Download your copy of our While this hike will test your endurance, you will be rewarding with some of the best views of the island. It lets you know where you are with your fitness. At the top of the cone lie the remains of a WW2 era pillbox which was built as munitions storage and a lookout point for further attacks. Lets all do our part to hike the Koko Head stairs safely and responsibly so we can continue to enjoy this trail for many years to come! Welcome to the Koko Crater Trail page. Helped me a ton when carrying my 30lb toddler! Thats the mountain youll be climbing! Most people can get up and down in about an hour. The hike isnt super long. In fact, the Kokonut Koalition just finished their initial round of repairs to the stairs last month. HIKE. Youll want a good light for hiking Koko Head at sunrise, and again, I would highly recommend going in the daytime once or twice before you attempt it for sunrise. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 24 min to complete. It is also the name for the ring of the volcanic activity responsible for forming the unique geography of many Pacific Islands, a prime example of which is the Koko Crater. I would try to avoid hiking Koko Head in the middle of the day because the heat is brutal and theres no shade at all. Plan on probably at least 30 minutes to reach the top, and then almost the same amount of time to go back down. Koko Head History. That means Koko is steeper and harder. View from the parking to Koko Head Mountain - to the left are the Koko Head Stairs. Elevation Gain: ~885 ft. / 270 m. Some call it the Koko Head hike, but locals call it a workout because many Oahu residents treat the Koko Crater Stairs as a quick workout in the morning or evening. The seaward wall of the crater can be seen from Kalanianale Highway just past Hanauma Bay on the East Coast, approximately 20-minutes from Waikiki. The trailhead is open from 4:00 am till 11:00 pm. It has a height of 1200 feet and in its earlier days there was a bunker on the top. 7430 Kalanianaole Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA. Parking is free next to baseball field, crowded on weekends; don't leave valuables in the car. You will see multiple people (most-likely locals) hike this trail without shoes, but I would not do it myself. Stairs stairs stairs & yes more stairs all the way to the top. The park does not officially open until 6:30 which is right about sunrise that time of year. When people get hurt on the Koko Crater trail, usually its because they were rushing back down the stairs and slipped. There is ample parking, and the trail is always open. Are you looking for a great hiking adventure on Oahu? You get panoramic views of Hawaii Kai and Hanauma Bay below, and you can even faintly make out Diamond Head and the Honolulu cityscape in the distance. Learn about the best time to visit Oahu . Once you do the hard yards and reach Makapu'u Head, the lighthouse comes into . Walking along the south rim of Koko Crater. Theres a big parking lot at Koko Head District Park and its free to use for this hike. Makapuu Beach Park made our list of thebest beaches in Oahu, so be sure to check it out. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. We created this site because our friends and family were frequently asking for recommendations and tips on places to eat, where to stay, attractions to visit, etc. Also at the base of the crater, there is a visitor center (open 7am - 3 . Amazing views! A relic of World War II, the military constructed Koko Head Railway to transport supplies and soldiers. Once you reach the end of the stairs, dont stop there and return down. A non-profit volunteer group called Kokonut Koalition has been formed to maintain the trail and protect it from being closed by the Hawaiian government. To be fair, Koko is not as hard as Manitou, but instead of high elevation to contend with, you do have the tropical heat and humidity of Hawaii. The World Travel Guy 2023 Some shade. If you decide to do this hike during sunrise, remember to bring a flashlight and a jacket, as it gets cold in the early morning hours. Explore different ways to experience this place. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! This is a relatively quick hike contingent on fitness level. The Stairway To Heaven hike is much longer, steeper, harder, and scarier than the Koko Stairs. Good to know: The trail is has recently (June 2021) reopened after being closed for 2 years. Take your time and pace yourself. Take pics. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the Koko Head Trail (primarily due to safety reasons). You'll also find a preserved historical Hawaiian village along the way, so feel free to . Top ways to experience Koko Crater Railway Trail, Hiking ShuttleMakapu'u Lighthouse Trail or Diamond Head, Family-Friendly Private Circle Island Tour of Oahu, Amazing Oahu Adventure Bundle: 6 Epic Self-Guided Audio Tours, Oahu South Shore GPS Driving Beaches and Hiking Tour, Full Day Tour to Discover the Journey of Obama in Hawaii, Doors-Off Oahu Circle Island Experience from Kapolei. The last one-third of the Koko Head trail gets noticeably steeper and harder than before. Tough but awesome workout. Don't worry; the last volcanic activity took place tens of thousands of years ago! A hat and some shades would be welcome as additional sun protection. Koko is also better for seeing the sunrise or sunset. The Stairway To Heaven also has much more epic views than Koko Head, but sadly its closed and illegal for the public to climb, even though the stairs are arguably in better shape! I love a good sunset on a volcano! That is just a mere total of 1.4 miles for the round-trip. The path at Diamond Head is in much better condition than the Koko stairs, so its definitely more suitable for kids and older people. Lanikai Pillbox: The Pillbox Hikeis one of my favorite hikes on Oahu. Even if you arent the worlds greatest athlete, and are taking your time, drinking water, and stopping often, going up is less than an hour. Lost some weight just going here every week once a week for an afternoon hike after work. This is the most touristy hike as it is very close to Waikiki, but has a great view. A small overstep could cause significant injury. Alternatively, for a change of scenery you can hike out via the Koko Crater Rim trail, but this route is more sketchy and it takes you away from the Koko Head parking lot, so youll need to figure out transportation when you reach the bottom. See options Full view All photos (2,608) There are some areas where you will have to use your hands to help you down. Depending on how you look at it, hiking to Koko Crater is both very simple and quite challenging. Koko Head Trail is open all year and one of those trails to hike anytime. I HIGHLY recommend the headband flashlights if arriving before sunrise. for their Hawaii vacation. We once did the hike around 4:00 pm in April, and it was still too hot, but it was so much better while coming down as the sun was beginning to set. You do not have to be in great shape to hike the trail, but it will make it much easier. I would highly recommend wearing good shoes and bringing lots of water. In our case, a friend dropped us off at the Koko Stairs trailhead and we hiked to the top of the stairs, then we walked along the south Koko Crater rim until we found a spur path to go down to the Koko Arch. Makapuu Lighthouse: This is a family-friendly hike, and its one of my favorite places to watch the sunrise. The hike is open all year long except for occasional trail maintenance. Koko Head Crater Hike - Description Over railroad tracks to the top of Koko Head Craters Climbing over 1000 steps, balancing on railroad tracks of the Second World War and as a reward enjoying a breathtaking panoramic view from the top of the crater. Today the radar station is no longer there, but the pillbox and structural debris are still present. According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Koko Crater Railway Trail: Hiking ShuttleMakapu'u Lighthouse Trail or Diamond Head (From 41.53) Oahu friendly hiking experience (From 207.65) Mahina Hawaii Full Day Adventure (From 245.03) 8 Hour Circle Island Jeep Tour (From 181.90) 61,441 were here. However, if youre up to the challenge it is worth the effort to reach the Koko Head Crater summit. Diamondhead climb better option for those not prepared for an adventurous climb. Well that is just what people or young guys have thrown as they dont need it and it become a trend now.. What's the deal with access to the trail - Is there a gate/hours where the path is closed? Koko Head Hike with DanielsHawaii Tourguide Koko Head is a tuff cone in the eastern part of Oahu near Hawaii Kai and overlooks Hanauma Bay and Waikiki. Amazing hike - not for the faint of heart. Yes, its helpful to be fit. Let's stay updated! The views are fantastic, and its relatively easy and paved all the way. I can be a bit scary/dangerous. It is part of the total package experience -- Diamond Head, shave ice, Pearl Harbor, surf lessons. A hat and sunscreen are also imperative if you hike Koko Crater during the day, because theres almost no shade at all on the trail. These are not steps, there are areas where the steps are about 2ft apart and 20in in height. Our goal is to build a website with tips and recommendations from our vacation experiences that offer our readers a single place to find all the information you will need when planning your very own trip to Hawaii. I hiked this on 09/08 + other trails during my first visit to Hawai'i & posted a vlog! These stairs were actually built as part of a military railway during World War II, but theyve been used by hikers for many years, so clearly they work alright for that purpose too! Some spots could be dangerous in the dark if youre not already familiar with the trail. There are 1,048 railroad ties to climb and then 30 feet to the lookout. With that said, if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other, youll reach the top before you know it! Ill update this guide if anything changes! I live next door to Koko Crater Trail and there are no waterfalls or jungle hikes. This site is owned and operated by Vacation-Waikiki. 854 reviews of Koko Crater Trail "Stairway to heaven (or railway to heaven). This kid-friendly hike in Oahu is only 1.5 miles round trip and stays mostly flat, so it's perfect for the whole family. Be hydrated before going up. Bring sun protection, as it can get hot during the day! The trailhead is open from 4:00 am till 11:00 pm. Its one of the most popular tourist places in Hawaii for a good reason. -There is a part of the trail where the tracks turn into a bridge with no bottom. However, you have the option to go through the bushes at this point. The Koko Arch is a giant natural rock arch on the south slope of Koko Crater. So, it was hot, my son and I were both out of shape, and we didn't make it to the top. If you enjoy this hike, consider donating to Kokonut Koalition. The 1,000+ step walking track consists of abandoned railroad ties that run along the crater's west side to the top of Koko Crater. This steep climb consists of 1,000+ steps along an abandoned railroad track that runs to the top of Koko Crater. Most people rent a car in Oahu and drive to the Koko Crater trailhead. Once you get to the top, you will be greeted with astonishing 360-degree views. The Koko Head trail is considered to be a strenuous hike. Beautiful Sonrise service on the top of Koko. Bring lots of water and a hat too. The Koko Crater railway was originally built by the U.S. Army in 1942 to carry men and supplies to a radar station at the top of the mountain for the wartime defense of Oahu. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. It puts you through your paces and can be a challenge even for the fittest of the fit. Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. In fact, its one of the best places to watch the sunset on the whole island of Oahu. From the very start, you can already see the tiny hikers ascending the mountain, looking like ants in the distance. Koko Head Trail is located in the east of Oahu, offering stunning views up to Honolulu. District Park and its free to headband flashlights if arriving before sunrise the headband flashlights if before! 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