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The diamond head hike in Hawaii, also known as Le’ahi summit trail, is an easy yet iconic trail that is a must-see for anyone visiting the island of Oahu.
Location: Diamond Head State Monument
Trailhead: Diamond Head Crater Trailhead
Distance: 1.6 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 560 ft.
Popularity: Extreme
Hours: Open from 6 AM to 6 PM. Hikers cannot start the trail any later than 4:30 PM.
When to go: Best either in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid harsh sun
Toilets: Restrooms are available at the trailhead only
Parking: $10 per car
Dogs: Not allowed
Cost: Reservations are needed for out of state visitors which cost $5/per person. Those with a Hawaii ID do not need a reservation and will not be charged.
Diamond Head crater was formed 300,000 years ago during a volcanic eruption. However, it wasn’t until 1908 that a trail through the crater was built as part of the state’s costal defense system.
Today you will still see bunkers on the trail as well as a fire control station at the summit of the diamond head hike.
If you are visiting from out of state and/or you do not have a Hawaii ID, you will need a reservation to enter Diamond Head State Monument. Reservations can be made here up to 30 days in advance.
The park opens at 6 a.m. with the first reservation block being 6 a.m. – 8 a.m. Reservations can be booked in 2 hour windows with the last reservation block being 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. (you must enter the park no later than 4:30 p.m.)
*Note that you do not need to finish your hike in the reserved 2 hour window, you just need to enter the park during that time frame.
Park entrance & visitor center
For the most part, reservations are not hard to obtain and rarely sell out. However, you will notice that morning reservations tend to get booked first, so if you plan to hike in the morning, book a reservation a few days prior to your trip.
Note: If you are a local resident and plan to bring in out of state guests, they will still need to have a reservation.
Reservation: $5/per person
Parking : $10/per car
Online Service Fee: $1.50 / per order
trailhead
The diamond head hike starts on the crater’s floor just behind the visitor’s center. There is a large concrete walkway heading upward that you will follow for approximately 0.25 miles.
Passing showers in Hawaii are very common
The trail then transitions into a natural rock surface with switchbacks up the crater’s interior.
If it has rained recently the vegetation throughout the crater will be luscious and green. Otherwise, it will be arid and brown.
1st staircase
After approximately 0.5 miles, you will reach a short 76 step stair case leading you up to a tunnel. This tunnel is a good place to take a break from the sun.
Tunnel through the rock
Once you are out of the tunnel you will have the option to either turn right up a large staircase (99 steps) for the most direct route to the summit or to turn left to enjoy shorter stair cases and paved paths up to the summit.
Second staircase
These paths both connect in a loop to the the summit, so you can always go up one way and down the other to see everything! I personally prefer to go up the large stair case (turning right after the tunnel, counter clockwise) and down the less steep way, which has more views to enjoy.
Looking out over diamond head beach
Once you reach the summit, there will be multiple view points and landings to explore.
Looking out towards Kahala & Hawaii Kai
Be sure to check them all out as they each provide a slightly different view/vantage point of the island.
The iconic view looking out to Honolulu
To finish the hike, either go back the way you came up, or take the alternate trail down to the tunnel, forming a loop.
*Note: To get to the large stair case portion of the loop, you will enter and exit through a bunker.
The diamond head hike in Hawaii is one of the easiest hikes on Oahu. Although there is some elevation and stairs, the trail is very well maintained and has railings to help you almost the entire way up.
The diamond head hike in Hawaii is most crowded in the morning with tourists trying to catch the sunrise. As a local, I personally prefer to do this hike in the late afternoon when the crowds have dwindled and the sun turns the surrounding water beautiful shades of turquoise.
(Note: the photos seen in this blogpost were taken after 2 p.m.)
The diamond head hike in Hawaii is family friendly with very gradual inclines and well maintained pathways. Just be sure to watch little ones at the summit.
You will see many people on this trail in Teva sandals and flip flops. However, I prefer to wear running shoes for the comfort and grip they provide. I do not wear my hiking boots on this trail as it is not very difficult or technical.
Unless you are a local resident with a Hawaii ID, you will need a reservation to do this hike. There are attendants at the entrance to the park who will be checking reservations/IDs.
Yes, parking is $10/per car if you are visiting and free to local residents with a state ID. However, the parking lot will occasionally fill up during peak times and you will have to wait for a stall to open.
(Note: you will see people parking outside the park and walking in to avoid the $10 parking fee. Unless you are doing this for exercise, I personally would not recommend parking outside Diamond Head as it will likely add almost an hour to your total trip time.)
Post photos were taken in collaboration with Zelda Cole.
Is the Diamond Head Hike in Hawaii on your itinerary? I’d love to know in the comments below!
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