Waʻahila Ridge Trail — Attraction in Honolulu

Full hike to Mt. Olympus.

I arrived on a January Thursday morning at 7:40AM to an empty parking lot.

It had not rained for 2 days and temperatures were 69⁰ - 75⁰.

The hike up to the lower Wa'ahila Ridge is well maintained and mostly shaded.

A few up hills and down hills and climbing large rocks.

Using both hands will become necessary.

Then you reach a fork with a sign pointing left to Kolowalu Trail (This leads you down the mountain)

Take the one on the right to Mt. Olympus.

You are now on the 2nd half of the trail.

It is decently maintained and shaded half of the times.

This is where all the excitement is!

You will encounter a few narrow trail spots with cliffs on both sides.

A few steep inclines where you'll use both hands to climb. There are ropes attached that may be helpful (not needed on a dry day)

I could not fully avoid the few wet mud spots.

360⁰ views from the summit.

There are no large flat areas on the summit.

15 minutes later, the next hiking group made it up.

Going down, I encountered a couple dozen hikers.

At 12:15pm, the parking lot had filled up but still had several parking spaces.

As a 5'9 150lb fit male, It took 2 hrs 15 to get to the summit and another 2 hrs to get down.

I brought 2 L of water and finished 1L.

This hike is not too difficult as old and young hikers make it up to Mt. Olympus.

I don't recommend dogs or children doing the...

This hike starts off as an easy going friend for about 1.5 miles. You're chill and turn it into a trail run. As you climb down rock formations and hit some slippery spots, you see a few families with little ones turn back. As well they should..

You'll hit your first narrow spot with steep drop offs and start to get suspicious somewhere around the 1.75 mile mark.

You'll realize that narrow spot was the norm not the exception, and, if it's been rainy, you'll low crawl in the mud as 30 mph gusts try diligently to bring about your demise.

I turned around about .2 miles from the summit maybe not even that far. Feels a bit bad, but feeling bad is a perk of still being alive. A perk which, had I gone that last 1/4 mile without proper gear in the mud, I might not have.

The trail could seriously use more ropes. That's the reason it got 4/5. It's legitimately too dangerous to not have ropes up there.

I turned around and hiked down the mountain and an additional 5.5 miles to the beach to sooth my...

Nestled in the ridges between Palolo and Mānoa but conveniently located a fifteen minute drive from Waikiki, this park/hike is one of my favorites. Granted, I live a five minute walk from it, so I go whenever I get the chance. I love the peaceful yet close repose from urban life, the trees, bird sightings & songs, views, fresh air. If you choose to do the entire trek (4-6 hour round trip to Mount Olympus and back depending on your hustle) you'll find native forests and breathtaking, panoramic views of Honolulu to the Ko'olau up top. You can also hike down a trail by taking a left somewhere and find yourself in Mānoa valley. Heads up, it does get muddy after a rain spell.

P.S. there are clean bathrooms, 3 pavilions, and a few picnic tables around the park for just hanging out, too. Great place to set up hammock...