Waiheʻe Ridge Trail

The walk starts at the Waiheʻe Ridge trailhead parking lot, 0.9 miles up Maluhia Road from Kahekili Highway (Route 340). From the gate a steep, paved one-lane road climbs towards a water tank, and the trail bears left just before it into a gulch of kukui and guava. It climbs through Cook pines and eucalyptus to an overlook with a bench and a view of a waterfall on Makamakaʻole Stream, then follows Kanoa Ridge high above Waiheʻe Valley, through open fern and two sets of switchbacks, and ends at a picnic table on the flat top of Lanilili, at 2,563 feet. Return the same way.

It is 4.3 miles (6.9 km) round trip with 1,560 feet (475 m) of climbing; allow about 3½ hours. The grade is Moderate: a steady climb of about 1,500 feet on a clear path that is often muddy.

The gate at the bottom of the access road opens at 7 am and closes at 7 pm. If it is shut, park in the gravel area beside it and walk up the road, about a mile. There is no fee, and no drinking water.

This is a hunting area: wear bright clothing and stay on the trail. The top is often in cloud, so go early for the view. Check the State's trail page for storm closures before you go.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.