The amazing view at the top of Diamond Head
While in Hawaii and especially while walking around Waikiki you can't help but notice Diamond Head. It's one of Hawaii's most recognized landmark. My wife and I wanted to make sure we scheduled a time to hike Diamond Head and see what we were sure were going to be some incredible views. After doing a little research we found out that it's not an extremely difficult hike, but be sure to go as early as possible just to avoid the heat. Not to say the hike is easy...I would say it's more of a moderate hike. We saw everyone from old people down to young kids on the hike. We even saw people in their sandals and flip flops (which I wouldn't recommend). There were a lot of people, but not too many to make it too crowded. I'm sure if we left earlier than we did, we would have missed the larger crowds.
Diamond Head is actually part of a large volcanic crater. To get to the hike, you have to drive inside the crater to the trail head and parking area. Hours are 6AM to 6PM (with the last entrance to hike the trails at 4:30PM. Parking costs $5.00 per car. The trail head also has a gift shop. The trail and bunkers were originally built by the military, but are now accessible to the public.
The view from the parking area to the top of the Diamond Head hike
The start of the hiking path is cement, but quickly turns into a
dirt/gravel path like this with hand rails.
Looking up you can see the switchbacks heading up to the top
A little better view of the switchbacks and the folks hiking up
The start of a lit tunnel during the hike
Inside the lit tunnel portion of the hike
The end of the tunnel...we're getting closer
Now a lot of stairs to climb!
On the final leg of the hike to the top...this is where
it starts to get a little more congested, but during
our hike everyone moved along and polite
Now for some of the views....
This was taken during one of the break points where we stopped
and grabbed a quick drink and took a few pics
Looking straight out at the Pacific Ocean
Zoomed in a bit for a shot of Waikiki from the top of Diamond Head
Looking out straight ahead from the top of Diamond Head
A "no zoomed" view of Waikiki from the top of Diamond Head
This view will never get old!
A view of one of the bunkers with Honolulu in the background
from the top of Diamond Head
Inside the military's "Fire Control Station" at the top of Diamond Head
Looking out of the military's "Fire Control Station" at the top of Diamond Head
The view from the top of Diamond Head looking down into
the crater where we started
On the way back down...a look at the final set of ascending stairs
On the way back down...looking at the beautiful ocean
along with a lighthouse that you can barely see in this picture
My wife's arm...along with a view of the switchbacks
on the way down
Looking down at the trail on our way back
On the top of each of those peaks are more bunkers
The hike was awesome and the views were amazing. I recommend this hike to anyone that is visiting Oahu!
No comments:
Post a Comment