The stairmaster from hell. Length: 1.6 miles Difficulty: Hell The trail is made from an abandoned railroad track from WW2. Ascend steep steps that become narrower as you travel further up. A section of the railroad, the tramline, has a 10+ feet void with bees below, so tread carefully or bypass this drop with the route on the side. The trek back down is also tiresome and slippery! Highly recommend wearing sneakers, carrying ample water, and generously slathering on sunscreen. There's barely any shade, just the sun slowly roasting everyone. That being said, hike super early before the crowds and sun make it suffocatingly more difficult. Also, try to pack lightly and SECURELY. Someone finished the hike, but frantically ran around asking others if they had seen keys on their way back down. She had to climb back up to find her car keys :( I adore all the people who carried buckets full of rocks and dirt to fill in gaps in the steps. I've seen elderly people gracefully float past us up the stairs - a mesmerizing and motivating sight to witness. At the end of this hike, you'll be rewarded with momentary self-loathing as you gasp for air, a strong sense of accomplishment, and spectacular panoramic views of the shoreline! read more

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It was an amazing experience. I got there around 7:30a and already some people coming down from top. It was steep and yes stairs. I recommend wear at least sneaker not flip flops. I took about bit less than 30min without taking a break to the top. I see some people like firefighters train at this place to go up and down several times with a hose. Impressive. The view from the top was amazing and I love 360 view. I recommend to wear a hat for chance of rain and for the sun. Also recommend to wear sun glasses. Of course the water for you to drink. No shade. Go early so less people on the top, up and down. read more

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Yelpers. . . Get pumped and leggo! It's leg day! Get that warm up stretch in, pack light, bring that water, and get here early. You're going to step up 2 miles of stairs at about a 30-40 degree angle. EACH STEP IS WORTH IT! The reward is a killer 360 degree view at the top and fresh breeze to dry up all the sweat and tears along the way. Tips for the hike: - Bring lots of water. - bring a citrus fruit or an apple - hat to give you some shade - some motivational music - friends that suffer together stay together - rise and get up that mountain early to beat traffic - no shame in stepping aside to take lots of breaks - take the bypass for novices Happy leg day yelpers! read more

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Great stunning views and a killer hike. Definitely worth the work and effort. Arrive before 7 am and bring a flashlight because it is dark. There are small markers on the side of the trail (26) I believe. It took me a while to get to the top because I had to do a lot of stops but it was well worth it. The views were stunning. Free parking, no fees, just make sure to carry your own trash down with you. read more

Koko Crater Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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+ Great exercise + Relatively quick up and down + Great views at the top - Gun Range nearby so you'll hear loud and constant gunfire most of the way - Vibe is less "hike" and more "gym" so lots of young people blasting music and attention-seeking outfits, photo-snapping etc. - No variation, very little to see on the way up and down Overall, good to do one time as a fun little challenge and a novelty but much better hikes on the island. read more

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Love this trail!! Took awhile to get up since I took many breaks in between, but I finished and reached the top! That's the most important!! Last time I did this trail was back in 2018 and I was in much better shape with running half marathons. Trail was still the same from what I remembered except now they have a side part of the trail on rocks at a certain point. Overall I would come back every time I'm in Oahu to challenge myself! read more

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Koko humbled me like nothing else. I consider myself in decent shape and did Diamond Head the day before and thought it wasn't bad at all; Koko was brutal in comparison. Brutal and relatively short. It's a staircase that just goes up and up, with not many spots to pull off to the side; it will make your legs shake like crazy. The ascent: tough. Seriously, doing this every day must give you legs and a butt of steel. It's basically 30+ minutes of non-stop stepping and lunging at the same time. I was dying enough as it is, but seeing people march up with extra weight (including a guy trudging up with a 35kg weight strapped to his back) was definitely inspiration. As other reviews mentioned, there's a section of the stairs with a posted sign warning of death/injury, where the gaps between steps open to a height. I opted for the bypass part but there were plenty of others who went for it. The descent: even tougher! I would've preferred doing another bout of the ascent than going back down. I thought I was okay with heights until it came to scaling the steepest part of the stairs and had to squat and shimmy my way down. There's no embarrassment here. We came at around 4 in the afternoon when there was less people; I can't imagine doing this with crowds. A lot of this hike is as much psychological/mental as it is physical. If you think to "let go" a bit, it's probably a lot easier. I, on the other hand, was inching down for dear life. Also wear some shoes with grip and traction. My sneakers were slippery on the gravel. The views were spectacular. A bucket list item for Oahu for sure. Thanks to the Kokonut Koalition for doing such a good job maintaining the trail and I appreciate the signs along the way letting you know your progress. read more

This review is not a brag. Instead I hope it serves as a reassurance for those who has doubt or trepidation of going. When I said I wanna go do the Koko Crater Trail, I was met with warnings and deterrents. I hesitated at first but decided that I should just go, and if I don't make it to the top, I dont make it to the top, NBD. Got there around 8:30am on Friday 8/25/23. The trail wasn't too busy and it wasn't too hot yet. The trail is consisted of endless ascending stairs going all the way up on a mountain. Don't wear white shoes, coz they will get very dirty. Bring water, but be conservative with consumption as there is no restroom along the trail. Definitely wear sunscreen coz there is barely any shade. It took about 45 minutes to get to the top with several short stops along the way to catch my breath. It wasn't easy breezy but it was definitely doable. The view at the end was spectacular and soothing. Descending the trail was a little more scary for me. The trail is steep and could be slippery. I felt like I had to orient at a 45 degree angle in order to secure my footing going down. There were some people running down the the steps. I was seriously worried that they would trip and tumble down, and we all be going down like dominoes. I stepped aside every time I heard someone running down behind me. lol. read more

Koko Crater Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Convenient East side location near Hanauma Bay. Big parking lot at Koko Head District Park but shared with baseball fields. Also very crowded so sometimes have to park in lower lots. Supposedly they made some improvements to the trail but it looks the same to me. I saw some 6-7 year olds on the hike. It only takes about 18 mins to get to the top and there are good views (see photos). There is one part where the rail goes over as a bridge which might be difficult for small dogs but there is an alternative route (see photos). Overall good quick exercise with good views. Some people do it multiple times at once because it is short. read more

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It's been a while since I've been back here. The newly updated trail looks fantastic and makes it much easier to climb. The wood rail and gaps in the dirt has been filled. Im not that tall and you can imagine the bigger stride I have to make to move from rail to rail(I call them rail because these are not in fact stairs!). Go early in the morning or late afternoon. There is no shade and the sun can be brutal. Bring a hat, snacks, something to drink. And honestly I enjoyed it as it gives me the best leg workout ever. 10/10 would do it again. read more

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According to alltrails.com/hawaii/oahu, this is trail is #1. In deed it is when you get to the top. We attempted this trail about 7 years ago and gave up half way up. This time I came more prepared. We got to the park around 7:15am before the blazing sun and we made to the top close to 9am. It's 1.6 miles up and down. There's a clean restroom in the Kokohead community park. There's no admission fee. This trail is a hard one because of the stairs/big steps with high elevation. But don't let that stop you. We saw 2 fit people going up and down several times while we were just trying to make it up for one time. We also saw a retired Marine veteran who could be my grandfather going up and down passing us two times. That's a definite motivation right in front of you. Take many breaks with water and stops as you need. We must took at least a dozen breaks going up. I recommend not looking up at the top it will only make you anxious and impatient. The key is slow and steady. Once you get to the top, your reward is the gorgeous view of east side of Oahu. Be sure to soak it all up before heading down. read more

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WHEEEW!!! This is the stair master from absolute hell, but it's SOOOO worth the achy muscles for the fabulous view and killer workout! I would say that I hike pretty regularly (sometimes I go on hiatus), but this hike definitely kicked my ass. It's literal steps all the way to the top. And these ain't no ordinary steps either. It's basically a steep ass railroad track with some pretty gnarly parts. I arrived around 6:15 am on a Thursday morning and there were still lots of parking spots open. I could actually see people hiking with headlamps right from the parking lot. Started on the trail around 6:35 am and reached the beginning of the stairs at 6:45 am. By this time, the sun was starting to rise. The entire trail is about 1.6 miles round trip which is pretty short, but it's the steepness and those steps that make it so difficult. The first part of the stairs isn't too bad as the incline at the lower level is gradual. But the higher you go up, the steeper and narrower it gets. Since this is a popular trail, you'll have to be comfortable with people constantly passing you by. There's not much room for two people to pass on the stairs, so someone will have to move to the side. But be careful because the steps are hella slippery and they get even more slippery as you get higher up. The steps are actually slanted downwards. Going up isn't so bad in terms of walking on the steps. It's going down where you'll have to deal with more slipping. On the way up, there's an almost halfway point where you'll have the choice of climbing up the tramline bridge, or taking the bypass to skip it. Call me a chicken, but I was NOT about to crawl on that bridge. It looked pretty exciting at first, but once I started crawling on it and looking down between the steps to the bottom, I had to back down and skip it. Too damn scary for me. If you're adventurous then by all means; do your thang. But not I! The views at the top are nice, but I honestly feel like the views that you get as you're hiking up the steps are much better. I wouldn't come here strictly for the views because you can find much better views on other hikes. It's more about the workout and the difficulty when it comes to this hike. Pushing yourself to get to the top (and back down to the bottom) and actually making it there is what's so rewarding and motivating. I might be the odd man out on this, but going down seemed waaay harder for me than going up. Think about it; your legs are basically jello at this point. Plus, you can't just casually walk back down. It's HELLA steep! And as I mentioned before, the stairs are slanted which makes it super easy to slip and very hard to stand directly on. Most people including myself had to hike back down sideways which was also another workout for my quads. We all slipped a few times. I don't think I saw one person NOT slip while I was up there. But sturdy shoes are a must! Also would not attempt during wet weather as it'll be too dangerous. Since I started around sunrise, it wasn't super hot by the way that I finished. But there's no shade, so sunscreen, hat/sunglasses, and water is an absolute must! This was definitely my favorite hike to partake in during my latest trip to Hawaii! It's definitely one for the bucket list and I'm so happy that I finally got to cross this one off. Would HIGHLY recommend! Just do it like Nike! read more

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This is an intense workout, but the views from the top make it all worthwhile, including a look into Hanauma Bay. 1,048 steps. 1.3 km. Just under a 1,000 foot incline. Recommended items are water, sunblock and proper hiking shoes. Free admission. Free parking at the base. read more

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It was a super high. I tried to go to the head of the trail. I got a bus from Waikiki. The bus was running close to the entrance of the trail. I asked the bus driver if the bus would go close to the entrance of the trail. The bus to Hawaii was kind of complicated. If you plan to use the bus, please ask the driver. It was very early morning. People were hiking to the trail. It was very dark. I used the flashlight of my cell phone. I could not lose my cell in the middle of the forest. The rail was very steep. I was 56 years old. When I reached the middle of the trail, I gave up. Even if you are young, please bring a water bottle. I gave up, but the views from the trail were super beautiful. If I had reached to the top of the trail, I would have enjoyed more beautiful views! It was a memorable hike. I stopped in the middle. But I still got wonderful views! read more

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Love this place! I'm 57 now so I think this might be my last time doing it.......but you never know. Did it in just over 16 minutes. Not bad for an old man. To be honest it was harder going back down for me......I mean don't get me wrong it's tough going up as well but for me it was just harder on my old knees coming back down. Nature's stairmaster, 1048 steps and some pretty steep ones and scary ones (the bridge part) at that. I usually come around 10am and that seems like a pretty good time, lots of people are already finished and coming back down and it's not too hot yet. As hellish as it is, it's totally worth it once you reach the top. Really beautiful up there. There is 2 parking lots, the one closer to it is usually full, I usually park in the lower one and there are always spaces. Koko Head rocks! read more

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It's a very straightforward hike. It's like doing the last part of the Halfdome hike at Yosemite National Park, CA but less steep and everything is simpler. This entire hike can be done within 15-20 min if you're in decent shape. You are walking on these train tracks from the beginning until you get to the top. It's not dangerous. Kids and the elderly can do it too. If you want to avoid the crowd you should come early especially if you want to take photos of yourself hiking up you don't want to have hundreds of ugly and sweaty people photobombing you from behind. Have fun, bring water! read more

Definitely a hike to do at least once in your lifetime! It's not an easy hike, the railway ties, loose gravel, and steep incline definitely test your abilities but the view at the top makes the hike worth it! Bring water and some fruit to enjoy once you get to the top! read more

Koko Crater Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This trail is not for the faint of heart. Bring plenty of water and pack light. I would suggest being somewhat in shape or have your body be familiar with stairs. The amount of steps was insane. I nearly died 2/3 up the trail. I should've came more prepared for the trail Coming back down, my legs gave out a few times. We went here midday after snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. The sun was beaming and the temperature was in the 80's. I would not suggest doing this vigorous hike after a day of snorkeling. Plus, you're going to get toast by the sun! The view was amazing even though we didn't make it to the top. My fear of height got the best of me 2/3 up the trail. The stairs were pretty steep at the halfway mark. Maybe one day, I'll reach the top. read more

Koko Crater Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I'm guilty of this, don't ever skip leg day. This trail was definitely a leg workout. This isn't a long trail, but it goes incline up and about half way it's more of an incline. Don't be ashamed to take frequent breaks because that's what I did. At one point there about 20 steps, where there is a gap in between the railroad tracks where the wood sits, some of the are missing, so you do have to be careful where you step. Just before that thing, you can bypass those steps and continue on to the top. Overall it's worth it when you get to the top because you get a 360 degree view. Make sure you bring water with you. I did see some people wearing sandals, bad idea. Where good shoes for this hike. read more

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This is a short, fun hike to do with breathtaking 360 views at the top! Be warned tho, it is a straight incline to the top with little to no shade, so I'd recommend doing this in the early morning before the sun roasts you. I like how there are markers along the way to monitor your progress. This trail is also right next to Hanauma bay if you want to take a nice dip afterwards. I'd definitely recommend if you're looking for a nice, short hike that's not too far away from the city. read more

This hike was not on my itinerary when visiting Oahu due to past reviews of how strenuous the hike was. Two years ago, I would've given up half way but new year new me haha. Whoever suggested on coming here before sunrise was a life saver b/c we felt the heat on our back when descending and saw so many folks struggling in the heat. It took us about 45mins to summit which included breaks after every 10-15 planks. There's no shame in taking breaks! I think the hike up was more difficult than coming back down due to the elevation and steepness 3/4 way up. I would recommend bringing a small bottle of water with some electrolytes or a hydration pack. The views from the top was probably the best next to Diamond head. read more

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This railway trail is not a joke and definitely not for those with fear of heights. But for fitness junkies and those up for a challenge, Koko Crater Trail will absolutely be your cup of tea. After overcoming all the uneven steps with moderate to steep incline, sometimes with gaps too far and a drop at some point, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views. Take note, you can avoid the part with a drop in between the slabs of wood. Just make a slight detour to the right and it'll lead you right back to the tracks. I must say, Hanauma Bay is quite the sight from up there. You just need to work for it first. And remember, what goes up, must come down. Don't beat yourself up, take as many breaks as you can and soak up all the views you can get. There's plenty of free parking available and the trailhead is just a short walk behind the baseball field. I would go early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not too intense as there is no shade at any part of this hike. That said, hydrate well and make sure you wear sunscreen. Good luck and enjoy the climb! read more

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Difficulty: Moderate to Hard Mileage: ~2 RT Pets: Not sure but would not suggest it View: Waikiki, Haunauma bay, South side, everything! What to bring: At least 1 liters, snacks, hat Parking: Parking lot Fee: Free Time: 1-2 hours Elevation Gain: ~1000 ft Awesome exercise or step master exercise! It took us about 30 minutes to get to the top according to Apple Watch, hung out 25 minutes at the top for pictures and snacks then another 30 to get back down. The hike was beautiful! So many people though, so plan for that and plan for maneuvering around kids and slower people. One part was kinda of shady with nothing below the steps and you could fall down about 10-15 and break something. But just be careful, take your time if you have to. Views are amazing! You get everything, mountains to ocean to land. This was a great workout for us. Doing this every time I come to Oahu! read more

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Be prepared for a leg work out! I didn't think I was that out of shape until I had to stop a fifth of the way up to rest and catch my breath. I was literally huffing and puffing. But I couldn't give up as I needed the exercise to work off all the food I have been eating on this trip. Bring good non-slip hiking shoes as some parts of the Koko Trail are steep and quite daunting. Allow yourself about 2.5 hours roundtrip. And if you didn't give up, you will be rewarded with wonderful 360 views of the city at the top! read more

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My friend told me to hike Koko Head a couple of months ago, but I didn't make it out until Christmas day. Trail head access is in a public park, so there is parking and a park grade restroom available, but that's about it. No issue there, I wasn't expecting anything fancy for a hike! There isn't a large marker for the trail head, but you can't miss it - there were a dozen or more people heading that direction at 7:30 AM on Christmas day. The trail itself is a very steep set of 1048 "stairs" made from gravel and railway ties headed straight up the mountain. The parks department (or somebody) maintains the stairs for safety purposes, but there are no rails, no accessibility, and no turnoffs. You want to make this hike in the morning or in the evening, when the sun isn't directly over head, and I personally wouldn't do it in the rain. I slipped a couple of times both ways. However, the views up top are fantastic! Somebody hauled a Christmas tree up there and it's at the very top of the mountain for extra fun. This was actually a really good activity for a single individual - there were a lot of friendly people because most of us were breathing hard and moving slowly the higher we got, and there was this awesome support system the closer to the top you got. I was able to chat with a handful of people I saw several times each, which really made the climb more of a fun activity. read more

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Insane! Awesome! Steep! Definitely not a moderate hike- strenuous for sure. Get there early before it gets too hot. Free parking and a lot of it available. I wouldn't bring kids. Going up, you're out of breath and feel like you've hit your max amount of being out of breath, and then you look back and then forward to discover you are only 1/4 of the way up. It gets steeper as you go. Some railroad ties are missing, some are rotted out and there's about a 50' section that's like 10' off the ground where you have to step on the railroad ties (people made an off the trail path the avoid this). Also bees in this area. As you get higher and the grade gets more and more steep, there's sections I had to hold to the rail to keep myself from falling back. At the top there's a couple more climbs up rock and wow! 500% worth it! I got to watch a rain shower roll in. It was the most glorious and refreshing thing ever! Except it made the trip down very slippery. Be very careful going down. I did the crab walk across the part with the railroad ties off the ground. Be careful as there are bees in that area- I had to pay attention to not fall or put my hand where there were bees moving around. Totally recommended- you can see Hanauma Bay, the beach, the mountains and just everything. I'd advise to bring water! read more

Koko Crater Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Yes yes I did it! Whoo hoo...! I finally did the Koko Crater! It took me over 2 hrs up and down. Climbed up (sometimes crawled) over 1,048 stairs made from an abandoned railroad track called "Koko Head Stairs". The most grueling hike ever that gets progressively harder and steeper. There was a point along the hike that was extremely scary and I was afraid I would fall. I hung on tight and went super slow and let those more fit and able to pass by me. I stopped a few times to rest and catch the views along the way. But I never gave up and kept telling myself I can do this. The hike was very rewarding and I'm glad I didn't turn back like I did last time. The views of Honolulu shorelines from the summit were breathtaking!It felt amazing at the top. My top was drenched in sweat and my arms and face sunburnt but it was so worth it. Proud of myself for being able to make it to the top and all the way back down. The descent was just as hard as my knees were shaky and thighs were so sore. read more

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This is the ultimate stair master to Koko Head! 1200 feet in elevation, over 1,000 steps to the top. The view overlooks Haunama Bay! A really damn good workout. I was sore for 2-3 days afterwards. In hindsight, I really should have stretched more before. I also haven't worked out as much the last few weeks, so that didn't help. The view is worth it though I promise! I did the sunset hike and started around 5:30pm. I would advise bringing headlamps if you do a sunrise hike or after sunset hike. Those rails can be dangerous I imagine in the dark. I did notice some really physically fit people who ran up all those stairs (so impressive! Goals) in 15 minutes. However, I also saw some people crawling up/down the stairs, so I guess that could tell you how difficult it could be. XD There are some people who have to be helicoptered out, so please please be prepared and bring lots of water, snacks, and go at your own pace. On average, I believe it takes people 1 hour going up, 30 minutes going down. I would advise really good footwear (hiking shoes, tennis shoes). I saw some people wear sandals and almost slipped on the rails. One woman said she regretted wearing sandals. If you have any heart problems, leg or knee problems, I would not recommend this hike for safety reasons. I wouldn't recommend eating right before this hike, I overheard some people throwing up their dinner. I did feel a bit nauseous and dizzy at some points, just gotta pace yourself and take it slow. Maintenance is needed on the railway stairs. read more

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Did this as a sunrise hike in early September. Some things to keep in mind -- Parking: the entrance to the Koko Head District Park is gated closed to cars until 6:30am. So, if you want to do a sunrise hike, don't plan on parking at the Koko Head Parking Lot, but rather plan to park on Kaumakani St and walk about 0.7 miles to the trailhead. Thus, if trying to make it to the top before sunrise, don't forget to add in that 0.7 miles (which, funny enough is actually longer than the trail itself :) ). If you park outside, you are basically looking at a 2.6 mile hike (0.7mi from your car to to the trailhead, gaining a moderate 250ft in elevation, followed by a very steep 800 ft climb in a mere 0.6 miles from the trailhead to the peak,; and then another 1.3 miles back down to your car). I highly recommend doing it at Sunrise: If you are considering this hike, I highly recommend doing it at sunrise solely for the cooler temperatures as there is zero shade: We made it to the top 6 minutes prior to sunrise (50 minutes from car to the peak), and despite it being a nice cool temperature, hiking the tramway was very tiring and sweat inducing.... had I had to do this hike in full sun I think I would have been absolutely miserable. It was definitely worth setting the alarm for 4:15am so that we were parked by 5:18am (1 hour before sunrise)..... in retrospect, I'd have parked 10-15 minutes earlier so I cold have taken a less taxing pace up (I pushed myself as hard as I could to make it from the car to the peak in 50 minutes). I rate it 4 stars for a nice challenge and some very cool views. Overall this hike is a short steep workout with nice views at the top....if you are looking for better scenery throughout, there are many better hikes in Oahu, our favorite being Kuliouou. read more

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My favorite hike in Hawaii!! Not for beginners! It is a rigorous climb straight up 1000 feet. Wear good shoes, bring water, and take your time so you don't slip! Blessedly, the Friends of Koko Crater have been restoring the trail for the last year and it has made the steps many many times safer and easier to climb! Thank You to these wonderful volunteers and their efforts! The view from the top is glorious. Sweeping perspective of the entire southeast side of the island. And the workout is epic!!! Burn like 400 calories, woohoo! read more

Koko Crater Trail - Peak of Koko Crater Railroad Trail! - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Good hike! I call it the stairmaster. But it definitely is a lot more than that. 3 miles round trip. I've done this trail a few times now, and each time, I eat too much beforehand, so if you plan to eat, make sure you give yourself at least an hour to digest some of it, or else you'll feel some of it on the way up :) Parking is plentiful. I believe gates open for the lot around 6:30am. If you want to start earlier, you can park on the street and walk in. That's what I did the first time a few years back. When the lot gets packed, people just park on the grass. Make sure you bring enough water. I would say this time around, I was slightly out of shape and needed the entire 40oz. Be sure to put on sunscreen or bring it! We brought it, since going up it seemed ok, but on the way down when the clouds went away, it was definitely needed. The hike is all steps. You definitely want to have your balance ready and stretch out as much as you can beforehand. Views at the top are great. You will definitely see a few obnoxious tourists pushing around and telling people to move for photo ops, but generally, most of the folks are ok. All in all, good hike! Nice views! read more

Extremely strenuous and steep but straightforward trail with an extremely rewarding view at the end! However, the endless stairs were not only difficult and super steep, but it was really hard to navigate around people who were taking breaks at the steps...which I wish they'd take breaks to the side. With that being said, just be mindful and also be prepared to break your stride several times bc it is quite a busy trail! And ofc, bring plenty of water! Luckily this is still a pretty short/fast trail read more

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This is the hardest, most fun, most everything hike I've ever done. You park at the softball field and take a short walk to the beginning of the trial. The over all hike is short, but the intensity level is 10 from 1-10. It is all incline. The steps are somewhat leveled until you get to the bridge. There's also a path to bypass the bridge if you choose to. The bridge is where you literally start to crawl. Once you get passed the bridge you are almost to the top. Once at the top you can explore and enjoy the views around you after all the hard work you just did. If you're hiking and need a break you can pull over to the side and catch your breath. Don't be a jerk and block the middle of the pathway making it difficult for other to pass. read more

Koko Crater Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This trail kicked my ass. It isn't super long. What does you in, is the spacing of the old rail timbers since they force long high stepping strides. It's like a step master that forces you to dig in. The view at the end is worth it though. The way down is easier than the way up, but it's still pretty tough because of the timbers. This is one of those experiences you can share with a local after and they immediately appreciate the effort you put in and relish the reward with you. read more

The reason to vacation in Hawaii right now is because it's cheap and the streets are empty. The downside is that a lot is closed including hiking trails. Do you want to hike Diamond Head? Sorry. How about tropical trails with waterfalls? Nope. Koko Crater? No problem but I'm not sure why this one is open. Perhaps, the question is how many crazy people want to climb old abandoned tram tracks to reach the top? On this Thanksgiving morning, the answer seems to be the entire population of Oahu. Should this trail exist? No. There is nothing safe about this mile-and-a-half trek. It's a series of dangerous tram trestles and pedestrian potholes at a 90-degree angle. You have to be healthy, muscular, and with a dancer's agility to even try to attempt this in the rumored 15-minute times. I got to the top in less than an hour and I consider that pretty good since, even setting out before sunrise, there were enough people here that we all had to be patient with each other's abilities and lack thereof. Reaching the top, though, on this Thanksgiving morning, it was easy to be grateful. As the sun rises, views are so truly spectacular that crying with joy is a natural expression. My Koko recommendations: 1. Don't hike this poor excuse for a trail. 2. If you must, don't do it if there is even a hint of rain. 3. Wear good and grippy shoes. 4. Carry two bottles of water; one to drink at the top and one to drink at the bottom. 5. Start the hike before sunrise because the sun shining on you won't make it any easier. 6. Rest at the top and take photos. You earned it. 7. Coming down may be harder than going up. read more

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Sure, this is #1 rated oahu trail on alltrails...if one could actually call a broken, old-ass railroad that goes in one direction up and down on a steep incline with no shade whatsoever and minimal fauna a trail. You don't really stop to smell the flowers here, as there are none. You stop because you can't breathe and your legs are begging you to take a break. Yes, it's a hard trek if you're not in shape. But if you've trained with Navy Seal Ninja warriors for the past 15 years, this is a cakewalk. I'd say about 3/4 into the hike, there's about a five foot gap in the railroad that drops about 2.5 feet or so. You can traverse to the other side of the railroad by just dropping down and climbing back up, or you can hang to the right where some folks have created an alternate, roped path (probably easier to take the former). This is an important mark at the trail as everything after is steep and difficult. Take a break from time to time, drink lots of water, and at the top, enjoy some of the most beautiful vistas the island has to offer. That's the payoff and it's worth it for sure. read more

Koko Crater Trail - Up at the top - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Oh man what a killer hike. Every time I come visit the island, this spot gets placed on the top of my list. One of the things anyone visiting the island should do is to go hiking. Although this hike may be difficult for some, I have seen older folks make it to the top. There definitely isn't any room for excuses! Man even my own mother made it to the top, what a trooper! Occasionally you'd see some volunteers working to restore the hike. If you see anywhere help is needed, I would highly suggest to lend them a hand. With the weather constantly causing damage to the trail, it causes more risk to people if left alone. For anyone new starting this hike -- take your time. If you're afraid of walking over the bridge, there's a side route you can take. Remember -- safety first! This is especially true during days when it's drizzling out or raining. The steps can get very slippery! Trust. The view up is worth it. If you're hiking on a hot day, you'll have some nice breeze from up top. Always remember to bring some water! Also there's a prayer box up top. Be sure to write something if you wish. read more

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Intense stairs hike - walking on abandoned WWII railroad, except the wooden sleeper planks are not evenly spaced due to age and stress.   Also the angles can be as steep as 40 degrees. ADVICES: Arrive by 7am when the trail is still in the shade.  Once the sun hits the trail, it will literally drain you. Stretch legs before and after. Carry cold water in backpack bladder so your hands are free for balancing.  I drank 32 oz during shaded morning. Wear gloves optional as most people will grab the metal rails at the really steep areas.  I also see some people do the crab walk going down the really steep areas. Use momentum stride to save energy. Rest often to catch breath but keep it short so as not to loose adrenaline rush. Walk around on dirt trail for the scary "bridge" over crevice section, this will also avoid the beehives. Bring some spam musubi to reward yourself at the top, and to give yourself some instant energy. Compare to Half Dome in Yosemite, Koko is more technically challenging because no hand rails, bees, bridge over crevice, and its deteriorating conditions. I met a local middle-aged Japanese lady at the top, she said this hike is addicting, "the next day you feel so light and free, like floating".  I thought to myself,  the next day I will feel painful and tired but so satisfying to have accomplished this with friends. read more

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Very challenging hike if you don't pace yourself. It's a great workout and best done when the sun is barely out. As others may have said, bring water and maybe some snacks, take your time and be careful not to injure yourself. While there's no running water to catch your eye like on other nearby hikes, finishing this trail has a reward in itself. Great views at the top at sunrise. You can also see Hanauma bay, the edge of the crater and even a pillbox from the last World War. Best advice is to go early (I started at 6am) so you don't have to really lookout for people on the way down and the sun doesn't have much of a chance to burn you. read more

Koko Crater Trail - Yeah, I look tired - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I am going to be blunt, this hike was hard lol. I personally do not like any kind of cardio, so that's probably why it was difficult for me. If you are great at cardio and/or stair master then this is for you. It was definitely a great workout and I was definitely sore the next two days. I have no regrets lol. I would bring lots of water, wear sunscreen, and go when the the weather isn't too hot. For example early in the morning. I went around 9am and finished almost 12pm or later in the afternoon. When you get to the top, the view was amazing. So totally worth the hike and amazing pictures. read more

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