Its fame comes mainly from the fact that this hike follows the old railroad used by the military when the infrastructure and bunkers were in use on top of the Koko Head. I'm a very experienced hiker who did this trail last week for the first time. Hiking Fee: $5 per person. Until next time, Aloha, and happy hiking on Oahu! 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. Diamond Head Hours. Theres a big parking lot at Koko Head District Park and its free to use for this hike. Awesome. 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. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. 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. It gets covered in dirt and becomes more slippery. Expect to pay a $5 parking fee. Free access with effectively no facilities. Mahalo for stopping by. The hike isnt super long. Protect your skin. Busy and very windy. Halfway up, there is a "bridge" portion without ground beneath ~50 rail steps, but there is bypassing trail if you're scared. If you are looking for other hikes in the area, we recommend the below hikes: Diamond Head:This is a must-do hike if you are in Honolulu. Great views! You can use the map below for navigation directly to the parking lot address. Its a great spot to enjoy some of Oahus stunning views. The Stairway To Heaven hike is much longer, steeper, harder, and scarier than the Koko Stairs. But the views at the top cannot be beat. There is a bus stop near Koko Marina Center. including time for pics. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. When youve finished chilling and exploring everything at the top of Koko Head summit, youll have to go back down the same way you came. Amazing views! Overall, theyre both great hikes if you have time! 61,441 were here. We recommend going early in the morning, before 10:00 am or after 4:00 pm, to avoid the crowds. 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). The most popular hike on Oahu is Diamond Head. As an Amazon Associate, thistraveldream.com earns from qualifying purchases. The Ring of Fire is more than a classic Johnny Cash song. Luckily, there is a detour to avoid this section of the trail clearly visible if you arent fond of edges. Ill explain more about these side trails later in this blog post. Great views at top but be cautious and kind other skilled hikers. See options All photos (2,608) Its a great view, and youll no doubt want to stay awhile to relax and take pictures! Welcome to the Koko Crater Trail page. We took some amazing pics. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Totally recommend if you're in Oahu. Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability. We recommend booking Koko Crater Railway Trail tours ahead of time to secure your spot. 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 ! . I can be a bit scary/dangerous. Good view from the top - the rim walk also looked cool. The US Army built the trail at the start of the 20th Century, and as you head up to the summit you'll catch a glimpse of its military history. Koko Head is also plenty steep. 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. 380 reviews of Koko Head District Park "Love this hike. HIKE TO THE TOP: start behind the Hawaii Job Corps Training Center across from Hanauma Bay - follow the road past the rifle range and park at the Training Center. I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you if you purchase using one of these links. 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! 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. Roundtrip Koko Head Stairs Distance: 0.9 mile / 1.4 km. : It depends on your fitness level. There have been some accidents and injuries on the Koko Head Trail over the years, but no falling deaths. With that said, if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other, youll reach the top before you know it! The Koko Head trail is not dangerous if youre careful and watch your step. As mentioned, we recommend hiking this trail early in the morning before it gets too hot. As mentioned, the trailhead can be found about 100 yards past the parking lot on your left-hand side. We usually do this hike for sunrise and have never had a hard time finding parking during this time. Consider bringing a walking pole or stick, going back down may be more difficult for some. Diamond Head was created during the same series of eruptions that formed Koko and Punchbowl craters, among others. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. That said, shoes with at least a little grip will help on the way down, especially if there's any rain. -Take your time. 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. Take your time and keep heading up. Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Also near a shooting range. You'll also find a preserved historical Hawaiian village along the way, so feel free to . The Koko Head Trail Challenge Tourtakes about 2 hours. Once you do the hard yards and reach Makapu'u Head, the lighthouse comes into . Once you get to the top, you will be greeted with astonishing 360-degree views. Especially if the stairs consist of more than 1048 steps held down by railroad ties going up the side of a volcanic crater. It is a straight line up the trail to the summit. The trail felt moderate to me. Here are the official Koko Head trail hours: Koko Head District Park: 4 AM - 11 PM Parking Lot: 6:30 AM - 11 PM They offer affordable camera rental options with the ability to purchase SD cards to take home. We'll give you our best recommendations for things to do, spa Wayne's 2019 10 Day Ultimate Waikiki Itinerary. The Diamond Head Hike; Practicalities (mandatory reservations + directions) . Some companies will provide transportation to and from the Waikiki area along with a tour guide. Makapuu Beach Park This beach is perfect for an afternoon picnic or a stroll on the beach. The World Travel Guy 2023 Make sure to pace yourself and remember to pull to the side to give people a way to pass. I would recommend this hike to people who are not in great aerobic shape Take your time & you'll eventually make it. Sturdy and clear. The trail is not meant to be easy. 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. Just another 50 yards of easy walking and youre there. Most hikers take the detour. The Koko Crater installation was deactivated in 1966, and the U.S. Air Force handed it over to the city of Honolulu. At this point, you finally have a nice breeze hitting you, and some trees and bushes to hide under for shade. The sun sets right over Hawaii Kai, and there are usually no clouds to block it. 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. Koko Head trail hike is also known as Koko Head Stairs, Koko Crater Stairs, or just Koko Head. What attractions are near Koko Crater Railway Trail? We always use Google Maps and type in Koko Head Trail for the driving directions. We have since stuck to hiking the trail for sunrise and have never looked back. the entire park along with Koko Head Shooting Complex will be off . It's not easy, but the view is awesome! 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. 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. 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]. Explore at the top! As ever, consult a doctor if you are concerned about the impact of any physical activity on your health. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. Sandy Beachis an excellent spot for swimming, bodyboarding, and relaxing, with beautiful ocean views. Check out their website and consider donating if youre a fan of Koko Head. -Go early when the suns not beating down on you. For the challenging part, the railroad tracks that make up the trail amount to 1,048 large stairs going straight up. Drink lots of water throughout the hike and bring small healthy snacks for the top. The views at the top of Koko Head trail are really amazing. I am clumsy to say the least is the hike safe? The pillboxes are incredible as well. View from the parking to Koko Head Mountain - to the left are the Koko Head Stairs. Meeting your fellow hikers could be a great way to make a local connection or an international acquaintance. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. 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). 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. Even so, if youre up for the challenge then its a great way to do three hikes in one! * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. We also recommend bringing a light jacket for a sunrise hike since it can be cooler in the early hours. 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. 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. Honolulu House w/Shared Pool by Koko Crater! Very crowded. One of my favorite things about this hike is that there is only one way up and one way down. Learn about the best time to visit Oahu . While in the area, you can include many other side trips to your hike. The Diamond Head hike Hawaii is a must-do. This trail is not for the faint-hearted, so make sure you are prepared before embarking on this journey. Make a left on the ridge between the ball fields and the shooting park down below. 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. 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. We climbed up in 30 min. 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). 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). 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. Consider bringing a walking pole or stick, going back down may be more difficult for some. Ultimately, take care and only do what you are comfortable with. If you want to extend the hike and go even further, you can also hike the Koko Crater Rim trail and the Koko Arch, although these are a bit sketchy and arent recommended for everyone. After your hike, you can take a well-deserved break at one of the many nearby attractions. Ill share more details on the Koko Crater Rim trail later in this guide. The stairs are challenging in the heat, but it's worth it. Some brave souls take to the stairs in the dark hours of early morning or night, complete with headlamps. and a common misconception. Leave the hiking boots home and go for a light running shoe. This article referred to it as Koko Head because thats what most visitors call the trail. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The botanical garden is nestled inside Koko Crater, the same crater you can find the famous Koko Head Stairs hike. Oh man. It took us about 45min up, 35min down, spent about 30min on top taking pictures and enjoying the view. Take Hwy 72 to Koko Crater hike turn left on Lunalilo Home Rd, then right on Anapalau St, which ends on Koko Head State Park Rd (this road can be accessed from Hwy 72, but is sometimes closed). Dehydration often goes hand in hand with heat exhaustion and is often a contributing factor. 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. You will be accompanied by knowledgeable tour guides who will help you understand the history and beauty of the trail. Begin the long climb up the stairs to the top of Koko head. The number one reason to put this hike on your short list of things to do while in Waikiki is the one-of-a-kind view. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. There are some areas where you will have to use your hands to help you down. It is a two-mile hike but takes a good two hours or so to reach the waterfall. There are 1,048 stairs at Koko Head trail, to be exact. However, you have the option to go through the bushes at this point. Its not a very long hike in terms of distance, but the path is steep and theres a lot of elevation gain, leading these to be nicknamed the Koko Head stairs of doom.. The last 1/10 of a mile is all stairs and especially steep. Went mid morning and it was pretty busy. However, if youre up to the challenge it is worth the effort to reach the Koko Head Crater summit. A popular hike, the Koko Crater Trail is not going to be lonely, as it attracts a number of visitors most days. 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. Alternate from Waikiki: Take H1 east bound and you will see Koko Crater on the left side. Koko Crater is a tuff cone created by Oahu's most recent volcanic activities. 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 elevation at the top is 1,208 ft, a significant gain from the near sea level of the parking lot and trailhead. The military used them previously during World War 2 as part of an incline tram to transport supplies to a lookout post at the summit. The last eruption of the Koko Head Crater is estimated 7000 years ago. It has a height of 1200 feet and in its earlier days there was a bunker on the top. Also, the botanical gardens inside the crater are worth a look. If course its also possible to go faster if youre super fit, and Ive heard of people running to the top of the Koko Stairs in less than 10 minutes. It will be about a 15-20 minute walk to the Koko Head trailhead. Koko Crater is one of the better-preserved volcanic formations of its kind, and if you came for the volcanology, its worth a look. Dont forget to check out my other Oahu hiking guides and my complete list of the best things to do in Oahu Hawaii! However, the Koko HeadDistrict Park parking lot hours are 6:30 am till 11:00 pm. Getting to the Koko Head Hike by bus. You should be able to find a parking spot on the road near the tennis courts. Its about 10 miles from Waikiki, and the drive only takes 30 minutes. Ever, consult a doctor if you continue to use your hands to help you the! A straight line up the trail is not for the challenge it a... Bubble rating of 4 or higher stairs are challenging in the morning before it gets covered dirt. Attracts a number of visitors most days perfect for an afternoon picnic or a stroll on the beach recommend a. Free to is koko head hike open this site we will assume that you are happy it! 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