This a beautifully brutal hike, yet very rewarding once you reach the top! Did this trail with my daughter's boyfriend, half way through I told him to go ahead so I wouldn't slow him down. I worked hard to prep for this hike, it was a challenge but very worth it. As you climb you get to see some beautiful views of the coast. And once you get to the top, you realize it was worth it! read more

See all

2nd time on this trail. First time was over 15 years ago and most recently 1 month ago. Really great hike that can be done within 1-1.5 hrs out and back. 2 areas where it's not a solid trail- holes between the wooden planks that you can fall through if you're not careful- but I found out there are bypasses that you can do off your the right when going up and on the left when you are coming down. Always people overestimating their abilities and when we were there, someone had to be taken away by an ambulance... I think just make sure to start early if you aren't in good shape and take breaks along the way. Also, bring plenty of water and electrolytes. Great views from the top! read more

See all

If you know, you know. Koko Head is an absolute beast, and let's be real....this trail is not for everyone. Looking up from the bottom doesn't seem that bad, but once you start climbing those railroad ties, reality hits quick. It's a straight-up vertical leg burner. My biggest advice is that slow and steady wins the race. This isn't a sprint. Don't worry about the people flying past you; just find your rhythm and take breaks. Most importantly: be careful and hydrate. There is zero shade out there and the sun will absolutely cook you. Bring way more water than you think you need and wear good shoes. Once you finally crawl to the top, the views of Hanauma Bay are insane and worth every agonizing step. Just take your time coming down because your legs will feel like Jell-O. Even if you have to climb slowly, just be careful...Don't worry about anyone else except you. read more

See all

1000+ Stairs is not for the weak or faint. So fun!! Stretch, take water, follow the guidelines of how people are on thw path up and back. Stay to the sides and let people who run up or down have the right of way. Take your time. There are plenty of spots to stepnoff to the side and rest when needed. People will check in with you, root you on, ensure you are ok, encourage you! Good vibes only! read more

See all

First off the answer is YES.... It's worth it. But this is really intense. I struggled and I'm in pretty good shape. Know your limits, someone needed to get rescued when I went. There are plenty of places to stop and rest right aside the tracks and there are small yellow numbers that tell you what step you're at. There are a total of 1048 and 1200 feet up. The views from the top are absolutely breathtaking, this was one of the highlights from my trip read more

See all

This is a big Kaiju hike - it's straight and steep and no tricks as you can see it climb to the sky with the last third of so of the hike at maybe 70 degree incline. Count your steps, take a breath, breathe, bring water, and do it earlier in the morning when it's much cooler. The photos you can take at the top will be fabulous. read more

Koko Crater Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I recently went back and realized they redid some of the steps so it feels more stable! If you haven't done this hike, it's definitely worth it but know that it's a killer workout. Sunset up there? Unreal. BUT it gets dark fast coming down so time it right or bring a light source. It's windy at the top which feels wonderful but if you're hanging out for a while bring a sweater. All in all, amazing workout, even better view. read more

Koko Crater Trail - views on the way down - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Happy New Year & Happy 2026!! Keeping our family tradition going with hiking the brutal Koko Head Stairs on the first day of the new year. I tried to back out, but my son won't allow it. (haha) I am glad he stopped me from backing out. For last year's goals, I try to hike the stairs once a month and that has been going good, we missed a few months due to travels, but for 2026 goals I will try my best to keep & stick to it. For this recent New Years hike, as I am hiking up, I keep asking myself, why?!! What did I do to deserve this, hehe. It does not get easier for me despite hiking it up so many times. I did take my time going up, same old, same old, brutal, pain, hehe. but super HAPPY when I reached the top and so worth it. I got to see the Christmas tree, super cool to see it in real life. I took some time for myself, to take it all in and just enjoyed the views and the moments, "Lucky we live Hawaii moments" I wish I could enjoy it longer but we had to get back down, which I'm not bragging - but for me , going back down is much more easier. I am grateful to be able do this hike and look forward to many more this year. Happy 2026, wishing everyone a new year filled with blessings, stay safe & happy hiking! & YES. feeling the pains from the hike the next day is normal, its all good! I am ready to hike Koko again! read more

See all

Koko Crater Trail is a steep hike up the actual Koko Crater and follows an abandoned World War II railway track with over 1,000 steps. Round trip is about 1.6 miles and it's a 1,000 feet elevation gain in only 0.8 miles, making it challenging regardless of your fitness level. On top of that, there's no shade so I recommend coming early before the sun is beaming. After parking at the parking lot, you'll walk a little bit to get to the base on the steps. You will most likely take breaks and there are small break areas off the tracks to step aside as to not block others. There's one section of the climb of about 50 steps where there's a steep drop; I did a bear crawl and held onto the rails going up. If you aren't comfortable doing that though, there's a bypass trail to the side going both up and down. After all the breaks we took getting up to the top took about 30 minutes. There were beautiful 360° views of the island from the mountains to the ocean and everything in between. There were a couple of different areas to view the landscape: one at the top and one just near the top. We actually liked the views of the latter more but it'll be nice no matter where you look. Going down is also challenging on your knees and after going up, your legs might be a little tired. It also took us about 30 minutes to get back down so you can complete this hike from start to finish in about 1-2 hours. I recommend bringing grippy shoes for traction, sunglasses, and water to get through the hike. It was definitely challenging but worth the effort to make it to the top and get rewarded with awesome views. read more

See all

Great hike that is well kept up by a volunteer organization called kokonut koalition (there are also volunteer opportunities if you'd like to help upkeep). Parking: Don't leave anything valuable visible. This includes backpacks. Hike itself: There are ~1,100 steps, it feels like a stair workout, it is more than okay to stop, but best to stop on the sides to let others go or down. Great for sunrises and sunsets. Could take about 20-30 minutes each way if you don't stop too often. Bring water!! There are no fountains up there. read more

Loved this hike for the short but steep up that's rewarded by amazing views. Under the sun, the last 100 steps were hard but I love the feeling of getting to the top. All the sweat and effort was well worth it with the gorgeous panoramic view. read more

Koko Crater Trail - At the top of the - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

I hiked Koko Head on a Saturday morning and was honestly surprised that it wasn't very crowded. There's a convenient parking lot at the bottom, which makes getting started easy. The hike is about 1,000 steps and took me roughly 30 minutes up. I'd consider myself a casual/intermediate beginner hiker, and while it's definitely challenging, it's very doable. One of the best parts was seeing people of all ages on the trail, kids, dogs, abd beginners. Theres even people who do it every day. The overall energy is super motivating, I experience a lot of people encouraging each other while taking breaks. That said, it is a lot of steps, so I recommend going early in the morning or closer to sunset to avoid the heat. One thing I haven't heard many people mention is the shooting range nearby. You can hear gunshots during the hike, which personally made me uncomfortable. If you have PTSD or are sensitive to loud noises, that's something to be aware of. If not for that, I would've given this hike five stars. There are no bathrooms along the trail, so definitely go before you start. At the top, there are several incredible viewpoints, stairs, and open areas where you can stop, rest, and take beautiful scenic photos. If you're an average hiker, expect about an hour total for the hike up and down. Beginners may take a bit longer. Overall, it was a great experience and I would absolutely do it again. If it's your first time, I recommend going with others, it's really inspiring to hear how many people hike this every single day. read more

MUST SEE HONOLULU ATTRACTION!! originally an old railway, theres a part that's not stairs but a ladder. i got down on all fours to climb unless ur experiences and brave enough to walk it. u rly DO NOT WANNA BE joking around and falling on this climb! its a little scary NOT FOR THE WEAK, i had to crab walk my way down in fear of falling forward. only 2-3ish miles?? but took about 90 minutes here (including time sitting on top). finish is super rewarding, i rec going during sunset/sunrise. we went 10am sunday july 2023 and it was semi crowded. there are cut out mini resting spots/rocks to sit by along the way; my parents 50ish yrs old didnt feel safe going. lots of little kids who went faster than me omg. read more

Koko Crater Trail - TOP VIEW - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Let me start with saying my legs hurt. This hike is literally just straight up. With that said, it doesn't really take a long time. You go at your own pace and can stop and sit on the steps as much as you need. With stopping multiple times I made it up to the peak in 50 minutes. Beautiful views at the top, and very friendly people along the way. read more

See all

Really enjoyed this hike because it felt so rewarding. If you do stair master (which I don't), you will be a professional at this. It's pretty much nonstop stairs all the way to the top where you will be rewarded with an amazing view. It's a difficult one and not good if you have weak knees, trouble with breathing in high altitudes, and scared of heights. There is an alternative route on the side if you are afraid of the large gaps (what is what I opted for). People do run up and down this route multiple times as a workout so watch out for the speedy ones! It was my first time here and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My friends and I came here around 6am which is perfect because by the time we finished it was about 8am (2 hour hike at a slow pace). We packed a spam masubi in our bag so we can reward ourselves with a treat at the top with a nice view. Highly recommend this hike and would definitely do it again next time I visit! read more

See all

By far, the most memorable hike we have ever been on! My wife and I love to go hiking. We have hiked all over the world. It is a passion of ours. When we were planning our trip to Oahu, I decided it was the perfect time to propose. I suggested to her that we do this hike. I'll be honest, the hike is a bit difficult even though it is only 1.5 miles. It's nice to have stairs but it is a steep, constant incline. But once you reach the top, the views are absolutely stunning. I proposed at the top when we were overlooking the coastline. And now that we are married, this hike will always have a special place in our hearts. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys hiking, especially if you plan to be in Oahu. read more

See all

It's been almost 4yrs coming home from TX. That's how long I've done this hike. I love this hike. It is super hard, but very doable and free. Just take it slow and pace yourself. It's like doing the Stair Master 5000. Some get tired from walking from the parking lot to the beginning of the first track. This isn't your typical hike, it's a straight shot from earth to the heavens lol. It's basically train tracks used as stairs to walk straight up to the top. I used to do this hike in less than 16mins in my younger and in-shape days, but today took me about 30mins to include tons of breaks. It can get crowded so be respectful and move to the side. It goes from a pretty steep slant uphill until you reach a middle section that is like a scary bridge when you walk across, but if you don't want to, there's a small trail around it. Once you past this part, your above halfway there, where it'll be basically an incline straight into the heavens. I've seen small women carrying their infants, or old people going up and down passing me, so it's a very doable hike. It just depends on your body condition. It'll make your legs feel like jello and/or it'll shake because your muscles are spazzing out lol. But overall, I promise you, it's definitely worth the view up top. Go on a sunny day where the sky and view is clear. You can even bring a headlamp and/or flashlight to hike up before sunrise or sunset which are both beautiful, just be careful. They've changed the whole top side to a small little metal stage viewing area. And please don't do stupid stuff just for content and likes, a lot of people have gotten hurt and/or died doing the dumbest things like sitting on the edge of the cliff. Lots of park parking to include a restroom area. read more

See all

No time to hike this time, but definitely on the bucket list for next time! Driving around the crater was beautiful and there's a lot of scenic places to stop including the Blowhole. Such a great way to see Hawaii and its beauty! read more

See all

Over 1000 steps straight up the side of Koko crater. If you're looking for a good workout, this could be right for you. The trail does become steeper the higher up you get and can be quite tough on your knees on the way down so I might avoid this trail if you're having knee problems. Though the view at the top is beautiful, it is not my favorite in terms of hiking as it is 1) an exposed trail, which can get very hot on the hike up and 2) not as nice as other hiking trails around the island in terms of how beautiful the trail itself can be. Furthermore, has mentioned earlier, this trail does become steeper the higher up you get and can become sketchy in some places, especially along the bridge section that is open below. There is a bypass route that you can take. I would recommend it if you have a fear of heights or poor balance. Overall, a solid trail for exercise, however, as far as hiking for enjoyment, and to simply be out in nature, there are far better trails. 5 stars as a workout 3 stars as a hike read more

See all

My third time hiking up the Koko Crater Tramway. We arrive at parking area at 5:45 in the dark with the goal of arriving at top for sunrise. We wore headlamps on our hats to guide our way. The temperature was perfect, much cooler than when the sun is out. The traffic going up was pretty light going. Made the summit in time to enjoy the gorgeous sunrise. Hung out for a while appreciating the wonder of this beautiful island. Moved up to main viewing to take in view on other side, shared snacks and laughs. On way down there were many hikers headed up. I think on future hikes in the future we will put up with early hours to enjoy cooler temperatures and the beautiful light of sunrise. read more

See all

As a South Florida native who doesn't get to hike much, I picked this trail based off the online reviews and Instagram reels. Originally, i was going to go to Diamond Head but I didn't reserve it ahead of time so i was disappointed to find out i wouldn't be able to go. However, the Koko Crater trail seemed enticing as it consists of over 1,000 steps and seemed to be only 1.6 miles long. It's definitely a challenging one so bring water to stay hydrated. It's consistently steep so your heart will feel it after a while. There was a lot of people there even though we arrived later in the afternoon. The parking was super close so that was convenient. Overall, I'm glad I picked this trail because the views were stunning. read more

Koko Crater Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

The best hike on this trip! For an intermediate hiker this wasnt so bad. Took us about an hour and a half to hike to the top. There is parking available by the entrance for the park and further back there is parking for the hike. You can park near the park if the parking is full closer to the entrance. To head to the hike, you head to the left trail. On the right is to the shooting range and its a straightway path to the stairs. On the stairs there is two spots where the steps are a bit spaced between each other but they do have an alternate path on the side for those who are afraid to step on. It leads back to the stairs. Overall, i definitely recommend. The view was worth it. You get a 360° view of the island at the top plus another pillbox if youre trying to see all the pillboxes on the island. read more

Yeah America!!!! We did it! I wouldn't do it again but at least I did I it! Legs are wobbly as heck and my body will be in pain for a few months but hey. I did it! read more

See all

My youngest daughter and her boyfriend highly recommended this hike in Oahu. I'm always open for a good hike/exercise. While standing at the bottom of the trail I thought "wow". Was I going to be able to complete this trail?!?! I went for it and hoped for the best. The stairs/tracks came in handy. Don't sit on them long though because people do go up and down those "stairs". I sat way to long and I was basically told that I was in the way. I know! I was exhausted!! Give a woman who's considered a senior a break!!! I stopped often on the stairs and tried to stay out of anyone's way so that I can see how much I accomplished and to also admire the view. Once I reached the top, I felt so accomplished!! Trust me, getting to the top was worth it. Would I do it again? YUP! GREAT work out!! Start in the morning so that you can avoid the heat. Plenty of free parking. read more

See all

Hey Yelpers! Active Cletus here! Here's another review for Koko Crater Trail! I did a review on this hike 8 months ago and it was a disastrous experience for me. However, I was determined to give it another go. This time I made it up to the top! Let me tell you all you need to know to succeed. Parking is usually easy to find and I would recommend parking as close as you can to the trail, nobody wants to walk more after that! I went with my niece and she really helped me, she was a great support system and motivation to get to the top. To get to the trail, there is a concrete path that leads to a dirt slope onto another concrete path and to the beginning of the trail. If you are lost, this hike was pretty busy each time I went and you can always ask! I would also recommend bringing water, 8 months ago I didn't! Big mistake! There is no better feeling than getting to the top of that mountain! Feeling the breeze was a a blissful award to the sweat filled journey to get to the top! My niece and I took many breaks which were needed! It really gets tiring with all those stairs! I wish all of you luck for this hike because you need a strong mindset (and legs) to get to the top! Reminder that you can do what you set your mind to! 8 months ago I never thought this would be possible (See my previous review on Koko Crater Trail) but today it was! Let's go Yelpers! read more

See all

The husband and I finally mustered up the courage to complete KoKo Crater Trail this recent trip to Hawaii. Although the trail was extremely challenging, we both enjoyed the journey to the top and would do it, again! As other Yelpers have mentioned, this trail is fairly difficult. I would not recommend it for young children or seniors who may have issues with their hips and knees. With that being said, regardless if you are athletic or not, as long as you prepare with good footwear, pace yourself and stay hydrated, you should be okay and able to complete it. There will be moments where you feel like giving up, but I promise the views above are well worth it! read more

Koko Crater Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

I don't go out and hike a lot, so this was the hardest hike I have done in my life and I am out of shape. Miraculously, after 1-2 hours, climbing over 1000 steps, and a lot of encouragement from other fellow hikers, I hade it to the top to get one of the most beautiful views as my reward. Definitely made it worth while taking photos from every side of the crater and just soaking in the views from atop. Going down for me was a lot easier and took me less than an hour and I gladly rewarded myself with several beers and Kona Brewery. read more

We made it all the way up!!! and yes the view is worth it. Was it challenging...yes and I died a few times along the way :) Good news though as you are in good company bc everyone is trying to make it to the top in their own way, at their own pace. As you pass one another you might exchange a glance w a fellow hiker w that knowing look that screams "what the...why did I...are we there yet". If the big steps don't get ya the elevation might but it t'was a good challenge. Some of the steps had gaping holes in between them so if needed you can climb that part like a ladder or go around it w side trail. It was great seeing diff types of ages, fitness levels conquering this "brutal" hike as my sis forewarned me. If your on the island this is a must as it felt like a right of passage and upon completion you are part of the tribe that did it! Heehee. Tip: -bring plenty of water and start earlier to avoid heat. -one side of viewpoint is super windy so hold on tight to hat. -also skip the long lines at Leonard's and hit up their food truck for some Malasadas on your way down. Winning! read more

Depending on your fitness level and age, Koko Crater Trail might be easy for some and hard for others. If your fitness level is low to medium, it might take an hour or longer for one to complete it. It well over 1200 steps into the sky. We've done this hike a few times and don't consider is easy, but it is such a great feeling once you reach the top to see the incredible views it has to offer. I recommend you go early, leave the slippers at home, use good sneakers, take enough water, and pace yourself the first 500 steps or so. There is also a bridge with a posted sign not to cross but people do anyway. I did witness people drop their sunglasses while using the bridge. We used the turn off; safety first and we didn't lose our belongings in the ravine. Once you get to the top of the "staircase" keep going up a little higher to see the backside views; fantastic. read more

Koko Crater Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Koko Crater is an amazing but tough hike. The views from the top are incredible and totally worth it. The trail is very steep, and you literally walk on old railroad tracks all the way up. It's hard, but the experience and the view make it unforgettable. Parking is good and easy to find, which makes the start of the hike convenient. read more

Yo, I went here on a whim because people recommended that I go for a hike while in Hawaii. This hike trail is the craziest and scariest, but yet most fulfilling trail to take. It has amazing views throughout and then once you get to the top, it is just beautifully breathtaking scenery that you're going to have to take pictures out I guarantee. read more

See all

First Impression: That's a lot of stair, but doesn't look too bad. Location: Parking is free. The earlier you go the better. When we were leaving (around 9 am) people were stalking for spots. Experience: This trail feels longer than it actually is (1.5 miles in and out). It gets more steep the higher you go. There were spots where we felt like we had to talk on all fours due to the spacing. We saw all ages attempting and conquering this trail. There are plenty of rest spots along the way and the view from the top is totally worth it. Note: Go early. It gets busy and hot quickly. Those coming up.. please move over for those coming down (it is way risker down than up) read more

This is not a trial for the week. It's high risk high reward. Bring your water, preferably in a backpack because carrying a bottle just weighs you down. Take it slow step at a time take lots of breathers and don't feel rushed. If you're scared of heights you might freak out, bring a friend to help out through those moments. Trust me the views are totally worth it and your body is gonna feel happy that this. read more

See all

Highly recommend, definitely a great hike to get your heart pumping! Parking was not an issue and there was a little trail to get to the stairs. For me, it took 30 minutes to hike up to the very top but can vary from person to person (According to Google, there is about 1k steps). Once I got to the top, the view was super nice. There were views of the mountain, ocean and cities below. Part of the railroad track was a bit wider as shown in the image but there was an easier pathway off to the side. Overall, everybody should experience this hike at least once! read more

See all

A good hike for your next trip to Oahu is the Koko Crater Lookout Trail. It's a 1.6 out and back trail with an elevation gain of approximately 1200 feet. We did the hike in the late morning, so we were definitely sunburnt after completing it. I'd recommend coming early morning to avoid a crowd and some sun! A huge shoutout to @kokonutkoalition for up keeping this hike for everyone to enjoy. read more

See all

The Koko Crater Trail was a difficult hike to me because it consists of all stairs. It took a while to get to the top. I drank at least 4 bottles of water. Sunscreen and energy food like granola are useful for sun protection and gaining energy from healthy foods. There are many places on the side of the trail to take a break and room for the runners and hike sprinters to go around you. Watch out for the yellow jackets and bees. Wonderful work by the Koko Crater volunteers in making the hike safer than before. Use the bypass if u don't want to cross the bridge over the ravine. Getting to the top was great for the view, but there is a graffiti old building and rusty relics, which were a little awful looking. It's still worth it to do this hike of stairs read more

See all

This is such an intimidating and unique trail-- literally just stairs for as far as the eye can see. You know exactly what you're getting into when you are standing at the bottom looking up. With that said, this is NOT an easy hike, coming from someone who is young and in decent enough shape. In the direct sunlight and heat, I needed to take several breaks along the way, but eventually made it up to the top-- and the view is WORTH IT! You have a 360 degree view of the surrounding area. Quite beautiful! The only downside is that the trail itself isn't super entertaining; Just step after step, repetitive and not as fun as a hike up a mountain or through a forest. Definitely bring a lot of water, consider sunscreen, and wear the proper clothing/footwear. This is a do-able hike, and I did see people of all ages doing it at their own pace. Wouldn't need to do it again, but glad I did it. Just be ready to EARN the cool view! read more

10000% worth it! Parking was free but i would definitely get there early to avoid the crowds. This hike is challenging but there's flat land in the sides which make great rest spots. Don't bring regular flip flops, make sure to have some good walking shoes with grip. The view going up is gorgeous, the overall scenery was stunning. read more

Koko Crater Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Truly a test of will, this trail demands dedication and perseverance. Find a pace, rest when necessary, then take in the wonderful view at the top while basking in your accomplishment. Come get some! read more

I have to echo some of the other reviewers. But first I have to write that it is every bit worth it going to the top. The views are spectacular. First get there early. The trail or old Railway is not that wide and with a lot of people it can get crowded. Wear good sneakers or even better yet trail shoes or hiking sneakers. Pace yourself, it is a long climb and very steep at the end. But most importantly, avoid the bridge and take the trail at all cost. The morning we went it had rained earlier and the railroad ties were slick. Crossing this bridge two times was absolutely terrifying. We didn't know about the trail until we were done. My wife took the trail around the bridge and said it was great. Look at my pictures for the warning of the bridge, it is pretty scary. Once you're at the top and you can take the little trail to the other side. The views are really great, but it is super windy. I literally had to hold onto my hat. I did see a few bloody shins from people slipping. read more

See all