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Waʻahila Ridge State Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 444 Google reviews · Running trail in Honolulu, Hawaii · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Waʻahila Ridge State Recreation Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Forested park along a ridge featuring hiking trails, picnic tables & scenic views of nearby valleys.
What runners say about Waʻahila Ridge State Recreation Area
“There are many interest points along the way, beautiful pine tree forest, view of the entire green Mānoa Valley, electric wires into Palolo valley and nature's rock formations”
“The base area has a parking lot and picnic tables, very family friendly.”
It is a beautiful hiking area but I would say depends how far you want to go up. The base area has a parking lot and picnic tables, very family friendly. But once you start the hike I’d say it is more for advanced hikers.
One of my favorite places to hike. Pretty dry today but no tropical breezes. Attempted to continue all the way to Mt Olympus but it rained and too muddy to go all the way to the top. Just pure beauty from the beginning to end. Leave only footprints take only memories❤
This state park has a beautiful scenic view and a great place to have a picnic or to camp. It also has a trail that has a bit of everything from hiking through Pine trees to strawberry guava trees, climbing over rocks, dry and muddy paths, etc. Depending on your pace the hike could take up to 5-6 hours round trip.
Wa'ahila Ridge hike is at the top of St Louis Heights Nearby neighborhoods - Kaimuki and Mānoa make for great places to get a bite afterwards To get to the hike is almost as hard as the hike itself 😆 you have to drive up St Louis Heights which makes for quite a few switchbacks up the mountain.
Trail conditions & character
“There are many interest points along the way, beautiful pine tree forest, view of the entire green Mānoa Valley, electric wires into Palolo valley and nature's rock formations”
“It also has a trail that has a bit of everything from hiking through Pine trees to strawberry guava trees, climbing over rocks, dry and muddy paths, etc.”
“Mainly because it cab be muddy and there are even parts where you use a rope to climb a slippery area.”
“Once you get to the park , it's about a 10 minute walk into the trailhead.”
“We didn't make it out of the trails before dark and were happy to have lights with us.”
“The level of calm and serenity experienced here is beyond measure.”
“It's dog-friendly, and you don't have to go very far to get deep into the trees and access some lovely panoramic views of Diamond Head and the ocean.”
Plan your run at Waʻahila Ridge State Recreation Area
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitedlnr.hawaii.gov
- Phone+1 808-587-0300
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–6 pm |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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