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    Moanalua Middle Ridge

    4.8 (42 reviews)

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    This is where you cross.   Once you cross and head to the right, you will see the trail sign "Moanalua Middle Ridge"
    Steven S H C.

    5/8/19 6:45 am. 2lwe started the hike from the parking lot at the Moanalua Valley. Facility has clean bathroom and extra water faucet to wash off. Met local gentlemen who was coming down from the hike. He said river bed is dry meaning, no rain. Awesome! There is confusion between Moanalua Valley and Moanalua Middle Ridge. They are two different hikes but one must do the Valley first to get to the Middle Ridge. The Valley hike is mostly flat with gentle incline and wide road. After reading many reviews and seeing some YouTube videos, we were ready for it. I even had screen capture of directions on my phone. Dont get confused of getting on the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail from Moanalua Valley Trail. See my photo of Kulana'ahane Trail sign. Stop at the sign and look across the creek. You will see the trail and small brown wooden sign 10 feet off the ground. If you can't see it, just cross the creek from the sign and get on to the trail. You will see the wooden sign and also fallen tree with trail engraved on it. If you are able to see the sign, you are on right trail and it will start ascending very quickly. Lot of other says not to cross the creek at this point and look for either pink ribbons, large rock or peelings tree bark. Over time, they have changed or hard to spot them. The direction on "Alltrails" are vague about the critical turning point. Cell reception: Xfinity mobile was excellent. I was able to make phone calls throughout the hike. Mileage tracker: I used free version of Endomondo which was very helpful on tracking my progress. About 3 miles was done on wide gravel road. When the wide road turns into narrow single track and haven't crossed creek, you have passed the Kulana'ahane Trail sign. When you cross the creek at the sign, it's all on narrow ridge road hiking up with rapid accent. Good luck and you will be awarded with amazing views. Fitness level: dont get confused with leasurly hiking on the four wheel drive road. Actual Middle Ridge trail are narrow, slippery and 100 to 1000 feet drop on each side. Water: hiking thru humid condition definitely requires more hydration. Adjust accordingly for 7 -10 hour hike. Once you cross the creek, you do not have water source.

    Jill C.

    Hard hike but lots of people are on it. My husband and I hike often and consider ourselves in shape. We don't really take a break while we hike and it took us 5 hours to get to the stairway and back to the bottom (includes quick stops for pictures, water, snacks). There wasn't water in the ridges so we were able to do it pretty fast. Didn't have spikes or gloves and you definitely don't need them if it's not wet out there. Bring sunscreen, water, and snacks. Be sure to watch YouTube videos on where to turn. There's 1 turn that's not marked and could as to an hour detour if you miss it. Our watches said it was 10.2 miles total. There were helicopters flying by to make sure people weren't hiking on the stairwell.

    The delicious Strawberry Guava that was all along the ridge. My biggest distraction the whole way lol
    Ai Vy N.

    If you're looking to check Stairway to Heaven hike off your bucket list, this is one of the legal routes to do it! The longest, most strenuous, and hardest hike I have done! Things to Do: 1. Download the AllTrails app!!!! This is what saved our butts from not getting more lost. Awesome app that can pinpoint pretty precisely where you're at on the map, even without cellular signal (you'll have to pay for a whole year subscription of about $30, but trust me, it's worth it to not get lost especially having to climb up that ridge, you'd want to save up all the energy you have for it). Just make sure you stay on the trail according to the map and you'll be golden! 3. Plan for a minimum of 8hours round trip, including time that you want to spend once you reach the top. Don't start any later than 10am. You want all the day light time you can get. We are not the fittest people with 6 pack or anything, but I want to think we're pretty fit, still took us almost exactly 8hrs 4. Pack a minimum of 1.5-2Liters of water/person, and some light snacks. There are plenty of strawberry guava especially at the beginning of the ridge. Don't depend on them much since they seem to be loved by a lot of hikers too. 5. BRING GLOVES!!!There's a bit of rock climbing you'll have to do, literally. There are ropes already tied up by the kind hearted previous hikers, where it's extremely inclined. Whoever you are, thank you, thank you!!! 6. Get some shoes spikes. They're not a must (we tried to get some right before arriving here, but couldn't find any at the nearby Walmart so decided to go without). The ridge trail can have a lot of rolling dirt and pebbles. The spikes will for sure give you some extra grip. 7. Go early around 7-8am if you want to secure a parking spot right at the park. Otherwise, plan to park further away on neighborhood streets. 8. Bring headlight if you're planning on starting super early or staying late to catch the sunset. You will definitely need it to go down that ridge. 9. A GoPro would be perfect to capture some or all of the hike. You want to keep your hands free for some part of the ridge that you'll literally have to be on all 4 to climb up. 10. Bring a sweater and some rain gear. It gets extremely windy and at least 15-20 degrees cooler once you get to the top. It's also very common for the rain to come and go quickly (even tho the weather forecast in the general area might say sunny all day). Here's a summary of our experience: We put in the GPS the address of Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park at "1857 Ala Aolani St, Honolulu" as the starting point for our hike. There's a small parking lot (enough for maybe 10 cars top) right in the park, but a lot of locals come here to walk the park trail, along with the ridge hikers, so be prepared to park on the neighborhood street. There are pretty much 2 main parts to this hike. First park is the walk in the park that's nothing like "a walk in the park". It's about 2.5mile long, with a small part (maybe 20-30 feet) that can get very muddy. Look for any nearby "trails" when you get to that muddy part. It'll help a lot if you don't want to start climbing the ridge with heavy muddy shoes. Most hikers who get lost trying to hike this ridge, get lost close to the end of this walk in the park. Once you have walked about 2.3miles or so (my number might be a bit off), the trail seems to end at the dry (or wet? When it rains) river bank. DO NOT try to cross over and CLIMB UP one of the trails you might see. If it requires any almost vertical climbing, you're heading the WRONG WAY!!! This is speaking from experience unfortunately. We climbed our butts up one of these trails, almost fell and broke couple bones or more, only to realize we were going the wrong way after almost 20-30mins. Get on that dry (or wet) river bank, but continue down along it. If you have the AllTrails app, stay on the trail in the app and you're good. If you don't have the app, there will be locals who come here to walk this trail (not climbing the ridge), ask them. Again, don't attempt to climb up any crazy trails you might see. They're NOT the one! About a quarter a mile after that point, you'll know you're on the right path when you come across a clearly marked sign "KULANA'AHANE TRAIL" and "Flash Flood" warning on your left hand sign. DO NOT turn here, keep going another 20-30ft until you see a huge rock with some rock balancing on top in the middle of the river bank. There's a tiny trail across that, get on it. This is the 2nd and final part of this hike (1 way of course). The trail will open up more and lead you all the way to the top. Once you get on this ridge trail, there's NO WAY you'd get lost. Just prepared to keep ascending the next 2 hours or so until you get to that iconic radio tower. Whoever reading this review and got this far, thank you! lol Hopefully my review has cleared up some of your worries and prepared you for this crazy but rewarding hike! ;)

    Dana K.

    Of all of the paths, you take in life make sure a few of them are dirt... I would definitely say I'm a hiker. I am an experienced hiker. I hike in every city I'm in. I've hiked Half Dome at Yosemite National Park and Angels Landing at Zion Park. These are some of the scariest hikes you can do and they are both pretty tough to say the least. I'm gonna try to keep it in bullet points so it's easier to read for people that want to take a quick look. Things you need to know: -An advanced hiker might be able to do this in six hours however 8 hours is going to be more likely because of the weather conditions. Mud, rain, and wind will slow you down! -It's easy to get lost because the signs are not clear to get up to the stairs. (I had to stop many times to make sure I was on the right route and got lost once and I'm pretty bright.) I heard many people get lost. -After a few days of rain, it's super muddy and you won't be able to walk on the trail so you will have to find other routes unless you want to sink in the mud. And when I say sink I mean it in some spots you could possibly sink all the way up to your calves. I felt like a monkey trying to hang off the trees to not sink in the mud. Note: I have very expensive hiking boots. -It was super windy when I went so the wind might slow you down. Hold on to the rope when it's windy. Seems obvious but the wind can sneak up on you. -The hike is long and steep which I like but I started at 12ish and that was too late. I thought it was too dangerous to go down the steep ridge in the dark. With great weather conditions, and a direct trail I probably could've made it up at 3 or sooner but because of all the reasons listed above I got up to the top at 3:45. Then it took me another 15 minutes to get to the stairs because it was so muddy and steep. I was sinking into the mud and I just wasn't prepared for these conditions. I guess I wasn't as bright that day because this was a pretty stupid decision. -Scaredy cats don't apply. This might be obvious but if you're scared of heights you definitely do not want to do this hike. If you do you might just pee in your pants. This is a great hike if you want a good workout. Common sense things would be...wear great hiking shoes, do it early enough so you don't end up in the dark. I don't think there's a huge necessity for food. I brought one large bottle of water and it was fine. My biggest problem was not having enough time in the light to get down without getting lost and the mud. Even though it hadn't rained that day it had lightly rained the day before and the day before that. If you do this hike and it's not muddy, go with somebody who knows the route, and you're in amazing shape then you could probably knock this hike out in three hours each way. For other people, I would give yourself four or more hours each way so at least eight hours round-trip. My only reason for giving 4 stars is because the trails don't have clear signs to get up to the stairs. The views at the top are definitely 5 stars worthy. I would hike this beast again but I would be better prepared next time! Sometimes you take a walk in the woods and come out taller than the trees...that's Moanalua Middle Ridge!

    Janel E.

    DON'T follow my example and only get 2 hours of sleep the night before attempting this beast. It's around 4 hours one way, and a lot of it is intense! DON'T wear your cutest pair of leggings, you will get dirty. There are parts of the trail that are muddy, probably 365 days/year. DO go with someone who has already conquered it. Along the trail, we encountered several individuals who had turned around/started over after they found themselves on an even more treacherous route. Lopaka H., two friends visiting from California, and myself began our adventure at around 7:30am. We took a few breaks along the way, to re-fuel and take photos. I brought 2 liters of water, but I suggest more if possible. Interesting fact: I didn't have to pee at all the entire time, and I drank all the water I brought. Was it exuded as sweat, tears, or drool?! Probably all of the above (haha just kidding) but mostly sweat. This is a hike that will test you mentally and physically. I train 6-7 days/week and think I'm in decent shape, and thought it was challenging. The sheer duration and incline caused cramps in my legs. There are sections of the trail that will require you to put your trust in the strength of some sketchy looking ropes. I had gloves and spikes, which helped a lot. Also, don't forget to bring any medication(s) that you may need. I am prone to headaches, and got one around 3/4 of the way up. Despite the challenges presented, the risk was definitely worth the experience. The views are gorgeous, I recommend taking as many photos as safely possible, the camera in your mind will thank you one day. I will return to this ridge, armed with more than a few hours of sleep and adequate hydration, and hopefully when the bruise on my toe finally subsides.

    Angel A.

    First of all let me say that anybody tells you that this hike is a beginners hike is an absolute lie, it is not. Maybe at the beginning the first hour or so it is more of a walk but once you get past a certain point be prepared. It is one of the most difficult hikes that I have ever done and I did the spartan trifecta in one weekend here in Hawaii. I was tricked into thinking this was a beginners hike so I was extremely surprised. I didn't make it up to the top we made it to about the midway point which is 2,109 feet up in the air. The wind was so bad and the clouds were coming down so it was unsafe for us to continue. That brings me to the hike down, which is by far harder than going up the rocks are slippery a lot of 90° angles the ropes that are in place are helpful but deceptive so you have to be extremely careful. If there's any type of precipitation out there you may as well just find a place to camp because it is close to impossible to not get hurt going down if it's raining. Now to the good part the views were absolutely breathtaking and I can only imagine what the views are from the complete peak, which I do plan to try to see again when I am more mentally prepared. It is at least a nine hour hike because that is how long it took for us just to get to the halfway point that's round-trip. So I'm thinking probably about five hours all the way to the top in five hours down so it's going be at least a 10 hour hike so go early. Bring plenty of water with you and a flashlight or head lamp in case you get caught in the dark. Please pay attention to the weather reports when it comes to wind advisories because on that ridge there are no trees there is nothing to hold on to. if you were to get a huge gust of wind it is extremely dangerous. When were descending, we saw several medivac helicopters going to rescue people who had fallen and or had gotten lost so just be careful. The pictures are great but they don't do the beauty justice. This is an honest review from a novice hiker but an athlete. Definitely a bucket list hike.

    Solomon N.

    Moanalua middle ridge to Haiku stairs (stairway to heaven) Best hike I've ever done. I'll Try and be as detailed as possible to help especially with info on exiting the haiku stairs. I've divided the hike into 4 sections hope it helps somebody. Section 1. The start We Started the moanalua middle ridge track at the park at the end of Alo aolani St. We Walked through the gate at 7:45am. Terrain initially is good, shade was great. TRUST in the path, don't go off it into the few tempting paths that stem from it. You will cross the stream around 14 times and walk for approximately an hour before you reach the sign for the Kulana'ahane Trail. As per previous reviews the trailhead for middle ridge is a few steps past this sign. As of March 6, 2017, this entry to the middle ridge trail was marked with a pink ribbon. You now begin a trek through the forest as your body switches gears from flat walking to hiking/climbing through trees and so on... Section2. The ridges and rope climbs You'll trek through ridges going up and down for about an hour and a half. nothing too dangerous YET, I always felt safe as long as I was careful. There were a few rope climbs but they were easy and I'm not upper body strong. Hardest thing for this section is just the will to keep going, but the views start to present themselves and they just keep getting better. Eventually you'll see a long rope climb ahead with multiple ropes to help get climbers up. These held my weight and I'm 130Kgs. Once you make it up this rope climb and a few more ridges the tower will present itself. Congratulations, when you first see the tower your only 30-45mins away from the stairs but be warned, it now gets technical! Section 3: the Tower The tower is a teaser, but more importantly it's a sign that the technical part of the hike is now upon you. The track changes to a more muddier (if possible) steep, and arduous terrain. Take your time and be careful. There are paths that are on an angle and narrow so be careful. Eventually You will reach a rope climb that is longer than the others. If you don't have gloves are if your unsure of your ability, twist the rope around one arm while climbing. When you reach the top here it's a matter of navigating the twisting freaky pathways. Do NOT trust the trees covered in moss. They won't hold you. Track is muddier and steep leading to the end. Highway makes itself visible to your right but don't lean over too much. A final climb and you've reached the stairs. Well done! This portion of the hike for two people takes around 3.5-4hours. We enjoyed the top and took photos and decided to go down the stairs to complete the loop. We went down the stairs in about 1 hour (45mins really but Wifey kept taking photos). Section 4: Exiting the Haiku Stairs When you get to the bottom of the stairs there is a gate, go around this gate. You'll see a fence in front of you with a hole in it, go through this hole. You will come out and be exposed to the guard. We walked straight ahead, straight past the guard to a hole in the fence slightly to the left. Go through this hole, be careful of the barbed wire. You will come to a mud slide going down with lots of rubbish. Use the bamboo to get down safely. Once at the bottom, you'll come out onto a street (remember your in private property on this street and all the way until you make it out to the houses). Turn LEFT (DO NOT TURN RIGHT AND WALK THROUGH SCHOOL) and walk down a short distance then turn right. Once you turn right, you will walk for 15-25mins until you come to the gate. If it is closed you'll have to find a way through somehow. It was opened when we went through around 1:45pm so it was an easy exit. You are now in the neighbourhood. No hassles from neighbours but we were respectful and quiet walking through. From here you may opt to get an uber/taxi but we decided to continue down path on the left to the pre-school where we got our uber from. We took an uber back to Alo Aolani st, which was 20mins and cost us $26USD. Weather was ideal for this hike, little wind, no rain and ground ha dried from the rains 2 days before. I can see how this hike can be dangerous with those elements added. It was so satisfying doing this hike from the ridge more so than if we did it from the stairs. The views were amazing, and trekking through made it that much more satisfying! Happy hiking peeps.

    Look for this tree AFTER you cross the dry stream bed to know you're on the right trail
    Celina Y.

    FINALLY had a chance to do Middle Ridge and it wasn't nearly as crowded or hard as I thought it was going to be. Obviously novice and unprepared hikers may struggle, but intermediate hikers with good stamina and the right equipment (gloves, spikes, water, food, sunblock, rain shell) will find it a walk in the park. My friend and I are both distant hikers and in great shape; with spikes and gloves in tow we made it to the top in under 3hrs and that's with no breaks and a few turn arounds. Yep...the hardest part is finding the turn off because we kept second guessing ourselves. As the other Yelpers said, travel the Moanalua Valley Trail for about 1hr/3miles, pass the Kulana'ahane Trail sign and turn left across the dry stream bed. You'll see a tree with Middle Ridge carved in it and you'll know you're headed the right way. The rest of the trail is self explanatory. And if you're one of the many to find FOG and NO view up top, walk 20minutes down the stairs to find AMAZING views! Trek on Yelpers!

    Lara L.

    Be warned, the trail is deteriorating. It is busted up from the rain, wind and of course heavy foot traffic!! This has become a very, very popular trail. There are times when you are waiting in LINE to get climb the rope sections. We didn't have a line to wait....not many people wanted to attempt the hike this day. My friends and I have been wanting to complete this beast hike for awhile. The weather is unpredictable as we have experienced several times. We started with sunny weather, but by the time we reached the open ridge (around the area where the large rock WAS---not sure what the heck happened---did some IDIOT(s) kick it down?), the winds had increased, the clouds were descending down the valley and then the rain came. It was pouring. So we waited it out. We decided to push on after the rain decreased. The wind increased to a good 30-45mph, especially at the top. There are areas in which crouching low on the ridge and bear crawling is useful. There are about 7-8 rope sections. BE CAREFUL, there are sketchy rope sections. Always test it. AND NEVER USE THE ROPE WHILE SOMEONE IS ON IT. Seen many impatient/inexperienced people do this. You can hurt the person above or torque the rope to a breaking point. Just imagine how many people before you have used it. Once at the top and 1st radar station in site, you're about 20 minutes to it, depending on weather. at the fork, stay LEFT. if you want to hike Tripler ridge (you can see the radar station to the right of you on the ridge)--go for it! We have completed the Moanalua Middle Ridge and now have completed the Moanalua Middle Ridge to Haiku Stairs. Out and back trail 10-12 miles (depending on how far you go down the stairs and back up). Bring: at least 3L of water, rain jacket, Gloves, shoes spikes (leave in bag just in case it gets muddy---you'll be happy you had them if needed), snacks/lunch, hat, camera (of course). Please malama aina, pack out what you take in. Up at the old radar stations, there is so much trash--wish we had brought bags to pack as much as we could out. If you have done Mount Ka'ala, then this will be a good one to compare. I prefer Mt Ka'ala and its beauty/plants/preservation. The day that my friends and I went, we all agreed that because of the weather conditions on this day, Mt Ka'ala was a piece of cake in comparison. Be safe on this trail. Know your limits. You can always return. Aloha.

    Kaneohe from the top
    Tim L.

    Conquered this beast yet again this past Saturday (15 Apr). We went up to Tripler Ridge this time, then over the KST to the old comm tower, passed the connector of Moanalua Middle, then to the top of Stairway to Heaven. Absolutely perfect conditions until about 1/2 way DOWN Moanalua Middle trail (on our descent) where the sun was super hot. Nice and overcast on the hike up then at the top and down the stairs, the clouds disappeared for fantastic photo ops. Maybe 10 steps along the entire 10.5 miles were muddy. Couldn't believe our luck! Doing Tripler Ridge adds some distance and seemed steeper, but there's plenty of shady areas so even if the sun had been out, the shade would have been very welcome. Just as you begin the ascent, it's really steep as you're heading up, then following that ridge up you'll be traversing the edge of the ridge. Not super steep and the potential drop offs weren't scary. Just keep pressing on and climbing up. Finally, after about three hours we made the top of Tripler Ridge. Spent just a few minutes there as we wanted to spend more time atop the stairs. So, down to the left we went following the KST to the first comm tower (climbed it for the pics), then back up the KST to the merge with Moanalua trail. There's plenty of rope lines along the KST here. Nice to have something to hold onto while traversing the KST since the drop off on the Windward side is a couple thousand feet nearly straight down. Having said that, while STOPPED to take pics/selfies, and looking down I didn't feel scared about the height/drop off whatsoever. The trail is two or more feet wide the entire time, so without mud/wind, it really wasn't a concern at all. Now you're just nine minutes to the goal, the comm tower above Stairway to Heaven. Made it to the top of Haiku in four hours. Took off my spikes and headed down 654 stairs (just past the first building/landing you can see from the top) for some great photo ops of the stairway and Kaneohe down below. Then back up those same 654 stairs! Rested at the top, refortified with lunch and water, put the spikes back on, and headed back down. We took Moanalua Middle back down. Again, beautiful trail conditions, super steep down hills and lots of ropes. As we were heading down (around 1PM) we passed some hikers still heading up. No thanks, that's wayyyyy too late to be going up! Finally made it back down to the valley which took about two hours, then another 55 minutes of walking the old cobble stone road until we made it back to the park. 10.5 miles, 3300 feet of elevation gain, 20% of the actual Stairway to Heaven walked, 2901 calories burned, in 7.5 total hours. Bring minimum 3 liters of water (I had 3.5 and finished with 8oz of water remaining), high calorie food to replenish, gloves, microspikes, hat, jacket (didn't need it this time, but last time it was cold at the top), and use sun block before beginning. Yes, these trails are steep and there ARE some really steep drop off areas, so know your hiking ability/skills before attempting this or any O'ahu trail. If heights bother you, either don't look down the cliffs or don't do this trail. This trail is not technically difficult but it will tax your body with the steepness and total distance. Make it to the top (on a clear day) and you'll have rewards that last a lifetime. Best photo ops on O'ahu IMHO.

    so worth it
    Carol L.

    One of my favorite Oahu hikes. I'm surprised there aren't more reviews since this is the safest, legal way to the Haiku Stairs. People say this trail is sketchy so I'm guessing they're talking about the shoulder-width ridge parts to the top. Don't get me wrong, it is one of the more challenging & varied hikes I've done (and I hike hard trails quite a bit). The trail is long (a little over 12 miles round trip) & the first 3-ish miles are boring since you're walking along a flat yet rocky road to the trailhead (a couple feet past the Kulana'ahane Trail sign on the left). The trailhead is extremely easy to miss! It's just a small opening after the sign & you cross what looks like a dry creekbed. The trail incline goes up pretty sharply after you cross the first streambed. Get yer glutes ready. We did this hike during very un-ideal conditions - especially for a ridge hike. The wind gusts were up to 30 MPH & at times, we had to clutch a random bush to stabilize ourselves as we waited out these gusts. We also got rained on. The trail itself was surprisingly pretty dry but the loose gravel made it so slippery. We each fell a couple of times on the way down. The rope sections weren't terrible. If the trail is crowded (there were 20 ppl around us), be prepared to wait your turn. Because we spent quite a bit of time on the stairs & because of the gusts of wind, the whole thing took us about 8 hours. Be sure to bring: - shoes with traction (it can get slippery with the exposed & smooth tree roots). I wish we had microspikes. Those would've helped a lot with the slipping. - food (not really safe to be lightheaded on the trail) - gloves (extra grip is great & the last rope is pretty thick. Mad Grips is the brand I went with) - Camelbak bladder in a backpack (so you don't have to carry your water in your hands & worry about scaling up/down rock faces) Parking: Put this in Google Maps: Moanalua Valley Trail Start (Kulana'ahane), Ala Aolani Street If you're hiking some other hikes on Oahu, these same items would be very helpful for those (e.g. Olomana). Also, we encountered a wild boar on the flat part of the trail on the way back to the car so be careful of those.

    View from the radio tower, connecting with the Haiku stairs
    Karen C.

    Be warned. It is dangerous. Not for the faint-hearted. We went in late March wanting to get to the Haiku stairs from the Middle Ridge trail, 6 girls, moderately active but in no way any expert hikers. From the Moanalua parking lot, It took us 6 hours one way to the top/ Haiku stairs, and we hiked another 6 hours back. 6 people is too big a group for this type of hike, we have to stay in formation and go up the rope one by one, so it takes much longer. It was raining the day before so it was muddy and chilly. It was about an hour on flat ground (muddy plus puddles) before hitting the actual trail, starting at a river bed with giant rocks, and from there it is UPHILL ALL THE WAY. The beginning 1/5 of the trail is shaded, you are walking (uphill) among trees and bamboo forest. It is so steep sometimes you have to grab onto tree branches to pull yourself up, although not the safest. After that, you start walking on mountain ridges with low twigs and branches on the side, and they are SHARP. I got numerous cuts on my leg and still have a scar. Also watch where you are stepping because you can easily trip over roots and branches. Now still going uphill, for the middle stretch of the hike, it is never ending mountain ridges with cliffs on both sides. The trail is about 1 ft wide at this point, one mis-step you are rolling down the side of the mountain. There is no shade, no trees, no nothing, this is where you would consume most of the water. Also, this is where you start having the ropes and start climbing on all fours. I don't know why we didn't turn around at this point... Speaking of ropes, there are maybe 5-7 sections with ropes. Many hills are so steep that are almost vertical, and you can only go up one by one on the rope. Going up is MUCH easier than going down. The last 1/3 of the trail contain lots of 'ups and downs', like some reviewers said, 'fake summits'. I can see the destination a few hills away, but somehow we have been climbing one hill after the other and didn't seem to get any closer... At this section, there are also some trenches, that are narrow, steep and muddy, you can only fit one foot at a time and I pretty much slide down the whole time. Once you reach the top, the view is amazing! you can see the Haiku stairs going down the hill on one side, the mountains on the other side, and the city. Too bad we didn't have enough time to enjoy the view because we have to head back. Going back I realized how steep it was coming up. Some sections I have to sit on my butt and scoot down, and it got worse at the ropes. It was SO scary going down the ropes, with cliffs on both sides, I am literally hanging onto the rope for my dear life. It was hard to find footing going down since you can't really see when it is so vertical. Once or twice I lost footing and slammed myself on the hill, and I seriously suspect I cracked a rib. It is a miracle I made it back in one piece. I really recommend having realistic expectation before attempting this hike, are you fit enough? Can your group make a round trip before sunset? do you have the right gear? Do you have enough water, food, and a first aid kit? Will I hike the Middle Ridge trail again? Not in a million years. But It is definitely a once in a lifetime experience!

    Mohamed H.

    The Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail was a wonderful and challenging experience. I parked at the Moanalua Valley Park (roughly 12 parking stalls), put my hiking boots and sunscreen on, put my backpack with water and snacks on, set my GPS watch and headed towards the rear of the park to enter the trail. I started my trek at 0745, which turned out to be a perfect time of the day to start this hike. There were a few small groups of hikers that were very friendly and nice companions to have for the first hour. After the flat, and muddy, trail ended, things started to get interesting. I crossed a little stream and started my way up. The trail was covered by small trees for the most part but once the trees cleared away and the ridge line opened up, WOW, what a view. The valley is absolutely amazing once you make it past the cover of the trees. Once you get to the top, appreciate RADAR Tower and the work it took to run that small facility, take a deep breath and absorb the awesome views. I'm definitely happy that I made the trip and will do it again soon! Some tips: 1. Wear proper shoes with good traction. 2. Bring an extra pair of socks. 3. Bring at least 32oz. of water. 4. Bring a windbreaker or light rain coat (it is very windy and cool at the RADAR site). 5. Bring a ziplock bag for your phone so it doesn't get wet. 6. Wear tall socks or compression socks to protect your legs from small branches while hiking up the trail. Thank you, Salim

    The gravel road you'll walk on for about an hour.

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    1 year ago

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    7 months ago

    Great experience, went with a group of friends for a walk around and got to experience the beautiful nature,

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Amazing hike, incredible views! Make sure you go when it's NOT raining. Be super careful on the exposed ridge line parts.

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Crazy hike it was tough! You can definitely make it to stairway of heaven through this trial but it's a long one with steep drop offs

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    9 years ago

    Hi i am looking for people can i join with my friend, we would to to go tomorrow, please let me know paulinakedzierska@poczta.onet.pl

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Moanalua Middle Ridge

    Hello, I heard that the trail/legal way to haiku trail was closed? Can someone confirm please? I've been searching things up and haven't found much info! Thank you in advance!

    Anyone doing this hike May 27-30? Would like a guide.

    If you dont find the guide but still want to do it, read reviews and be equipped. Know where the turn off is. Lot of people miss it and waste time.

    So you go down the stairs to finish the hike, will I still get fined even though I took the legal side up?

    Yes!

    Looking for somebody to guide us this afternoon can pay a bit !! Let me know?

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Moanalua Middle Ridge

    We have completed the Moanalua Middle Ridge and now have completed the Moanalua Middle Ridge to Haiku Stairs.

    Mentioned in 12 reviews

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    Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park

    Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park

    4.8(172 reviews)
    5.4 mi

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

    There is a lookout in this park that provides a panoramic view of Honolulu and Waikiki. The view is…read moregorgeous. Also a perfect place to watch sunset. One thing to note is that it does get really windy here. There are two parking lots available near this lookout. The one right next to the lookout is very small. It only holds about a dozen cars. The safer bet is to park at the slightly further parking lot with only a five minute walk to the Vista point.

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

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    Lulumahu Falls

    Lulumahu Falls

    4.5(360 reviews)
    3.4 mi

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

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

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

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    Crossing through the stream - hopping on the rocks

    Diamond Head State Monument - Shaved Ice

    Diamond Head State Monument

    4.5(2.2k reviews)
    9.1 miDiamond Head

    Vacationed in Hawaii (4/29-4/3 2026) so of course we had to hit up the beautiful island trails!…read moreDiamond Head was on our list so we booked it in advance since you need to make reservations. We did it all through Groupon to get picked up from our hotel and dropped off as well. The trail is definitely a popular hot spot for tourists but we didn't mind the crowd. We did an early one to see the Sun rise, though by the time we got there the sun was out already. Totally okay. Water was provided by our tour guide. He gave us some history on Diamond Head and then dropped us off and gave us 2 hours to explore before getting picked up. Thank you Jonah from Fun Hawaii Group! Aaaand we were on our way! Paths were clean and clear of overgrown plants for the most part. My wife and l hike regularly so we didn't feel the hike was bad at all. Weather was perfect (it rained on us a bjt too which was unexpected but fun) and it wasn't a long hike either. There are steps involved which we enjoyed for the added cardio! When we made it to the top it was breathtaking! The views of the ocean and the mountains were beautiful! Still find myself looking at photos. It was truly magical. We were in paradise!

    Hiking Diamond Head State Monument is honestly one of my favorite things to do when I visit Oʻahu…read more It's about a 1.6 mile round trip hike and took us around 1.5-2 hours, but this can vary depending on stops and crowds. I'd say it's a moderate hike--not super long, but you definitely feel it. There's a pretty significant incline, especially toward the end with all the stairs, so it gets your heart rate up for sure. The path isn't paved, so it's a mix of rocky, uneven ground and dirt trails, and it can get a bit muddy if it's rained recently. There are also these dark tunnels you walk through, which was actually really cool and made it feel a little more adventurous (just use your phone flashlight). The best part is definitely the view at the top. You get these insane panoramic views of Waikīkī and the ocean--totally worth the climb. A couple quick tips: make reservations before you go, get there early because it gets hot fast, bring water, and wear decent shoes (especially if it's been rainy). Also expect a little waiting in tight spots like the stairs near the top. Overall, it's a fun hike and 100% worth it if you're visiting.

    Photos
    Diamond Head State Monument - Top of the crater

    Top of the crater

    Diamond Head State Monument - Super Mommy and Son Son

    Super Mommy and Son Son

    Diamond Head State Monument - Happy Hikers!

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    Happy Hikers!

    Makiki-Manoa Cliffs Hike - Bench where you can relax!

    Makiki-Manoa Cliffs Hike

    4.3(38 reviews)
    5.3 mi

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

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

    Photos
    Makiki-Manoa Cliffs Hike - Son son and mommy

    Son son and mommy

    Makiki-Manoa Cliffs Hike - Mommy and son son

    Mommy and son son

    Makiki-Manoa Cliffs Hike

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    Moanalua Middle Ridge - hiking - Updated May 2026

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