Hiking the Diamond Head Crater Trail at Honolulu in Hawaii

Diamond Head Crater at Honolulu in Hawaii

Diamond Head Hike is without doubt one of Honolulu’s most popular attractions. As the aircraft circled Honolulu, I caught my first glimpse of the iconic volcanic crater.

It’s an impressive landmark that dominates Waikiki’s coastline.

When we arrived at OahuWe were met with a tropical storm that was very strong and rained a lot. The storm lasted four days, which was the same amount of travel time we had planned. Waikiki Beach is a great place to stayBefore moving to Ko Olina Beach.

The torrential rainfall would come and then go, giving us only a few minutes to explore Waikiki Beach.

Diamond Head could be seen in the distance every time we walked down Kalakaua Street. It was calling me. As the rain continued to fall, I felt that my goal to hike to the Diamond Head Summit on this trip to Oahu was not going to happen. 

As luck (or fate?) Our flight home was cancelled. The story continues Here’s how to get in touch with us.

We decided to stay an extra night at Waikiki Beach. The new flight was at 4:30 PM local time. I could now do the Diamond Head hike. 

This post is about my experience hiking on the Diamond Head Crater Trail. 

Before we begin, I would like to point out that Braydon and myself (Cameron), were the only ones who did the hike. Nicole and Connor chose to spend the morning lazing by the hotel pool. 

Diamond Head State Monument is one of Hawaii’s most famous landmarks.

It’s said to have been formed more than 100,000 years ago. In the early 1900’s it was actually used as a military lookout, given Hawaii’Its strategic location on the Pacific Ocean. In 1968, it received a National Natural Landmark.

Discover the fascinating story of Diamond Head State Monument Here’s how to get in touch with us.

The morning hike did start poorly

I booked an Uber before I left the hotel room Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort. The driver will meet at the street corner, in front of the Kalakaua Avenue hotel.

I immediately noticed that the street was closed as soon we walked out. This normally busy road is empty. There are many pedestrians on the sidewalks.

“What’s going on here?” I ask myself.

I see a bib on the chest of a cyclist who is walking past me. Then I notice another. Then I see another. I see people wearing medals on their necks. 

Then I realize what’s happening.

We are trying our best to catch an Uber at Kalakaua Ave, during the Honolulu Marathon. Good luck!

The Uber driver attempts to navigate the one way streets of Waikiki Beach, but it’s not happening this morning. He cancels his trip. 

We walk a few streets away from the closed roads and try again. This time, we make it to the Diamond Head Visitor Center.

The trip is cut short due to the marathon blocking the road at the park’s entrance. 

The Uber driver tells us we are only a mile away from the Diamond Head State Monument. We had no other option but to get out of the vehicle and walk.

We’re here to hike, so an extra mile of walking is not a big deal.

Diamond Head Tunnel is reached after a steep climb.

It’s a single lane road with a pedestrian walkway. The tunnel runs through the thick volcanic rocks that surround Diamond Head Crater. 

It may have looked like a normal tunnel, but we stopped to appreciate the fact we were walking through a volcanic wall. What a cool thing!

Our walk continues until the crater shown above.

We pay for the park entrance at the ticket booth, and grab a water bottle before we start the hike.

The first part is paved in stone. It’s an easy slope that cuts through the forest. 

Related – What it was really like to travel to Oahu in the middle of the pandemic

Views from the half way point of Diamond Head Summit.

If you look closely, you’ll see a few people in the center of the photo. The tiny figures help you get a sense of the scale. 

This looks like a typical mountain trek in a dry climate at first glance. But then you realize you’re actually hiking inside an old volcanic crater. It’s a unique hiking experience.

Diamond Head has several lookout points along the trail.

Don’t be surprised if you have to wait your turn to capture a photo. It’s a popular hike and everyone wants a photo to remember the moment. 

Honolulu has a lot of people!

You can see mountains in the distance being consumed by urban sprawl. 

View the cone-shaped impact crater.

The views from this vantage are breathtaking. 

The steep stairs of the Diamond Head hike will definitely put a strain on your legs.

If you don’t like heights, like me, just keep looking up. The stairs are quite high and can be dizzying if you’re prone to vertigo.

Depending on the amount of foot traffic, you may need to wait.  

Before you reach the summit, you must first pass through a long tunnel that’s carved into the volcano.

Take your time. As you can tell from the photo above, it was completely empty when we were ascending.

On the way down, there were many people in this narrow long tunnel. 

More stairs! This section is steep. 

The final set is a winding spiral staircase.

You are now inside an old military bunker. Diamond Head was purchased by the United States government in 1904 and used for military purposes. They built several tunnels, bunkers, and observation lookouts like the one below.

Learn about Diamond Head’s military history Here’s how to get in touch with us.

Views of Oahu’s beautiful south shore from inside an abandoned military bunker. 

The photo above shows the Diamond Head bunker from the outside. 

Summit of Diamond Head Crater

Diamond Head Summit offers breathtaking views and is well worth the effort of hiking the popular Diamond Head Trail.

The deck above allows you to see the Honolulu coastline and skyline.

It’s not a very big platform so it can get quite busy during peak times. You’ll may have to wait your turn to get that Instagram-worthy shot of the Honolulu skyline. 

Can you see the small Rainbow above the abandoned bunker?

It may appear that there is a track leading to an old bunker. However, this area has been closed to the public and is not accessible.

A park ranger is stationed at the summit to monitor hikers. He makes sure they stay on the right paths.

You must be careful because there are steep cliffs in this area. 

Enjoy the stunning views from Waikiki Beach to Honolulu.

We did it! Braydon is proud of himself after reaching the Diamond Head Summit.

It’s not a very strenuous hike, so it’s doable for kids. He’s 10 years old at the time. 

“Wouldn’t it be cool to see a whale from up here?”

A humpback broke the surface of the water about 200 feet away from shore, just 3 seconds after Braydon’s comment. Amazing timing!

The whale appeared to float in slow-motion as it flipped mid-air, flashed his white belly and splashed into the ocean. 

“I totally called that!”Braydon screamed in surprise.

He did! What are the chances of that happening? We focused on the spot where it breached, but it didn’t surface again. 

Descending Diamond Head Summit.

You will make a small loop when you descend.

Given that it’s a heavily trafficked trail, most of the steep sections have stairs, making it easy to navigate. 

The trail zigzags up and down the side of crater. You can see a few hikers on the photo above. 

Is the Diamond Head Hike Worth it?

Yes. I would say the Diamond Head hike was worth it.

It’s one of the top tourist attractions in Honolulu for a reason. The views are breathtaking. 

However, if you’re looking for a more a challenging hike, there are better options. This is not an easy nature hike with lush vegetation and waterfalls. It’s very popular and heavily trafficked, so you will not feel alone in nature on this hike.

How difficult is Diamond Head?

It’s difficult to answer this question because “hard”It is subjective. It depends on how fit you are.

I would say that it’s It is not clear how to get there. a difficult hike. Braydon who was 10 at the time had no issues and found it easy.

It’s a well marked trail, so you don’t need to worry about getting lost or taking a wrong turn.

The trail is paved in some sections, but there are also loose rock and uneven sections.

The upper part of the trail has a lot steep stairs. So, if you’ve got bad knees or injuries, you may want to skip this one. 

How long does it take to hike up Diamond Head Summit?

The hike time for Diamond Head depends on your fitness level. The hike takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hour round-trip including breaks and 10 minute at the summit.

It’s an out-and-back trail, so once you get to the top, you retrace your steps back to the parking lot. 

The total distance is 2.9 km (or 1.7 mi). Elevation gain of 560 feet.

View the Diamond Head trail maps Here’s how to get in touch with us.

How much is it to hike Diamond Head Trail?

Non-residents are charged $5 for entry to the park. Hawaii residents pay nothing. 

You must pay your entrance fee at the ticket booth. Only credit card accepted

Cash is not acceptable. There is nobody there to sell you tickets – it’s a machine. 

Diamond Head Summit Trail – More Info Here’s how to get in touch with us.

Can you walk from Diamond Head Trailhead?

I thought about walking from our hotel entrance to Diamond Head. We stayed in the Hotel Hawaii during our time there. Alohilani Resort and Marriott Waikiki Resort, they are both located on Waikiki Beach. 

Google maps shows the walk is approx. 45 minutes from these hotels to the park entrance.

So, if you’ve got the timeThe following are some examples of how to get started: energy, it is doable to walk to Diamond Head State Monument from Waikiki Beach. It would probably take you 3-4 total hours.

Can you drive all the way to Diamond Head Summit? 

No. You will have to hike to the summit of Diamond Head. There are no roads leading to the summit.

Is parking available at Diamond Head Trail?

Parking at Diamond Head State Monument has a limited number of spaces. Parking at Diamond Head State Monument is limited. 

You may have a difficult time finding a parking space depending on when you arrive. To avoid a stressful situation, consider taking a taxi or ride-share like Uber (that’s what we did).

Waikiki Trolley is also available. This hop-on/hop-off tour stops at Diamond Head. If you choose this option you will need to plan your trip according to the schedule.

When is the best season to hike Diamond Head Crater?

Diamond Head hikes are a subject of much debate. Some people feel that sunrise is best, while others suggest that it’s too busy in the morning because everybody wants to catch the sunrise. 

We went on the hike at 10 AM on a Sunday. It wasn’t too busy, or too hot. 

The park is opened daily from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm. The gates closes by 6:00 PM. 

The Honolulu Pineapple Co. is a popular vendor that sells fresh pineapple juice and smoothies. It’s located directly beside the Diamond Head Visitor Center.

You can buy bottled drinking water here if you forgot your own water bottle. 

Read more blog entries from Hawaii:

Have you ever visited Oahu Island? Did you do the Diamond Head Hike on Oahu? 

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