the crater and back). Surprisingly, I was able to get cell phone service during the whole hike so I was sending pictures to people (AT&T). Prepare accordingly and have a plan afterwards. Have decent hiking shoes, light pants that can turn into shorts (so useful), and a light/breathable long sleeve shirt (mine is by Patagonia). The weather conditions will change a lot since you're in different parts of the crater at different elevations. You don't really need anything fancy, these things I used were just helpful. If you're hardcore, you can just do it with shorts a T-shirt and flip flops--it's doable, you're not climbing Everest. I don't think you need gloves unless you're a hand model. I didn't encounter that many bugs, but I did put on a lot of bug spray. You will probably be very muddy at the end so bring something you can sit on in the car to not get mud everywhere. Craziest hike ever? Yes, and I've done some other pretty crazy hikes like the Haiku Stairs and Mt. Baldy in Los Angeles, but this hike was just nuts because of the mudslides. Again, it's not that bad, but definitely requires some experience and strength. Good luck! read more

I never get bored with this hike. It is tucked in the back of Palolo. This trail is awesome and is like straight from the city and into the jungle. For the beginning portion of the hike you'll be following a water pipe. The water pipe skirts a stream and there are multiple stream crossings. Depending on how high the stream is you can cross by hopping on the rocks. Otherwise, it might be best to resign to getting your shoes wet and just wade to the other side. The trail continues to follow the pipe up the mountain a bit so you'll lose sight of the stream for a little while. The trail will get a bit narrow so watch your footing sometimes you will think there is ground where you plan to step but there isn't. Eventually the trail will come to a beautiful waterfall down to the right. If you want to jump in the water this is the place to do it. When you're done you'll go back to the trail and scale a wall with ropes on the left of the trail. Follow the trail to the second waterfall. This is a nice place to stop and eat a snack. If you are looking at the waterfall the next part of the trail continues on your right. You'll go up a steep ropes portion and have to go over a boulder at the top of the waterfall and jump down on the other side. This is the scariest part of the trail in my opinion. Continue in and you will come to the third and last waterfall. There are ropes along the side of the waterfall so you are literally hiking up a waterfall. It's pretty cool. At the top you can go to your left, which is the returning trail or go right. If you go right you can go to the summit and see the windward side. And you can also go all the way around the crater. I usually head back as the top is usually muddy and socked in. Plus there are other trails with better views so that's not my goal when I take on this hike. All I matter what you choose it is an awesome hike. Make sure to factor in enough time and water! NOTES: - this is a closed hike, meaning you are trespassing when you go on it. So keep that in mind and make sure to respect the people in the neighborhood by keeping the noise level down. If you're loud they might complain and the police could come out. - always bring towels for your car. You'll be dirty when you're done so you'll want towels to sit on so your car doesn't get dirty - check the weather. If there has been a lot of rain, the stream might look a little more like a river. Although this means the waterfalls will be flowing beautifully, it could also mean a dangerous current or flash flood conditions on stream crossings. You will have to walk a bit to get to the trailhead as there is no parking right at the trailhead. read more

This is one of my favorite hikes. If you consider the 3 waterfalls you have to climb, the narrow trails and the mud.....it would be considered quite dangerous. The reality is....its fun! the views are amazing! and something you all have to try and do. This last hike, it rained the night before which made it dangerous in some areas. The occasional falls, slips and trips......will happen, but whats hike without getting dirty. read more

I write this review while the cuts, bruises and muscle aches are fresh. This hike was a grueling 6 and a half hours, but it was worth ever minute. We did the ridge trail and the views were amazing. There were stream crossings, 3 waterfalls, rope climbing, ridge traversing, and strawberry guava. Tips for the hike, if you're doing the ridge, wear knee high socks or something that will protect your legs. Mine were scratched up like no other after the hike from the brush. Also, gloves are optional but I think when I do this hike again, it'd be something I'd bring along. Bring lots of water and apply sunscreen. Once past the waterfalls, there isn't much coverage. That's all I can think of at the moment. We also did this when it was dry, I can't imagine doing it if it has been raining. read more

This hike is one of our favorites on island, it has a little bit of everything and keeps your adrenaline pumping the entire way! We parked at the end of waiomao rd by the side of the road and easily found the mailboxes described by other posters. Just keep walking until the group of mailboxes and head down into the bushes :) Directions are pretty simple during the hike, just keep following the pink/orange tags. Many thanks to whoever put those there, they are so useful and you should see one whenever you think you might get lost. The blog on Wordpress.com (came up when we googled ka'au crater directions) was also a great guide and we referred to it several times during the hike. The first hour is a little slow, hike along the water pipe until you hear the first waterfall. Then you hike up a set of ropes and make your way along the top of the first falls. Then a few minutes later go up along the second. The third was the worst for me, it's very long and slippery. Lots of hairy moments here , I had to go slow and be careful. We finally made it to the top and peeked inside the crater. It's so weird to see what looks like flat land inside it! We hiked left up the little trail and looped on back down. I fully admit I got one look at that ridge and thought and gladly took the nice safe land route back to the car. Plus was so relieved to not go down the falls! Overall a great experience! definitely dangerous but you'll be fine if you go slow and be careful. read more

Amazing hike. Don't go if you are not ready for a challenge, and don't bring anyone who isn't prepared. It's extremely dangerous, several spots you are the edge of some very steep drops. Pay attention to the weather, as a rain will make this trail very slippery. Don't go alone, and go early in the day. That said, I really enjoyed this hike. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who can't run at least 5 miles, and do at least 5 pullups in a row. read more

LOVE! My favorite hike thus far on Oahu. Three waterfalls, rope climbings and spectacular panoramic views await to reward your efforts. I've learned: When there are helicopters carrying crates over the ridge and alarms are sounding every 10 minutes, it's okay turn around because this watershed area hike is probably illegal for a reason. When it's dry and the dirt is loose and crumbly, stay low to the ground unless you prefer sliding down the ridge. When it's wet and foggy prepare for freezing sideways rain in your face (fabulous feeling on a sweaty hike!) Always bring a jacket in that backpack. Start early, unless you enjoy chasing the sun. and always remember - tree branches and bushes are your friends and saviors, keep them close ;) read more

I decided to update my review because I've been to Ka'au for the past two weekends in a row and I've gained a new perspective on this hike. Firstly, this hike is beautiful. I've seen a lot of people hurt themselves along this trail due to erosion and mud. I returned prepared with good hiking shoes and spikes to help with traction and grip. There is a ton of mud, and stream crossings. You need to be sure footed and prepared. I always bring a change of clothes, mosquito repellant, water, tylenol, a towel, snacks, etc.... overall, this hike is an easy/moderate challenge as long as you're prepared for slippery conditions and lots of mud. If you plan to do the whole rim, plan accordingly as this hike can be time consuming. Happy hiking! read more

Pros: - great jungle scenery - waterfall after waterfall - great views at the top - Not too crowded Cons: - Super muddy - A bit more advanced than some hiking websites claim - Too many verticals to comfortably take a dog Overall: My favorite hike on Oahu so far. Based on the "moderate" skill level rating given to this hike by many websites, I took my dog (a German shepherd). That turned out to be a huge hassle as I had to lift her up, or carry her down several vertical points. That being said, she made it up and down fine, but I don't recommend it. The scenery is a lush jungle foliage, with streams crossing the path. There are several waterfalls and swimming holes. You'll even climb up the side of a waterfall at one point! Make sure you start early, and pack a snack, this is a long hike (6-8 hrs) especially if you want to stop for a swim. read more

What an adventure! I went on this hike with 4 people. Two of us made it out in 6 hours and the other two in 8 hours. BEAUTIFUL hike. Leave early in the morning. Bring LOTS of water and PLENTY of snacks. Wear shoes with traction and a good grip. It's extremely muddy. You'll be using ropes to climb up the waterfalls and steep hills. Wear clothes that you don't care about because you'll be sliding down the crater during the second half of the hike. Not a hike for inexperienced hikers or children. Extremely narrow unmaintained trails at some of the highest peeks of the cliff. This was by far one of the best hikes I have ever been on. Truly breathtaking. I probably had a 4.7 out of 5 star experience, but if I had come more prepared, it would have been 5. So that's what I'm giving it. read more

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Wow where to start with this one. First off I'd have to say the reviews that everyone posted are correct. It's a nice hike until you reach the 3rd waterfall, from there it's a grueling hike up the rim till you reach the peak! And it's worse going down the other side. My knees are still are from the downhill part. Overall thou what I hike an the waterfalls are amazing read more

I'll give 4 stars for the amazing waterfalls...but my PTSD wants me to give this one star. 7 hours of muddy hell later, which including getting rained on while going back up the third waterfall (after we got to the top, for some reason we thought it'd be a good idea to go back down...then realized we were idiots and went back up), we made it back to my car. Ka'au...the hike that made me realize I hate hiking (if it's over 2 hours long). read more

Kaau Crater is not for the faint of heart, but for intermediate hikers, it is definitely a must-do. Kaau features three successive waterfalls at the base of the crater itself and it will take approximately 3 hours to reach the top of it's your first time. The hike can continue around the crater ridge if you wish, but I would say allow an hour to an hour thirty if you wish to continue the adventure. Unlike other favorites like Kuliouou or Hawaii Loa, the scenery didn't change much on this hike - it's forest all the way to the top. You follow a river upstream on a narrow dirt trail, nothing too strenuous, but once you pass the second waterfall, you have to climb up the face of the third waterfall using the ropes provided. While not dangerous or anything, consider that coming back down might be a little tricky. The view at the top of the mountains and valleys is beautiful. If you take the left trail at the top, the view of Waikiki is beautiful. The right trail has a view of the valley and you can catch a glimpse of Diamond Head as well. This trail connects to St Louis Heights but I don'tcouldn't find the connecting trail - more to discover next time! read more

Just finished this hike today and all I can say is WOW! To start, yes, go behind the mailboxes at the end of Waimano road. You have to climb down a newly fallen tree but if this gives you problems, then turn around Now! With that being said, this hike is long with many inclines and rope climbing. Initially, I was skeptical about the hike since I read many yelp reviews regarding the treacherous terrain, but the path is well defined and marked the entire way up. Climbing up the first two waterfalls was fairly easy, the third waterfall had Many levels so it seemed like it was a half mile long in itself. At the top of the third waterfall the trail splits, remember this part because like many people before me stated, you can go back to the car if u go left at the pink ribbon and bypass having to climb down the falls. Or, you can go right to go to the crater. It was still fairly early (around 2pm- we started at 12:15pm) so we decided to continue. Many people turn around at this point. This is where the path gets narrow, yet manageable. We continued up the crater to the very top! There were many ropes to help your ascent but beware because the ground crumbles below your feet. But the views were EPIC!! We decided to come back down that side of the crater due to time and not knowing how much worse the terrain would be on the other side of the crater. So when we got back to the top of the Third waterfall we took that path that was initially on the left. The path starts by inclining up initially and for a while but it eventually leads you back to the pipes that you followed to the falls. This trail seemed safer than trying to climb down the falls but it did seem longer, so either option works. Tips: wear pants because the narrow trail to the crater has overgrown bushes that scratch Bring nonslip hiking shoes- no falls the entire time! Wear mosquito repellent Wear gloves! Don't start after noon- especially during the winter months ENJOY THE HIKE!!! read more

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Just got done with this hike... Mudddddddyyyyyyyyyu... Wear good hiking shoes cuz I didn't. We went on a sunny day and still got rained on. Took us 4 hours to do the whole thing so come with patience and determination :) Not good for pets or children unless you have adult children or monkeys as pets. All in all a very fun/scary/amazing hike! Recommend doing it at least once in your life! read more

The driveway is private property but the public hike starts and finishes at the mailboxes. House owner would be pleased if everyone can take consideration and walk the extra 5 minutes. I guess you and I won't be happy if someone trespass your property. (Received more information from the house owner via inbox) Previous review also talked about how demanding the hike is and the duration to us ;) read more

This review is only for the trail leading up to the third waterfall only. It was about 2 miles each way but expect about 2 hours or so each way because of how muddy it is. You climb over the stream about four times and to get to the second and third waterfall you have to climb up ropes which aren't bad at all. There isn't any "extreme" trail inclines either. The first waterfall is by far the best. The second is less than 10 minutes away so it's worth the climb up the ropes. I was expecting a lot more for the third because previous reviews said it was the biggest but I beg to differ. It wasn't that great compared to the first two. Bring bugspray and expect to get muddy! read more