Also at the base of the crater, there is a visitor center (open 7am - 3 . All Rights Reserved. Content on this site is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical, health, or safety advice. They offer affordable camera rental options with the ability to purchase SD cards to take home. We recommend booking Koko Crater Railway Trail tours ahead of time to secure your spot. The Koko Head trail is not dangerous if youre careful and watch your step. Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can easily bypass the scary bridge section by walking through a clearing in the foliage to the right of the path. More than 10,000 years ago, Koko Head was formed by its secondary volcanic eruptions of the Koolau Range. -Watch out for concrete parts of the trail. Local grinds: Check out Chef Jon Matsubara's restaurant, Feast, in Manoa Valley featuring Hawaiian-style burgers and sandwiches. This was challenging but very worth it! It took us about 45min up, 35min down, spent about 30min on top taking pictures and enjoying the view. 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. 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. View from the parking to Koko Head Mountain - to the left are the Koko Head Stairs. 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. This hike is a great way to escape the crowds and see some alternate views at the Koko Crater. More info on this below. It can get quite toasty, and it is recommended that the hike be completed in the earlier morning to avoid the heat of midday. This was steep! Ultimately, if youre willing to be a bit tired, almost anyone can complete the hike. Its not a dangerous hike and there havent been any falling deaths, but its a real fitness test and may not be enjoyable for everyone. In fact, the Kokonut Koalition just finished their initial round of repairs to the stairs last month. Koko Head (at 642 ft or 196 m) is an ancient tuff cone that is somewhat dwarfed by its neighboring tuff cone, Koko Crater, with its peak, Kohelepelepe (or Puu Mai ), rising to 1208 ft or 368 m. Koko Head itself has three significant depressions or old vents, the largest of which forms the well-known Hanauma Bay. 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! Check out this 2.6-km out-and-back trail near Honolulu, Oahu. My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. The reward at the top is a bird's eye view of the famous Makapuu lighthouse built in 1909 and almost all . You can see Aina Haina, Sandys Beach, and a large portion of the south shore. Its tough to get lost, so that makes things easier. Meeting your fellow hikers could be a great way to make a local connection or an international acquaintance. The Koko Head Crater Sunrise Hikeprovides transportation to and from Waikiki and, of course, a local professional guide. Mahalo for stopping by. 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. By donating to our small business, you accept and acknowledge the donation terms. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Went mid morning and it was pretty busy. Know how long it takes to hike Koko Head; about 1-3 hours depending on how long you plan to stay at the top. Roundtrip Koko Head Stairs Distance: 0.9 mile / 1.4 km. The Koko Head sunrise is at least as popular as sunset, and the views of Oahu island are just as stellar. We've updated both travel guides with a lot of new great information for potential visitors (and those who've been a time or two as well). Ive seen this in news reports and also seen it happen in person many times. Are you looking for a great hiking adventure on Oahu? This 1000 step climb to the top has unparalleled views of the south western coast of Oahu. See this map in google maps. Also near a shooting range. We appreciate your click. It was a good workout again like every The Koko Head Trail is located in Koko Head District Park, which is about a 25 minute drive east of Honolulu. Old railway track that was used to transport amo/equipment up the mountain offers the uniqueness. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. Over the last eight years, weve spent countless hours doing research online and talking with locals to uncover the best tips and recommendations that we use on our trips. 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! Great view! Water, however, is an absolute must. It is an uneven climb along with the steps which are slippery due to dust. 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Also known as the "Koko Head Stairs," this abandoned WWII railway track is a steep and challenging hiking trail with over 1,000 steps (but worth it for the panoramic views). Trails better than I remember. Its all ascending and steep and there is a section where Id advise taking the alternate route instead of going over the railway. Both hikes are roughly the same distance roundtrip (1.6 vs 1.8 miles), and they take roughly the same amount of time to complete, but Koko Head has about 50% more elevation gain than Diamond Head. X, Yes it is safe. Plus, this is excellent exercise! FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. You may also be wondering how Koko Head compares to the infamous Haiku Stairs in Oahu, also known as the Stairway To Heaven.. But the views at the top were stunning! Need water and a hat, need good grippy shoes. Koko Crater is one of the highest coastal points in the area and was therefore highly defensible. It is still your decision to choose the best season to visit Hawaii. If you need a lot of rest breaks, itll take longer. Below are some FAQs regarding hiking the Koko Hea: We recommend wearing proper hiking shoes or trail shoes to protect your feet. Loved it. The "bypass trail" to get past this requires you to use a rope to help yourself up the mountain. 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. kajunkruzin / Getty Images. Still, this hike is no joke. Steep, no-shade, climb to the top of Koko Head Crater that includes spectacular panoramic views of the east Honolulu shoreline, Hanauma Bay, and parts of Moloka'i. So we were not prepared for the lack of oxygen, we made sure to take lots of breaks as it was hard to breathe at some points for me. Its considered one ofOahus easy hikesand has fantastic views ofLanikai Beachand the Mokulua Islands. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Additional Things to Know/ Tips about Koko Head. 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. However, the parking lot is open from 6:30 am to 11:00 pm. (Phi Phi Leh), Santorini Greece Travel Guide: Things To Do In Santorini Island, Navagio Beach Greece: Shipwreck Bay In Zakynthos Island, Zakynthos Greece Travel Guide: How To Visit Zakynthos Island, Phi Phi Island Thailand Travel Guide (Koh Phi Phi Islands), Huayna Picchu Hike: The Machu Picchu Stairs Of Death, Utah Hiking Guide: 17 Best Utah Hikes & Trails, 36 Best Things To Do In Oahu Hawaii (Fun, Couples, Free), 25 Best Hikes In Indonesia: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, & Jungles. They will also mail the supplies to the location of your choice anywhere in Hawaii, be it a hotel, condo, or FedEx office. After taking some pictures at the arch, we walked down to the road at Halona Beach Cove and caught a bus home. Really nice hike, tough but worth it. There are some areas where you will have to use your hands to help you down. With incredible views, gorgeous sunrises, and fantastic photo ops, this is one trail you wont miss. The Koko Crater railway trailhead is located near Hawaii Kai, on the southeast side of Oahu island. Its quite a sight to see! Welcome to Waynes 10 Day Ultimate Waikiki Vacation Guide. Good view from the top - the rim walk also looked cool. Its steep and difficult but we thought it was an awesome challenge with gorgeous views at the top. That is just a mere total of 1.4 miles for the round-trip. 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. Good luck! 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) -The road to the parking lot is usually closed from the Highway and you have to go through residential area (west side) to park. 61,441 were here. These are the current hours and entrance fees for the Diamond Head hike, as of 2022. There is no doubt about where you are going. My 11yo daughter and I did Koko Head in June 22. Learn about the best time to visit Oahu . Going down can be challenging, and your footing will be critical. The Koko Crater Summit will be closed during the entire three weeks, but the tramway will be open on weekends and holidays. Getting to the Koko Head Hike by bus. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 24 min to complete. Map of Koko Head hike location. Dont forget to check out my other Oahu hiking guides and my complete list of the best things to do in Oahu Hawaii! While its a challenging hike, the views of Honolulu and the surrounding areas make it all worth it. For example, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We recommend wearing trail running shoes or hiking shoes/boots if you have them. Great hike for sightseeing and a killer workout. I will say, take lots of water and get your cardio on. Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability. The Koko Head Trail has very little shade. It gets covered in dirt and becomes more slippery. They are devoted mainly to different types of cacti and succulents and are said to be quite photogenic. People often throw on a headlamp and get hiking the trail before sunrise to be at the summit for sunrise. Just a short drive from Diamond Head and Waikiki, this popular hiking trail can be accessed at Koko Head. Overall very fun and challenging for the amateur fitness enthusiast. Beautiful Sonrise service on the top of Koko. I would recommend earlier. If you choose to park in Koko Head Park you just follow the trail . -There is a part of the trail where the tracks turn into a bridge with no bottom. HAWAII KAI, Hawaii (KHON2) A man going up the Koko Crater Stairs does not usually make the news, but 40 times in a row? Just remember to take a flashlight and be careful walking unfamiliar ground in low visibility. The hike is open all year long except for occasional trail maintenance. In 2018, while sitting on a lounge chair in Waikiki, Vacation-Waikiki.com was born. I'm not a hiker but in moderately decent shape. If you dont have a rental car and dont feel like figuring out how to use the bus, there are also Koko Head tours like this one where theyll drop you off at the trail and then pick you up when youre finished hiking. We used the flashlights on our phones. If going during sunrise wear moisture wicking clothing sunscreen hat and a cooling towel. 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. Stairway to Heaven A small overstep could cause significant injury. Absolutely spectacular. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, you should not use this website. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The first time you do the Koko Crater trail feels like a total slog, but each subsequent climb gets shorter and easier. including time for pics. Its yet another photogenic and interesting feature of this extinct volcanic mountain. then a right on Anapalau Street. Koko Crater Railway Trail (Honolulu) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. The Koko Crater installation was deactivated in 1966, and the U.S. Air Force handed it over to the city of Honolulu. Oh man. It makes it unpleasant and a lot harder. A couple places to park are inside the Hanauma Bay parking (free for Hawaii residents and military) or in the Koko Head District Park (the start of Koko Crater Trail Hike). One of my favorite things about this hike is that there is only one way up and one way down. Written March 18, 2023. Even so, if youre up for the challenge then its a great way to do three hikes in one! Koko Head Hike Distance The total distance of Koko Head Hike is just. Enjoy! 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