Ka'au Crater Trail (shortened version)

The Trail
This difficult trail is about 4 miles long (round trip) with about a 1170 foot elevation change. (Note that the information below includes the short walk from where we could park to the trailhead.) The trail goes to and then climbs up three waterfalls, at the top of which the Ka'au Crater can be seen. From here is circles around and comes back down the ridge line before descending down into the canyon and back to the trail that went up. There is also a longer 7.25 mile route that goes up to the tallest peak around the crater and circles back down, but the trail information here is for the shorter route.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

This trail starts at the end of a road behind a line of mailboxes. We found it marked by a handmade sign. The trail heads down in a brief dip here.

It quickly meets up with the river and follows it up the canyon. It is hard to follow in some places, but pink ties help mark the way. If you do get off the trail as we seemed to do at one point, it's possible to pick up again further along as it generally follows the river pretty closely. It crosses the river multiple times and meets up with a large pipe that has a clear trail next to it, which is the way to go. The trail is often quite muddy, though overall it was relatively dry the day we went.

Pipe that follows trail for a ways.

The first waterfall is about 1.7 miles from the trailhead. We couldn't find a clear path anywhere down to the base of the falls, but that doesn't mean there isn't one. We just didn't have a lot of time to search for it. Instead we saw it through the trees and from the top.

First waterfall through the trees

Top of first waterfall

Pools and rocks above first waterfall

The trail continued on following the river for another 0.2 mile before arriving at the second waterfall.

Second Waterfall

 The trail to continue on is just to the right of this waterfall.

Trail up the side of the second waterfall

Top of second waterfall

Large Rock/Memorial Plaque at top of second falls

In another 0.2 mile you will reach the base of the third waterfall.

Third Waterfall

What we didn't understand before we started was that this waterfall is really a whole series of terraced waterfalls up to the crater. The waterfalls originate from water draining out of the marshy middle of Ka'au Crater, and from this point in the trail you will keep climbing up the sides of waterfalls until you reach the crater in about another 0.3 mile.

If you wish to go back down, turn left at the junction at the top of the waterfalls and head up that way. After climbing up the ridge a ways you will have a good view of the crater. You can also look back and see the trail heading up to the highest peak of the crater; this is where you would be heading if you turned right at the top of the last waterfall.

Ka'au Crater

Ka'au Crater with trail around the longer way to the other peaks

The climbs up the last waterfall and to the peaks going the other way are said to be tricky, particularly when especially wet and muddy. It is not recommended to go up this trail especially along the longer route if it is very rainy. It is probably much better to not do during the wet season. As previously mentioned, the day we went it was not particularly wet, and we found the climbs up to be easy, especially after having hiked the Olomana Three Peaks Trail, but it would definitely would have been more challenging under wetter conditions. We really didn't even need any of the ropes, though they helped us spot the correct trails to climb up. This is probably not a good trail for inexperienced hikers and should not be done without proper shoes, plenty of water, food, and other possible needed items. There are ropes along many of the spots to climb up, but use these with caution and only if necessary. These ropes are put up by other hikers, but it is impossible to know how long they have been there or how securely they will hold your weight. Always test them to make sure they will support you before trying to use them, and don't put your full weight on them while climbing unless absolutely necessary. One of the ropes on this trail we found had nearly been sawed apart as it had worn on a sharp rock at the top near where it had been anchored. Remember, there have been plenty of injuries, falls, rescues, and even some deaths on this trail, so use good judgement when planning and taking your hike.

After viewing the crater, the trail will continue along the ridge and then back down the canyon to the trail you started on.

This trail is not recommended for dogs.

Directions
This trail is located on Oahu, HI not far from Honolulu in the neighborhood of Palolo. To get there, take HI-1 to Exit 25b for 6th Ave. and head north. Turn right onto Harding Ave. and then left onto 10th Ave. Continue to Waiomao Rd. and turn right.  There is very limited parking near the trailhead. If the parking there is full, you will have to park further down off of Waiomao Rd. and walk a short ways to the trailhead. GPS Coordinates: N21 18.647 W157 46.914