I love hiking, and I'd say I only do it for the gorgeous Island vistas and the connection to nature, but it's also to help me stay in shape. This becomes especially important through the holiday season when the calories start to pile on and then, quite out of nowhere, something else starts to pile on. Boo.
So the next few hiking posts will be devoted to hikes that are longer and steeper, and thereby more likely to burn off those pesky meals rich in savory meats and sauces, creamy sides, sugary treats, bold wines... wait, I lost my train of thought.
Ah, hiking! One of my favorites when I want to go the distance is the Kuliouou Ridge Hike. Many ridge trails around Oahu start at the back of neighborhoods that have been built up onto the mountain ridges. This one starts at the back of a neighborhood on the valley floor, so you're truly starting at the bottom of the mountain. But don't worry, you're not hiking straight up.
You'll start the trail hiking further into the valley. A few hundred yards in, the trail splits: You can continue along the valley floor, or turn right to start your ascent of the mountain (the "valley trail" vs. the "ridge trail" — there are signs). A series of switchbacks deliver you to the top of the ridge, which is thick with giant ironwood trees and carpeted with pine needles. The wind sounding through these trees is better than any Hollywood slasher-pic effect.
The ridge itself is steep and slippery in places because of pine needles, tree roots and sometimes mud. It gets narrow and steeper toward the end, but the trail is well maintained and graded steps built into the ridge will help you to the summit.
Up top, the views are similar to the Mariner's Ridge Trail, which is one peak over (I know some kamikaze types who climb between them — definitely not recommended unless you're an expert climber, I'm told you have to leap off the trail to a tree dangling off the ridge at one point). Sweeping views of Oahu's Windward side, Hawaii Kai, Koko Crater and Koko Head and, of course, Mother Pacific. At 2,000 feet up, the Kuliouou peak is a bit higher than Mariner's Ridge and often nudges the cloud line, so don't be surprised if your view is obscured.
At 2.5 miles one-way and 2,000 feet of elevation climb, you will certainly want to bring water and food.
Forest groves provide lots of sun protection, but it's a good idea to apply some SPF lotion for those exposure points on the ridge.
I keep forgetting how cold it can get at the top. You're often climbing into the cloud line, the wind is whipping at the top and after sweating your way up there you're suddenly chilled. Bring a windbreaker or sweatshirt — it will enable you to stay at the peak longer.
