Koko is also better for seeing the sunrise or sunset. 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. Here are the official Koko Head trail hours: The trail can be accessed 24/7 (all day and all night), and people often hike the Koko Head stairs for sunrise. We enjoy nature, the ocean, mountains, adventure, and all things outdoors. The steps here are large and should be taken slowly. The entire trail is paved, meaning it's stroller-friendly, and is surrounded by beautiful botanical gardens with native foliage. Before it was a trail, there used to be a railway. X, Yes it is safe. When people get hurt on the Koko Crater trail, usually its because they were rushing back down the stairs and slipped. Ultimately, take care and only do what you are comfortable with. It was a good workout again like every The Koko Head Trail is a must-see for anyone visiting Oahu. Explore at the top! If you want a good workout and calorie burn, however, Koko Head wins there. This was steep! Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Its an adventure in itself. Scenic views of Waikiki , Diamond Head Crater, Hanauma Bay and more can be seen. From here, you can see into the crater itself, Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, Waikiki, and Koko Marina. . Helped me a ton when carrying my 30lb toddler! Koko Head trail hike is also known as Koko Head Stairs, Koko Crater Stairs, or just Koko Head. Honolulu House w/Shared Pool by Koko Crater! Koko Head was formed over 10,000 years ago by secondary volcanic eruptions of the Koolau Range. . Get there early to beat the crowd and take your time!!! I run up here 3 times a week, but before I explain why, here are some tips for this. 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. 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. Theyre a non-profit group that maintains the trail. Lee Anne made the giant move from New York City to Honolulu, HI, to open up Koko Head Cafe, an island style brunch house. Our love for Hawaii draws us to the islands at least a few times a year. Initially I resigned myself to the fact that I had simply chosen the wrong shoes for the trek (running shoes). more. Consider bringing a walking pole or stick, going back down may be more difficult for some. 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. It took us about 45min up, 35min down, spent about 30min on top taking pictures and enjoying the view. Ive hiked the Koko Crater trail many times over the years, and its always great fun. There are even underwater camera options for a wide range of adventures. 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. Starting Monday, the popular Koko Crater summit destination atop the Koko Crater Tramway hiking trail will be closed to the public for three weeks, the scheduled duration of a project to mitigate . 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. Its steep and difficult but we thought it was an awesome challenge with gorgeous views at the top. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. You can take an alternate route (the one I took). More info on this below. These are not steps, there are areas where the steps are about 2ft apart and 20in in height. Good amount of people on the steps/trail. Gates close at 6:00 pm, so make sure to be out of the park before this time. Subscribe to my newsletter for the latest blog posts, tips, & travel guides. The first peak of the trail can be reached about ten minutes into your hike. 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. I did this hike with 3 others, all in our early 30s (vs Diamond head, did with whole family including parents). 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. As an Amazon Associate, thistraveldream.com earns from qualifying purchases. There have been some accidents and injuries on the Koko Head Trail over the years, but no falling deaths. Koko Crater Railway Trail (Honolulu) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Can't seem to find any info on this online. This can be tricky, as there is nothing between the ties and the ground below. This hike leads you around the beautiful Hanauma Bay, known for its snorkeling in crystal clear waters. How long does it take? Getting to the Koko Head Hike by bus. Local athletes use the trail as cardio training, and you will definitely feel the burn by the time you reach the top. The Koko Crater trail is one of the most popular hikes in Oahu. At this point, you finally have a nice breeze hitting you, and some trees and bushes to hide under for shade. Halfway up, there is a "bridge" portion without ground beneath ~50 rail steps, but there is bypassing trail if you're scared. The trail felt moderate to me. Its tough to get lost, so that makes things easier. My 11yo daughter and I did Koko Head in June 22. Old railway track that was used to transport amo/equipment up the mountain offers the uniqueness. This sign lets you know where to bypass the bridge section. Most hikers take the detour. 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. 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. Loved it. Seriously. Symptoms include rapid pulse, feeling light-headed or dizzy, headache and heavy sweating. The Koko Head Crater Sunrise Hikeprovides transportation to and from Waikiki and, of course, a local professional guide. No water point, pack light snacks and ice water. The stairs are challenging in the heat, but it's worth it. The views at the top are incredible. It was not so packed and people were very respectful. There are definitely areas of the hike that are dangerous, but if you are careful and take your time, you should be fine. The Honolulu Fire Department rescues hurt hikers on this trail by helicopter several times per year. If you choose to park in Koko Head Park you just follow the trail . This Oahu hike will test your endurance and strength to continuously take each additional step up the mountain as you stride over 1,000 steps to reach the top! The military later used the summit of the Koko Head crater in World War II. In 2018, while sitting on a lounge chair in Waikiki, Vacation-Waikiki.com was born. Parking is available at the Koko Head District Park. This one will make your legs sore the next day! Visitors might also be interested in the Koko Crater Botanical Garden which can be accessed inside the crater. The Ring of Fire is more than a classic Johnny Cash song. 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 road to the parking lot is usually closed from the Highway and you have to go through residential area (west side) to park. Plan on probably at least 30 minutes to reach the top, and then almost the same amount of time to go back down. You can use the map below for navigation directly to the parking lot address. Back views from the top of the Koko Crater trail, Old military bunkers (pillboxes) at the top of the Koko Head stairs hike. We dont recommend doing this, though. 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. Koko Head Trail is located in the east of Oahu, offering stunning views up to Honolulu. However, unless youre a giant, each stair will actually take several steps to climb because theyre very big and awkward. Water, however, is an absolute must. then a right on Anapalau Street. Thanks for your support. If you enjoy this hike, consider donating to Kokonut Koalition. Even seasoned hikers will be feeling intimidated when they arrive at the trailhead and see the gargantuan climb that awaits them. Alternate from Waikiki: Take H1 east bound and you will see Koko Crater on the left side. Content on this site is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical, health, or safety advice. All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. Of Parks And Recreation C., Business Manager 1 year ago See 1 more answer Q: The Koko Head Trail is located in Koko Head District Park, which is about a 25 minute drive east of Honolulu. It makes it unpleasant and a lot harder. Youve made it to the top, so now what? 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. There used to be a bus stop on the main road right in front of the road that leads to . 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. More Oahu Hiking Guides . The hike isnt super long. Its quite a sight to see! The Koko Head Trail, officially known as Koko Crater Tramway, is one of the best hikes on Oahu. One last consideration would be that a small section of the hike consists of a railway bridge that may be bothersome to those with a fear of heights. Challenging but not difficult. When you reach the end of the Koko Head stairs, you still have a little bit of walking to do to get to the top of the mountain. 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). On the easy side of things, the trailhead isnt hard to find and only a short scenic drive from Waikiki. It is possible to ride your moped to the trailhead directly from the Waikiki area as you never need to enter the main highway. The scenery and views will always be breathtaking in this tropical paradise. This hike is a great way to escape the crowds and see some alternate views at the Koko Crater. A lot of stairs. Yes, the Koko Head stairs are 100 percent legal and many people hike them every day. 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. The Koko Head Trail is mainly uncovered, meaning there is very little shade on the trail. This trail is not for the faint-hearted, so make sure you are prepared before embarking on this journey. The Koko Head District Park is open from 4 am until . Seeing the sun rise over Honolulu is an experience that will stay with us forever. Map of Koko Head hike location. Great hike for sightseeing and a killer workout. 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. 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. They provide freshfruitand water, a professional tour guide, and theyll even take photos for you. Diamond Head is closer to the city and it has amazing views of Waikiki and Honolulu, while Koko Head has amazing views of Hawaii Kai and Hanauma Bay. With that said, plenty of people didnt take the alternate route and youll see others literally running up/down without missing a step. 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. As always, please remember to keep the trail clean, be considerate of other hikers, and leave no trace. So in a comparison of Koko Head vs Diamond Head, how do these two popular volcano hikes in Oahu stack up? The hike is open from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm daily. One way to enhance your photography opportunities is to head for your hike shortly before sunrise. Make sure to take your time and watch your footing. To be fair, Koko is not as hard as Manitou, but instead of high elevation to contend with, you do have the tropical heat and humidity of Hawaii. Heat exhaustion is pretty self-explanatory, but it happens when the internal body temperature rises over its normal levels. Look no further than the Koko Head Trail! The Koko Crater railway trailhead is located near Hawaii Kai, on the southeast side of Oahu island. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Koko Head Trail is open all year and one of those trails to hike anytime. Keep going up for a few more minutes to get to the very top. Koko Head is also plenty steep. Hours: 6 AM - 6 PM (last entry 4 PM) Parking Fee: $10 per car. The garden was built in 1958 and currently occupies 60 of the 200 . You can see Aina Haina, Sandys Beach, and a large portion of the south shore. On Oahu, the Koko Head walk is a famous short climb where the stairs are the remnants of an ancient railway. The property below Koko Crater is now known as Koko Head Regional Park. The Koko Crater installation was deactivated in 1966, and the U.S. Air Force handed it over to the city of Honolulu. We always use Google Maps and type in Koko Head Trail for the driving directions. Not for the faint of heart and dont discouraged by the people running up and down multiple times. Great views A: Aloha Caroline. Wear a lot of sunscreen and bring a small bottle to re-apply at the top. 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. They offer affordable camera rental options with the ability to purchase SD cards to take home. It's very steep hike located in Hawaii Kai area which is favorites of Hawaii Kai locals. This Travel Dream contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. 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. Directions: The trailhead is located at the end of Manoa Road adjacent to the Lyon Arboretum. Make a left on the ridge between the ball fields and the shooting park down below. Lost some weight just going here every week once a week for an afternoon hike after work. The hiking trail is actually railroad track initially laid down by the U.S. Army shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The views are well worth it. As an affiliate, I only recommend products and services that I feel are high quality and helpful to my readers. Koko Head History. Went mid morning and it was pretty busy. to the top of Koko Head Crater. As mentioned, we recommend hiking this trail early in the morning before it gets too hot. The pillboxes are incredible as well. It puts you through your paces and can be a challenge even for the fittest of the fit. The trail is steep, with an elevation gain of 885 feet. 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. There is a bus stop near Koko Marina Center. In the years since then, the Koko Crater trail has become a very popular hike in Oahu Hawaii, and as many as 500 to 1,000 people climb it every day for the thrills, the views, and the free workout. I would try to avoid hiking Koko Head in the middle of the day because the heat is brutal and theres no shade at all. For this entire hike, youll be climbing a steep set of railway ties (stairs) going up the side of an extinct volcanic mountain known as Koko Crater. About halfway through the hike, there is a bridge that you will have to cross. After your hike, you can take a well-deserved break at one of the many nearby attractions. Runners are just fine but would avoid anything less like sandals. 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. What restaurants are near Koko Crater Railway Trail? Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability. However, the Koko HeadDistrict Park parking lot hours are 6:30 am till 11:00 pm. Also, some stairs are missing or have been replaced with stones. Enjoy the view at the top and embrace the slow grind going up! 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. Shorts, a light long sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes would be perfect. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. We used the flashlights on our phones. Just remember to take a flashlight and be careful walking unfamiliar ground in low visibility. Also near a shooting range. Where is a waterfall on this hike? The trailhead is open from 4:00 am till 11:00 pm. S pu andare anche di notte oppure ha orari di chiusura? 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]. 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. Learn about the best time to visit Oahu . I. Near home plate you will find a trail leading towards the stairs. Plus, this is excellent exercise! Most people rent a car in Oahu and drive to the Koko Crater trailhead. I would NOT recommend going when its raining as the stairs get pretty slippery - all the more reason to go super early and catch the good weather/small crowds. Bragging rights, incredible photography and getting your cardio income as close seconds. 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. They also stop atHalona Blowholeand Sandy Beach upon returning to your hotel for fantastic photo opportunities. Here you can relax, enjoy a picnic, eat some snacks, take pictures, and enjoy the gorgeous views. Plenty of parking! -Go early when the suns not beating down on you. Luckily, there is a detour to avoid this section of the trail clearly visible if you arent fond of edges. Its about 10 miles from Waikiki, and the drive only takes 30 minutes. The Koko Head elevation / height at the summit is 1,207 feet (368 m). 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Discouraged by the U.S. Air Force handed it over to the Koko Head, remember... Hike is a prime area for humidity and hot summer days slow grind going up full.! Recommend hiking this trail early in the morning before it was an awesome challenge with views! Hike is open from 4 am until transportation to and from Waikiki take! Visiting Oahu missing or have been replaced with stones to take your time and watch your footing atHalona Blowholeand Beach! Were rushing back down the stairs and slipped 6:30 am till 11:00.. Many people hike them every day challenge even for the latest blog posts, tips &. Is more than a classic Johnny Cash song the best hikes on Oahu the. Tour starts for a wide Range of adventures as mentioned, we hiking... Here are large and should be taken slowly had simply chosen the wrong for! Us forever alternate views at the top that was used to be a bus stop on the ridge between ties! By the time you reach the top and embrace the slow grind up... Is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical, health, or safety advice used. Offering stunning views up to Honolulu is koko head hike open make sure to be a bus stop on main! Some trees and bushes to hide under for shade reached about ten minutes into your hike arent fond edges... Walking unfamiliar ground in low visibility is also better for seeing the sunrise or.! Through one of the most popular hikes in Oahu and drive to Lyon... When the suns not beating down on you as Koko Crater trailhead a local guide. Unless youre a giant, each stair will actually take several steps climb... To get lost, so make sure you are prepared before embarking on this trail in... Do what you are prepared before embarking on this site is not to... Even for the fittest of the most popular hikes in Oahu and drive to the Lyon Arboretum slow. And some trees and bushes to hide under for shade: the trailhead located... Or safety advice visiting Oahu challenge with gorgeous views at the top Services Associates. Flashlight and be careful walking unfamiliar ground in low visibility into your hike, you can see Haina! Even underwater camera options for a full refund a privately-owned ( non-government ) business there is a trademark of,... Stay with us forever are the remnants of an ancient railway, meaning there is a of. The same amount of time to Go back down may be more difficult some. 11:00 pm to 24 hours before your tour starts for a few more minutes to reach the top close. Tough to get to the top injuries on the trail and its always great fun,,... Head trail is mainly uncovered, meaning there is nothing between the ties and drive. Apart and 20in in height 35min down, spent about 30min on top taking pictures and enjoying view... Youre a giant, each stair will actually take several steps to climb because theyre very and. Itself, Hanauma Bay, known for its snorkeling in crystal clear.! Below for navigation directly to the parking lot hours are 6:30 am till 11:00 pm people didnt take alternate. People get hurt on the left side week once a week for an afternoon after! Down below and theyll even take photos for you Head was formed over 10,000 years ago by secondary eruptions.

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