Olomana Trail
Maunawili, Hawaii
Details
Distance
4.65 miles
Elevation Gain
1650.26 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Hillary + Matt
Complete guide to Oahu's notorious Olomana Trail (Three Peaks). 6 deaths since 2011. Know the risks, parking, difficulty & why to turn around at Peak 1.
Trail Overview
Distance: 3.8 miles round trip to Peak 1 | 4.7 miles for all three peaks Elevation Gain: 1,550 feet to Peak 1 Difficulty: Peak 1: Strenuous/Extremely Difficult | Peaks 2-3: Technical Class 4-5 Climbing Time: 1.5-2 hours to Peak 1 | 3-6 hours for all peaks Dogs: Not allowed Fees: Free Trailhead: Loop Road, Royal Hawaiian Golf Club, Kailua
CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING
Six hikers have died on this trail since 2011. A sign at the trailhead lists each fatality by date and location. All deaths occurred after Peak 1, with most between peaks 2 and 3. Honolulu EMS Director Jim Ireland compares this to "a double black diamond ski slope" and warns: "There are no second chances on Olomana. Some spots are only as wide as your foot."
DO NOT hike if:
- Raining or rained in past 24 hours (muddy conditions = deadly)
- You lack technical scrambling experience
- You have fear of heights or exposed ridges
- You're a first-time Oahu visitor without local trail experience
- Weather looks questionable (afternoon storms move in fast)
Recent erosion has made this trail worse. Ridgelines are thinner, more exposed. Hawaiian volcanic rock is waterlogged and crumbly—rocks break loose easily. Unmaintained ropes (placed by hikers, not officials) could be years old, tied to loose roots, or internally frayed. Never trust ropes without testing. Multiple hikers report ropes breaking.
Strong Recommendation: Turn Around at Peak 1
Peak 1 offers the best views—360-degree panoramas of Kailua, Waimanalo, Kaneohe Bay, and Ko'olau Mountain Range. You see peaks 2 and 3 in the foreground. Peak 1 is the highest of the three, making peaks 2-3 purely adrenaline, not better views. Continuing to peaks 2-3 should only be attempted by advanced climbers with technical experience. If questioning your skills, the answer is no.
Parking & Access
NO designated parking lot. Parking tickets issued frequently.
Where to Park:
- Auloa Road near Loop Road intersection, off Pali Highway
- Do NOT park on asphalt sidewalk—even one tire touching = ticket
- Arrive early (6:00 AM) for limited spots
Walk 0.75-0.8 miles (15-20 min) on paved Loop Road to trailhead. Pass Royal Hawaiian Golf Club guard station (legal, allowed). Trailhead marked by sign on left side of Loop Road.
Car Break-ins: Extremely common. Hide ALL valuables or hike with them. Never leave keys, wallets, passports, electronics—even hidden. Rental cars are primary targets.
Directions: From Honolulu, take Pali Highway (HI-61) toward Kailua. Turn onto Auloa Road, park near Loop Road intersection.
The Hike to Peak 1
Mile 0-0.5: Trail begins under dense canopy of kukui nut and guava trees. Immediately muddy with exposed tree roots. East Oahu's heavy rainfall makes lower section perpetually muddy. Red dirt stains permanently—bring plastic bag for shoes. At 0.3 miles, turn RIGHT at the only fork (easy to miss on return).
Mile 0.5-1.0: Steep climb through brief pine forest. Real elevation gain begins: 1,550 feet over 1.5 miles. Terrain increasingly rocky with scrambling. Tree roots provide handholds/footholds.
Mile 1.0-1.5: First rope appears around mile 1. More ropes as trail steepens. Test each rope before using. Use three points of contact when climbing (two feet + one hand, or two hands + one foot).
Final Pitch: Most intimidating section before summit: nearly vertical 20-foot ascent with multiple ropes. Many turn back here—perfectly reasonable decision. Requires rock climbing skills. If uncomfortable, don't proceed—down is harder than up. After vertical section, ridge narrows dramatically with steep drop-offs both sides.
Summit: Peak 1 delivers spectacular 360-degree views: Kailua Beach/Lanikai east, Kaneohe Bay north, Ko'olau cliffs west, Waimanalo coast south. Peaks 2-3 jut dramatically in foreground. Sunrise paints Ko'olau cliffs golden—one of Oahu's best sunrise hikes.
Beyond Peak 1 (Advanced Climbers Only)
Descent from Peak 1 toward Peak 2 is steep/exposed. Ridge between peaks 2-3 is where most deaths occurred: knife-edge ridges (single footstep width), sheer 200-400 foot drop-offs both sides, technical Class 4-5 scrambling, crumbly rock, extremely limited error room. If not an experienced technical climber who regularly scrambles on exposed terrain, do not attempt. Views not significantly better than Peak 1, danger exponentially increases.
What to Bring
Essential: Hiking boots with aggressive tread (not running shoes), 2-3L water per person, sunscreen/hat, snacks, charged phone, first aid kit, headlamp (sunrise starts), plastic bag for muddy shoes.
Recommended: Satellite emergency device (Garmin InReach/SPOT) for SOS—cell service spotty, lightweight gloves for ropes, camera.
Best Time to Hike
Time: Start sunrise or early morning (6:00-7:00 AM). Afternoon thunderstorms common (especially summer), move fast. Rain transforms trail from dangerous to deadly. Ridge offers minimal shade, midday heat brutal.
Season: Year-round, but May-September (trade winds) brings consistent morning weather. November-March has more rain. Check hourly forecast—if rain predicted during hike, reschedule.
Sunrise: Peak 1 offers phenomenal sunrise. Start 45 min before sunrise with headlamp. First light hitting Ko'olau cliffs unforgettable.
Cultural & Geological Significance
"Olomana" means "divided hill" in Hawaiian. Legend: Olomana was giant warrior ruling windward Oahu from Kualoa to Makapu'u. King ʻAhuapau sent warrior Palila to battle Olomana; Palila cut the giant in half. Upper body fell into ocean near Kaneohe Bay, lower half became Mount Olomana. Three peaks named Olomana (first), Paku'i (second), Ahiki (third).
Geologically, Olomana is erosional remnant from Ko'olau Volcano's caldera. Jagged peaks remain after millions of years of erosion.
Nearby Safer Alternatives
- Lanikai Pillbox Trail: Spectacular coastal views, safer, 1.8 mi RT
- Maunawili Falls Trail: Waterfall hike, moderate, 3 mi RT
- Koko Crater Trail: Challenging stairs, safer, panoramic views
- Diamond Head: Most accessible summit, paved, 1.6 mi RT
Final Thoughts
Olomana offers stunning ridge hiking with life-or-death consequences. Six families lost loved ones in the past decade, including experienced hikers and a Honolulu firefighter. Trail continues eroding, becoming more dangerous yearly. If hiking, check weather obsessively, turn around at first rain sign, don't rely on ropes, use three points of contact. Strongly consider turning at Peak 1—views are incredible, you'll return safely. Social media photos aren't worth your life.
Emergency: Call 911. Helicopter rescues common but costly/dangerous for teams.
Download Outbound mobile app
Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.
Get the appFeatures
Olomana Trail Reviews
This is on the sickest hikes I've ever done! I was a little intimidated that do all 3 peaks at first because of how dangerous things I've read made it seem but it is a totally doable to do all three peaks. Honestly I thought the first peak was the hardest and most strenuous! Don't get me wrong, IF YOU AREN'T AN EXPERIENCED HIKER, peaks 2 and 3 can be dangerous, but I wouldn't consider it sketchy. There aren't really any sheer drops. There is some "room for error." It's nice to have the ropes there just in case but you really don't need the ropes and one rope did snap on us so don't trust them completely. The views are unreal between 1 and 2 and between 2 and 3! Overall, one of the most epic hikes ever, completely worth doing all three peaks!
5.0
If you don't do a lot of hiking, rock climbing or hate exposed heights, probably not for you. Apparently a few people have died here. The first peak is honestly probably the most sketchy because of how slick it was with a little bit of mud on our shoes and scrambling rocks. The first peak was not exposed at all until your up top. The second and 3rd peaks were a little more scary-looking but pretty easy climbing (the exposure is what makes people think it's harder). Like everyone else says,don't trust the ropes just use them for a back up if a rock or something was to give out. I would totally do it again! Definitely bring some water and on your way down at the 4-way stop, go left! We went right and ended up at an abandoned homeless city in the middle of nowhere.
5.0
A favorite with it's incredible views, and how it keeps you on your toes. Be warned, Olomana has a history of serious injuries and deaths. Hike safely and respectfully. I've hiked to the 3rd peak at back 6 or 8 times, and a few times just to the 1st and 2nd peaks. 3rd Peak: Advanced hikers/climbers only. Give yourself 4-6hrs, depending on fitness level and size of group. My first time I took me over 7hrs! 1st Peak: Moderate difficulty level. Some with a fear of heights have trouble higher up on the trail with the steep scrambles and climbing. Give yourself 2-3.5hrs. This might be the easiest part of the hike but it's physically demanding, there's some good elevation gain in a short distance. Can get very muddy. Tips If you can't check a ropes integrity, never put all your weight on it. You do not know if it was tied securely, or what its anchored to. Don't trust it just because someone else does. Past the 1st peak there's a lot of exposed trail, it gets really hot out there. Bring more than enough water and some food. Visitors: Climbing is different in Hawaii! Our rock is often waterlogged and crumbly. All it takes it pulling in the wrong direction and big rocks can come loose. Check those hand/foot holds, practice three points of contact, don't bring more than one foot or one hand off the ground at a time. Pick up your trash. Pick up others trash. Respect the land.
4.0
Very tough hike, it starts out to be easy but muddy but quickly begins a steep ascent to the first peak. The trail head is on the grounds of the royal golf club which is private property. You have to park on Maunawili Rd. which is off of the 61 and Auloa Rd then walk about 10-15 minutes through the front gate of the golf course (this is allowed). The trail head is on the side and clearly marked by an old white sign. I recommend you bring a bag to keep your shoes in after the hike as the trail is red dirt which stains everything. When I was there August 23rd 2016 there was a bee hive at the top of peak 1 so watch your hand placement and move slowly. Peak 2 and 3 are pretty sketchy but worth it, just take your time.
5.0
View is amazing, hike has a little bit of everything: walking pace areas, steep precipices, ropes and rocks, mountain and ocean views. Good tree coverage from the sun, though I would still bring sunblock. Parking is a little confusing but the gate guard was super helpful in telling us where we could park, because the trail head is past the gate entrance to royal Hawaiian golf course. Park on the street before turning onto the road that leads to the course.
5.0
Gorgeous and strenuous hike on the windward side of Oahu. We hiked all three peaks at least 10 times throughout college. The first peak is the most-hiked portion here, the second and third peaks should only be attempted by experienced hikers. First peak - It's an uphill climb/scramble the entire way. Close to the summit, you'll have to summon your inner monkey by scaling a 20 foot facade. There's a rope to help you out but try not to rely on it too much. The panoramic views extend from Makapu'u to China Man's Hat, a solid portion of the windward side. This is the best view of the three peaks. Second peak - The journey between the first and second peak is the most treacherous part of the hike. Absolutely not for the light-hearted as you will be using all fours right along eroding cliff edges. Some rocks here are loose, so make sure you grab onto secured ledges. It's especially not fun if it's windy, please be careful on this portion. As always, do not trust the ropes fully. They have been known to snap. Once again, use your inner monkey to make it through. Still a fantastic view from the top here. Third Peak - Similar but less treacherous than the journey to the second peak. Stay cautious, continue using the inner monkey. The view from up here is mostly of the Ko'olau range, remnants of an ancient volcano that once stood in what is now the windward side. This is an epic hike for experienced hikers, including the first peak. Please use caution at all times and you can label yourself an official bad-ass after completing all three peaks!
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
Nearby
Maunawili Falls
Likeke Falls Trail
Kailua Beach (Shorebreaks)
Kailua Beach Park
Kayak to Flat (Popoia) Island
Stand Up Paddle in Kaneohe Bay
Discover
Community
Mobile Apps
© 2026 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy