Waahila Ridge Trail
(Awaawaloa / Mt. Olympus)

Trailhead

Description: The Waahila Ridge hike is a combination of graded and ungraded trail to the top of the Koolau crest. This trail gets you the 2,486-foot peak called Awaawaloa, also known as Mt. Olympus. What to Expect: This page addresses the climb of the entire Waahila Ridge to the summit along the Koolau crest. Several hiking books only describe the climb to the end of the maintained/official Na Ala Hele trail (which is at the junction with the Kolowalu Trail down to Manoa). The first section of trail is wide and well-maintained. However, this section ends at the Kolowalu Trail junction and the ungraded ridgeline begins. The ridge trail steepens significantly as you near the summit. Expect some exposed climbing over eroded sections of steep ridgeline as you make your final climb. Trailhead Location: The trailhead is located at the end of a paved walkway in the back of Waahila Ridge State Recreation Area. Accessing the Trail: The Waahila Ridge State Recreation Area is a wooded state park in St. Louis Heights located on Ruth Place. To reach the park take Waialae Ave to St. Louis Drive, turn uphill, head nearly to the top where you'll take a right turn onto Peter Street and a left turn onto Ruth Place. Property/Access: Open, public-access and graded trail maintained by Na Ala Hele. The ungraded/unmaintained portion of the trail resides in the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve. Dangers/Other Considerations: As with all hiking, exercise caution and prudent judgement.