Located at the end of Waikiki is the iconic Diamond Head State Monument. The hiking trail to the summit is certainly a must-do for both locals and tourists alike.

When doing this hike I prefer to go before sunrise or right when it opens at 6:00 a.m. to avoid the sun’s heat and tourist traffic.  But I mostly love being there right at opening so I can catch the beautiful sunrise off of Koko Head.

There is a small fee, so if you plan to go, be sure to have cash on hand.  It’s $1 if you’re walking in, $5 per vehicle or $10 for the annual pass. The hiking trail is fairly an easy climb with rails all the way to the top. The only uphill battle is the two sets of staircases. Thankfully for those who wish to avoid it, there’s an easy path for the second set of steps. All you have to do is make a left after exiting the tunnel at the bottom of the steps. There’s a nice, new walkway, with fewer steps to get to the top. Once on top, take a deep a breath and enjoy the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and shorelines from Koko Head to Waianae.

 stairs

Allow for about 1 to 2 hours for this hike (to enjoy the view of course).  The last hike departs at 4:30 p.m. since they close at 6:00 p.m. so don’t miss out!

The best part after the hike is all the eatery options along Monsarrat Avenue. Diamond Head Grill, Pioneer, Diamond Head Cove Bar, Bogarts. If you go on a Saturday, you can also catch the Kapiolani Community College Farmers Market, which runs from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

If you’ve ever hiked Diamond Head and enjoyed the breathtaking sites, I’d love to hear your stories so feel free to share in the comments section!