Jan 2023 Olomana Ridge complete review! Nutshell: This is a increasingly steep climb, a real leg burner workout to get to the top, but views are incredible if you can get past last 200 feet of exposure at end. Parking: You need to walk 3/4 of a mile to get to the trailhead. Thats a fact. No closer parking, or you will get towed. I parked on the side of the road by the Anglican Church on Auola Rd (opposite the bus stop). Lock vehicle, and hide or take valuables with you, area is known for crooks breaking windows if they see something they want. Walk to Loop Road, and its goes into the Golf Club. Ignore all the "no trespassing" signs, you are allowed to walk this route to get to the trailhead. Go past the gate and booth, and trailhead will be on your left. Cant miss it. Has a sign that talks about all the people that died there (see sign in my pics). Bring water, you will need it I went through about a liter in my camelback (recommended, since you need both hands for this climb)! Hike is very shaded, and starts off easy and gradually getting harder. Starts with many exposed roots and rocks. Graduates to a soft pine needle trial, and then red clay trail, and then rocky trail, and eventually just rock! I'm a 40 year old, slightly above average fitness level, and it was still a leg burner. I was clipping along at a pretty quick pace, and it took me about 50 minutes from car to get to peak #1. I spent 10 minutes on the last 200 feet, due to exposure. You can't really get lost, there are no signs on trail, but it is very well traveled. I started at 7:30am, and had maybe 5 people in front of me, and passed about 10 people going up, whilst on the way down There are some sections near the very top that hikers have placed ropes to help you ascend and descend, I did not need to use the ropes, but they would have made it easier. Test ropes first, never blindly trust a used rope! Very limited exposure until you start reaching the top. Then you definitely will have exposure to the open cliff side, knife edges walking on the ridge, wind, etc. Peak #1 is where most people stop, and continuing on means descending down trail #2 which is harder, and #3 is harder yet, though I did not personally try these ones. I felt the view from #1 was perfect, and didn't want to risk an accident I am not a fan of exposure, and really was testing myself on purpose doing this hike. I am so glad I did. Totally worth it. The view from peak #1 is awesome. I sat up top by myself for 30 minutes enjoying God's handiwork, and also the helicopter tours going just over my head. I think they enjoyed waving at me and me waving back. If a helo tours fly by you when hiking, you know you are in a beautiful spot I tried to post pics during the hike, some landmarks, and sights you should know, so you can get an idea of what its like to decide if this is for you. No pets, and I would not recommend this for children, especially the crest of peak #1. Its not as bad as some other reviewers are making this sound. Go for it! Hope this helps anyone thinking about the hike.

Best hike I did in Oahu!! But dangerous, it gets very steep and there are sections where you’re climbing over rocks on rocks on a knifes edge ridge (nothing on either side). Don’t do if you’re afraid of heights!!! the view was totally worth it. Complete 360 view. We only went to the first peak because it was already quite the scramble. And from talking to locals the first peak seemed like the best. From the second you can set a straightforward view of the third but that seemed to be the only benefit. If you want a longer more challenging hike go for it! All in all it took us about 2.5 hours round trip. Don’t do this hike if it’s raining. And bring proper footwear. People have been killed/injured before. Not for kids or pets.

I parked at Maunawii Park just to be safe as there were older locals taking their morning walk. It’s a mile walk through the Royal Hawaiian Golf Club to the start of the trail which is clearly marked. I started the hike at around 7am as there was brief rain at 6am that delayed my time. The trail up wasn’t muddy at all. From my parked car, it took me 80 minutes to reach the top at a moderate pace. Stopped at a view places to enjoy the view, record videos, and drink water. There’s plenty of ropes to navigate the cliffs. But overall, it wasn’t as scary as some describe it to be. Overall, most of the trail is at a moderate incline and then you have your brief periods where you are using hands and feet to climb up rocks. If you love nature and are looking physically active, then it’s one of the best places to feel the spirit of the island.

It was an interesting experience! For the first time I was on such a hard hike and I can say that it is not for everyone, if you are physically savvy and can climb almost vertical rocky slopes, then be sure to try it. They say that there are 3 viewpoints and the last one is the most beautiful, but also difficult. I didn’t even get to the first point, it was very scary, on the third rope I gave up, because climbing higher the mountain narrowed and my head was very dizzy. I hope someday I will reach the end! Don't forget comfortable shoes, a change of clothes and plenty of water. There is no toilet and no parking. We left the car on the side of the road. When it rains, you need to be especially careful!

There's no parking, but there a nice driveway you can walk until you get to the trail and enjoy that pathway there it's about a half mile down on the left side is were the trail start you will see the sign. But after that, it's all uphill from there. The whole hike, you are just grinding and digging your way up to the top. The tree and roots are your friends/ handles throughout the hike. Very shaded though out the whole hike until you get to the very top of peak. The signs said every dies between 2nd and 3rd peak. So I was content with just finishing the first peak. There are great views and lots of people on this hike that I have seen that may help you if you get lost or hurt. I will post some pictures and videos that I hope this will help you out and have an amazing day 🤙🏽🙏🏽

Challenging hike over varied terrain with rock climbing mixed in. It’s not for everyone, you need upper body strength and be ok with heights. It’s not really that dangerous to first peak but you could hurt yourself. Most of the trail is shaded. You have to park about a mile away from the trailhead but it’s flat and paved so it’s a pretty quick walk. The view from the first peak is jaw dropping. It was such a rush. Highly recommend.

Incredible hike! Be very careful on the rope / scramble part especially if it rains. I only did the first peak and was completely satisfied. Remember, going down is more difficult than going up. Took the bus to the loop rd bus stop, worked out great

Amazing views from the top of this very technical hike. It took around 2 hours round trip with jogging the flats. Descent from peak two and approach to peak 3 is the most challenging section (as the signage warns). Several sections require use of ropes to ascend safely. There are a few parking spots across from the bus stop on Auloa Road and the country club gate was open to allow access to the trailhead. The was a police car at the bus stop when I got back down so watch the no parking signs along Luana Hills Rd.