Hiking the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
This article is not indexed on any search engine because of the sensitive issues surrounding this trail.
Distance: 10.0 miles / 16.1 km
The Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail in central Oʻahu is certainly a trail and a topic with many different stories. Depending on who you talk to, they may either say they love it or hate it, but if you’ve come across this unindexed post of mine, it’s no secret that the Moanalua Middle Ridge is the preferred back way to the Stairway to Heaven (Haʻikū Stairs).
Personally, I’m not going to make any suggestions or recommendations about hiking the trail one way or the other, but know that your decisions are yours! Furthermore, I think the degradation of the landscape is a shame—especially when you begin to understand the vital importance that Moanalua Valley plays as an ecosystem, providing refuge to a number of federally listed endangered species.
This is all to say that the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail certainly isn’t easy due to the severity of the erosion, and I ask that if you are considering the hike, please avoid wearing micro-spikes to prevent the erosion from getting worse. To put it honestly and harshly, you should not be hiking this or any trail in Hawaiʻi if you need micro-spikes, and if you disagree, you don’t own proper footwear.
Moanalua Valley Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Moanalua Valley Trail is located at the very end of Ala Aolani Street, just outside Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park.
That said, hikers are not allowed to park within the small parking lot of the city park, and if you chose to ignore the signs, there is the risk of returning to you car with a ticket on it.
Google Maps Directions: Moanalua Valley Trailhead
Hiking the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail
At the back of the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park, the hike to the Moanalua Middle Ridge begins on the Moanalua Valley Trail for the first 2.9 miles (4.7 km).
That being said, all of the elevation gain is at the end, at just under 2,000 ft. (610 m) in only 2.3 miles (3.7 km) to the summit.
Don’t forget to pack a headlamp for such a long hike.
Kamananui Valley Road
As the Moanalua Valley Trail follows the Moanalua Stream, know that it’s generally easiest to stay on the high path whenever the trail splits to avoid unnecessary ups and downs.
The photo below is one of the first bridges that you will encounter in Moanalua Valley, which is easiest to stay on the left-hand side.
When the trail opens up to this big clearing in the photo below, go right to continue on Kamananui Valley Road toward the start of the Middle Ridge.
This section of the Kamananui Valley Road is notorious for being very muddy, and that’s why there are a number of side trails through the trees that people have made, as this section never seems to dry out.
Moanalua Valley-Kulanaʻahane Junction
After about 2.9 miles (4.7 km) on the Moanalua Valley Trail, the Kulanaʻahane Trail splits from Kamananui Valley Road on the left-hand side.
Here, go left to cross over the Moanalua Stream, and the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail will branch off immediately following.
Moanalua Middle Ridge-Kulanaʻahane Junction
Immediately after the trail crosses the Moanalua Stream, the Moanalua Middle Ridge begins.
At this split, go right to begin the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail up to the Koʻolau Summit. If you are interested in reading about the full Kulanaʻahane Trail to the Moanalua Saddle, check out my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Kulanaʻahane Trail
Almost immediately after leaving the Moanalua Stream, the Middle Ridge begins climbing, which remains nearly constant all the way to the top!
Once the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail climbs above the Strawberry Guava forest that blankets the lower elevations, the views get better and better the further you hike!
However, this is also when the challenges associated with erosion become increasingly difficult as the trail climbs higher.
Since shade is so few and far between, even when there are trees, I highly recommend hiking the Moanalua Middle Ridge with a hooded sun shirt to stay safe.
The steep section in the next few photos below is arguably the most eroded section on the entire Middle Ridge. For perspective, the erosion on this section is so severe that it can easily be seen from as far away as the airport on a clear day!
That being said, please stay on the trail, and don’t make it any wider than it already is.
This is the view, looking back down the worst of it.
Moanalua Summit
On a clear day from the summit, views across much of Kailua and Kāneʻohe can be seen, including notable places like Puʻu Māʻeliʻeli, the Lanikai Pillboxes, and Mokoliʻi, to truly name only a few.
In addition, the Moanalua Summit is also the start of the Koʻolau Summit Trail (KST), but know that the next major section to the south, past Tripler Ridge, is the Kalihi Saddle, which is the hardest and most difficult section on the entire summit trail.
I only mention this to say that hiking on the summit is not meant for all hikers, of all abilities—especially if you decide to hike south.
Read My Separate Post: Koʻolau Summit Trail (KST)
Native Plants on the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail
It’s honestly a shame that the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail is so heavily trafficked because of what it has meant to such a beautiful valley filled with endemic Hawaiian plants.
That said, there are a ton of different native species to look out for, including various Naupaka species, all three Oʻahu-endemic ʻŌhiʻa species, Kāmakahala, Lapalapa, Kāpana, Kanawao, and countless more!
If you would like to learn more about these and many other native Hawaiian plants from across the islands, I encourage you to check out my separate post linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
