Hiking the Diamond Head Trail (Lēʻahi) in Waikīkī on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Distance (Roundtrip): 1.8 miles / 2.9 km
Elevation Gain: ~500 ft. / 152 m
The Diamond Head Trail in Waikīkī on Oʻahu is a beautiful, well-maintained, and relatively easy day hike that climbs to the summit of an ancient volcanic crater, known as Lēʻahi, where hikers can enjoy stunning views Honolulu and much of the island’s South Shore!
That said, this all goes without saying that the Diamond Head Trail is Hawaiʻi’s most popular day hike, due largely to its close proximity to Waikīkī. From the moment the gate opens in the morning until it closes in the evening, the trail is typically very busy, with most visitors arriving between 8:00 and 11:00 a.m.
For this reason, I highly recommend arriving when the gates open at 6:00 a.m. if you prefer a less crowded experience, which is especially true during the winter months (September - March), as sunrise can be enjoyed from the summit of Diamond Head at this time of year!
Diamond Head Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Diamond Head Crater Trail is located in a large lot within the Diamond Head Crater.
However, before arriving, be aware that advance parking reservations are required for out-of-state visitors.
Google Maps Directions: Diamond Head Crater Trailhead
Who Needs a Diamond Head Parking Reservation?
Hawaiʻi Residents - This is your home, and generally speaking, there should always be a parking spot open for you! Simply show your Hawaiʻi State ID to the folks working as you drive in, and you are free to park and enjoy everything within the crater without an advanced reservation.
Visitors/ Non-Hawaiʻi Residents - All non-residents wishing to park within the Diamond Head Crater must have an advanced reservation. In summary, advanced parking reservations can be extremely competitive and hard to come by. However, taking the Waikīkī shuttle linked below and showing up as a walk-in is one of the best ways to hike Diamond Head without having to worry about an advanced reservation.
Note that visitors accompanying State of Hawaiʻi residents are not exempt from the entry fees.
Book Here: Diamond Head Parking Reservations
What Do I do if I Have Questions About Diamond Head?
If you have any questions about Diamond Head, the trail, advance parking reservations, or anything else, please contact the Hawaiʻi Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR) phone number listed below.
Hawaiʻi DLNR: (808) 587-0300
Waikīkī - Diamond Head Shuttle
If you don’t want to deal with the competitive advanced parking reservation system within the crater, I recommend considering one of the options listed below.
First, I highly recommend the Diamond Head Crater tour as a hassle-free choice that provides roundtrip transportation to and from your hotel in Waikīkī.
Additionally, the second option to visit both the Makapuʻu Lighthouse and Diamond Head Trail under one reservation is easily the best value for your money!
All this to say, one of my favorite things about booking through Viator is the reserve-now-and-pay-later option. As long as you’re booking more than three days in advance, you have the option to book ahead and cancel in the future if you change your mind.
Walking into Diamond Head
Distance to Entrance Booth: 0.6 miles / 1.0 km
Since parking reservations are so hard to come by, taking the shuttle/ walking in is a popular choice among visitors, and it’s highly encouraged by the Hawaiʻi Division of State Parks to reduce traffic.
From the bus stop on Diamond Head Road, simply walk on the paths that parallel the road into the crater.
Google Maps Directions: Diamond Head (Lēʻahi) Bus Stop
When you get to the tunnel, stay on the left-hand side as you walk through.
Is there a Fee to Hike Diamond Head?
Yes! There is a small entrance fee for non-residents, which varies depending on age and/ or the type of vehicle that you are arriving in.
Hawaiʻi DLNR: Diamond Head Entrance Fees
My Hawaiʻi Hiking Checklist
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Diamond Head Trail
The Diamond Head Crater Trail, also called Lēʻahi Trail, is fairly straightforward day hike, as there’s only one split toward the end of the hike where visitors have the option of taking one of two different routes up to the summit.
As the trail moves higher, the smooth concrete will eventually transition into a more uneven hiking surface.
Diamond Head Switchbacks
Before the infamous Diamond Head tunnel, the trail climbs a series of switchbacks as you make your way to the top.
This is the view out toward Pālolo Valley and the popular Kaʻau Crater hike high up in the mountain range.
Diamond Head Tunnel
The tunnel to the top of Diamond Head is a narrow dark tunnel that can get congested when the trail is at its busiest.
Please be patient, as the only way to the summit is through the tunnel.
Diamond Head Loop Trail
On the far side of the tunnel, the trail to the summit splits. Either route will take you to the top, but the route to the left is recommended because it’s not as physically demanding.
Both routes are shown below.
Diamond Head Trail (Left Route)
The trail on the left has less shade compared to the trail on the right, but the elevation gain is more gradual, making it somewhat easier.
Go right up the stairs to reach the summit.
Diamond Head (Lēʻahi) Summit
The summit of Diamond Head is 762 ft. (232 m).
From the summit, you can see Waikīkī, Mānoa and Pālolo Valley, and as far as the Waiʻanae Mountains to the west.
Diamond Head Trail (Right Route)
The trail to the right is more strenuous than the route shown above because most of the elevation gain is all at once.
However, this route tends to be less trafficked because of this.
Eventually, the trail climbs up an old spiral staircase before making its way into an old WWII era bunker just below the summit.
In order to reach the summit from this route, you need to crawl out of the bunker. The taller you are, the lower you need to get.
This is where the right side meets back up with the left side to reach the summit.
Are There Restrooms at Diamond Head?
Yes! Near the Diamond Head Visitor Center there are bathrooms.
These are the only restrooms available within the crater.
Diamond Head Guided Tour
The opportunity to learn about the area on e-bikes and hike the crater with a local guide is one of the best ways to experience the trail!
Book below to secure your spot on this popular tour!
Native Plants in the Diamond Head Crater
The folks that work within the crater do a great job at planting and restoring native habitat for Hawaiian plants within and around Lēʻahi.
On your visit, you can find out-planted species like ʻĀkia, Wiliwili, and Kuluʻī. However, you can also also find species like ʻUhaloa, Maʻo / Hoary Abutilon, and ʻIlima growing natively on their own along the trail.
If you would like to learn more about these and many other native Hawaiian plants from across the islands, I encourage you to check out my separate post linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
Diamond Head Narrated Tour
This is the same audio tour that’s available for purchase at the Diamond Head Visitor Center.
If you would like to learn about the crater as you hike, you can skip the line and purchase the narrated audio tour in advance. The tour is available in a variety of different languages.
More Oʻahu Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing Oʻahu adventures, check out my separate posts below!
Best Hotels & Restaurants in Waikīkī
If you’re trying to decided where to stay on Oʻahu, check out my top 10 list for the best resorts and restaurants in Waikīkī.
I break down what makes one hotel a better choice over another, so that you can find the best fit for your stay on the island.
Read My Separate Post: Best Waikīkī Hotels & Restaurants
Waikīkī
HNL Airport-Hotel Shuttle
Prices on ride-share apps like Uber/ Lyft cannot beat the price of booking your hotel shuttle prior to arrival. I say this because there are additional fees for ride-share airport pick-ups at Honolulu Airport (HNL), which is why I recommend booking your transportation in advance using the options below.
Additionally, the last option below will go as far as the Ko ʻOlina Resorts on the West Side and Turtle Bay on Oʻahu’s North Shore!
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Oʻahu
Visiting Other Islands
If you are visiting Oʻahu or heading to another island, check out some of my personal recommendations for Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) in these separate posts.
If you’re trying to decide which island is right for your visit, check out my overview about each island in the post below.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit?
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
The weather in Hawaiʻi can often appear to be warm and beautiful throughout the year, but in my experience, there is a lot more to consider when planning what time of year to visit the islands, such as what island you are considering, what sides of each island do you plan to stay, what activities are you most interested in, the wildlife, and countless other nuanced variables that can all impact the type of trip you can expect to have.
For these reasons, I highly recommend reading through my separate article to not only understand my thoughts regarding the best time of year to come to Hawaiʻi but also what you need to consider based on the time of year that you plan to visit.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
10 Best Tours & Excursions on Oʻahu
There are a lot of different tour options to choose from on Oʻahu, but to make it easier to decide, I made a list of my favorite tours because some things simply are better with a local guide!
Read My Separate Post: Best Tours on Oʻahu
Oʻahu
Safety
All hikes in Hawaiʻi should not be compared to trails outside of the islands, and hikers should exercise due caution on every adventure, given that many are extremely dangerous.
By this, I mean that Hawaiʻi is known for hot, humid weather, steep, dramatic, and unstable cliffs, and flash floods, which can occur without warning. Therefore, it is important that you check the local forecast, understand the physical condition of your entire group, and pack sufficient food and water before attempting any adventure.
Disclaimer
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Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
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