Diamond Head Trail
While my lovely sister and brother-in-law were here, we took the opportunity to go to Diamond Head!
Diamond Head is one of the most popular hikes in Oahu, and for good reason! The beautiful views were once used as a lookout for the military. The trail circles around a 300,000 year-old crater.
I wish I had taken more pictures, but unfortunately I didn't! I will have to ask my sister if she took any, especially as she is the real photographer!
Folks can park at the bottom of the hill, before reaching the tunnel, and walk up. The fee for individuals walking up is $1 each, and to park in the lot closer to Diamond Head the fee is $5 per car (though sometimes you will have to wait for a parking space to open up). To us, it was worth it to pay the car fee and park in the closest lot, as walking up from the outside of the tunnel seemed pretty long and we were worried that we'd run out of energy before finishing the hike!
After parking, the sidewalk takes you up to a concession stand, a souvenir gift store run by the state parks, a few information boards, and a bathroom with a small water fountain outside. Of course, this is the time to fill up your water bottles or camelbaks!
I wish we had got started earlier in the day, because it was pretty hot when we finally got to hiking. The hike was not long, but some parts were steep and the heat made us tire quickly. After going up a paved path, then many dirt switchbacks.
Finally, we passed through a dark tunnel, and on the other side, we came out to a short landing. On one side, there was a staircase leading all the way up, and after walking a short path the other direction, we found a different path that nearly had just as many stairs, but with small breaks in between. I felt a lot better taking that path, while Jared went up the path with the stairs all in one go.
The way down was pretty easy for us, especially since dark rain clouds started rolling in to provide some coverage from the sun. Coulda been a lot worse!
On the way down, we spotted this little guy near the parking lot! He was digging holes and running around in the bushes.
We really wanted to grab some shave ice when we got to the bottom, but unfortunately we didn't have any cash! So, make sure you bring some money with you if you go so you can treat yo'self at the end of the hike!
Diamond Head is one of the most popular hikes in Oahu, and for good reason! The beautiful views were once used as a lookout for the military. The trail circles around a 300,000 year-old crater.
I wish I had taken more pictures, but unfortunately I didn't! I will have to ask my sister if she took any, especially as she is the real photographer!
Folks can park at the bottom of the hill, before reaching the tunnel, and walk up. The fee for individuals walking up is $1 each, and to park in the lot closer to Diamond Head the fee is $5 per car (though sometimes you will have to wait for a parking space to open up). To us, it was worth it to pay the car fee and park in the closest lot, as walking up from the outside of the tunnel seemed pretty long and we were worried that we'd run out of energy before finishing the hike!
After parking, the sidewalk takes you up to a concession stand, a souvenir gift store run by the state parks, a few information boards, and a bathroom with a small water fountain outside. Of course, this is the time to fill up your water bottles or camelbaks!
I wish we had got started earlier in the day, because it was pretty hot when we finally got to hiking. The hike was not long, but some parts were steep and the heat made us tire quickly. After going up a paved path, then many dirt switchbacks.
Finally, we passed through a dark tunnel, and on the other side, we came out to a short landing. On one side, there was a staircase leading all the way up, and after walking a short path the other direction, we found a different path that nearly had just as many stairs, but with small breaks in between. I felt a lot better taking that path, while Jared went up the path with the stairs all in one go.
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| Here is a panoramic photo from one of the landings from the path I took! |
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| A view from the path I took |
The way down was pretty easy for us, especially since dark rain clouds started rolling in to provide some coverage from the sun. Coulda been a lot worse!
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| Mongoose! |
We really wanted to grab some shave ice when we got to the bottom, but unfortunately we didn't have any cash! So, make sure you bring some money with you if you go so you can treat yo'self at the end of the hike!
Best wishes,
Kit & Kaboodle
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