is koko head hike open
to the top of Koko Head Crater. Makapuu Beach Park made our list of thebest beaches in Oahu, so be sure to check it out. Begin the long climb up the stairs to the top of Koko head. The Koko Head hike is open at all hours more or less. If you choose to park in Koko Head Park you just follow the trail . Enjoy this 1.6-mile out-and-back trail near Honolulu, Oahu. Some companies will provide transportation to and from the Waikiki area along with a tour guide. Luckily for Waikiki vacationers, taking in the scenery from the top of this dormant volcano is just a short drive and day hike away. Awesome. Helped me a ton when carrying my 30lb toddler! Koko is also better for seeing the sunrise or sunset. The last eruption of the Koko Head Crater is estimated 7000 years ago. But the views at the top cannot be beat. Ill update this guide if anything changes! The Koko Crater Summit will be closed during the entire three weeks, but the tramway will be open on weekends and holidays. Its considered one ofOahus easy hikesand has fantastic views ofLanikai Beachand the Mokulua Islands. Today the radar station is no longer there, but the pillbox and structural debris are still present. Halona Blowhole Have you ever seen a blowhole in action? The World Travel Guy 2023 Scenic views of Waikiki , Diamond Head Crater, Hanauma Bay and more can be seen. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. How long is Koko Head Hike? Its a great spot to enjoy some of Oahus stunning views. 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. Affiliate Disclosures Privacy Policy Terms Of Use HOWEVER, I DO recommend taking this trek just start by 8am and you should be up and back down before the heat of the day. The "bypass trail" to get past this requires you to use a rope to help yourself up the mountain. Make sure to wear proper hiking shoes to make sure your feet are protected. Great workout - stair master 5000! There is no doubt about where you are going. Ive hiked the Koko Crater trail many times over the years, and its always great fun. Ive done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. Mahalo! The Koko Head Trail, officially known as Koko Crater Tramway, is one of thebest hikes on Oahu. I HIGHLY recommend the headband flashlights if arriving before sunrise. Thats a good question, and Ill try to answer. We started our first trip of the year in February and wanted to share the latest travel deals. There is also a railway bridge halfway up the tracks spanning a ravine, which is scary if you fear heights. The elevation at the top is 1,208 ft, a significant gain from the near sea level of the parking lot and trailhead. Explore different ways to experience this place. However, this fall we planned for it and worked out leading up to the trip. The Stairway To Heaven also has much more epic views than Koko Head, but sadly its closed and illegal for the public to climb, even though the stairs are arguably in better shape! Koko Crater Railway Trail (Honolulu) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. The most popular hike on Oahu is Diamond Head. Straight up. Bring lots of water and a hat too. 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). Ive seen this in news reports and also seen it happen in person many times. Of Parks And Recreation C., Business Manager 1 year ago See 1 more answer Q: However, keep in mind that Koko Head is one of the most popular hikes on the island, and the parking lot can fill up quickly. The entrance and parking for this hike are FREE at the time of writing, and you dont need to book anything in advance. These stairs were actually built as part of a military railway during World War II, but theyve been used by hikers for many years, so clearly they work alright for that purpose too! I love a good sunset on a volcano! Super steep and can be precarious at times on the ties. You get panoramic views of Hawaii Kai and Hanauma Bay below, and you can even faintly make out Diamond Head and the Honolulu cityscape in the distance. You can also take Uber or Lyft if you want to avoid dealing with parking. This steep climb consists of 1,000+ steps along an abandoned railroad track that runs to the top of Koko Crater. You can see Aina Haina, Sandys Beach, and a large portion of the south shore. A day pack containing plenty of extra water, sunscreen, a small first aid kit a light jacket depending on weather is highly recommended. A popular hike, the Koko Crater Trail is not going to be lonely, as it attracts a number of visitors most days. Koko Crater Botanical Gardens This is an excellent spot for peace and tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of city life. why is there many pairs of sneakers on the telephone line when you start the koko crater railway trail? Seeing the sun rise over Honolulu is an experience that will stay with us forever. Be hydrated before going up. Thanks for your support. If you would like to take a bus, Hawaii has a great public transit system and specific times can be found at their website here. If you are not the average hiker, you can attempt the stairs in the early morning or night darkness . You should be able to find a parking spot on the road near the tennis courts. A relic of World War II, the military constructed Koko Head Railway to transport supplies and soldiers. There is plenty of parking at the baseball fields. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. In fact, its one of the best places to watch the sunset on the whole island of Oahu. Look for the signs to the right, and it will take you around. including time for pics. The Makapu'u Point trail, within Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline, offers outstanding views of O'ahu's southeastern coastline, including Koko Head and Koko Crater. We climbed up in 30 min. Near home plate you will find a trail leading towards the stairs. Can be humbling if you havent been working out regularly. Consider bringing a walking pole or stick, going back down may be more difficult for some. I lost my footing on the way down and took a spill that resulted in some cuts, scrapes, and bruises, and it was still worth it. Protect your skin. The botanical garden is nestled inside Koko Crater, the same crater you can find the famous Koko Head Stairs hike. These fees have to be paid online here. Just a short drive from Diamond Head and Waikiki, this popular hiking trail can be accessed at Koko Head. If you want to mix things up on the Koko Head hike and do something different, you can combine it with the Koko Crater Rim trail, which loops in a circle along the top of the Koko Crater. About halfway through the hike, there is a bridge that you will have to cross. Great views! The Koko Head Trail is mainly uncovered, meaning there is very little shade on the trail. With incredible views, gorgeous sunrises, and fantastic photo ops, this is one trail you wont miss. You should see the trailhead about 100 yards from the parking lot. Oahu's most dangerous hike Between Jan. 1, 2021, and May 31, 2022, the stairs amassed 30 rescue calls to HFD, according to records obtained by SFGATE, more than any other trail on the island.. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 24 min to complete. Remember that its not a race, so take your time and feel free to stop and enjoy the views along the way! Do not bring extra weight like binoculars or jackets. Witnessing the sunrise from the top of Koko Crater is definitely worth the early morning! Wear a hat and sunglasses. 19mn to go up, 10mn to go down. 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. We were turned away at Diamond Head because we didn't have a registration # & what a blessing! The Koko Head District Park is open from 4 am until . Additionally, the hike is on the dry side of the slope, and it totally exposed to the sun with little to no shade. This was such an awesome trail! . If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 24 min to complete. Please tag along! The hike is open all year long except for occasional trail maintenance. Some shade. The seaward wall of the crater can be seen from Kalanianale Highway just past Hanauma Bay on the East Coast, approximately 20-minutes from Waikiki. Roundtrip Koko Head Stairs Distance: 0.9 mile / 1.4 km. Its about 10 miles from Waikiki, and the drive only takes 30 minutes. Most people can get up and down in about an hour. Sunny but there was a nice breeze at times. Waikiki 2020 Best Tips & Restaurant Favorites. My partner and I made the mistake of tackling this as our first trail soon after arriving to Hawaii from Miami, where elevation is -7 ! Go early. Hiking the trail is an excellent way to escape everyday life and enjoy fantastic scenery on this mountain ridge with amazing views of Honolulu, Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach, and Diamond Head Crater. 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. See options All photos (2,608) HIKE TO THE TOP: start behind the Hawaii Job Corps Training Center across from Hanauma Bay - follow the road past the rifle range and park at the Training Center. These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. Runners are just fine but would avoid anything less like sandals. Welcome to the Koko Crater Trail page. There is a bus stop near Koko Marina Center. Explore at the top! That way all of your transportation is taken care of. Parking is available at the Koko Head District Park. Free access with effectively no facilities. Koko Head (at 642 ft or 196 m) is an ancient tuff cone that is somewhat dwarfed by its neighboring tuff cone, Koko Crater, with its peak, Kohelepelepe (or Puu Mai ), rising to 1208 ft or 368 m. Koko Head itself has three significant depressions or old vents, the largest of which forms the well-known Hanauma Bay. It was closed for 3 weeks of renovation in 2021, but its very rare for that to happen. Theres a big parking lot at Koko Head District Park and its free to use for this hike. Make sure to enjoy the spectacular views at Halona Blowhole. In fact, the Kokonut Koalition just finished their initial round of repairs to the stairs last month. then a right on Anapalau Street. Is koko head climb still open? Once you reach the end of the stairs, dont stop there and return down. While this hike will test your endurance, you will be rewarding with some of the best views of the island. If youre in one of those categories, please take your time and go extra slow on this trail, especially on the way back down. It's not a 'hike' IMO and you DON'T need hiking shoes like some people here will tell you. Public restrooms. The trailhead is open from 4:00 am till 11:00 pm. Beautiful views at the top. It can get quite toasty, and it is recommended that the hike be completed in the earlier morning to avoid the heat of midday. HAWAII KAI, Hawaii (KHON2) A man going up the Koko Crater Stairs does not usually make the news, but 40 times in a row? The sun sets right over Hawaii Kai, and there are usually no clouds to block it. All in all, the total calorie burn on the Koko Crater trail is somewhere in the realm of 400 calories (roundtrip). The views and breeze at top is incomparable ! Hours: 6 AM - 6 PM (last entry 4 PM) Parking Fee: $10 per car. Expect to pay a $5 parking fee. You dont have to be superfit to hike it, but we recommend being in decent shape. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. You'll get to see landmarks like Koko Crater, Makapuu Beach, and even the offshore islands Molokai and Lanai on a clear day. This hike is a great way to escape the crowds and see some alternate views at the Koko Crater. 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