Hiking Diamond Head

Hiking the trails to the summit of Diamond Head in O’ahu feels like a right of passage, and let’s be honest, kind of a boot camp at times.  Especially for two 40-ish Moms with lots of kids. We had the pleasure of visiting this magical place recently and although my legs were sore for several days it was well worth the climb.

When they say- “take lots of water”, and “take your time”,  they really do mean it! There is so much history to see here, it is a top destination on our list to visit in O’ahu.  The views from the top are amazing!

There are many ways to get here. We took the local bus service. It’s called “The Bus”. Yes, “The Bus”. It took us to and from our resort- The Hilton Hawaiian Village for 2.75 each way.   Here are the schedules http://www.thebus.org/route/routes.asp. There are also trolleys that run for $10 each way. Shuttles and even Uber or Lyft.

Le’ahi is the Hawaiian word for the Diamond Head Crater. It is now a State Monument and Hawaiian State Park. This large crater was formed over 300,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption. It is named Diamond Head because, in the 1700’s the western explorers mistakenly thought that the calcite crystals on the rocks here were diamonds- so from that point forward it has always been known as Diamond Head. For the past 100+ years, it has been used as an artillery defense system and fire control station. You are able to climb through the tunnels and spiral stairs used for observations and look out from the slits that used to be covered in camouflaged metal shutters. At the top, you are at 761 feet of elevation and you can see for miles and on a clear day you can see Maui.

When visiting the park and hiking the trail, keep a few things in mind. First, the trails are dirt and rocks with many steep steps. Proper footwear is really important. Secondly, there are no bathrooms or vendors along the way or at the summit. It is important to take your water and use the restroom facilities at the base of the trailhead. Pack in and Pack out as they say. Be a good steward of the environment and bring your trash down with you. Third- it is always hot here. It is a good idea to start your hike early in the day, and don’t forget a hat and sunscreen as well as extra water.  

With all of this said- don’t be afraid to do it. Believe me when I tell you that more than half of the people on the trail were older than we are. A large range of ages and ability. Remember, the views from the top are worth it and take it at your own pace. The park tells you that it will take about one and a half to two hours round trip for the hike. That was about the amount of time it took us and by no means did we rush through it.  
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Take lots of pictures and videos to share with your friends, and when you get back down to the bottom- there’s even a t-shirt that will tout your accomplishment. Speaking of the bottom- I may have had some of the best pineapple juice of my life at a food truck and fruit stand there. They serve it in a cup or you can buy the whole pineapple with a straw in it. You can even get a hamburger or hot dog. Great too! Could be that we were parched- but I would rather think that it was just that good. This is Hawaii after all!

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About the Author:

Bethany Foster, Travel Advisor
​Travel is in Bethany's soul! Her parents were committed to making sure she saw the world-- that passion for making the big world a small place has spread into her adult life. Today she and her husband believe that experiencing the world through travel is one of the best gifts they can give their kids. Whether with the entire family or a romantic getaway, Bethany has personal experience traveling across Europe, the Caribbean and Hawaii in addition to extensive domestic travel in her previous career. Bethany is a proud Rebel from Ole Miss and lives in The Woodlands, TX with her husband Brad and three children.