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    Home » Travel » Pacific

    Tips for Hiking Diamond Head

    August 26, 2015 • Updated: February 2, 2022 • by Renée B. • This post may contain affiliate links.

    Tips for Hiking Diamond Head {Oahu} | The Good Hearted Woman

    Hiking to the peak of Diamond Head Crater is no stroll through the park, but Wow! What a payoff! 

    Two sweaty, middle-aged people smiling because they just reached the top. Oahu in background.

    No, I am not sunburned in the picture above. I'm just one of those people who doesn't sweat much, overheats easily, and turns red any time I my heart gets going faster than my feet. Now that we have that out of the way, let me tell you why we are smiling from ear to ear.

    Long shot of Diamond Head taken from boat on water.

    Or better yet, let me show you - from our vantage point at the top of Diamond Head Crater. (That's the top of that mountain in the image above!)

    Looking to the right, Honolulu stretches west, and beyond it, Iroquois Point and the inlet to Pearl Harbor; and farther in the distance, the southwestern tip of Oahu.

    Honolulu to the west, as seen from the top of Diamond Head.

    Now we look down, and about 700 feet below us stands the Diamond Head Lighthouse.

    The original lighthouse was built in 1899, and the current structure, erected in 1917, stands 147 feet above sea level and uses the original 1899 fresnel lens to projects its light 18 miles out into the Pacific Ocean.

    Looking down at lighthouse from the top of Diamond Head.

    And then to the east, and beautiful Maunaloa Bay.

    Maunaloa Bay, from the top of Diamond Head. Sun reflecting on ocean water.

    To sum it up - 360° of Amazing.

    But there is a price to pay for this view: the hike takes some effort. Admittedly, Mr. B is in better shape than I am, but we were both huffing and puffing a couple of times during this "moderate" hike.

    The park service suggests visitors allow 1 ½ to 2 hours at a relaxed pace for the hike; however, the hike itself really only takes about an hour round trip, give or take - if you don't stop and take a lot of pictures.

    If you are young and very fit and want to run the trail, it might only take you 30 minutes, but that's just a guess. (I'll certainly never know!) It will take you longer if you aren't in the habit of exercising, or you bring small children.

    NO PETS: Do not bring your dog, or any other pet. They are not allowed in the park - not even the parking lot.

    How to Successfully Make it to the Top

    Start early

    The park is open from 6am to 6pm seven days a week. Thousands of people visit each day, so getting there early can help you avoid the crowds. But that's not the biggest reason.

    In my book, it's all about the Heat. You are walking up the side of a extinct volcano here folks! There is very little shade, and it gets hot early.

    Wear Solid, Closed-toed Shoes

    This is not a flip-flop hike. I'm not your mom, so I'm not going to tell you that you can't wear flip-flops on the hike. But I will tell you that if you do, you'll wish you had listened to me. And while we're on the subject, wear a hat, or something to keep the sun off your head. (I brought my sun-brella, and I'm 100% sure it saved me from heat stroke.)

    The first 0.2 miles of the 0.8 mile trail are all paved, but beyond that, the trail is rocky and uneven.

    There are steep stairs and narrow tunnels to navigate as well, and many sections of the trail are only wide enough for one person. Needless to say, leave the stroller in the car and Great-Grandma at the hotel with the air-conditioning on.

    Take Plenty of Water

    It was surprising to me how many people didn't have water with them. The reason I noticed is because they were suffering, many obviously in need of a drink.

    Once you leave the parking lot area there are no restrooms, water or other services available.

    According to the park service, when it's hot and humid, people who don't hydrate enough frequently need to be carried out, and because of the terrain that often means a helicopter rescue. And while a helicopter ride over Oahu sounds fabulous, I wouldn't want to take it while lying flat on the floor of an National Guard medical helicopter with an IV stuck in my arm because I forgot to bring a water bottle.

    Pro tip: If you have the means, freeze a bottle the night before so that it will stay cold.

    Don't hurry.

    Enjoy the experience. If you find that the pace you've set is a little too ambitious, slow down. This is an adventure, not a race.

    There are a couple of tunnels that you will need to go through; the longer is 225-feet long. I have a very mild case of claustrophobia, and this tunnel was a bit of a challenge for me. However, you never lose sight of light, and that helps a great deal.

    There is also a quite daunting 99-step staircase: I'm out of breath just remembering it.

    Collage: People climbing stairs and going through narrow tunnel.

    Take Pictures (and make sure you are in some of them!)

    I took a minute to grab a few shots of one of my favorite subjects, too.

    Mr B in sepia profile, giving off a 1950s film noir vibe, looking out at the ocean.

    Remember to have someone take your picture. (Yes, you can take a selfie, but...) There are plenty of friendly people in this world, and a lot of them will be right up there with you on the top of that volcano.

    My best advice: find a mom. Moms get left out of pictures a lot, so whenever I see a mom taking a picture of her family, I make a point of asking if I can take the picture so that she can be in it too. Nine times out of ten, she will flash me a Mom Club smile [First rule of Mom Club] and it makes my day.

    That's about it, so I'll end where I started: If you have the opportunity to climb Diamond Head, do it! You will sweat - and it is totally worth it!

    Sepia toned 3-panel collage of ocean views from top.

    Diamond Head isn't the only sweaty, difficult hike with an amazing payoff that we've tackled. Check out our tips for how to survive the Delicate Arch Trail (Arches National Park, Moab, Utah)!

    More Oahu Hawaii Tourism

    • Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay (Tips for Beginners)
    • Embracing Your Inner Tourist (Hawaiian Style)
    • Pearl Harbor Memorial, pt 2
    • Dole Plantation: The Whole Pineapple Experience (Oahu, Hawaii)

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    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won't cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

    More Pacific Region

    • Newport Seafood & Wine Festival: 11 Tips to Know Before Your Go
    • Camassia Nature Preserve: Wildflowers & Family-friendly Hiking
    • One Day in Ashland, Oregon
    • Applegate Valley Wine Trail (Southern Oregon)
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    About Renée B.

    Renée is writer, music maker, artist, and storyteller. In her spare time, you can find her writing love songs about cowboys, exploring the moss-covered nooks and crannies of the Pacific Northwest, and making music with her talented singer-husband.

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    1. Marlynn [UrbanBlissLife] says

      August 26, 2015 at 4:14 pm

      Gorgeous photos!! I love that hike, and this makes me want to go visit all over again. GREAT tips, too, Renee. That smile on your face says it all!

      Reply
    2. Kelley says

      August 26, 2015 at 12:39 pm

      Gorgeous! Hmm maybe next time I walk to the top of Mt. Tabor, I can close my eyes and try to imagine a calm blue sea in front of me.

      Reply
    3. Dawne says

      August 26, 2015 at 10:28 am

      I have done this hike before and you aren't kidding, it is no joke, especially the tunnel parts, but totally worth the sweat when you see that view and take some time to sit with it and contemplate whatever you feel like contemplating. Your pictures were gorgeous and reminded me of my time there.

      http://www.dawnehanks.com

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        August 26, 2015 at 11:04 am

        Thanks, Dawne! I had such a sense of accomplishment when we made it to the top! (Never mind those tan, long-legged twenty-somethings who were running the trail like it was a trip to the mailbox.)

        Reply
    4. Pech says

      August 26, 2015 at 8:25 am

      What a good tip to look out for moms on vacations being left out behind the camera from Vaca photos, I'll remember to keep am eye out! What a spectacular view you enjoyed and glad you toughed it out to the top!

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        August 26, 2015 at 11:07 am

        Thank you, Pech. You just gave me an idea for another post.

        Reply

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