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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Go early cuz it's hot. Beautiful views. Not a bad hike. There's some shade and rest stops but just enjoy the view read more

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

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

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

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

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

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For the first time coming here. I got here early morning for 6am reservation. I got the gate at 5:30am and there was a line of cars and tour buses to get in. Just before the gate, off to the side from an area of a nice view of the sun rising. Once the gate open, I checked in at the tower on the other side. There is a parking area and with open field. I parked and started following people while hiking up the zigzag mountain. Going early morning wasn't that hot, but as the sun came up, it did get warmer throughout the morning. It took me about 30 mins to get to the top. Once you get to the top, it is absolutely beautiful 360 degree view. It's definitely worth the view once you get the top. Make sure when you come here, bring water, good pair of shoes, sunscreen, and towel. read more

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

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Simple, easy hike. Go early or early afternoon because it gets hot. I've done this hike several times and recently noticed the trail is paved. You still need to watch your step because it is uneven. Great views at the top. I recommend you take the stairs at the top for the full experience. Nonresidents need to make reservations ahead of time while ka'mainas do not. read more

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Not for the weak! Make sure you are in shape and well hydrated as this hike will kick your butt. The views are incredible from up above. read more

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

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

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

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

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Wow! 11 years ago me and my 10 year old did this in 15min (to the top, per my first review). We are getting old! It took us 19min this past go around ;) Here's why, we started in the 6a hour and it was pitch black so we were being careful to watch our footing without a headlamp or light source. A lot has changed since we last "hiked" here but for nostalgia we wanted to. We pulled up in our rental car and were asked about a reservation. Say what...?!?! Reservation? Ok, news to us. We did not have a "reservation" so we couldn't access the trail. Luckily, we were in town several more days and made a reservation online for a future date and time slot (6a-8a). You must enter within the first 30minutes of your time slot. You pay per person and per vehicle to use the trail. Is it worth it? I suppose if you haven't done it before, but there are many more gorgeous free hikes around the island. We did drive here but on another morning while out jogging we realized we'd basically jogged here- so if you're into running, or a nice little walk and you're staying in the Waikiki area you very well could just jog or walk here to tack on a little more mileage. This hike is suitable for all ages and most abilities as it's super quick and easy. We are outdoorsy peeps but trust me when I say we spotted all types making their way up so there's zero doubt in my mind when I say nearly anyone can make the little trek. All in all it's about 30-40 minutes round trip if you're in decent shape and the panoramic views are beautiful. We stayed for sunrise which felt reminiscent of a recent trip to Santorini where everyone is up top just waiting and watching. It's magical and won't eat into precious beach time since it's such a short distance. I'd recommend if you haven't done it but if you're really itching for a leg burner or something without fees, this isn't it. read more

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Please note you have to make reservations prior to walking up Diamondhead. You can do that ron line. As of right now, you can pick any time and go as long as you have a reservation. read more

Looking for a good view and a fairly easy hike? This trail is is it. There were plenty of tourists and children hiking this "trail" that is fully paved. There's a bunker area and a lookout that are the main lookout points. With photo ops, a loop takes about 2 hours. There is easy parking at the bottom near the college where the farmers markets are, but you can also park at the top near the trail head for $10. Admission is $5 per person, and it's best to register prior to arrival since everything is electronic. Recommend for a leisurely morning hike. read more

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

We had such a fun time exploring Diamond Head as a family. Definitely make a reservation in advance for the hike and parking. Bring water and good shoes. read more

Sleepy volcano that has hiking trails. Seeing this is a bucket list type thing... and good thing its in the most beautiful setting. Diamond Head is probably the most iconic or recognizable thing on the island of Oahu. It is a state monument and landmark. If you didn't know what it was at first it would have you double take and you'd probably ask somebody about the unusual mountain with sharp peak. From the side view it isn't obvious what exactly it is - only from a birds eye view can you clearly see that it is a crater and perfectly circular - an old volcano that had once erupted. Hiking and views are the thing to do here. The views overlook the ocean and the city of Honolulu and the beach of Waikiki. If you set aside a couple hours it should be enough for most people. Its a hike so wear comfortable shoes and be careful with the sun - you probably just spent all of yesterday baking on the sand, right? I'm sure your a tourist and wondering if its worth it to come here with the little time you've got on the island. I think yes, at least once in a lifetime. read more

Beautiful must see hike in Honolulu. Please be sure to make reservations online beforehand. There are no walk ups. Parking is also very scarce so try and get there early. Hike itself is about 2 miles round trip. A little steep in some areas but the views are amazing. Would definitely come back and do it again. read more

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I got a runner's high from climbing up these stairs, so I loooved this trail! It's the perfect hike for anyone that enjoys the Stairmaster! The trail is moderately difficult and is 1.6 miles round trip. It is an uphill battle to reach the Diamond Head crater summit. Given the loose gravel, steep steps, and uneven walkways, I highly recommend wearing shoes. The route is rather barren, so don't count on shade or wind to keep you cool! It was hot and dry for us. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and AMPLE WATER for EACH hiker. (My 40 oz hydroflask was not enough water for me.) Time your route to begin early in the day to avoid getting roasted by the sun. As you climb higher and higher, rest at the lookout points. These are good opportunities to catch your breath, drink water, and enjoy the scenic views. The view at the top is stunning and worth the strenuous physical toll! read more

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Great place to hike if you're in the Waikiki area. It's close to the zoo, Kalakua Avenue and where all the action is on the strip by the beach. This hike is totally doable and good for kids. There are lots of stairs close to the top so just be prepared for that if you're going with small children or elderly. Otherwise, it is definitely a great hike for the whole family. You can drive and park for a fee or have Lyft/Uber take you. We took a Lyft and it was super easy. Bring a bottled water! We went early November so the weather was perfect. Not hot at all! I've done this hike before when it was scorching hot and it wasn't pleasant. read more

Another iconic Hawaiian stop. Near Waikiki. A few miles away so catch the trolley or bike. Or run. Great view from the top. Not too hard a hike. About a mile with a good uphill hike. Great view, did I say that? Of Waikiki and beach. However it is just too popular and touristy. So many other good hikes on island. read more

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