We had a dinner one night, and on the menu was a slab of prime rib that wouldn’t fit on a dinner plate.
Among other things.
So we went hiking.
We figured if we were going to consume that amount of calories, we’d better make room.
So I flipped through Stuart Ball’s “The Hiker’s Guide to Oahu” and found a hike I hadn’t done — and nearby.
Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail, a 5-mile roundtrip ridge hike that starts on a dirt access road through formosa koa and guava forest and ends atop a peak on the Koolau Mountains.
The book said it was easy, great for beginners, lacking the wilderness and thrill factors some hikers are seeking.
That book needs revising.
Here’s the real deal: the trail is fairly easy to a certain point. Then it gets serious. Imagine climbing the steps up Koko Head crater after hiking a ridge trail. Then add ropes.
Here’s what the trail really looks like:
The trailhead
The trail is at the end of Okoa Street at the top of Waialae Iki in southeast Oahu. To get there: Drive along Kalanianaole Highway, turn onto Laukahi Street heading mauka (toward the mountain). Check in with the security guard — he'll give you a parking pass and a quick explanation of how to get to the trailhead — and follow the road until it ends. Turn left on Okoa, following the trail signs.There are two areas to park: a small paved parking lot before the trailhead or a few dirt stalls (shown) right at the start.
12 Comments
My kind of hike! Reminds me a bit of the Pali Loop Trail which is 11 miles, just have to watch the rain. Took a parka with me and was glad I had it.
The rain! That’s the only thing that mucks up the hikes here. But can’t complain. I’d rather trudge through mud than snow!
Yep. Taken almost every hike on Oahu except for Stairway to Heaven and this one. Always had to wear good shoes, lots of grip, to stay afoot. Always a little muddy near the top. And of course that is where it is the most perilous.
What trail HAVEN’T you done?
LOL. When I moved to Hawaii after grad school a Japanese buddy gave me a book called something like the hiker’s guide to Oahu. I found and hiked every trail in the book… not knowing of a number of perils. One of which was being ‘at the time’ a tall skinny haole walking alone in the wilderness without a pointed cane or the blessing of some rather interesting local folk. Was glad the silver tongue was still working well believe me. There were trails all over the place and some were easier than others. Hiked one up the ridge overlooking the reservoir and their were sections the trail was missing. I had to cling to vines to get across. Some were so muddy I could not get where I was going without falling a dozen times or more. Some guy ahead of me one day broke his ankle in the vines. But if there is one thing to be said about hiking Oahu it is that the views are simply amazing. Never will forget one hike where I chased the base of a rainbow until I could see the base. You can’t actually touch it obviously but close enough to see there was no pot of gold. I want to do the stairway to Heaven and the one you guys did, think those are the only two left. BTW: I’ve done a lot of the Appalachian Trail as well, it is a long one 🙂
Hey Cat … AWESOME!!! … next time I’m on a trail it will be that one! … thanks for the guided tour … nice …
… I’ve never even heard of that trail … you’d think locals would realize where most if not all of the trails are … esp. if you go hiking or mountain biking …
Hey, I know people who have lived here their whole lives and never climbed Diamond Head!
Hello Cat!
Nice view from the top.
Just like when I’m working out, my favorite part is the end 🙂
It looks like the journey was worth the view from the top. Beautiful!
It was worth it. But wait ’til you see the prime rib!
thanks for sharing your adventure
I’ve done that trail back in 1993
Back then I made the mistake of doing the hike after a major downpour the night before
7 pounds of mud stuck on my shoes made going uphill a huge endeavor
Great view though