The strenuous hike from Koko Head takes you along a steep rail trail on the side of a dormant volcanic crater on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. This one will hurt your legs the next day!
It’s not a very long hike in terms of distance, but the trail is steep and there are a lot of elevation changes, which has led to them being called the koko Head stairs of malheur.’
Many Hawaiian locals and tourists enjoy this hike for proper training and calorie burning, and sunrise and sunset are also known to be spectacular.
I’ve walked the koko Crater Trail several times over the years and it’s always a lot of fun. It is not a very peril hike and there have been no fatalities, but it is a real fitness test and may not be pleasant for everyone.
In this blog post you will learn how to do the hike, where to find the starting point and what you need to know before you go!
Koko Head Hike: What to Expect
The koko Head hike is a kind of Hawaiian version of the notorious Manitou slope in Colorado. To be honest, Koko is not as tough as Manitou, but instead of a high altitude, you have the tropical heat and humidity of Hawaii.
Coco’s head is also very stiff. Even experienced hikers will feel intimidated when they arrive at the trailhead and see the gigantic climb that is in front of them. From the very beginning, you can already see the tiny hikers climbing the mountain, who look like ants in the distance.
That is, if you continue to put one foot in front of the other, you will reach the top before you even know it! Taking the koko Crater Trail for the first time feels like a total chore, but each subsequent climb gets shorter and easier.
Nevertheless, this hike is not a joke. I highly recommend wearing good shoes and bringing plenty of water. I have done the stairs of Koko Head in sandals before, but it is very cumbersome and I would not recommend it.
A hat and sunscreen are also a must if you are hiking through the Koko crater during the day, as there is almost no shade at all along the way. A great way to overcome the heat and the crowd is to start earlier in the day.
The Stairs Of Fate By Koko Head
On all this hike, you will climb a steep series of railway sleepers (“stairs”) that climb up the side of an extinct volcanic mountain known as the Koko Crater.
There are 1,048 steps on the Koko Head Trail, to be exact. However, if you are not a giant, every staircase actually needs several steps to climb because they are so big and chunky. Dusty resistance and smooth metal fasteners can also be slippery.
These stairs were actually built during the Second World debate as part of a military railway, but they have been used by hikers for many years, so it is clear that they also work well for this purpose!
A short section near the middle of the koko Crater Trail is to cross a bridge over a canyon with an intimidating 10-foot drop, but you don’t have to cross it if you don’t want to.
You can easily bypass the scary section of the bridge by crossing a clearing in the foliage to the right of the path.
This detour is indicated by a helpful control panel so that you know when to disable the main path. Most hikers make the detour.
The last third of the way from Koko Head will be much steeper and more difficult than before.
If any section of this hike deserves the nickname “Stairway of Destiny,” it would be this dizzying final section of the trail.
At this point, you can even see tired people climbing the stairs on all fours or slowly trotting on their butt while going down again.
When you reach the end of the Koko stairs, you still have to hike a little to reach the top of the mountain. Another 50 meters easy walk and you are there.
In total, the total calorie consumption on the Koko Trail is of the order of 400 calories (round trip).
Koko Head Summit Trail: The View To The Top
The view of the Koko Head Trail is really awesome. You will get a panoramic view of Hawaii Wharf and Hanauma Bay below, and you can even easily see Diamond Head and Honolulu cityscape in the distance.
On the other side of this panorama, you can look down into the crater shell of the extinct volcano Koko Head, which has been transformed into a botanical garden, and in the distance you can even look up to Makapuu Point.
It’s a great view, and you will undoubtedly want to stay for a while to relax and take pictures! At this point, you finally have a nice breeze and a few trees and bushes to hide under to put yourself in the shade.
On the summit there are several leaved military bunkers (“casemates”), as well as an elevated metal platform, which will give you an even better view of the entire surroundings of the Koko Crater Trail.
When you are done relaxing and exploring everything at the top of Koko Head, you will have to go back down the same way you came. Take your time and do not rush, because stairs can become even more slippery and peril when descending.
Alternatively, you can hike the koko Crater Edge Trail for a change of scenery, but this route is more sketchy and will take you away from the Koko Head parking lot, so you will have to find a transport when you reach the ground.
I will share more details about the koko Crater Edge Trail after in this guide. It’s an adventure in itself.
Is Coconut Head peril?
The koko Head trail is not peril if you are careful and watch your steps.
To be honest, there is a short section where the railway becomes a bridge with a confusing fall of 10 feet below, but you can bypass this bridge if you want, and most people do.
Over the years, there have been some accidents and injuries to Koko’s head, but there have been no deaths. The only deaths here were health problems such as heart strikes.
This is not a good hike for children, incapable people or the elderly. If you fall into one of these categories, please take your time and walk very slowly on this path, especially on the way back. Also bring plenty of water and a hat. Seriously. Bring more water than you think is necessary.
When people get injured on the Koko Trail, it’s usually because they fell down the stairs and slipped. I have seen this in news reports and have also seen it in person several times.
It’s fun to run up the stairs, but there’s really no reason to run all the way down. It’s just not worth the risk of getting hurt. Record speed runs to go up the stairs and take your time to go down again.
The Honolulu Fire Department rescues injured hikers on this helicopter path several times a year. It will ruin your day and waste taxpayers’ money, and it will give the locals an excuse to request the closure of another classic hike on Oahu.
When a popular hiking trail on Oahu becomes a handicap, the typical reaction of the government of Hawaii is to close it completely instead of working with the community and trying to find a better solution.
Let’s all do our part to climb the stairs of Koko Head safely and responsibly, so that we can enjoy this path for many years to come!
