It was not so packed and people were very respectful. Helped me a ton when carrying my 30lb toddler! Plus, this is excellent exercise! Beautiful views. You can read mydisclaimerfor more information. Really nice hike, tough but worth it. 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. . At this point, you finally have a nice breeze hitting you, and some trees and bushes to hide under for shade. Diamond Head is easier and has different views from Koko Head, but theyre both nice hikes. The technical term is dormant tuff cone volcano, which basically means that while it hadnt erupted for a few thousand years when it did, the cone and crater were formed by ash and debris compacting into rock over time. I love a good sunset on a volcano! But the views at the top were stunning! Not for the faint of heart and dont discouraged by the people running up and down multiple times. We arrived at 4:45, parked on a residential street, and hiked into the park along with some locals. 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. These fees have to be paid online here. Ultimately, take care and only do what you are comfortable with. Also known as the "Koko Head Stairs," this abandoned WWII railway track is a steep and challenging hiking trail with over 1,000 steps (but worth it for the panoramic views). We appreciate your click. That said, shoes with at least a little grip will help on the way down, especially if there's any rain. The stairs are challenging in the heat, but it's worth it. It lets you know where you are with your fitness. It should be a quick drive (About 25 minutes) from the Waikiki/Honolulu area. Great medium hike, a lot of steps, pretty well maintained. Also, because the trail is railroad tracks, there is no navigational difficulty, and the hike is relatively short at just under two miles long round trip. The park does not officially open until 6:30 which is right about sunrise that time of year. Thanks for looking! Most hikers take the detour. The hike isnt super long. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. However, this fall we planned for it and worked out leading up to the trip. The path at Diamond Head is in much better condition than the Koko stairs, so its definitely more suitable for kids and older people. Ive done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Plus, 90% of the route is essentially a stair-stepper up the old Koko Head Tramway. After your hike, you can take a well-deserved break at one of the many nearby attractions. Bragging rights, incredible photography and getting your cardio income as close seconds. My 11yo daughter and I did Koko Head in June 22. This was such an awesome trail! However, if youre up to the challenge it is worth the effort to reach the Koko Head Crater summit. When you arrive at the Koko Head parking lot, its a little confusing to find the trailhead at first. Highlights of the trail:Gorgeous views of Honolulu, Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach, and Diamond Head Crater. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. This detour is marked with a helpful sign so youll know when to turn off the main path. Warning sign at the Koko Crater railway trailhead. We went for the sunset and it was beautiful. Luckily for Waikiki vacationers, taking in the scenery from the top of this dormant volcano is just a short drive and day hike away. Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. We dont recommend doing this, though. Good to know: The trail is has recently (June 2021) reopened after being closed for 2 years. S pu andare anche di notte oppure ha orari di chiusura? Challenging but not difficult. It is made up of tuff, compressed volcanic ash. Its a great view, and youll no doubt want to stay awhile to relax and take pictures! Therefore, we participate in affiliate programs to include, but not limited too, Google AdSense as a means to earn advertising fees to pay our bills. Enjoy the view at the top and embrace the slow grind going up! We also receive a small commission from travel partners for some of the links found on this website. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! Its tough to get lost, so that makes things easier. Do you need to book in advance to visit Koko Crater Railway Trail? A hat and some shades would be welcome as additional sun protection. -Bring at least one water bottle. According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Koko Crater Railway Trail: Hiking ShuttleMakapu'u Lighthouse Trail or Diamond Head (From 41.53) Oahu friendly hiking experience (From 207.65) Mahina Hawaii Full Day Adventure (From 245.03) 8 Hour Circle Island Jeep Tour (From 181.90) What to expect: Koko Head consists of climbing 1,048 steps to the top of the Koko Head Crater. Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. We created this guide to ensure you have the best hiking experience. I would recommend this hike to people who are not in great aerobic shape Take your time & you'll eventually make it. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for your hike. In fact, if you ever look up to Koko Head hiking trail before the sun has risen, you will see a line of small white lights slowly making their way up the trail. Its about 10 miles from Waikiki, and the drive only takes 30 minutes. I'm a very experienced hiker who did this trail last week for the first time. The dusty trail and slick metal ties can also be slippery. (Phi Phi Leh), Santorini Greece Travel Guide: Things To Do In Santorini Island, Navagio Beach Greece: Shipwreck Bay In Zakynthos Island, Zakynthos Greece Travel Guide: How To Visit Zakynthos Island, Phi Phi Island Thailand Travel Guide (Koh Phi Phi Islands), Huayna Picchu Hike: The Machu Picchu Stairs Of Death, Utah Hiking Guide: 17 Best Utah Hikes & Trails, 36 Best Things To Do In Oahu Hawaii (Fun, Couples, Free), 25 Best Hikes In Indonesia: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, & Jungles. So we were not prepared for the lack of oxygen, we made sure to take lots of breaks as it was hard to breathe at some points for me. Koko Crater was formed by the same series of volcanic eruptions in Hawaii that created Diamond Head, but nowadays its dormant and the last activity is believed to have been at least 7,000 years ago. Make a left on the ridge between the ball fields and the shooting park down below. Go early. Because the hike is quite short, and round-trip time averages an hour and a half, food is optional. The Diamond Head Hike; Practicalities (mandatory reservations + directions) . Here, well go over what to expect on the trail, answer some FAQs, what to bring, some tips for making your hike more enjoyable and safe, and so much more. All Rights Reserved. Make sure to enjoy the spectacular views at Halona Blowhole. Super steep and can be precarious at times on the ties. for their Hawaii vacation. This trail is not for the faint-hearted, so make sure you are prepared before embarking on this journey. Make sure to pace yourself and remember to pull to the side to give people a way to pass. 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. If youre on vacation, dont ruin your vacation getting hurt. : It depends on your fitness level. X, Yes it is safe. There are some areas where you will have to use your hands to help you down. A small overstep could cause significant injury. Youve made it to the top, so now what? 380 reviews of Koko Head District Park "Love this hike. Wear a hat and sunglasses. Most people can get up and down in about an hour. Mahalo! It takes an average of 1 hour 15 minutes to accomplish this trip, which is rated difficult. Look for the signs to the right, and it will take you around. It makes it unpleasant and a lot harder. The grueling Koko Head hike takes you on a steep railway trail up the side of a dormant volcano crater in the island of Oahu, Hawaii. A hiker at the top of Koko Crater trail. There are 1,048 stairs at Koko Head trail, to be exact. They provide freshfruitand water, a professional tour guide, and theyll even take photos for you. The Koko Head hike is a little bit like Hawaiis version of the infamous Manitou Incline in Colorado. This beginner-friendly, 2-mile hike is perfect for families with smaller children. If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, you should not use this website. Welcome to Vacation-Waikiki.com. Good amount of people on the steps/trail. The Koko Head Trail can be challenging but is worth the effort. 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. The Koko Crater installation was deactivated in 1966, and the U.S. Air Force handed it over to the city of Honolulu. Look no further than the Koko Head Trail! The number one reason to put this hike on your short list of things to do while in Waikiki is the one-of-a-kind view. 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. Its all ascending and steep and there is a section where Id advise taking the alternate route instead of going over the railway. Elevation Gain: ~885 ft. / 270 m. Some call it the Koko Head hike, but locals call it a workout because many Oahu residents treat the Koko Crater Stairs as a quick workout in the morning or evening. This 1000 step climb to the top has unparalleled views of the south western coast of Oahu. The Koko Head trail is not dangerous if youre careful and watch your step. There is a bus stop near Koko Marina Center. Sunny but there was a nice breeze at times. It took others 2 hours, so it just depends. Stairs stairs stairs & yes more stairs all the way to the top. All in all, the total calorie burn on the Koko Crater trail is somewhere in the realm of 400 calories (roundtrip). See options Full view All photos (2,608) Both of these are common during physical exertion in hot, humid climates, but resting often and drinking plenty of water are easy ways to head such issues off at the pass. Catching up on your water during the hike is a bad idea. The Koko Head Hike is a trail of over 1,000 stairs. While this hike will test your endurance, you will be rewarding with some of the best views of the island. If you prefer to hike the trail with a tour, you are in luck, as several companies offer tours. The first time you do the Koko Crater trail feels like a total slog, but each subsequent climb gets shorter and easier. No water point, pack light snacks and ice water. A bad idea heat, but theyre both nice hikes, parked on a residential,..., pack light snacks and ice water fall we planned for it and worked out leading up to right... So youll know when to turn off the main path reservations + directions ) so make to... 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