How Much Os The Hike Up Diamond Head?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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How long is the hike 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?

Is the Diamond Head Trail worth it?

If you're a hard core hiker I would say no

. If you like a quiet trail with very few people, I would also say no. I'm not saying everyone won't enjoy the view at the top, but some might not find the battle to get there through the throngs of people worth it.

Is Diamond Head hike easy?

Discover this 1.8-mile out-and-back trail near Honolulu, Oahu.

Generally considered an easy route

, it takes an average of 55 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

How old is Diamond Head?

Diamond Head, like the rest of the Honolulu Volcanic Series, is much younger than the main mass of the Koʻolau Mountain Range. While the Koʻolau Range is about 2.6 million years old, Diamond Head is estimated to be about

400,000 to 500,000 years old

.

Can you drive up Diamond Head?

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.

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.

Is Diamond Head still active?

Diamond Head (see more photos, view panorama) is one of the most famous landmarks on Oahu and the entire state of Hawaii.

It has once been an active , but hasn't spewed any ashes for more than 150,000 years

. The extinct crater and lookout point at the peak of it is a popular hiking destination for many.

Can you Uber to Diamond Head?

Here's the main options on easily getting to the park and doing the Diamond Head hike.

Take an Uber – easy access on your phone app to book a trip to Diamond Head, it's hassle free to book directly with Uber

.

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

.

How many stairs are on the Diamond Head hike?

This is the first staircase you'll encounter:

74 steps

culminating in a tunnel. Everyone has to go through this tunnel to reach the summit. It's 225 feet long—it only appears as if it has no end because the final few yards are around a bend. As you can see, it's lighted.

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.

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.

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.

How many flights of stairs is Diamond Head?

Pay to park in the lot at the foot of the volcano. It's worth the $5. The trail is rocky and uneven, but isn't terribly steep.

How hard is Diamond Head hike?

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 old is Oahu?

The ages of the Hawaiian Islands correspond directly with their geographical positions. The main islands are positioned in order of age, from oldest to youngest, from northwest to southeast. Kauai is approximately 5.1 million years old, followed by Oahu at

2.2 to 3.4 million years old

.

Who lives inside Diamond Head?

It's estimated there are

between 30 and 35 people

living on the makai side of the Diamond Head State Monument. The tents are spread out. Social workers say most of the people have been there for years. In some cases more than a decade.

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.

What is inside Diamond Head?


Fort Ruger

, built inside the crater, housed cannon mortars with a range of eleven miles and a telescope station for target sightings. A series of tunnels provided access to the crater floor. Diamond Head became known as the “Gibraltar of the Pacific,” but none of the fortifications was ever put to use during WWI.

How do I get to Diamond Head hike?

The easiest way to get to Diamond Head is to

get on Monsarrat Avenue (the one-way street between the Honolulu Zoo and Kapiolani Park)

. Once you have the zoo on your left and the park on your right, go straight ahead and it will eventually go uphill and become Diamond Head road.

When was the last time Diamond Head erupted?

Diamond Head is monogenetic, which means eruption occurs only once. The last eruption of the volcanic tuff cone was likely

150,000 to 200,000 years ago

.

Why is Diamond Head famous?

The name of Diamond Head became famous in the 1820's when crews from British ships discovered calcite crystals on the crater.

Because they believed they were diamonds

, they named the famous volcano what it's currently known as.

Is there a volcano on Oahu?

Today,

there are no active volcanoes in Oahu

. Most of the action is over on the island of Hawaii.

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.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.