Waahila Ridge State Recreation Area

Good and moderate hike. Very muddy in several places. Good for beginners as well. Plan on spending atleast 2 hours to complete the hike. Plenty of parking.

I have a lot of great things to say about this hike but I’ll keep it short and sweet!
— There is ample parking at the trailhead as well as restrooms (with toilet paper!).
— While I wouldn’t consider this trail easy, it is baby-​wearer and keiki friendly. (I wore my 9-​month-​old and hiked with a group of other baby-​wearers)
— Good hiking shoes come in handy. Some steep/​slippery areas. Take your time going down and «climbing» up and and down the rocky areas. Considering wearing pants to avoid scraping legs on the rocky areas.
— Outstanding views at the «top.» I didn’t hike this all the way to Mt. Olympus (? I think that’s where it goes…) but I hiked to the popular lookout point… about 2.5 miles in. There’s a nice place here to stop and have a snack/​take photos/​refuel.
Don’t forget the water and sunblock on this one — Happy Hiking!

While the trail itself is clear and well maintained, the trees along the trail needs some clearing for optimal views. We saw lots of people with dogs and bikes despite the signs saying both were prohibited.
The hike itself is pretty easy if you’re in decent shape. Hell, my Baby Daddy did it and he NEVER works out We saw a few people with young kids and even wearing babies but I wouldn’t recommend it as there are some parts that require climbing.
Views on the drive up are amazing! There is a free parking lot but it can fill up. Plenty of tables and chairs as well as picnic sites to relax at afterwards.

Nice views. A bit crowded at first, lots of dogs walking their masters. Remnants of temporary shelters here and there. I am guessing hunters did that, but they should also pick up their garbage instead of throwing it down far enough so no one can clean it up. Marks from man made fires in places as well. Disrupted that natural feeling. Get back into the woods more and that feeling improves, but it didn’t go away entirely. Noticed the trail changed since I was there last (over 10 years ago). Worth it, but not a hike I’d do when it’s wet. Some narrow trails and elevations I just don’t want to slide down.

A convenient and great hike if you live in town. Plenty of parking during the week and some great views.

I would plan at least 5 or 6 hours to finish this hike if you are not fast. I had 4 hours and I had to turn around before I could the see the ocean on the other side. I might had made it if I walked 30 – 45 minutes more before I turned around. I think I turned around at the last small clearing with the nice view of the ocean on the Honolulu side before making it to the end. Even though I hiked this without knowing any thing about the trail, it’s is well marked so you shouldn’t get lost.

This is the long, slow assent to Mount Olympus. Bring lots of water if you intend of passing the «trail ends here» sign and continuing on to the top. It will take you 120 – 150 minutes to reach the peak. The trail end sign can be reached in about 40 minutes if you’re moving at a good pace. There are some minor (chest level) climbs on the way up but overall this is easy and very safe. I wouldn’t recommend it for kids though.

Looking for hike in St. Louis Heights? This is the perfect place to go.
The hike is very mountainous so prepare to get a little dirty and muddy. The beginning of the hike doesn’t start until you go about ¼ mile into the woods. You’ll see the start with a little sign with a hiker and arrow. Once you pass the start sign, the slope down is a little slippery and if it rained the day before, slightly muddy! So shoes are a necessity! Close to half way in, there’s a cool look out point of Palolo valley on the right side of the hike. Beautiful scenery! A MUST stop & take picture moment.
Towards the end of the hike there’s another look out point where you can see all of Honolulu! All of Waikiki and the city. Its breath taking and worth the hour hike in. The end of the hike is this green patch of flat land that if you pass, will enter into Mt. Olympus. For those that are willing to spend 8+ hours hiking, continue on and may the force be with you! All else, that is the turn around point to come back down the mountain.
Need to know:
Shoes & water are a MUST
Good for Dogs
1.40 hr round trip
Hike is not a loop, so same way going in and out
Bring a camera!!!

The trail is on top of a ridge. You drive up to the start of the trail. You get excellent views looking down at the Manoa Valley, Palolo Valley, Honolulu and the Ko’olau Range from the top of the ridge. The ridge eventually brings you Mount Olympus. From pictures, it looks like an incredible view but you will need ropes to climb to the top and it will probably take most of your day to complete that hike. I hiked 30 minutes one way for the views on the ridge and hiked back. There are a few spots where you will climb up and down rocks but I did not find it very difficult. Of course, be careful but I did not feel overly concerned.
If you are planning a trip to Oahu and looking for recommendations, please see

I love this hike. So serene and peaceful. Good for picnics too. Has covered pavilions with benches so you can go in any weather. It’s good for sunny hot days where you can’t normally hike from the heat. It has constant shade which I totally love. The views are really pretty too!

Waahila Ridge is unlike any park on Oahu. It’s a little complicated getting there, but once you’ve been there a couple times, you realize that it’s basically at the top of Saint Louis Heights.
Saint Louis Heights is an aging community, but driving into the park feels like you’ve been transported to another country. Tall, lush pine trees cast shadows over the parking lot. The cement always seems to be slightly wet, as though it rained right before you arrived. There’s a restroom perched up a steep hill and a couple of picnic tables and covered areas for parties. It’s very well maintained for a state park, which is why it’s the perfect meditation and hiking hideaway on the mountain. If I have time one day, I’d like to bring a bag lunch and relax listening to the wind whistling through the tree.
Waahila Ridge Hike: The hike is easy to find. Go up the cement walkway at the end of the parking lot, going in the direction of the ridge. There’s a sign pointing through the trees to a wide dirt path lined with fallen branches. The trail ascends immediately then descends down a slick muddy path to the left that connects to a trail of fir-​covered roots. Be careful here. The rest of the trail is up and down, up and down with several spots where you have to scramble a bit. What I love about the trail is that it’s full of surprises. One second you’re finding footholds to get up a dirt hill, the next you’re maneuvering your way around a gnarly tree and through a grove of guavas. My recommendation for handling the trail: power through the uphills and enjoy the downhills. It shouldn’t take more than 1.5−2 hours to reach the end (and the start of the Mount Olympus trail). There are a couple of nice vantage points of Honolulu, but nothing Instagram selfie-​worthy. If you’re brave, have extra water and snacks and are ready to slip, fall and get gross and MUDDY, continue on.
Back at the park, there are a couple of convenient spigots to wash your shoes. The red/​brown dirt will wreck your car interior! Bring extra clothes and slippers/​shoes.

Really fun hike and cool park!
I only walked to the end of the Waahila Ridge Hike (about 1.5 miles in) and I really enjoyed it.
Part of what makes this hike so nice is the different types of terrain. There’s exposed rock, sliding down tree roots, covered semi-​muddy spots. You won’t get bored and you won’t just be going up-​up-​up until you reach a peak.
It’s a fairly easy hike, good for kids and dogs too. I’m a pretty bog baby when it comes to difficult hikes, and I really enjoyed this one.
It can get muddy if theres been rain, so I would go on a sunny day.
We went in October and there was some fruit on the trees and ground, which got a little stinky. I have a feeling in the coming couple of weeks this might be one stinky hike!
The park is really nice too, there are plenty of picnic tables (covered and uncovered), a decent amount of parking, but the road in/​out is a little narrow. Be careful.

I’ve only hiked a handful of hikes in life and out of the 3 in Oahu, I’ve done, this is my favorite hike!
The incline is pretty gradual and gets your heartbeat up right at the start. What I like about this hike is that you go up and down numerous times instead of a constant incline. The terrain also varies from dry dirt to mud to makeshift stairs from super long tree roots to mild boulder hopping.
You get some relief from flat ridges and breathtaking views of Honolulu. Best hike!

This is a great hike. Take enough water so that you have enough to make to Olympus. Definitely not a beginner hike as you must traverse up and down and some parts are quite steep. Overall a great hike to get some exercise and then some. Go early when it’s cooler.

This is a really great hike and would say that it is in the intermediate level of hikes in Hawaii. It provides great views and scenes of the Manoa/​Palolo area. In order to get to this hike you will have to haul over to Wa’ahila Ridge State Recreation Park.
«Wa’ahila ridge state recreation area»
The park itself is pretty cool. I see that most people are just reviewing the hike that the state park provides. There are different areas where you can just hang and chill out with a couple of spots where you can overlook the Manoa area. There are a decent amount of table and picnicing areas. There are nice areas where you can have a picnic. It would be advisable to come on a nice beautiful sunny Hawaiian day. It could get ugly if it rains especially on the hike. Be advisable that the park closes at 7:45PM.
Location
In order to get to this hike you will have to haul over to the top of St. Louis Heights. You just pretty much keep on going up. There is a decent amount of parking in the area. Just be careful upon entering because the road is somewhat narrow coming in from the entrance especially if you have a large vehicle.
Wa’ahila Ridge hike
Ok for the hike itself, it could be a great one on a nice sunny and DRY Hawaiian day or not so great one on a gloomy rainy muggy Hawaiian day. When I first went with the bae and I it started off pretty dry but then started storming after. The hike takes you on several ridges going up and down which makes for some good hiking. There are some rocks and boulders along the way but you just gotta be careful. When you reach the end you will see a sign that the hike it technically «the end,» but you can continue along two more hikes (Kolowalu) and Mt. Olympus which should be separate in reviewing and discussion from this hike. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half depending if you take your time and stuff and that is going one way. So it could be about two to three hours round trip from the official start to official end.
Overall, if you live in the Manoa/​Palolo area this is definitely a great hike to do at any time of the day I would say.

We just finished this hike. It took us 2 hours to get there and another 1 hour and a half to get back.
This hike is hard. Only attempt it if you are an experienced hiker. Your going up and down about 5 — 6 ridges. The hike includes rock climbing, slippery roots and narrow ridges.
If you are ok with that your reward is an incredible and gorgeous view of Manoa and Palolo.
Tip: Bring lots of water (minimums 2 bottles a person). Wear hiking shoes, there are a lot of slippery portions of the trail. Also bring snacks for the long hike. Finally start the hike early in the morning as it starts to get hotter when it gets closer to lunch.
Good luck to everyone who makes the journey! May the odds be ever in your favor!

This is a great hike with awesome views of Diamond Head, Waikiki and Manoa Valley. Not a difficult hike but you will have a few up and down areas over some rocks but definitely not bad.
Park your car in the parking lot and head straight onto the trail. The trail is fairly well marked with ribbon. There is a section that has a small sign that says trail and and arrow pointing to the left. I didn’t take it but on the way out realized it takes you around the rock area so makes it a little easier for you. Oh well, next time. The trail continues with some up and down areas and through a mostly shady forest. You can stop once you reach the fork in the road with signs Kolowalu Trail to the left and Waahila Ridge Trail to the right. You will also see a sign that states the trail past that point is not maintained, so be careful and prepared. Beginners may want to turn around at this point.
I took the Wa’ahila Ridge Trail to the top which is a little more challenging and requires some more climbing over rocks and steep sections with the use of ropes that are already out there on the trail. You can also use the tree roots as handles to help you get up and down those more challenging areas. It really is not too bad just be prepared for it. Just before you reach the top you will find a large grassy area which is a great place to have lunch and take in the views but continue on to the top for sure.
The trail will get extremely muddy in certain areas and can be dangerous if you were to continue up the the ridgeline, so don’t go after a hard rain. The hike took me about 4 hours total and I stopped a lot to set up my tripod and take photos.
Tips — Take plenty of water, trail snacks and some type of camera to capture the awesome views. Also, best to wear some shoes that have some grip on the soles. Take your time, be safe and enjoy.
Aloha

This trail is kid friendly only if your child is used to ascending and descending hills… I brought my 8 year old here, but she is used to wider, open ridge trails. Parking is nice and easy… drive into the park and stalls are near the entrance. The path can be muddy if it recently rained. There is a small descent area that can be muddy and mosquito infested. This is a fairly small area in my opinion. The trail offers areas of great views as well as areas that can be sketchy for pets, so that is up to you but I wouldn’t bring my pets on this trail. At the end of the trail, you can continue to the Kolowalu trail or the upper Wa’ahila Ridge Trail that leads to the peak of Mt Olympus. The Views at the end of summit overlooks Kailua, Kaneohe, Olomana Peaks, Chinaman’s Hat… gorgeous. Bring lots of water and sunscreen.

Wa’ahila Ridge aka St Louis Heights Hike is a great hike on a clear day with a breeze. Hike-​able anytime during the day, there is ample free parking, restrooms at the start of the trail, and lots of tree cover to hide you from the hot sun.
This is a moderately difficult hike and can go on for however many hours your choose including crossing over to the windward side. Beginner hikers will be fine as long a you are in decent shape for hiking (i.e. can walk/​run a few miles, have an easy time going up and down stairs, and are able to bend/​climb as needed).
Just be warned, the trail will be very muddy and slippery if you go after it has rained so check the weather report and make sure to wear the right shoes.

A warm and sunny afternoon, we went hiking here. It is a really beautiful place. There is a hiking trail, picnic tables, bathroom, and parking lot. In the beginning of the hike, there are a bunch of trees and stumps. It’s beautiful to take photo shoots here.
The trail is easy to follow because there are pink bright markers. It seems there are 2 separate hikes. The beginning hike is around 45 minutes to an hour until you hit another sign in the middle of the trail that says Waahila Ridge. The beginning hike is easy… seems like kids are able to hike it. After the sign, it’ll be a tougher and longer hike. I wanted to try out the longer hike, and it was quite difficult and steep. After an hour hiking that long trail there were other hikers coming back down. I asked them how long more to get to the top, they told me it was a long way. It was getting late and I was hella tired. So I decided to turn around. This whole trip that I technically didn’t complete took around 3 – 4 hours round trip.
The view is definitely really nice. Beautiful nature and trees. I would come back just to do a photo shoot.