Poamoho Ridge Trail

This trail is great! Yes, you need a permit but that and the 4×4 road just make it feel more off the beaten path and more fun. The permit is easy to apply for and free and I think just about any 4×4 will get you there unless it’s really wet (and it’s pretty much the only time you’ll get to use in on Oahu, so be excited). The view at the end covers most of the windward side and is spectacular, though I think you have to get a little lucky on the weather. The only downside to this hike is if it’s raining, it gets TOUGH especially once you’re on the unmaintained section and given that you need to go a specific day with your permit this one might be best for the dry season.

I love hiking! Going up into the mountains offers a new perspective on life, and depending on where you go, offers views that are rarely seen by human eyes.
Poamoho Trail is a state-​maintained trail far in Wahiawa. However, there are a few caveats:
–You need a permit (instructions to obtain one are on the Na Ala Hele website), to be submitted no later than 10 days before the day you intend to hike.
–Access is only granted on weekends and holidays.
–You need a 4-​wheel drive vehicle to get to the official trailhead, as the access road is six miles long. Now, if you are beast, you can trek the access road without the use of a vehicle, but you’re adding on 12 miles to your journey (six miles, in, six miles out).
The trail itself is roughly 3.5 miles one-​way. Despite the many restrictions and therefore lack of traffic, Poamoho Trail is very well-​maintained (up to a point), as it is a graded trail. The elevation gain is barely noticeable and the scenery makes you question if you really are on Oahu. If you take a look behind you, the Waiane Mountain Range can be seen.
After a while, you will reach a sign marking the end of the maintained trail. The trail itself becomes a bit more rugged, but you will then start to see an increase in native vegetation. I love seeing loulu palms. Only native to the upper reaches of the Ko’olau Mountain Range.
Just before the summit, you will reach a fence, built by the state to help curb invasive species from taking over/​damaging the native wildlife. After the fence, you will reach the intersection of Ko’olau Summit Trail, a trail that goes along the Ko’olau Summit Range from Pupukea Rd to the summit of Kipapa. At this intersection there is a memorial to legendary hiker Geraldine Cline.
A few more feet to traverse, and if you are lucky to hit the summit of Poamoho Trail on a clear day, you will be treated to what is arguable the BEST summit view that Oahu has to offer. A grand view of Punalu’u Valley, a peek into Kahana Valley, and the summits of Pu’u Piei, Pu’u Manamana, Pu’u Ohulehule, and Pu’u Kanehoalani. Very few summit views on this island can even compare to it. Again, as long as it’s a clear day (which can be rare at times, so you’re taking a gamble).
If you ever get the chance to hike on this trail, do it. If you get a clear summit view, you hit the jackpot.

Poamoho Ridge Trail made it my 21^st hike since moving to Hawaii last year and I honestly felt almost as happy I did when I turned 21 and was legally able to consume alcohol… Well not really but this hike was so breathtaking and unreal that it seriously made my weekend.
2 things you will definitely need on this hike are
— a 4 wheel drive vehicle of some type. Luckily Phil P was kind enough to drive his jeep over the dusty bumpy unpaved roads and get us to the trailhead.
— a permit, thanks again to Phil P for acquiring this for us.
I was exhausted with 3 hours of sleep and a terrible hangover for the first part of it and at times wanted to sit down and just sleep in the valley but I kept trucking on and felt pretty damn good by the end of the hike. Luckily the hike wasn’t too difficult either. It was flat for most of the trail, and only really got a little grueling because we were fighting some overgrown bushes and were getting stuck in mud puddles every two minutes.
We didn’t even get to see the view at the summit due to rain and overcast conditions but the lush — Lord of the Rings like scenery was more than enough to shoot this one to the top of my list of favorite hikes. (I took some pictures, but it didn’t even come close to doing the hike justice.)
If this happens to you, there is a trail to the right of the summit which leads to a small cabin where you can dry off and have lunch and wait it out. Unfortunately mother nature didn’t want to bring out the sun so we ended up hiking back down after about 30 – 45 minutes.
Muddy was an understatement on this hike so make sure if you go you aren’t wearing some nice new sneakers cause they are gonna be brown and slimey by the end of the hike.
So if you are looking for a completely different type of hike with beautiful scenery, go online — get a permit and check out Poamoho. You will not be disappointed.
Unilocal 365: ²⁰⁸⁄₃₆₅

this is one of my favorites. we usually bring bicycles and ride to the end of the road where we ditch the bikes and start walking. the views of kahana valley from the top of the ridge are nothing short of breathtaking. it is almost 20 miles roundtrip and will take a good half day.

The Pineapple field of Wahiawa holds a hidden gem. As you drive pass the fields of pineapple on your way down to Haleiwa one would never know a lush, vast, green valley lay hidden just behind the pineapple plantation.
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