Living on Oahu brings plenty of oppurtunities for interesting day hikes. The ridges that form the steap moutain ranges entice any local or tourist to see what is hidden.
One trail that defiinitely tricks the eye is the Hawaii Loa Ridge trail. It is located in Hawaii Kai where the trail head begins at the top of ritzy real estate. You must have a state license or military I.D. to enter the trail.
The hike is only about 3 miles round trip but the extreme elevation makes it feel more like 6 or 7 miles at times.
It begins at a rather desolate beginning of some brush and rocks with nothing too impressive. Once you hike for about 15 minutes absolutely amazing views begin to reveal itself. You are introduced to a beautiful view of perfect blue ocean through the valley.
For a small portion you hike up and down through some trees which make for a very beatiful dance of roots along the ground, then the fun begins. You come to see the end of the trail looming at an almost perfect 90 degree angle above you. Ropes are employed at some steep points mostly for stability when the ground is most from showers. Other than this the only thing that is really difficult is the extreme elevation rise and the lactic acid accumulating in your legs.
Once to the top you are truly rewarded. Clouds pass you by from the look out and you get an amazing view of what I think is Hawaii Kai all the way to Kailua. Fresh, cool breezes make this hike more than worthy.
The descent is hard on the knees but it allows for you to take in all the amazing views your back may have left behind.
If ever on Oahu this is a definite hike!
