Diamond Head is a popular hike on Oahu. It is not too hard if you are in shape, and it offers spectacular panoramic views from the top. But it comes at no surprise that it is a lot harder if you are out of shape or have MS. I am sharing my experience hiking Diamond Head on Hawaii with multiple sclerosis and what I have found helpful along the way. (Fully rewritten and improved early 2022)
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Table of contents
Intro Hiking Diamond Head (with or without MS)
After failing my (self-imposed) MS challenge hike at Mount Cardigan in New Hampshire, I knew that there was a real possibility of failure on the Diamond Head hike. I didn’t care. Ok, I did care because I am competitive, even with myself, but I did not care in the big picture.
What is Diamond Head?
Diamond Head is one of Hawaii’s most famous landmarks. What we call Diamond Head is known to Hawaiians as Lē‘ahi (named after the forehead (lea) of the ahi tuna because of its shape) It is near the eastern edge of Waikiki’s coastline. Volcanic cone-shaped, it was formed about 300,000 years ago. The English name was given to it by hopeful British sailors in the 19th century, who thought there were real diamonds to be found.
There is a historic hiking trail and stunning coastal views. It was home to the first military presence on Hawai’i, called Fort Ruger.
How Long Does It Take to Hike Diamond Head?
Diamond Head is one of the most popular hikes in Hawai’i. The trail is 0.8 miles (one way) and has a 560 ft elevation gain. The elevation gain makes the trail a lot more strenuous. There are 175 stair steps overall, but most of it is rocky uphill trail, thankfully with hand rails.
The Oahu Park Service recommends to allow 1.5 to 2 hours for your hike. For me with my MS, I took about 4 hours, with frequent rests. But the views are worth it!
Is the Diamond Head Trail ADA Accessible?
The park facilities (including a bath room) on the crater floor of Diamond Head are fully accessible to those with disabilities. The hiking trail to the summit is not ADA accessible, it is very steep and uneven in some areas. The last 1/10 of a mile is all stairs and especially steep. While I was able to do it with the help of hiking poles and the railing, it would not be possible in a wheel chair.
Top tips to hike Diamond Head
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or healthcare professional, just someone who is living with multiple sclerosis and sharing her experiences. A lot of these tips are common sense for everyone, some are more MS centered.
Use Hiking Poles
Once I got my MS diagnosis and started Physical Therapy, I discovered the joy of hiking poles. After my therapist explained that hiking poles make me look sporty instead of handicapped, I never looked back. Hiking poles definitely assist in climbing this rocky trail. Though there are a lot of rails along the trail, I still used my poles often.
Stay Cool
One of the issues with MS is overheating. Every time an MS-warrior gets too hot, it causes all their symptoms to worsen, such as balance and fatigue. Since I did not have a cooling vest, I used a wet t-shirt as a make-shift cooling device. There is a bathroom at the bottom of the trail which was a perfect spot to saturate my shirt.
Even if you don’t have MS, remember that Hawai’i is tropical, so it can get quite hot and humid.
Go Early (Oh What a Beautiful Morning!)
Try to time the hike early in the morning when it might be cooler. The park hours are from 6:00 till 18:00. Another advantage of hiking early is beating the crowds. This hike is a very popular!
Pace Yourself
Rest at every opportunity. Do not compare yourself with others. While you might be struggling up, you will notice people who are actually running this trail and a lot of people fitter than you hiking it. Recognize what you can do and what you cannot do. Accept where you are.
Head Left
Towards the end, there are two different ways to go up after you emerge from the tunnel. You can go up another set of stairs to the right, which takes you up to the top through the Fire Control Station. For a longer but less strenuous journey to the top, head left.
Proper Shoes are a Must
The Diamond Head trail is rocky and slippery, especially after rain. I recommend comfortable hiking shoes, or at least sneakers. The trail is not suitable for flip-flops!
Wear a Hat
There is no shade on the trail and plenty of sun, this being Hawai’i. Maybe not a tinfoil hat, unless you are worried about aliens and goblins…
Use Sun Screen
Yeah, that one is obvious for everyone. Sometimes I don’t have energy to go through all that sun screen slathering before I go out, but I tell myself “Just do it!”
Bring Water
Another obvious one, but I am still mentioning it. We surely needed it on our hike!
Carry a Snack
While we were hiking up, I was so glad that we brought some protein bard. You totally can use some quick energy on this trail, especially if you are a slow hiker, like I am. There is a snack bar at the bottom. While the view at the top may be a feast for your eyes, you will not find any food there
Only ONE Bath Room
Be aware that there only is one bathroom at the bottom of the trail, so plan accordingly.
Enjoy Your Self: Carpe Diem!
You are in Hawai’i and you are hiking! Even with your MS. You can conquer the world! Or at least this hiking trail. Or part of it.
On Top of the World! The Summit
The trail to the summit of Lē‘ahi was built in 1908 as part of O‘ahu’s coastal defense system. Towards the end, the trail continues up steep stairs and through a lighted 225-foot tunnel to enter the Fire Control Station completed in 1911. The station directed artillery fire from batteries in Waikiki and Fort Ruger outside Diamond Head crater.
At the summit, you’ll see bunkers and a huge navigational lighthouse built in 1917. The view of the shoreline from Koko Head to Wai‘anae is stunning, and during winter, may include passing humpback whales. We really enjoyed that part of the hike, I felt very accomplished to reach the summit and I loved the peek into Hawaii’s military history.
You get a lovely view of the Makapu’u light house. The light house was built in 1909 and has the largest lens of any lighthouse in the United States.
Hike Diamond Head Hawaii Summary
We hiked, we rested, we hiked, we rested, wash and repeat. At any opportunity, I wet my t-shirt anew in a random puddle. Then we hiked some more. Often I hung unto the hand rail, later we stumbled through a tunnel, but eventually we emerged in the light and at the top!!! I did it! We did it! We made it to the top of the world.
It took me two and a half hours just to get up, as opposed to the half hour that “normal” people would take. Another hour and a half to get down, but it so was worth it.
I enjoyed the magnificent views, being out in nature, the many human contacts we made, the feeling of being part of history, and the joy of challenging myself. Even if this hike took me eight times as long as it takes the average bear. I rocked my MS challenge of hiking Diamond Head Hawaii with multiple sclerosis!
Disclaimer: Everyone who gets diagnosed with multiple sclerosis has a different level of disability. This is written from the perspective of someone with a balance and gait disability. This hike would not work for someone in a wheel chair.
Practical Details for Hiking Diamond Head Hawaii
Reviews and more info on this State Monument. There is a parking lot for cars, but it is easier to take a bus or an Uber. The entrance is $5 for a car load, but only $1 for pedestrians. They only take cash, so make sure to bring that.
Have you ever climbed Diamond Head? What was your experience?
If you suffer from MS, what do you do to help you hike?
Other Things to Do on Oahu
- Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail: Whales for the Win; Check out this relatively easy, but with amazing views! The trail is fully paved, so wheel chair and stroller accessible;
- Manoa Falls Hike with MS: celebrating failure! A much harder hike, especially after a big rain. Not wheelchair or stroller accessible;
- Snorkeling and Dolphin Watching in Honolulu: for me, swimming is way easier than hiking;
- Surfing at Waikiki Beach Go surf at the Birth Place of Surfing! Great teachers available at Dave’s Big Waves!
- Explore Oahu.
- Learn about the Birds of Hawai’i and why so many of them are invasive pests!
Definitely Visit Pearl Harbor
- What to expect during a Visit to Pearl Harbor;
- Five interesting facts about Ford Island. Do you know why the missionaries renamed it?
- Where the Second World War ended! Visit USS Missouri. Now with historic video footage of the Japanese surrender.
- Not all Japanese were our enemy. Some brave ones fought for us! The story of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team;
Pin Hike Diamond Head Hawaii
Comments
43 responses to “Be On Top Of The World! Hike Diamond Head.”
Yeah Karen!!!! Don’t let anything stop you!!!!
Thank you! Carpe Diem indeed 🙂
Happy I attempted this hike and succeeded, but would have been happy even if not finished, then I would have redefined success as initiating the hike 🙂
It looks like a beautiful place to hike! And you are amazing for doing it with MS. Really inspiring! x
Thank you, Becca. It indeed is a really special and beautiful place to hike!
Awesome post! Definitely enjoyed it.💕
Makes me want to go hiking right now! Too bad it’s 12am, oh well in the morning
Great pictures by the way
Nicole
Reli Clothing
https://ReliClothing.com
Thank you , Nicole!
I’d rather be hiking too, too bad I have all kinds of boring household chores to do… Life would be so much better if we could hike more 😀
Thanks for sharing. It looks like a great place to hike.
THank you, Marta! Yes, I would totally recommend the hike. The views are just amazing. And the trail is very doable if even I can conquer it 😀
THanks for stopping by! I appreciate it.
Looks absolutely beautiful! Such an inspiration 😊
Thank you, Emma!
Your post is so inspirational! I truly enjoy your post. Your journey is incredible and I just love being on the journey with you. Your post are so complete that I truly feel as if I’m right there with you in hawaii hiking as well. Great post.
Thank you, batmom!
Happy that you enjoyed the post and hope some day you can experience this hike in real life! It is amazing!
love the scenery pictures,this post was awesome it has inspired me to get up and go hiking!!
keep up the amazing work xo
Thank you, Floral Hearts.
Hope you got to do some hiking this weekend or hopefully soon!
I was just in Oah’u last month and I ended up hiking Koko Head instead of Diamond Head. Not sure I made the right choice because Koko Head was so tough
Thanks, Cailin. Hey, at least you got to hike Koko Head. You will just have to do Diamond Head next time 😀 It is good to have some good hikes on your bucket list 😀
I really want to visit Hawaii. You have some great photos here. I’m not much of a hiker but have so much respect for anyone who is! It’s tough going but worth it for the views. Maybe it’s something we should try when we finally get to Hawaii, but it’s so expensive to go from the UK – and a very long way!
Thank you, Natalie! Some day you will make it. I originally am from the Netherlands, which is even farther from Hawaii than the UK 😀
You are an inspiration
THank you, Natasha! I hope it will inspire other people to go out in nature and challenge their weaknesses.
Looks like an amazing journey! What a beautiful cardinal.
Thank you, Melanie! Yes, it was incredible. And the cardinal is just so colorful, and there were plenty of them. Like our blue jays in New England, but even bolder 😀
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
I smiled reading this post as you clearly aren’t letting MS hold you back and that’s inspirational! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Falidude! Yeah, the MS is a bitch, but in this case I rocked the hike. There have been times when I didn’t, like at Manoa falls, but I still feel awesome for trying and partially succeeding.
THanks for stopping by and commenting!
Wow, the views are beautiful – Can’t wait until our kids have grown up and we can travel more
Yeah, we are still waiting for our last “baby” to finish high school (2 years, 11 months, and 23 days ^^, not that we are counting 😀 So that we can go on longer trips. For now we do fun stuff like taking her and her BFF to New York City next week for a few days to watch a show.
THanks for stopping by and commenting!
so proud of you! i have fibro and am still having troubles with a few steps here and there 😮
Joy at The Joyous Living
Thank you, Joy! Sorry to hear about your fibro, another of those invisible but incapacitating illness. Hugs your way
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