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Kuli'ou'ou Ridge Trail

Honolulu, Hawaii

4.7/5
based on 3 reviews

Details

Distance

4.54 miles

Elevation Gain

1765 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Shauna Simons

The Kuli'ou'ou Ridge Trail is a diverse and beautiful 5-mile round-trip hike with great views of both Hawaii Kai and the Windward Coast from the summit.

The view from the Kuliouou summit is one of the most rewarding on the island and well worth your time. This diverse hike is somewhere between a beginner and intermediate level and takes 2-4 hours, depending on your pace. The trail is well maintained and very popular on the weekend. Start early to avoid the heat and the crowds.

The Kuliouou Ridge Trail starts at the end of Kalaau Place and proceeds through a series of switchbacks that zigzag up to the ridgeline, treating you to occasional ocean views along the way.

The final push to the summit involves hiking up a steep set of stairs. From the top of the ridge, look left to see the Mokulua Islands, straight ahead is Waimanalo, and to the right you'll find Rabbit Island and Koko Head Crater. As you head back down, you'll be met with a beautiful panorama of Hawaii Kai.

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Features

Photography
Hiking
Dog Friendly
Forest
Scenic

Kuli'ou'ou Ridge Trail Reviews

My brother and I decided to give this hike a shot and it was totally worth it! Near the beginning of the hike there’s a few different ways the trail could go that made it very confusing. After some trial and error we found the correct trail and from then on out, we had no problems. This trail was exhausting for both of us. It took us about 3.5 hours round trip and left us wanting nothing else but to jump into the ocean. However, the views and different terrain you hike through makes it a fun and interesting hike with beautiful views all along the way. The top of the trail has some of the most beautiful views of Oahu. I would not recommend for families with young children. This hike is for people who can handle a little bit of a challenge.

This was one of my favorite hikes we did in Hawaii. Thank you!

Intermediate Plus. In my opinion, a better description of this fun hike. Roughly 5 miles round trip (3 1/2 hours). Pregnant girlfriends like it going up, hate it just before the summit and love it all the way down. A very vertical hike that originates at the base of a neighborhood street. Although the trail is maintained by groups (obvious by the installed stairs, the lack of trash and attempts to keep encroaching growth at bay) it is best summed up as: lots of buried rocks, exposed tree roots and switchbacks. Each elevation change brings a different layer to the hike. Starting with a rocky trail covered by low shrubbery. Next level would be higher trees with massive tree roots covering the trail floor. Next level puts you strangely in the middle of a pine forest with a soft carpet like covering of needles everywhere. At one point a weird, small, desert-like section that I can only describe as similar to Moab, Utah. Finally the last quarter of the trip consists of in-earth dirt stairs through a rain forest backdrop that rewards you with a very worth while view of the southern side of the island at the top. It rained on us sporadically (February) so a light rain coat or something weatherproof is suggested (Your pictures at the top will look sweaty). We made it in tennis shoes but wished we had something better. Wildlife was pretty scarce but we did see a rat. So that happened. Take water. Take water. Take water...and maybe a little something to munch on at the top. Nice view at the top to watch the world roll by for an hour.

Really nice hike. Great views of town and the windward side.

Leave No Trace

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Nearby

Kuliʻouʻou Beach

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Koko Head Crater Trail

Snorkel at Hanauma Bay

Cliff Jump at China Walls

Koko Head Botanical Garden