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How Hard Is The Diamond Head Hike?

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Last updated on 6 min read

If you’re wondering about the Diamond Head hike difficulty, it’s not long but it’s steep! The trail is under a mile in length but is strenuous for many due to the steep gradient . You’ll hike to a height of 560 ft to reach the summit.

How long does it take to walk up Diamond Head?

Trail Length 1.6 miles (round trip) Time 2 hours Activity Pedestrian Difficulty Moderate Terrain Hot, Dry, Slopes

Is Hiking Diamond Head worth it?

Diamond Head is one of the best hikes on Honolulu, with one of the most stunning views of Waikiki that you can find. (Unless you’re in a helicopter, probs.) The hike may be long, and it may be sweaty, but it’s also 100% worth it . It’s also a great activity if you’re visiting Honolulu on a budget.

What is the hardest hike on Oahu?

If you’re looking for a hard hike on Oahu, look no further than Koko Crater Trail . This steep climb consists of 1,000+ steps along an abandoned railroad track that runs to the top of Koko Crater. It’s a challenging hike that will challenge not only your leg strength but your will as well.

Can you walk into Diamond Head crater?

Diamond Head Logistics

Many choose to walk the hour or so from Waikiki or use Uber/Lyft , though we drove. All methods of entry take you through the Kahala Tunnel that goes through the eastern wall of the crater. The entrance fee is $5 per car or $1 per individual walk-in — all paid in cash.

How many steps is Diamond Head hike?

Diamond Head Crater measures 3,520 feet (1,073 m) across and 760 feet (232 m) in height. A hiking trail leads from the crater up to a lookout point. But be prepared to climb some stairs. In fact, there are two stairs, one has 99 steps and a second one has 76 steps .

What is the best time to hike Diamond Head?

Arrive very early, or much later in the day.

The gates at Diamond Head are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the cutoff time for starting the hike is 4:00 p.m. If you plan to drive yourself, you’ll want to arrive early, preferably before 8 a.m. before parking fills up, and before the heat of the day sets in .

Is Diamond Head hike kid friendly?

Is Diamond Head a Suitable Hike For Kids? The hike isn’t too challenging for kids but you will want to keep a close eye on them once you get to the top. The trail is 1.6 miles round trip from the parking lot to the view-point with an elevation gain of 560 feet.

Can you walk to Diamond Head from Waikiki?

Walking from Waikiki to Diamond head is actually very doable as it’s just about a 5 km walk (3 miles) . Taking it at a slow pace you should be able to cover it in under four hours. The Diamond Head hike difficulty level is likewise fairly moderate, and can be attempted by anyone in average physical condition.

Is it cold at the top of Diamond Head?

It gets hot , so go as early as possible.

Diamond Head opens at 6:00 am, and you want to get there as early as possible for a few reasons.

Does Diamond Head cost money?

How much does it cost to hike Diamond Head? Entry to the visitor parking lot is $5 per car and pedestrians can enter for just $1 per person . If this is your first visit to Diamond Head, the self-guided audio tour is worth the $4 investment.

What is the easiest hike in Oahu?

  • WAIMEA VALLEY TRAIL. Roundtrip: 2.4 km / 1.5 mi. Elevation: 240 ft. ...
  • DIAMOND HEAD SUMMIT TRAIL. Roundtrip: 2.5 km / 1.6 mi. Elevation: 560 ft. ...
  • MANOA FALLS TRAIL. Roundtrip: 2.5 km / 1.6 mi. Elevation: 800 ft. ...
  • MAKAPUU POINT LIGHTHOUSE TRAIL. Roundtrip: 3.2 km / 2 mi. ...
  • KULIOUOU RIDGE TRAIL. Roundtrip: 8 km / 5 mi.

What’s the hardest hike in Hawaii?

The Kalalau Trail in the Kalalau Valley is one of the most strenuous hiking trails on the island of Kauai in Hawaii.

Can you still hike Stairway to Heaven?

The site has been illegal to visit since 1987 — but that hasn’t stopped people. Hawaii’s famous Haiku Stairs, known as the “Stairway to Heaven,” will be removed due to illegal trespassing and injuries at the site that have led to hefty costs.

How much does it cost to hike Diamond Head?

Hours OPEN DAILY 6:00 am to 4:00 pm Gates Close = 6:00 pm CLOSED: Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years Entrance Fee *CREDIT CARD ONLY* Hawaii Residents = Free w/Hawaii ID or DL Non-Hawaii Residents = $5.00 Children 3 and under = Free

Can you drive up Diamond Head Hawaii?

Although you can’t make the drive to the top of Diamond Head, you can drive around it . A typical hike up to the top is only about 45 minutes, offering unparalleled views of Honolulu and the Pacific Ocean.

Where does Diamond Head hike start?

The trailhead begins within the Diamond Head State Monument , and an entry fee of $5 per vehicle or $1 per walk-in visitor is charged.

Are there any active volcanoes on Oahu?

Today, there are no active volcanoes in Oahu . Most of the action is over on the island of Hawaii.

Do you need a reservation for Diamond Head?

You need reservations for these tours which can be made at this Website or call: 1-866-332-1491 . How much does it cost to Hike Diamond Head? If you drive into the park, the fee is $5.00 per carload of people. If you walk in to the park, the cost is only $1.00 per person.

Are there houses inside Diamond Head crater?

The interior and adjacent exterior areas were the home to Fort Ruger , the first United States military reservation on Hawaii. Only Battery 407, a National Guard emergency operations center, and Birkhimer Tunnel, the Hawaii State Civil Defense Headquarters (HI-EMA), remain in use in the crater.

Can you hike Diamond Head at night?

Having never done a night hike, well intentionally, we decided that this month’s full moon or blue moon was too good to pass up a chance to hike the entire crater rim of Diamond Head at night . I met up with Chris, Chance “Shoeless”, Kaimi and Sina at 9:30pm.

Will Diamond Head erupt again?

The vents are now extinct and Diamond Head has been dormant for about 150,000 years. Diamond Head is believed to be monogenetic, meaning the eruption only occurs once. Therefore, geologists believe that Diamond Head will never erupt again .

Can a 4 year old hike Diamond Head?

There is no shade for most of the hike and the hot sun can make for a cranky 4-year-old . There are 3 good spots along the way to pull of the trail and rest. My kids started hiking Diamond Head when they turned 5 and had no problems.

Edited and fact-checked by the FixAnswer editorial team.
Timothy Chehowski

Timothy is a travel writer sharing destination guides, travel tips, and cultural insights to help readers explore the world.