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Hiking Hawaii Loa Ridge Trail On Oahu, Hawaii-Adventures On The Move


Hawaii Loa Ridge Trail is a 4.5-mile hike with almost 1,500-foot elevation gain near Honolulu on Oahu, Hawaii. This trail is located in one of Hawaii's fanciest neighborhoods and provides beautiful views of Oahu's north and south coasts.


Getting There

Parking for the trail is located in a gated community and requires a Hawaii State ID or Military ID from at least one person in the vehicle. After checking in at the guard gate, follow Puuikena Drive for approximately 1.5 miles through the community to the trailhead parking area, next to the Board of Water Supply Tank. There are only ten parking stalls designated for the trailhead, so it is highly recommended to arrive early, and carpool as the parking spots fill up quickly.

Our Hiking Experience

After admiring all of the luxurious homes and stunning views of Hawaii Kai and Diamond Head before even reaching the trailhead, we ventured on and began the start of our hike early in the morning. We lucked out with sunny weather and no rain; this trail can become very muddy and slippery if it rains or has recently rained.

The first portion of this trail offers ridgeline terrains with several up and down portions along the luscious hills. The trail continues along various terrains, some stairs, and a steady incline. With each step up, we were rewarded with stunning south-shore views, and the views continued to get more spectacular the higher we went.

We approached the final ascent after climbing between a few rock-made valleys. The end of this hike challenged us with six or seven steep inclines and a never-ending amount of stairs before reaching the peak. Once at the peak, we were mesmerized when we peered over a cliff to priceless views Oahu's entire windward side. After enjoying a quick snack and snapping a few photos, we headed back down.

This hike is recommend for more experienced hikers. I would not recommend this hike for dogs or young children due to the length and technical climbs at towards the end of the trail.

If you're hiking with children or looking for an easier trail, you may be interested in our post "Family Friendly Hikes In Hawaii. (coming soon!)


Recommendations:

-Wear good hiking shoes and/or spikes to avoid slipping; this trail is muddy in certain parts, and there are several areas with large tree roots.

-There are no public restrooms; prepare accordingly.

-Plan to hike for 3-4 hours, depending on your pace.

-Bring plenty of water and maybe a few snacks.

-Bring a rain jacket or wind-breaker; due to the high elevation, the peak can get a little chilly.

-Arrive early and check the weather before hiking; this hike is not recommended in the rain, and it would be extremely disappointing if clouds obstructed your views at the top

-Carpool if possible, and at least one person in your group must have Hawaii State ID or Military ID


For other great hikes in Hawaii, check out our post "Top Hiking Trails In Hawaii." (coming soon!)



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