8.2
PDI
4.6 mi
DISTANCE
1,474 ft
GAINED
6.1 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Gert Frobe, Texas
INTRO
Cycling Tantalus - along with Round Top Drive which starts at the same point, this is the best climb in Honolulu. While Round Top has the top view of Honolulu, Tantalus is a bit more tropical and the banyan trees with their tree tunnels and hanging vines are a fantastic tropical bike climbing experience.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. Average grade is 6.1%. 23% of the climb is at 0-5% and 77% at 5-10%. The steepest quarter mile is 9%.
See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button above.
Roadway: 2 lane road with double yellow center stripe and no shoulder in good condition. The first half of the climb is on city streets giving way to rural residential and the second half of the climb is in rain forest surroundings.
Traffic: Mild.
Parking: If school is no in session, park at the Hanahauoli School on Makiki Heights Drive to the left as you start the climb. Otherwise, there are parking spots along Makiki Street near the start of the climb - Map; Street View.
Provisions: None on the climb but plenty nearby.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
This climb can be done as a loop or out-and-back with Round Top Drive - Map - Out and back is 19.6 miles gaining 3,035'. Note that for the out-and-back you really are doing 1 loop back to the start then reversing your loop which takes you back to the start again. In other words, both climbs start at the same location.
Use the “Routes in Area” button on the menu bar above to see other bike climbs in this area. And see our Hawaii climb page for all top bike climbs in the Hawaiian Islands.
ROUTE MAP
MEMBER RATING
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MEMBER REVIEWS & COMMENTS
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gertbfrobe
Was looking forward to this ride once plans were booked to vacation on the island. Lots of fun! Not much traffic, and few cars on the road were respectful. It was super humid so the sweat saturating my gloves making my hands wet made it difficult to grip and shift in those higher graded sections. I kept to my pace going up the first time. Went down and then went up a second time to check out the views. The road conditions are horrible! Lots of potholes. One of my water bottles was ejected from the bike on the way down the second time due to the amount of overly filled asphalt pothole bumps. Take your time!! Also, due to the dark rainforest like conditions, it made it difficult to see the road coming down and all the associated bump obstacles, so suggest to not wear sunglasses in order to see better. Another disappointment was that Round Top Dr was shut down for construction, not allowing for a complete loop around the east side.
williamjessup
Long on my bucket-list, Tantalus has been conquered! Starting from Ala Moana Blvd, the climb really starts at Ward. The first 1/3 is gut-busting through the initial neighborhoods of Makiki Heights to Tantalus. Then it gives way to a less strenuous incline as you traverse the switchbacks heading up. But closing in on the top, the hill laughs at you and say "oh no, I'm not done with you yet", and the incline increases yet again! But mercifully that's just a sadistic tease. For you come through that and find your way transitioning onto Round Top Drive for the descent.
One bit of caution. The roads are horrible. Akin to a third world country. Actually, that's insulting to third world countries. The roads (Tantalus and Round Top) are in terrible condition. Beware descending at any speed. Potholes that will throw you from your mount at 35mph, lie in wait in every shadow.
Enjoy the scenery. Some of the most breath-taking views on Oahu!
