Olomana Three Peaks

Honolulu is Hawaii’s metropolis and has everything some people need for an unforgettable Hawaiian vacation. You’ll find world-class resorts towering over Waikiki Beach offering up some of the most pampering hotel packages on earth. Or you can simply people watch on the beach, enjoy a Michelin-starred meal in the city and dive right into Hawaii’s best nightlife.

But lurking just to the northeast of Honolulu is an adrenaline-filled adventure. Look towards Diamond Head Crater and you’re looking in the direction of a mountain range inside the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve. This mountainous stretch of land is dotted with waterfalls and misty mountain peaks.

There’s one hike inside this area that attracts adrenaline junkies due to its heart-pounding ridge trail that connects three needle-thin peaks. Aptly named Olomana Three Peaks, the trail is not for the faint of heart or families, and it’s so dangerous that you might want to tell your hotel where you’re venturing on your way out the door.

If you have the gumption, Olomana Three Peaks offers up some of the most Instagram-able opportunities on all of Hawaii’s islands. You’ll be high above Oahu’s windward side with stunning views of some of Oahu’s most beautiful beaches in the distance. But, if you’re taking a selfie, most people won’t even see the far off views. They’ll simply be marveling at your intestinal fortitude as you stand on a telephone pole-slim peak in Oahu’s dense interior.

Warnings

Ask any local on Oahu, and they’ll tell you to be incredibly careful and do not bring children. Tourists have died on this trail. You’ll need to be in shape with plenty of upper body strength because you’ll be using permanently installed ropes to traverse the spine of a narrow ridge trail. You’ll also need sturdy hiking shoes with a very good grip, plenty of water, and you’ll need to tell someone of your whereabouts before you hit the trail in case of injury.

However, you can start the trail even if you have reservations because the first peak isn’t all that dangerous to the summit. It’s peaks numbers two and three that pose a real challenge, and the trail gets much harder the farther you go. Most people don’t have the courage to move past the first peak, but, if you’re a fit person that loves outdoor adventure, then you just might find yourself in one of the hardest-to-reach places on all of Oahu -- peak number three of the Olomana Three Peaks Trail.

Directions to Olomana Three Peaks Trail

Hawaii Route 61 takes you out of Honolulu and into the mountainous Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve. Drive for about 10 miles on HI-61 before turning right onto HI-72 for about a half-mile. Turn off of Kalaniana ’ole Highway onto Auloa Road. You’ll immediately see a rudimentary parking lot with plenty of parked cars. Remember to park away from the sidewalks in order to avoid ticketing and towing. Walk past the Royal Hawaiian Golf Course entrance towards Loop Road to find the well-signposted trailhead.

What To Expect

The trail is only 4.5 miles, but, if you get all the way to Peak Number Three, then you might spend the entire day traversing the difficult trail. Make sure to give yourself at least four to seven hours to complete the journey.

You can cut the hike short by simply turning around after climbing Peak Number One. In truth, the views from the first peak are just as good as they are on the two subsequent peaks, so you won’t be missing out if you don’t go any further. If you happen to turn back after the first peak, then the out-and-back hike is only three miles.

The trail is extremely slippery, which is dangerous on the spiny ridge between peaks, and you’ll have to use exposed tree roots for footholds. Make sure to pack your most trusted hiking shoes and tie them tight.

There are permanently installed ropes for ascending and descending sheer rock faces. You must have the upper body strength to pull yourself up these ropes in order to complete the hike. Otherwise, you might find yourself stuck on the trail after descending a rope along a sheer rock wall. 

Rain clouds can unexpectedly gather in the mountainous regions of Oahu. You might want to bring a poncho in case a storm suddenly hits.

Of course, you’ll need to bring plenty of water and sunscreen, but you’ll have to pack that water intelligently. You’re not going to be able to use the ropes if you’re holding a bottle of water. Instead, you need to pack your water and sunscreen in a tight-fitting backpack to traverse the natural obstacle course. A “Camel-type” hydration backpack is recommended.

Peak Number One

The trail can be muddy, but you’ll have tree roots to help you with footholds. The hike up to Peak Number One isn’t that death-defying, but there sure are a few scary moments. You’ll be traversing rock to the top of the first peak which is just 1.5 miles from the trailhead.

Peak Number Two

You’ll have to descend onto a narrow ridge spine before ascending back up to Peak Number Two. This is where you’ll be introduced to the truly dangerous bits of the trail. The spine gets so narrow in spots that a big gust of wind could put you in peril. And you’ll be introduced to the permanently installed ropes along the trail that will help you ascend and descend sheer rock. The ropes can feel very frayed in your hand, but multiple ropes are installed at each point, so make sure to grab as many in your hand at the same time as you can hold. And there’s no shame in turning around to safety. Remember, tourists have died on this trail.

Peak Number Three

The descent from Peak Number Two down to the narrow spine up to Peak Number Three is perhaps the scariest part of the hike. You’ll have to repel down a sheer rock face using multiple ropes before landing on the narrow spine. The spine from here is incredibly rocky, and you’ll be able to see Peak Number Three’s challenges out ahead as you walk along the spine.

The spine seems to get narrower as it climbs up to Peak Three, and you’ll have to do plenty of rock scrambling to get up there. Again, there’s no shame in turning around. And what’s your reward for ascending Peak Number Three? You get death-defying selfies with Oahu’s windward side in the background.

Mix Adrenaline With Relaxation

The trailhead to the Olomana Three Peaks is in the town of Kailua on Oahu’s eastern side. You’ll find a world-class white sand beach with unbelievably blue water in Kailua Bay. So, might as well reward yourself with a little relaxation in paradise after conquering your fears along the rocky spines of the Olomana Three Peaks Trail.

For more information about this dangerous and crazy hike, watch this video of the hike.