Olomana Hike – Oahu

The Olomana hike out by Kailua is not one for the faint of heart. By that I mean it will not only get your heart pumping from the steep incline, it may also be racing from the crazy heights.

Here’s what you need to know about hiking Olomana Trail.

Olomana Trail (Three Peaks) Hike

Updated: 2023. Originally published: 2015.

Olomana Trail Details

Hike Distance: 2.5 miles / 4 km
Hike Difficulty: Intermediate-Hard
Hike Elevation: 1600ft+/ 450m+
Hike Duration: Two to three hours
Parking: Street Parking
Park Time: Sunrise-Sunset
Fee: None

Olomana Trail Parking

Parking for the hike is before the bridge on Loop Road (any further and you might get towed). Then you walk up the road, past a guard shack for the Golf Club, and continue on the road until you see the sign above at the trailhead.

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Hiking Olomana Trail

The trail starts out like many others on Oahu: muddy and full of tree roots. Not too crazy, but still easy to slip.

Before too long, you start to feel like you’re on a stair master, getting steeper and steeper. Fortunately, the path is mostly shaded.

The next phase of the hike has ropes to assist you up steeper portions of the rocks.

Having watched the first part of this youtube video of the first peak, I knew that if I made it to the top, I would probably be too freaked out to go back down. So I waited while Jedd continued on up the steepest parts.

Here are some of the views from climbing the first peak. It is about 1.5 miles to the top, with steep drop offs on either side.

There are actually three peaks total if you continue along the ridge trail. The second is supposedly pretty easy and the third is much more technical. One was (more than) enough for us.

More About Hiking Olomana Trail

Is Olomana Trail open to the public? Yes, Olomana Trail is open to the public.

How to get to the Olomana trail? The trail is accessible through a private golf course, the Royal Hawaiian, off at Loop Road. A sign marking the official trailhead is located on left hand side of the road past the Royal Hawaiian gate.

Is Olomana Trail free? Yes. There is no fee to access the trail but hikers must pass a manned guard station. 

How long does it take to hike Olomana Trail? It takes about two to three hours in total to hike the three peaks.

When is the best time to hike the Olomana Trail? Olomana Three Peaks Hike is one of the best sunset hikes in Oahu. The first peak is said to have great sunset views of the northeast coast of the island all the way down to Kualoa and Kaneohe Bay.

Be sure to plan well so you don’t get stuck on this challenging trail in the dark. Our preference is to visit early in the morning while the temperature is cool.

Is the Olomana Trail Hike difficult? The Olomana Three Peaks Hike is one of the most difficult hikes in Oahu. As the name suggests, the complete hike consists of three peaks of varying heights and difficulty. 

Is it safe to hike to the Olomana Third Peak? The journey to the third peak is the most technical, with a drop-down descent involving rope climbing and narrow sections over slippery ridges.

Please do not attempt this if you’re not an advanced climber, especially at dark!

Tips for Happy Hiking Olomana Trail

Before Hiking Olomana Trail

Watch a youtube video of the trail to make sure it’s something you can manage before you get stuck up there. 

Where to Park at Olomana Trail

Park before the bridge on Loop Rd so you don’t get towed. Do not leave valuables in your car as break-ins have been reported.

What to Bring on the Hike

• Bring a change of shoes and plastic bag to put the muddy ones in (unless it hasn’t rained in a long time)
• Consider looking out for a walking stick for the slippery parts – although you won’t be able to take it up the ropes
• Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and some bug spray

* Access our free Hawaii packing checklist here *

If you have hiking plans for your Oahu trip, we’d love to hear about them! Let us know if you have any questions, or if there are hiking tips you think we should add to our list.

You might also like these posts:
Visitor’s Hiking Guide to Oahu
The Best Sunset and Sunrise Hikes on Oahu
Lanikai Pillbox Hike – Oahu, Hawaii  
Lulumahu Falls hike – Oahu
Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail – Oahu, Hawaii Hike  
One Week Oahu Itinerary
Where to Stay on Oahu
Is the Go Oahu Card worth it?
Honolulu Walking Routes Maps
Where to Stay in Honolulu Outside Waikiki

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