Ko'olau Summit Trail (Pali Puka)

 

Sunday is typically reserved as a hiking day for my friend group and me. This past Sunday, we decided to try a trail none of us have ever done but was on our lists: Pali Puka. This trail is less than 1 mile (my GPS marked it as .85 to the hole in the rock and back,) rated moderate-difficult, has many steep areas where ropes are provided to help climb, can be windy and muddy, and will have you walking along some cliff edges. If you’re not great with heights, this may not be the one. However, one of the girls with us was very nervous at the cliffs and managed to make it with our support.

Getting to the Pali Puka was pretty easy and there is a parking area for the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout Point (if you’re coming from Honolulu, just take highway 61 N about 5 miles and the signs are marked. If you reach the tunnels, you went too far). There are parking fees for non-residents that can be paid at the pay stand. It looked like there were several options to pay including the use of a credit card, calling the phone number on the box, or using an app.

From there, you’ll want to head left, or to where the bus parking is located. The trail can be spotted easily. Immediately upon reaching the entrance, you’ll see a “closed” sign, but it’s clear the trail is traversed regularly. Anytime you’re doing a hike, I think it’s most important that you’re respectful to the land and the people around you. Never leave trash, disrupt the ecosystem, be too loud, or do things of that nature. Common sense, right?

The main trail was pretty clear, but at times, there were multiple paths. We used the AllTrails App to help keep us on the right path whenever we felt uncertain. It’s all pretty uphill to the hole in the rock. Under the trees, the area was pretty muddy. Some people suggested having spikes, which may have helped but weren’t necessary for us to complete the hike. My friend had a pair of workout gloves that came in handy when climbing the ropes. I would suggest having those!

On the cliff, the area was drier but scarier. Most of the places on the edge had the option of taking a muddier, inner trail, so just look around if the cliff makes you nervous.

When we got to the hole in the rock, we ran into some other hikers who gave us tips on how to get down. We didn’t realize we were standing over the hole, on the rock’s narrow path. We found it easier to take the rocky steps in front of the hole and all of us made it without much difficulty.

We made it! We took some time to enjoy the moment and the beautiful views. The hole was definitely a wonderful window to the gorgeous Kaneohe views.