Diamond Head Summit Trail

…is the trail’s length roundtrip. A paved concrete walkway is provided for the first 0.2 miles of the trek, which begins at the parking lot on the crater floor; after this, the trail becomes steep, relatively strenuous, and rutted. It’s also filled with switchbacks that were once used for foot traffic and mules, who brought materials to the summit for the construction of its Fire Control Station—a structure that continues to stand today. At the top of the switchbacks, you’ll find the best views thus far on the route, as well as the remains of a winch and cable—items that were once employed to lift building supplies from the crater floor.

…is roughly how many hours the hike will take you. Appropriate footwear (no slippers!), a moderate level of fitness, and caution is required. In other words, take your time and go slowly (and savor everything around you).

…is the elevation you’ll gain along the trail (the summit stands at 761 feet) but the calf-burning effort is well worth-it: The panoramic views at the top offer sweeping vistas of the shoreline from Koko Head to Hawaii Kai—and glimpses of the Waianae Mountains on the island’s leeward side. (Indeed, Diamond Head Crater is reputed to hold the title of the longest recorded land views on record.)

…years ago, the saucer-shaped crater was formed during a single, brief eruption that sent ash, cinder, and chunks of limestone into the air. This magmatic debris settled and solidified into a rock—called a tuff—that ultimately created the crater.

…was the year Diamond Head Summit Trail was started as part of the U.S. Army Coastal Artillery defense system. Artillery cannons, an observation deck, and cement bunkers were erected. It’s no wonder: the crater’s strategic location and height rendered it an excellent lookout, offering seaward viewing for potential sea and air attacks. Ancient Hawaiians knew this as well, and once lit bonfires at the summit to guide voyaging canoers—and to keep an eye on warships.

…speaks to the number of feet in the lighted tunnel on the trail. From there—and at the peak—you’ll find some of those World War II bunkers.

…is when the abovementioned Fire Control Station was completed. Formed as a command and observation center, it once housed instruments and plotting rooms to direct artillery fire. As the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency reports, “Diamond Head was prepared to defend Oahu from attack but no artillery was ever fired during the war.” All weaponry was removed in 1950.

…goes down as the year in which the lighthouse at Diamond Head was constructed. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and first featured on a U.S. postage stamp in 2007.