Tantalus-Round Top Drive is an 8-mile, two-lane scenic loop in Honolulu, Hawaii, starting near the entrance to Punchbowl National Cemetery. The roadway winds up Tantalus Drive to an elevation of 1,800 feet before descending along Round Top Drive, offering sweeping views of Honolulu, Diamond Head, and the Wai‘anae Range.
Built over 25 years between 1892 and 1917, the road crosses three volcanic cinder cones in the Tantalus range. Initially a gravel path, it was paved in 1937 with funding from the Works Progress Administration. In recognition of its historical and cultural importance, a seven-mile stretch was added to the State Register of Historic Places in 2007 and the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, becoming the first road on O‘ahu to receive this honor.
The area surrounding the drive is a haven of natural beauty, with lush rainforests, vibrant plant life, and access to numerous hiking trails. The 2,000-acre Makiki State Recreation Area, established in 1957, includes seven trailheads along the route, connecting to a network of 15 trails throughout Makiki Valley and the Tantalus-Round Top mountain range.
This drive is also environmentally significant. The Makiki Valley streams, fed by 130 inches of annual rainfall from the Tantalus-Round Top area, play a crucial role in Honolulu’s water supply. From 1934 to 1941, the Civilian Conservation Corps led a reforestation project to protect the region’s watershed.
Today, Tantalus-Round Top Drive is a beloved destination for residents and visitors alike. Its tranquil setting, stunning vistas, and rich historical background make it a cultural and recreational treasure, celebrated as Oʻahu’s first State and National Historic Road.
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Tantalus-Round Top Drive is an 8-mile, two-lane scenic loop in Honolulu, Hawaii, starting near the entrance to Punchbowl National Cemetery. The roadway winds up Tantalus Drive to an elevation of 1,800 feet before descending along Round Top Drive, offering sweeping views of Honolulu, Diamond Head, and the Wai‘anae Range.
Built over 25 years between 1892 and 1917, the road crosses three volcanic cinder cones in the Tantalus range. Initially a gravel path, it was paved in 1937 with funding from the Works Progress Administration. In recognition of its historical and cultural importance, a seven-mile stretch was added to the State Register of Historic Places in 2007 and the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, becoming the first road on O‘ahu to receive this honor.
The area surrounding the drive is a haven of natural beauty, with lush rainforests, vibrant plant life, and access to numerous hiking trails. The 2,000-acre Makiki State Recreation Area, established in 1957, includes seven trailheads along the route, connecting to a network of 15 trails throughout Makiki Valley and the Tantalus-Round Top mountain range.
This drive is also environmentally significant. The Makiki Valley streams, fed by 130 inches of annual rainfall from the Tantalus-Round Top area, play a crucial role in Honolulu’s water supply. From 1934 to 1941, the Civilian Conservation Corps led a reforestation project to protect the region’s watershed.
Today, Tantalus-Round Top Drive is a beloved destination for residents and visitors alike. Its tranquil setting, stunning vistas, and rich historical background make it a cultural and recreational treasure, celebrated as Oʻahu’s first State and National Historic Road.
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