Mount Kaala

Mount Kaʻala rises in the northern Waiʻanae Range, and DLNR's Division of Forestry and Wildlife lists it among the Oʻahu Natural Area Reserves, a reserve that takes in the summit plateau and more. The reserve is fog-shrouded, with steep, wet slopes that fall from a montane bog to semi-wet foothills, and it holds rare native plants. At the summit, a boardwalk leads through native cloud forest, so visitors can explore the misty flats with minimal impact on the fragile native plants and animals. Reaching it is hard work: the sole vehicle access is a controlled government road, and the way up on foot is by arduous ridge trails. Stay on the boardwalk at the top to protect the plants.