Hiking the infamous Koko Head stairs may be pretty high on your O’ahu, Hawai’i bucket list, but with 1048 railroad ties between you and the summit, this hike is one of the island’s most grueling, and may prove to be a challenge even to those who are in decently good shape. With this in mind, take the following recommendations into account before you embark on this popular and heavily trafficked trek.
Hike Details: Distance: 1.6 miles roundtrip | Elevation Gain: 885 ft. | Rating: Difficult
Koko What?
Let’s rewind- What is now the Koko Crater Railway Trail was previously a World War II tramway used to transport materials almost one mile up the side of the extinct Koko Head volcano to a lookout post at the top. At present, although the stairs have been updated (primarily by local volunteers), you will still find remnants of the old wartime relics at the summit (more on those below).
Arrive Early
While arriving early to any popular attraction is always a good idea in order to beat the crowds, this time it is more important to arrive early to beat the heat. This hike provides both beautiful views and significant bragging rights, but it offers ZERO SHADE, and hiking a mile up the side of an extinct volcano in direct sunlight/mid-afternoon heat isn’t exactly ideal.
Pack Sunscreen
Remember the whole no shade thing we mentioned earlier? Well, we feel the need to reiterate that there will be no respite from the sun on this trail, so even if you arrive early, it isn’t a bad idea to have some sunscreen available for reapplication and especially if you end up lingering at the summit (like we did) for an hour or so.
Bring Lots of Water (& Snacks)
If you think you have enough water, bring more. Again, no shade! You will be losing water almost as fast as you can take it in. Also, pack a snack – we were very thankful to have some jerky to fuel up on at the summit after this stair master-like workout.
Wear Proper Footwear
This one is a hiking given, but it is especially important to remember this if you plan to descend the summit via the ridge trail on the back side of the crater as opposed to back down the tram tracks. If you do choose to take this scenic route down, be ready to navigate extremely narrow paths. This route is steep, rocky, and requires your undivided attention, so sturdy shoes with plenty of tread are a must. One misstep could be your last… seriously.
Give Yourself Time
Although this hike can be done in 25 to 30 minutes and you’ll be hiking less than one mile to the summit, you’ll gain almost a mile of elevation in that time. That said, you might need a break along the way. Additionally, there are lots of different sights that you may want to take in once you reach the top (i.e. pillboxes, ridge views, an old metal mezzanine for your viewing pleasure, an abandoned tunnel, you get the gist) That said, it is smart to allot a few hours for this excursion.
Getting There: We saved the best part for last: This hike is free, finding the trail is effortless, and parking is a breeze! Want more Hawai’i hiking tips? Follow us on Instagram.
