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Olomana Three Peaks Trail

Olomana Three Peaks Trail

Olomana Three Peaks Trail
4.5
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles139 reviews
Excellent
95
Very good
25
Average
11
Poor
4
Terrible
4

Nikko Gandia
Monterey, CA316 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
I hiked this & many other trails on 09/12 during my first visit to Hawai'i & posted a vlog! Search "Nikko Gandia Travels" on YT. Prepare for rock scrambles towards the latter half of the hike to the 1st peak. There are ropes, if needed, on certain sections. I'm not a mountain climber but did not need to use these ropes. If you need visuals for these climbing sections, they're in my vlog. ;) This trail is challenging in a fun way, I can't wait to go back and hike the other 2 peaks. Great views of east O'ahu and the Ko'olau ridge at the summit.
Written 18 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Donix
Oahu, HI6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2020 • Friends
This was by far the most challenging...yet rewarding hike I’ve ever done. Plenty of rocks to climb, ropes to ascend and descend, but the views are absolutely priceless. I’d suggest bringing gloves if you have em, spikes help for the descend.
Written 6 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Glenn V
Jacksonville Beach, FL7 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2015 • Solo
My Dad died here, today. I'm not posting to convince anyone not to do this, but be careful. 8 grandchildren, 3 children, the strongest wife ever, and a life full of friends are now hurting. Do not underestimate this mountain, and decide on your own if it is worth losing everything over. I'm sure the pictures are amazing, but ask yourself if the risk is worth it, that's all I ask
Written 28 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

riverbenthic
Los Angeles, CA2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2021
Here's the deal - this hike is extremely dangerous. You're risking your life to get a photo on top of the first peak. Past that it get's even riskier.

I read all of the reviews before my wife and I hiked it, and came to the faulty conclusion that all of the extreme danger came into play if you went past the first peak and attempted the second and third peaks. That is false. There is a section where you risk your life to make it to the top of the first peak.

It is a cool hike, and you get a great workout because it's all uphill. But you end up having to make a ridiculous choice at the end of the hike.

There are four or five roped sections because the incline is so steep - nearly vertical in some places. If you fall on one of these sections, there's a high probability that you'll break a bone. Of course, if you hit your head, it could be fatal. That's pretty bad, but just wait...

The most dangerous section is at the very, very end. When you're about 20 to 30 feet from the top of the first peak, you have to climb a giant rock section to summit in order to get your picture. It's nearly vertical, and if you would slip and fall, you will die. There is no rope, and the fall is hundreds of feet down. You're on the knife-edge of the ridge, and you have to do short section of straight-up free climbing. It's ridiculously dangerous.

Of course, you'll want to risk it to get your picture since you hiked for hours to get there, and you're just about there. And you've seen all of the pics online of the folks who have summited. And you can't get the view and picture from the spot you're in. Maybe there's even some folks coming down from the peak - they did it, so why can't you?

So we scaled that section to get the picture, but the whole time I knew that it was stupid and risky. Coming down from the peak is even worse because you can clearly see that you will absolutely die if you slip even once. Your nervousness does not help.

Then coming down the roped sections becomes worse too because you can see that you'll break a limb or crack your head open if you fall.

The fact that so many people summit the first peak without fatal consequences must show that when your life is on the line, you will tend to rise to the challenge out of an instinctive will to live. But why take that chance for a picture?

But make no mistake, you are risking your life and the lives of your family/friends/partner/etc.,... if you do this hike. That last pitch to the first peak should technically only be attempted with a harness, ropes, and a belay partner. It's true rock-climbing with deadly consequences.

Obviously, we made it back o.k but I told myself that I'd write a review to warn others that you do indeed have to risk your life to summit the first peak. It's just stupid.

Attempting the second and third peaks is even more dangerous.

Google Olomana Trail/Olomana Mountain to read all of the stories of people losing their lives or having to be rescued with helicopters.

There are other hikes on Oahu that give you spectacular views of the ocean from up high. Even though it's also an intense workout to get to the top of the other hikes, you don't have to risk death to get the picture and have a great day. I would recommend choosing one of the pillbox hikes instead. We did those too, and I think that the pictures are even better.

(I rated this hike with five stars in the hope that more people would read it).
Written 26 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

artsymrdarcy
Oahu, HI26 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2015 • Friends
This hike is well known among the locals - this hike has a higher amount of deaths reported. From a 19 yr old getting lost and never found, to a friend trailing behind and suddenly missing, to slipping from loose rock and falling, off duty firefighter dying after a fall - please, please be careful. If you are not fit and up for rock climbing and an inch from death, there are many other easier and beautiful hikes to do! The deaths are not elderly people ... they are young, 20s, 30s. Please google Olomana hike death and read before risking your life!
Written 22 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jordan L
Los Angeles, CA40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2016 • Friends
I have done both Olomana and the Stairway to Heaven and I cherish this hike 10x more than my Stairway hike. Anyone can climb stairs, but not everyone can do this hike. If you are an adventurer and up for a challenge, this is the best hike you can do on Oahu.

Trail head
We found the trail head on Alltrails and it directed us to the golf course entrance. The attendant told us that we could not park there or anywhere on that road between the course and the highway. You will need to park down the road a good ways and walk the road to get to the trail...maybe 20 mins walk.
The trail starts off very easy and there is a cool bit with some George of the Jungle style vines to swing on--we definitely had some fun with that first.
The trail starts to get steep leading up to the first peak. We probably ran into 20 hikers on the way up and all of them stopped at the 1st peak and headed back. It is probably 1.5 hrs to the first peak from the trailhead due to the incline.
The view from the first peak is awesome, you can see the other two peaks and the whole valley. There are some great photo ops there. If you're not tired at this peak, you should at least give the second peak a try. It will look very intimidating from the 1st peak but once you get going, it's not quite as bad.
The second peak gets more dangerous, with several steep climbs up rock faces. You are pretty much rock climbing at several points. There are ropes anchored into the ground or on tree trunks to help you, but if you lose grip and fall, you will likely fall several hundred feet before coming to a stop. The incline is very steep and the ridges you climb are extremely narrow. At their widest maybe 10 feet, at the narrowest maybe 3 feet.
If you make it to the second peak, you'll start to feel the pressure. Looking at the 3rd peak, it looks so steep and narrow...and it is. The decent from the 2nd peak is very steep and you will need to use the ropes. You descend a few hundred feet and start your way up the third peak. Again, there are very challenging climbs with climbing rock and tight-roping narrow trails. It is such a fun hike, you really feel like you're having and adventure.
By the time you reach the third peak, you have become used to working with 90 degree inclines, perilous rock climbs, and balancing along narrow ridges. The view is incredible. You can descend to a small landing after the final peak and it is great for taking pictures. Be careful, the way down to this landing is kind of tricky. There is actually a rope ladder that you can't see from above. Use the ladder to get down or else you'll cut yourself up sliding down the volcanic rock on your belly like I did lol.
Our return from the peak to the car took 1.5 hours with no stopping for pictures or water. We were among maybe 5 hikers to make the 3rd peak that day, which felt like small company in contrast to the dozens per day that make it up Stairway.
Written 9 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve S
Syracuse, NY7 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2013 • Couples
I think the other reviews don't sufficiently convey how dangerous this hike is. It's beyond being scary - I could easily imagine falling to a severe injury or even death. The view at the top is awesome, but you'd better know what you're getting into. We went up to the top of the first peak, but if we'd known what the hike would be like, I don't think we would've chosen this hike.

Much of the trail involves ascending and descending very steep, muddy paths. There are ropes and tree roots to help, but you still have to be very careful. Some parts are genuine rock climbing on near-vertical slopes, with long drop-offs on the side. (But you're doing this without the benefit of safety equipment.)

If you go, make sure the chance of rain is very low, as rain would've made this even more slippery.

That said, the view is awesome from the top, and the experience of being on a narrow ridge is pretty exciting. So I can see why this hike is so highly rated by the other reviewers, but I want to temper that by pointing out that it really is dangerous!

For a similar view without the danger, I'd suggest going to the Pali Lookout instead. (Go there even if you do this hike - it's one of my favorite spots on Oahu.) Even better would be if they would re-open the Haiku Stairs - that looks like it would be a better view, a similar experience of being on a ridge, and much safer.
Written 1 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helen R
San Diego, CA350 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This hike is so much fun-it can be grueling if you're not used to hikes with elevation changes. This 6 mile round-trip hike has 1600 feet of elevation change. Park near the Olomana Country Club in Kailua.
You could do the much shorter version of the hike and just do the first peak. This part of the trail affords the best view (this peak is the highest) and it's the most maintained. The best time to do this hike is on a clear day-for the best views and to avoid rainfall-however, be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks in case you do the full hike.
There are treasure chests at each peak that have things that hikers left behind-unfortunately some people leave trash in there.
Once at the first peak, you will see Kaneohe, Kailua (including the Lanikai offshore islands) and the Koo'lua Mountains.
The 2nd and 3rd peaks may require some rope assistance and minor climbing. There are steep drop offs, but there are always things to hold onto even when the trail is eroded-at least on the parts with major drop-offs. The ropes that are pre-existing were good enough to hold my weight, but there's no guarantee they will still be in working condition when you go. I have gone with people who have a fear of heights, and it was rewarding for them to prove to themselves they could overcome their fear.
Written 31 July 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hawkdriver1974
37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2016 • Friends
We hit up the three peaks today and it was well worth it. Overall, we did about 10 km today and it did take us about 6 hours. That's from the parking all the way to peak 3 and back.

It get's pretty sketchy in some places. You should be physically fit and have a good sense of you limitations. Remember, the ropes are not maintained.

1. Get an early start - it gets warm!
2. Bring lots of water and please consider packing some safety gear (first aid, food, light, etc.)
3. Let someone know you're going and when you're done.
4. Park on Maunawili in front of big brown house.
5. Bring lots of water.
6. Bring gloves.
7. Expect the trail to be very slippery for the first couple miles from the trail head.
8. Stop to smell the flowers and listen to the birds.
9. Bring a hat and consider freezing a towel. It'll cool you off nicely later on when it's so hot out and your towel has thawed enough to wrap around your head.
10. Take your time. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Remember, hastiness can be your enemy.

Enjoy the hike!
Written 16 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kasejason
Chicago, IL357 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2014 • Couples
My wife and I hiked the Olomana Three Peaks Trail on a cloudy day in late March. It had rained the night before, so there was a lot of mud and some slippery conditions at the start of the trail. We greatly enjoyed this hike, even though we found it to be quite arduous. We only hiked to the first peak and then came back down so that we could do another hike later in the day. Below are some thoughts to assist you in your planning.

Parking
There were several cars parked before a bridge leading into the Royal Hawaiian Golf Course. Our hiking book recommended that we not park here due to break-in problems. We saw plenty of auto glass on the ground near the cars, so we decided it would be better to seek safer parking. We drove up Maunawili Road to an adjacent neighborhood. While this added about a mile to our hike round trip, we felt better about leaving the car here. There was another benefit of parking here, and that was that we passed Maunawili Neighborhood Park on the way to the trail head. This park had drinking fountains and bathrooms, which we found most useful after the hike! Here are the coordinates to the neighborhood in which we parked: 21.370615,-157.764971

The Trail
We hiked back to the entrance of the golf course, where we met a guard. He asked if we had parked on the other side of the bridge (they don't want people parking on the golf course side of the bridge). He also warned us about the trail, stating that there are wild pigs and that people have died from falling off the rocks. Having read previous tripadvisor posts, we knew that he was exaggerating a bit. We thanked the guard and headed on our way.

When we finally got to the trail we found that it was horribly muddy and slippery. The red mud really stuck to our shoes and we contemplated skipping the trail altogether. We decided to keep on hiking, and we are glad that we did. Once we reached an open ridge and a group of Ironwood Trees the trail became fall less muddy. In fact, mud was not an issue throughout most of the hike after the first little bit. Don't let it deter you from the excellence ahead.

Once on the ridge, the hike became quite steep. Every now and then we were awarded views of the surrounding scenery until reaching a point where the trail turned from a hike into more of a climb/ scramble. In several places, the trail climbed straight up rocky areas and some light climbing was required. The tree roots and branches along the trail were sufficient for climbing up the rocks, so no additional climbing equipment was needed. Some places had ropes affixed to the rock but we tried not to use these as they often looked old and untrustworthy.

This climbing part was probably the best part of the trail. It just kept going up and up until we reached a rock face that seemed almost too dangerous to climb. Another group suggested that we seek an alternate route to the left of the rock face. We did end up going with this alternate, but it required us to swing around a tree at one point with a sheer drop below us. After coming back down the trail using the rock face, we both agreed that the best route would have been to just climb the rocks directly. It looks a lot worse than it actually is because it makes you feel quite exposed/ like you could fall hundreds of feet. While it is true that a slip would not end well here, there were plenty of handholds, so it wasn't too bad after all.

Near the very top of the first peak, we often found points where we could go over or around different rock obstacles. Either option seemed fine as they all led to the top. The view at the end was most excellent even on our cloudy day. We spent some time taking everything in and decided not to head off to the other two peaks. I wouldn't mind returning on a nicer day to seek out the other peaks.

Final Thoughts
This trail is pretty much all uphill all the time on the way to the top. It is rather strenuous in this regard and should be taken according to your fitness level. It took us a lot longer than we had anticipated (about 5 hours round trip). If you are in excellent climbing condition, you can likely complete the hike more quickly. If you can, try to choose a clear day to make the views that much better. Finally, make sure to bring plenty of water along with you, especially if you plan to continue on to the other peaks.
Written 11 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Olomana Three Peaks Trail - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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