Directions: The trailhead is located at the end of Manoa Road adjacent to the Lyon Arboretum. Very crowded. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. 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! The current record for running up as of this day is 12 minutes. That said, shoes with at least a little grip will help on the way down, especially if there's any rain. How long does it take? It puts you through your paces and can be a challenge even for the fittest of the fit. Gates close at 6:00 pm, so make sure to be out of the park before this time. My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. Thats a good question, and Ill try to answer. This steep climb consists of 1,000+ steps along an abandoned railroad track that runs to the top of Koko Crater. That means Koko is steeper and harder. The hike isnt super long. Visitors might also be interested in the Koko Crater Botanical Garden which can be accessed inside the crater. Save the speed runs for going up the stairs, and take your time going back down. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The Ring of Fire is more than a classic Johnny Cash song. The bridge is scarily degraded wood - take Murphys pass, If I lived in the vicinity, would do this at least once a fortnight for fitness. 2-4 hours, depending on you pace up the stairs, Oahu's Top Hotels, Resorts, B&Bs, & Vacation Rentals, Oahu's Best Tours, Excursions, & Adventures. After the bridge, you will get glimpses of the view to come, including Hanauma Bay and Hawaii Kai. You should see the trailhead about 100 yards from the parking lot. This can be tricky, as there is nothing between the ties and the ground below. Thanks for your support. I would highly recommend hiking this in the daytime once or twice before you attempt it for sunset. There is ample parking, and the trail is always open. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. It is an uneven climb along with the steps which are slippery due to dust. Leave the hiking boots home and go for a light running shoe. Parking is free next to baseball field, crowded on weekends; don't leave valuables in the car. I'm a very experienced hiker who did this trail last week for the first time. Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. Make a left on the ridge between the ball fields and the shooting park down below. Bring more water than you think youll need. The Koko Head hike is a little bit like Hawaiis version of the infamous Manitou Incline in Colorado. According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Koko Crater Railway Trail: Restaurants near Koko Crater Railway Trail: Attractions near Koko Crater Railway Trail: Koko Crater Railway Trail, Honolulu: Address, Koko Crater Railway Trail Reviews: 4.5/5. Its considered one ofOahus easy hikesand has fantastic views ofLanikai Beachand the Mokulua Islands. Roundtrip Koko Head Stairs Distance: 0.9 mile / 1.4 km. In fact, the Kokonut Koalition just finished their initial round of repairs to the stairs last month. Wear a hat and sunglasses. It was not so packed and people were very respectful. It took us about 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete. The Koko Crater (or Koko Head) hike outside Honolulu, Hawaii is one of Oahu's most popular hikes, and for good reason. This is vacation, not a race, and visitors of every fitness level make this hike frequently. The Koko Head Trail can be challenging but is worth the effort. Overall, its not too difficult, but something to keep in mind. 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Itll mess up your day and waste taxpayer money, and it gives the locals an excuse to call for closing yet another classic Oahu hike. It took others 2 hours, so it just depends. It was then used as an air force station by the U.S. Air Force starting in 1947, but with advances in technology it eventually became obsolete for tracking aircraft. Koko Head Trail is located in the east of Oahu, offering stunning views up to Honolulu. Bring lots of water and a hat too. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Great views at top but be cautious and kind other skilled hikers. At this point, you finally have a nice breeze hitting you, and some trees and bushes to hide under for shade. Diamond Head Hours. Parking is close. Stairs stairs stairs & yes more stairs all the way to the top. If you want to mix things up on the Koko Head hike and do something different, you can combine it with the Koko Crater Rim trail, which loops in a circle along the top of the Koko Crater. Great for a cardio workout. Thanks for looking! While I did it in about 19min for the first attempt, I know that this is not a trail to over do it. It is still your decision to choose the best season to visit Hawaii. Free access with effectively no facilities. Of Parks And Recreation C., Business Manager 1 year ago See 1 more answer Q: We went for the sunset and it was beautiful. It was closed for 3 weeks of renovation in 2021, but it's very rare for that to happen. Mahalo! You'll get to see landmarks like Koko Crater, Makapuu Beach, and even the offshore islands Molokai and Lanai on a clear day. Our love for Hawaii draws us to the islands at least a few times a year. Koko Head and Diamond Head are both extinct volcano craters, and you can see old World War II military bunkers (pillboxes) at the top of either summit. Also, the botanical gardens inside the crater are worth a look. Be aware, seeing as the whole thing is stairs, bad knees might not be so compatible with this adventure. 854 reviews of Koko Crater Trail "Stairway to heaven (or railway to heaven). The hike is open all year long except for occasional trail maintenance. 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. Youre sure to have company from other hikers enjoying the Koko Head sunset, but remember to bring a good light because you may be hiking back in the dark, and its important to see where youre stepping. See options Full view All photos (2,608) The hike is open all year long except for occasional trail maintenance. Shorts, a light long sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes would be perfect. 7 miles to the top. With that said, plenty of people didnt take the alternate route and youll see others literally running up/down without missing a step. 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. The grueling Koko Head hike takes you on a steep railway trail up the side of a dormant volcano crater in the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The loop trail inside is two miles and easy walking. A good way to beat the heat and crowds is by starting earlier in the day. Back views from the top of the Koko Crater trail, Old military bunkers (pillboxes) at the top of the Koko Head stairs hike. Well, look around, you can expect to see a large section of the southern Oahu coastline, the clear blue of the Pacific, a birds eye perspective of Hanauma Bay, the botanical gardens inside the crater, and WW2 structures. Below are some FAQs regarding hiking the Koko Hea: We recommend wearing proper hiking shoes or trail shoes to protect your feet. Straight up. S pu andare anche di notte oppure ha orari di chiusura? Just another 50 yards of easy walking and youre there. 7430 Kalanianaole Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA. This was steep! Taka e left onto Koko Head District Park where you'll find parking lots and a trailhead. After spending some time at the second peak, its time to head back down on the same trail you hiked up. You will need the flashlight, as it will most likely be dark when you start the hike. The north rim of this crater is tough and dangerous, but the south rim (the side nearest the ocean) is quite a bit tamer and safer. Halfway up, there is a "bridge" portion without ground beneath ~50 rail steps, but there is bypassing trail if you're scared. If you choose to park in Koko Head Park you just follow the trail . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The final part of the trail is the toughest due to the steepness, but remember that the views are worth it if you need some motivation. Get there early to beat the crowd and take your time!!! This beginner-friendly, 2-mile hike is perfect for families with smaller children. Koko Head Hike Distance The total distance of Koko Head Hike is just. The Honolulu Fire Department rescues hurt hikers on this trail by helicopter several times per year. -Wear a hat. Koko Head trail hike is also known as Koko Head Stairs, Koko Crater Stairs, or just Koko Head. The reward at the top is a bird's eye view of the famous Makapuu lighthouse built in 1909 and almost all . I will be the first to admit that there were certain areas I had to sit on my butt to get to the next stairs because the stairs are not well maintained in some areas. Until next time, Aloha, and happy hiking on Oahu! If youre in one of those categories, please take your time and go extra slow on this trail, especially on the way back down. If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, you should not use this website. Especially if the stairs consist of more than 1048 steps held down by railroad ties going up the side of a volcanic crater. Even seasoned hikers will be feeling intimidated when they arrive at the trailhead and see the gargantuan climb that awaits them. The Koko Head Hike railway "stairs" is a short drive from Diamond Head and Waikiki. Very steep and exhausting to the top, with pretty big steps, but the view is incredibly worth it!! Some shade. From the very start, you can already see the tiny hikers ascending the mountain, looking like ants in the distance. In my opinion, I think it tops the famous Lanikai Pillbox Hike and the Koko Head Hike in terms of traffic. That means if you start the hike from the main parking lot, like most people do, then theres about 900 feet of elevation gain (275 m). For the history buffs out there, the hike has great significance regarding the second World War. But getting there is way more difficult than it looks. The trail is not meant to be easy. From the summit of Koko Head Crater is easy to recognise the nearby Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve, which is stunning. Some of the pages on my travel blog contain affiliate links. Plus, 90% of the route is essentially a stair-stepper up the old Koko Head Tramway. Suggest edits to improve what we show. If you are apprehensive, just take it slow :), Bodies of Water Nature & Wildlife Areas, Points of Interest & Landmarks Scenic Drives. Best time to hike: Anytime - The trail is open 6am until 6pm, although last entry is 4.30pm. Her first cookbook, Dumplings All Day Wong, was . Lee Anne made the giant move from New York City to Honolulu, HI, to open up Koko Head Cafe, an island style brunch house. This travel guide will explain how to get to the Koko Crater railway trailhead and parking lot, how to do the hike for sunrise or sunset, and everything else you need to know before you go! 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. Koko Head Trail on Oahu is a popular hike for tourists and locals. Great workout - stair master 5000! . As stated, the sun is out, and that means heat exhaustion and dehydration are possibilities, albeit very preventable ones. Additionally, the hike is on the dry side of the slope, and it totally exposed to the sun with little to no shade. That is just a mere total of 1.4 miles for the round-trip. 19mn to go up, 10mn to go down. When you arrive at the Koko Head parking lot, its a little confusing to find the trailhead at first. Normally people hike to the arch on a short, easy trail that starts from the main coastal road by Halona Beach Cove, but you can also reach the arch from Koko Head via the Crater Rim trail. About halfway through the hike, there is a bridge that you will have to cross. They provide freshfruitand water, a professional tour guide, and theyll even take photos for you. It has about 3 times as much elevation gain and takes at least 3 times as long to climb. Just a short drive from Diamond Head and Waikiki, this popular hiking trail can be accessed at Koko Head. Subscribe to my newsletter for the latest blog posts, tips, & travel guides. Its also possible to get to Koko Head by bus, although that involves 15 minutes of extra walking since the closest bus stops are about 1/2 mile from the Koko Head entrance. A good question, and Ill try to answer long to climb home dogs aren & # x27 ; find... Including Hanauma Bay and Hawaii Kai you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, can! An abandoned railroad track that runs to the top of Koko Head hike is for! First cookbook, Dumplings all day Wong, was finally have a nice breeze hitting,... A professional tour guide, and is koko head hike open trees and bushes to hide for! 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