Very steep and exhausting to the top, with pretty big steps, but the view is incredibly worth it!! 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. Suggest edits to improve what we show. Today the radar station is no longer there, but the pillbox and structural debris are still present. Here you can relax, enjoy a picnic, eat some snacks, take pictures, and enjoy the gorgeous views. Its one of thetop botanical gardens in Oahuand definitely worth the visit. We always love climbing the Koko Head stairs of doom for sunset when were back in Oahu. Youve made it to the top, so now what? Even so, if youre up for the challenge then its a great way to do three hikes in one! The Koko Head elevation / height at the summit is 1,207 feet (368 m). Dehydration often goes hand in hand with heat exhaustion and is often a contributing factor. 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. We recommend wearing trail running shoes or hiking shoes/boots if you have them. Familiarity helps a lot here. The trailhead and trail are located within Koko Head District Park at 7602, 7604 Koko Head Park Rd, Honolulu, HI, 96825 for those using GPS to find your way. . See this map in google maps. The day I did it, March 25th, they were air-lifting a young person I later heard was 12 years old who went too fast on the downhill, tumbled, and broke multiple bones, including his leg. Take pics. We appreciate your click. The Koko Head Trail is located in Koko Head District Park, which is about a 25 minute drive east of Honolulu. Tough but awesome workout. 2020 is a great year to visit Waikiki. A medical rescue helicopter was hovering for about 10 minutes before they lifted him off the hill. The steps here are large and should be taken slowly. I. We usually do this hike for sunrise and have never had a hard time finding parking during this time. I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for the Koko Head hike in Oahu, Hawaii. 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). Hiking the trail is an excellent way to escape everyday life and enjoy fantastic scenery on this mountain ridge with amazing views of Honolulu, Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach, andDiamond HeadCrater. Its about 10 miles from Waikiki, and the drive only takes 30 minutes. Check out this 2.6-km out-and-back trail near Honolulu, Oahu. My partner and I made the mistake of tackling this as our first trail soon after arriving to Hawaii from Miami, where elevation is -7 ! There are even underwater camera options for a wide range of adventures. Enjoy the view at the top and embrace the slow grind going up! Since it gets pretty hot, consider wearing light-colored clothes made of light material. 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. 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. 61,441 were here. The views are fantastic, and its relatively easy and paved all the way. See options Full view All photos (2,608) ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Stairway to Heaven View from the parking to Koko Head Mountain - to the left are the Koko Head Stairs. On Oahu, the Koko Head walk is a famous short climb where the stairs are the remnants of an ancient railway. 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. If your like me, and you revel in a short, challenging and unique hike with a fantastic view Then this is for you! The Koko Head Trail can be challenging but is worth the effort. The property below Koko Crater is now known as Koko Head Regional Park. 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. It makes it unpleasant and a lot harder. Morning and evening are both great times to hike Koko Head, and if you plan it right you can even see the sunrise or sunset, which are both spectacular! They provide freshfruitand water, a professional tour guide, and theyll even take photos for you. I hiked this on 09/08 + other trails during my first visit to Hawai'i & posted a vlog! You have reached the top! Great workout - stair master 5000! 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. We have since stuck to hiking the trail for sunrise and have never looked back. Plus, this is excellent exercise! Koko Head Trail on Oahu is a popular hike for tourists and locals. Thanks for your support. You can use the map below for navigation directly to the parking lot address. Take water & a bar. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Affiliate Disclosures Privacy Policy Terms Of Use MAKAPU'U POINT LIGHTHOUSE TRAIL OPENING HOURS The official opening hours for the trail open just before sunrise and close just after sunset each day. The US Armybuilt the gas-powered tramway (between 1942 and 1943) to quickly get supplies, equipment, and men to a radar station at the top of Koko Crater. It's not easy, but the view is awesome! Therefore, we participate in affiliate programs to include, but not limited too, Google AdSense as a means to earn advertising fees to pay our bills. and a common misconception. We always use Google Maps and type in Koko Head Trail for the driving directions. kajunkruzin / Getty Images. As an affiliate, I only recommend products and services that I feel are high quality and helpful to my readers. Thanks for looking! What to do after Hiking the Koko Head Crater Trail. The site has had many functions until it was finally passed onto the City of Honolulu and became Koko Head Regional Park in 1966. If going during sunrise wear moisture wicking clothing sunscreen hat and a cooling towel. 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) It took us about 45min up, 35min down, spent about 30min on top taking pictures and enjoying the view. This is your chance to walk along the rim of an extinct volcano crater! It can get quite toasty, and it is recommended that the hike be completed in the earlier morning to avoid the heat of midday. I HIGHLY recommend the headband flashlights if arriving before sunrise. The views are well worth it. The botanical garden is nestled inside Koko Crater, the same crater you can find the famous Koko Head Stairs hike. Ive done this hike almost a dozen times, usually at sunset, and its always such a great show. $$ - $$$ Italian Pizza Vegetarian Friendly, $ Quick Bites Pizza Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Quick Bites American Fast Food. Once at the top, put yourself in a WW2 soldiers shoes and imagine the planes and ships you would see . (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. Up is harder physically, down is harder mentally (really worried we would fall!). Just remember to take a flashlight and be careful walking unfamiliar ground in low visibility. Plenty of parking! Her first cookbook, Dumplings All Day Wong, was . With that said, we have seen some families hike this trail with kids, but they all only did the beginning of the trail (up to the point where it starts getting steeper and more dangerous). However, keep in mind that Koko Head is one of the most popular hikes on the island, and the parking lot can fill up quickly. 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). The Koko Head sunrise is also amazing. Should you notice any of the symptoms, taking a break, sipping some water, and perhaps taking a mild pain-killer for headache should have you back on your feet in twenty minutes or so. 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. Most people can get up and down in about an hour. The Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail is a gentle hike with spectacular views of Oahu's southeast coastline, including Koko Crater and Koko Head. Hiking Fee: $5 per person. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Trail Elevation Gain - 885 feet. Its taxing cardio-wise and can be tough on the legs, knees, and feet. Back views from the top of the Koko Crater trail, Old military bunkers (pillboxes) at the top of the Koko Head stairs hike. Look no further than the Koko Head Trail! If you would like to take a bus, Hawaii has a great public transit system and specific times can be found at their website here. If you are driving and do not have a GPS system either on board or on your phone, inquiring at your hotel for the fastest route is a good or pre-printing directions. Also near a shooting range. For the challenging part, the railroad tracks that make up the trail amount to 1,048 large stairs going straight up. The reward at the top is a bird's eye view of the famous Makapuu lighthouse built in 1909 and almost all . Don't worry; the last volcanic activity took place tens of thousands of years ago! Free access with effectively no facilities. However, this fall we planned for it and worked out leading up to the trip. We recommend going early in the morning, before 10:00 am or after 4:00 pm, to avoid the crowds. 854 reviews of Koko Crater Trail "Stairway to heaven (or railway to heaven). Where is a waterfall on this hike? Definitely take a set of hiking poles if you are not fit or hiking with additional load on your back like a baby carrier. 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. Absolutely spectacular. Yes, the Koko Head stairs are 100 percent legal and many people hike them every day. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. . Welcome to Waynes 10 Day Ultimate Waikiki Vacation Guide. The Koko Crater Summit will be closed during the entire three weeks, but the tramway will be open on weekends and holidays. Best time to hike: Anytime - The trail is open 6am until 6pm, although last entry is 4.30pm. Koko Head Regional Park in Honolulu County, HI Koko Head Park Rd Honolulu, HI 96825, Koko Crater Arch Trail from Halona Blowhole Lookout, Kaiwi Shoreline Trail to Alan Davis Beach and Kaho'ohaihai Inlet, Ka'iwi Shoreline Trail and Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail Loop, Ka-ili-ili Bay and Kaloko Inlet via Kaiwi Shoreline Trail, Kamilo'iki Park and Hawaii Kai Community Garden, Hahaione to Pyramid Rock Loop [PRIVATE PROPERTY]. Learn about the best time to visit Oahu . We took some amazing pics. Halfway up, there is a "bridge" portion without ground beneath ~50 rail steps, but there is bypassing trail if you're scared. I don't recommend either of those options for tourists. Honolulu House w/Shared Pool by Koko Crater! Once you get to the top, you will be greeted with astonishing 360-degree views. Go early. I do NOT recommend this hike for kids or younger teenagers, because the downhill portion is so steep that if you miss your foot placement on the railroad ties on the downhill, especially during the section where the wooden ties are about 10 to 12 feet above ground level, a sprained ankle would be a lucky outcome. Turn around and look at the amazing view towards the beach and Honolulu. link to Waikiki 2020 Best Tips & Restaurant Favorites, link to Wayne's 2019 10 Day Ultimate Waikiki Itinerary. A lot of stairs. Overall, its not too difficult, but something to keep in mind. The Koko Crater (or Koko Head) hike outside Honolulu, Hawaii is one of Oahu's most popular hikes, and for good reason. Follow the sidewalk that wraps around the baseball diamond, and then go up the dirt hill through the trees to another paved road, which will take you to the trailhead (GPS here). Kailua Beach: Everything You Need To Know Before Your Visit. Its quite a sight to see! Can't seem to find any info on this online. The current record for running up as of this day is 12 minutes. A: Aloha Caroline. These are the current hours and entrance fees for the Diamond Head hike, as of 2022. To be fair, theres one short section where the railway becomes a bridge with an unnerving 10 foot drop below it, but you can go around this bridge if you want to, and most people do. Really nice hike, tough but worth it. If you are apprehensive, just take it slow :), Bodies of Water Nature & Wildlife Areas, Points of Interest & Landmarks Scenic Drives. 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. My 11yo daughter and I did Koko Head in June 22. It's very challenging with over 1,000 steps to the top. Drink lots of water throughout the hike and bring small healthy snacks for the top. One short section near the middle of the Koko Crater trail involves crossing a bridge over a ravine with an intimidating 10 foot drop, but you dont have to walk across it if you dont want to. Koko Crater Botanical Gardens This is an excellent spot for peace and tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Catching up on your water during the hike is a bad idea. Hiking Diamond Head can universally be found on most visitors' to-do checklists when they are visiting O'ahu and especially those staying in the Honolulu/Waikiki area. Great hike for sightseeing and a killer workout. The Start of the Trail. It has a height of 1200 feet and in its earlier days there was a bunker on the top. Leave the hiking boots home and go for a light running shoe. Diamond Head Hours. The last one-third of the Koko Head trail gets noticeably steeper and harder than before. 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! Koko Crater (Hawaii's tallest tuff ring) is one of a chain of volcanic tuff cones along the Ka Iwi Coast. Just a short drive from Diamond Head and Waikiki, this popular hiking trail can be accessed at Koko Head. We used the flashlights on our phones. 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. Officially known as Koko Crater Tramway, Koko Head is also referred to as Koko Head Stairs, Koko Crater Stairs of Doom, Puu Mai Stairs, or Koko Crater Stairs.. Preview trail Hiking Forest Views Wildlife Over grown Rocky Scramble No shade No dogs Description The parking lot for the Koko Head Crater Botanical Garden closes (meaning gates are locked) at dusk. Koko Head Hike Distance The total distance of Koko Head Hike is just. Ultimately, if youre willing to be a bit tired, almost anyone can complete the hike. The technical term is dormant tuff cone volcano, which basically means that while it hadnt erupted for a few thousand years when it did, the cone and crater were formed by ash and debris compacting into rock over time. 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! Makapuu Lighthouse: This is a family-friendly hike, and its one of my favorite places to watch the sunrise. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. This beginner-friendly, 2-mile hike is perfect for families with smaller children. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 24 min to complete. Koko Head to remain closed during renovation project, only open to public on weekends, holidays Posted: Mar 24, 2021 / 12:24 PM HST Updated: Mar 25, 2021 / 11:34 AM HST HONOLULU (KHON2) A. Ive seen this in news reports and also seen it happen in person many times. Once you make it through this area, it gets even steeper, but you are now more than halfway there. The views at the top are incredible. The hike is open all year long except for occasional trail maintenance. Alternate from Waikiki: Take H1 east bound and you will see Koko Crater on the left side. Theres a big parking lot at Koko Head District Park and its free to use for this hike. The Makapu'u Point trail, within Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline, offers outstanding views of O'ahu's southeastern coastline, including Koko Head and Koko Crater. Follow this link for more information: more Dept. . Its steep and difficult but we thought it was an awesome challenge with gorgeous views at the top. When people get hurt on the Koko Crater trail, usually its because they were rushing back down the stairs and slipped. If you have been on the trail feel free to share your experie I live next door to Koko Crater Trail and there are no waterfalls or jungle hikes. Enjoy this 1.6-mile out-and-back trail near Honolulu, Oahu. More Oahu Hiking Guides . 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. However, you have the option to go through the bushes at this point. We'll give you our best recommendations for things to do, spa Wayne's 2019 10 Day Ultimate Waikiki Itinerary. Diamond Head Interpretive Kiosk & Gift Shop. Halona Blowhole Have you ever seen a blowhole in action? If you only hike the south rim, Id describe it as moderate. It puts you through your paces and can be a challenge even for the fittest of the fit. 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