Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. -Bring at least one water bottle. 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. Youre in for a very tough hike if you do all of this in one day, and I wouldnt attempt it if you arent plenty comfortable with heights. Mahalo! Its a great spot to enjoy some of Oahus stunning views. We appreciate your click. Once you make it through this area, it gets even steeper, but you are now more than halfway there. Meeting your fellow hikers could be a great way to make a local connection or an international acquaintance. What to do after Hiking the Koko Head Crater Trail. From here, you can see into the crater itself, Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, Waikiki, and Koko Marina. Bishop Estate-Kamehameha Schools originally gave the 951-acre area to the city in 1928 with the request that it be used. Seeing the sun rise over Honolulu is an experience that will stay with us forever. Koko Head History. 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. Once at the top, put yourself in a WW2 soldiers shoes and imagine the planes and ships you would see . Depending on how you look at it, hiking to Koko Crater is both very simple and quite challenging. including time for pics. At this point, you might even see some tired people climbing up the stairs on all fours, or scooting slowly on their butts as they go back down. You can take an alternate route (the one I took). Directions: The trailhead is located at the end of Manoa Road adjacent to the Lyon Arboretum. It is a straight line up the trail to the summit. 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! Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. There have been some accidents and injuries on the Koko Head Trail over the years, but no falling deaths. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 24 min to complete. 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! During World War II, the military built observation stations around Oahu to keep an eye on the island, including a station at the top of the Koko Head Crater. It took others 2 hours, so it just depends. Affiliate Disclosures Privacy Policy Terms Of Use This 1000 step climb to the top has unparalleled views of the south western coast of Oahu. The last one-third of the Koko Head trail gets noticeably steeper and harder than before. . I'm not a hiker but in moderately decent shape. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The Koko Head Hike is a trail of over 1,000 stairs. On Oahu, the Koko Head walk is a famous short climb where the stairs are the remnants of an ancient railway. The Koko Head Crater Sunrise Hikeprovides transportation to and from Waikiki and, of course, a local professional guide. This sign lets you know where to bypass the bridge section. Great views! 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. . Go early to beat the crowd and the sun. Just another 50 yards of easy walking and youre there. Luckily for Waikiki vacationers, taking in the scenery from the top of this dormant volcano is just a short drive and day hike away. The trail heads up 990ft at a very steep incline, and the views at the Koko Head Crater summit are 1208ft above sea level. Also, because the trail is railroad tracks, there is no navigational difficulty, and the hike is relatively short at just under two miles long round trip. Ultimately, if youre willing to be a bit tired, almost anyone can complete the hike. Ill share more details on the Koko Crater Rim trail later in this guide. 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. Its tough to get lost, so that makes things easier. Scenic views of Waikiki , Diamond Head Crater, Hanauma Bay and more can be seen. Makapuu Beach Park made our list of thebest beaches in Oahu, so be sure to check it out. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Koko Head Trail on Oahu is a popular hike for tourists and locals. It gets pretty hot during the afternoon, so be prepared for that and always stay hydrated. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. S pu andare anche di notte oppure ha orari di chiusura? Makapuu Lighthouse Trail. With 1,048 steps to the top, the trail follows the steep hill that . The sun rises on the other side of the Koko Crater, so youll be watching it come up directly over the ocean and the volcano crater, with views of Makapuu Point in the distance. The park does not officially open until 6:30 which is right about sunrise that time of year. Bring more water than you think youll need. Its not really an official trail so its open all the time. It's a long, arduous climb that will wreak havoc on your legs! This steep climb consists of 1,000+ steps along an abandoned railroad track that runs to the top of Koko Crater. They provide freshfruitand water, a professional tour guide, and theyll even take photos for you. Its expensive to maintain and create new and useful content for our readers. This detour is marked with a helpful sign so youll know when to turn off the main path. 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? Here, well go over what to expect on the trail, answer some FAQs, what to bring, some tips for making your hike more enjoyable and safe, and so much more. If you choose to park in Koko Head Park you just follow the trail . 7430 Kalanianaole Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. -Wear a hat. This was steep! We dont recommend doing this, though. 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! I lost my footing on the way down and took a spill that resulted in some cuts, scrapes, and bruises, and it was still worth it. 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. It was not so packed and people were very respectful. See options Full view All photos (2,608) When people get hurt on the Koko Crater trail, usually its because they were rushing back down the stairs and slipped. A relic of World War II, the military constructed Koko Head Railway to transport supplies and soldiers. Save the speed runs for going up the stairs, and take your time going back down. Parking and hiking are both FREE for Kama'aina (all Hawaii residents) if you can show ID. Taka e left onto Koko Head District Park where you'll find parking lots and a trailhead. Lost some weight just going here every week once a week for an afternoon hike after work. Check out their website and consider donating if youre a fan of Koko Head. The first peak of the trail can be reached about ten minutes into your hike. 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. Up is harder physically, down is harder mentally (really worried we would fall!). Koko Crater is one of the highest coastal points in the area and was therefore highly defensible. Plus, this is excellent exercise! Alternate from Waikiki: Take H1 east bound and you will see Koko Crater on the left side. What hotels are near Koko Crater Railway Trail? Need water and a hat, need good grippy shoes. The views are well worth it. Make sure to enjoy the spectacular views at Halona Blowhole. Local athletes use the trail as cardio training, and you will definitely feel the burn by the time you reach the top. We also recommend bringing a light jacket for a sunrise hike since it can be cooler in the early hours. Makapuu Lighthouse: This is a family-friendly hike, and its one of my favorite places to watch the sunrise. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 24 min to complete. Oahu man hiking Koko Head 40 times for mental health. You can use the map below for navigation directly to the parking lot address. 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, and Diamond Head Crater. Its all ascending and steep and there is a section where Id advise taking the alternate route instead of going over the railway. With incredible views, gorgeous sunrises, and fantastic photo ops, this is one trail you wont miss. 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. Small section towards the top without ground coverage - take Murphy's bypass to avoid this (look for sign). We took some amazing pics. Koko Head Trail is open all year and one of those trails to hike anytime. Amazing views! It's awesome. 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! The Koko Head Trail, officially known as Koko Crater Tramway, is one of thebest hikes on Oahu. What attractions are near Koko Crater Railway Trail? If you enjoy this hike, consider donating to Kokonut Koalition. How long does it take? Thanks! When it comes to visiting the Hawaiian capital of Honolulu, hiking the Koko Crater Trail, also known as the Koko Head Stairs, has become a regular tradition for tourists. This one will make your legs sore the next day! The colors at sunset are brilliant and theres a nice sea breeze as the temps start to cool off. It should be a quick drive (About 25 minutes) from the Waikiki/Honolulu area. Lee Anne made the giant move from New York City to Honolulu, HI, to open up Koko Head Cafe, an island style brunch house. When To Hike Koko Head. There is a bus stop near Koko Marina Center. There are 1,048 railroad ties to climb and then 30 feet to the lookout. A couple of travel dreamers who fell in love with Hawaii and want to share the beauty of the Islands! Is koko head climb still open? Meeting your fellow hikers could be a great way to make a local connection or an international acquaintance. Although it is a short hike of 1.4 miles, it is grueling with an extreme incline that will have you doubting you can ever reach the top. -Don't leave any valuables in the car or in plain sight of windows. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The trailhead is open from 4:00 am till 11:00 pm. Good amount of people on the steps/trail. Dont do Leg day before doing Koko head! Sunny but there was a nice breeze at times. Can be humbling if you havent been working out regularly. It has about 3 times as much elevation gain and takes at least 3 times as long to climb. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Straight up. It was closed for 3 weeks of renovation in 2021, but its very rare for that to happen. 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). Great medium hike, a lot of steps, pretty well maintained. Walking along the south rim of Koko Crater. While its a challenging hike, the views of Honolulu and the surrounding areas make it all worth it. Please tag along! They offer affordable camera rental options with the ability to purchase SD cards to take home. When you arrive at the Koko Head parking lot, its a little confusing to find the trailhead at first. The Koko Head sunrise is at least as popular as sunset, and the views of Oahu island are just as stellar. (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. These are not steps, there are areas where the steps are about 2ft apart and 20in in height. Views of Hawaii Kai from the top of Koko Head crater trail. Its fun to race to the top of the stairs, but theres really no reason to race down to the bottom. While this hike will test your endurance, you will be rewarding with some of the best views of the island. 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. Trail Difficulty - Moderate. The Koko Head hike is open at all hours more or less. 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. If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, you should not use this website. 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. Highlights of the trail:Gorgeous views of Honolulu, Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach, and Diamond Head Crater. Make a left on the ridge between the ball fields and the shooting park down below. Symptoms include rapid pulse, feeling light-headed or dizzy, headache and heavy sweating. The hike starts at the Koko Head District Park. Helped me a ton when carrying my 30lb toddler! It took us about 45min up, 35min down, spent about 30min on top taking pictures and enjoying the view. Consider bringing a walking pole or stick, going back down may be more difficult for some. Koko Head trail hike is also known as Koko Head Stairs, Koko Crater Stairs, or just Koko Head. The last 1/10 of a mile is all stairs and especially steep. However, you have the option to go through the bushes at this point. If you're looking for a hard hike on Oahu, look no further than Koko Crater Trail . 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. Familiarity helps a lot here. But the views at the top cannot be beat. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Diamond Head Interpretive Kiosk & Gift Shop. Do you need to book in advance to visit Koko Crater Railway Trail? This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Great view! Getting to the trailhead is quite easy by car, and if you are willing to take a short walk, by bus as well. You do not have to be in great shape to hike the trail, but it will make it much easier. Its one of the most popular tourist places in Hawaii for a good reason. This article referred to it as Koko Head because thats what most visitors call the trail. Is harder physically, down is harder physically, down is harder mentally ( really we. Can be humbling if is koko head hike open can use the trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime more! Early to beat the crowd and the AllTrails is koko head hike open Design are registered trademarks AllTrails! 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