UPDATED FEB 2020. The Waahila Ridge Trail is one of the lesser-known trails on Oahu and a great choice if you want to escape the crowds. It has enough challenging spots to take a beginner hiker out of their comfort zone and incredible views from the ridgeline. It also has options for more advanced hikers to go further into the trail. I hope this guide can help you plan your own adventure day to do this hike.
A Complete Guide To Hiking The WAAHILA RIDGE TRAIL On Oahu
Disclaimer:
There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.
FAQ for the Waahila Ridge Trail
Where is the trail located?
The trail is located in the Waahila Ridge State Recreation Area, Honolulu.
How long does it take to drive there from Waikiki?
20 minutes.
What is the cost to hike the trail?
Free.
Who is the hike suited for?
The Waahila Ridge Trail is good for intermediate hikers.
How long does it take to complete the hike?
3-4 hours depending on your pace and how far you go in the trail.
Are dogs allowed on the hike?
Only if on a leash.
What should you bring with you?
- Hat
- Water bottle
- Camera (I use a GoPro and this floaty selfie stick
for water adventures or this selfie stick and tripod combo for land adventures) - Snacks, lunch, or energy gels (I usually have a few of these on me)
- Sunscreen
- Good hiking shoes (I use the New Balance Minimus)
for water adventures or 
for land adventures)
on me)
Where to park for the Waahila Ridge Trail
The hike itself is located in the Waahila Ridge State Recreation Area and can be found in Google Maps using ‘Wa’ahila Ridge Trailhead‘. This will take you to the parking area.
There are tables here which would make a nice spot for a picnic lunch afterward.
Once you park you just walk up the hill and the trail begins.
It is easy to find and not a lot of directions are needed to get to the trailhead.
How to get there using the bus
From Waikiki, you can take the #2 bus toward School St and get off at Kalakaua Ave + S King St.
From there get on the #6 bus toward Woodlawn Dr and get off at Alani Dr + 3663.
There’s about a mile walk to the trail from there and using the bus will take about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
It’s worth renting a car for your trip to Oahu if you can because the public transport adds a lot to your transit time.
What to expect while on the trail
The Waahila Ridge Trail is an intermediate hike hidden away on the southeast side of the island.
It has a few challenging spots to make it exciting but rest assured, these spots do not last long.
That is what makes it great for a beginner hiker who is ready to get out of their comfort zone and take their skills to the next level.
In terms of hiking skills, the challenge is presented in the unstable footing as well as some steep sections.
Make sure you have a good pair of shoes when you do the hike. I didn’t have these at the time, but the New Balance Minimus
are my favorite hiking shoes. I’m not a confident hiker and they help to boost my confidence and keep my footing stable.
The Upper Waahila Ridge Trail
The end of the hike will come when you reach a fork in the trail with a sign to guide you. The left leads you to begin the Kolowalu Trail with the right taking you on the Upper Waahila Ridge Trail over Mt Olympus.
The Upper Waahila Ridge Trail offers you a much more rugged adventure as it is more advanced and unmaintained.
The photo below shows me navigating my way down a slippery section of Mt Olympus – it was definitely a good push to the edge of the comfort zone for me.
If you don’t want to go on either of those trails, you can end the hike at the sign and go back the way you came to end up back in the parking lot.
The views are insanely beautiful so remember to bring your camera.
I use a GoPro, though I should mention that I had a very foggy housing on when I did this hike which is why my photos aren’t as crisp.
With breathtaking views of the Manoa and Palolo Valleys, as well as the Ko’olau Range, you won’t be short of photo material.
The photos don’t do the scenery justice, so don’t forget to take a minute to look around and let your eyes soak in what the camera catches but a glimpse of.
View this post on Instagram
Safety tips for the Waahila Ridge Trail
I wouldn’t recommend going if there has been rainy weather as it would probably be quite slippery, especially in the steep sections.
Wear good shoes, take a hiking buddy, check the weather forecast, and stick to the trails.
As always, use your best judgment in terms of if this hike would be suitable for you.
Other things to do nearby
If you would like to go to the beach after your hike, I recommend checking out Ala Moana beach park, Waikiki beach, or Sand Island.
If you’d like to do another hike in the area, I recommend:
For food, stop in at Leonards Bakery for some of the famous Malasadas (a sugar-coated filled donut type of sweet that is all kinds of amazing) or South Shore Grill for lunch.
Where to stay on Oahu
Waikiki is a good place to base yourself from because of the fun things to do, it gives you all the touristy vibes, and it’s easy to head out and explore other areas of the island from there.
I recommend the Hilton Hawaiian Village which is my go-to place for a staycation.
There is no shortage of options though and I recommend checking out Booking.com because I always find good deals through that website when I am traveling.
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Hi Katie. .. we’re travelling to Oahu in February 2016. I really enjoyed reading your blogs. We’re staying on the north shore area in private condos. So any insight into that area would be awesome, and also wondering what type of camera you use in the water. Thanks so much.
Welcome! You will love it, Im sure! For underwater photos, I use GoPro’s. I have the Hero3 and Hero4 so I usually switch between the two. As far as your visit goes, on the North Shore I would recommend the Ehukai Pillbox Trail (there is a link to this on my site), look at the big waves at Pipeline or Waimea Bay (too big to enter the water but nice to watch), get an acai bowl from Crispy Grindz, eat at the Kahuku food trucks (Giovannis Shrimp is awesome) and stroll through Haleiwa town. Hope that helps!
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