Sentier du sommet Diamond Head, Vue panoramique époustouflante du sommet d'un cratère historique

Diamond Head Summit Trail

Waikiki à Honolulu, Hawaii, États-Unis

Le paysage au sommet de la montagne est excellent.

4.4

Parc

Jardin botanique

randonnée

Introduction

Situated in the city of Honolulu on the island of Oahu in the Hawaiian archipelago, Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach represent two emblematic landmarks of the city. Diamond Head, also referred to as the "Diamond Head Crater," constitutes a dormant volcano and it is believed to be Pele, the goddess of fire's, abode. The volcano's name supposedly stems from a group of British sailors who erroneously identified the calcite crystals found here as diamonds in the early 19th century. By hiking to the summit, one can take in the splendid scenery of Honolulu, especially the unforgettable sunset view. Consequently, climbing up the trail to Diamond Head's peak has become a popular activity among visitors. The trail's Hawaiian name is Le'ahi, meaning Diamond Head Crater, and it was built in 1908 as part of Oahu's coastal defense system. After its completion in 1911, the command post for the artillery units positioned in Waikiki and outside Fort Ruger by the volcano was located in a shooting command headquarters at the mountain's summit. During the hike, you can learn not only about the crater's geological information but also get a glimpse of its military related history. The majority of the trail is made up of natural tuff topography, navigating through many zigzagging uphill paths, steep stairs and a 69-meter long tunnel to reach the summit. At the mountain's peak, one can observe the military bunkers that line the edge of the crater and the navigation lighthouse built on the crater's outer edge in 1917. From here, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of Oahu Island's southeast coast, which is pleasing to the eye. If you're lucky, you may also catch a glimpse of humpback whales migrating from Alaska in the winter.