Koko Head to remain closed during renovation project, only open to public on weekends, holidays Posted: Mar 24, 2021 / 12:24 PM HST Updated: Mar 25, 2021 / 11:34 AM HST HONOLULU (KHON2) A. You can take an alternate route (the one I took). From the summit of Koko Head Crater is easy to recognise the nearby Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve, which is stunning. The only deaths here have been health-related issues like heart attacks. Suggest edits to improve what we show. This detour is marked with a helpful sign so youll know when to turn off the main path. Ive done this hike almost a dozen times, usually at sunset, and its always such a great show. These are not steps, there are areas where the steps are about 2ft apart and 20in in height. Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. The way down is a little scarier than the way up. Theyre a non-profit group that maintains the trail. We appreciate your click. You can read mydisclaimerfor more information. Trails better than I remember. If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, you should not use this website. 2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. Bring lots of water and a hat too. Some of the pages on my travel blog contain affiliate links. Up is harder physically, down is harder mentally (really worried we would fall!). Diamond Head is easier and has different views from Koko Head, but theyre both nice hikes. Best time to hike: Anytime - The trail is open 6am until 6pm, although last entry is 4.30pm. Not recommended for those with a fear of heights, and it requires shuttle arrangements or a second vehicle but could be an excellent option for the more adventurous hiker. This constitutes a twenty-five-minute drive from Waikiki Beach. Stairs. Good luck! Great views Her first cookbook, Dumplings All Day Wong, was . You should be able to find a parking spot on the road near the tennis courts. With panoramic views from Koko Head to Wai'anae, the summit of Diamond Head was an ideal site for the coastal defence of Oahu. I can be a bit scary/dangerous. HAWAII KAI, Hawaii (KHON2) A man going up the Koko Crater Stairs does not usually make the news, but 40 times in a row? Over the last eight years, weve spent countless hours doing research online and talking with locals to uncover the best tips and recommendations that we use on our trips. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for your hike. The stairs are challenging in the heat, but it's worth it. Take water & a bar. Diamond Head . Parking is available at the Koko Head District Park. Visitors might also be interested in the Koko Crater Botanical Garden which can be accessed inside the crater. What attractions are near Koko Crater Railway Trail? Consider bringing a walking pole or stick, going back down may be more difficult for some. Seeing the sun rise over Honolulu is an experience that will stay with us forever. Keep going up for a few more minutes to get to the very top. We always love climbing the Koko Head stairs of doom for sunset when were back in Oahu. 380 reviews of Koko Head District Park "Love this hike. I would highly recommend hiking this in the daytime once or twice before you attempt it for sunset. The sun rises on the other side of the Koko Crater, so youll be watching it come up directly over the ocean and the volcano crater, with views of Makapuu Point in the distance. They also stop atHalona Blowholeand Sandy Beach upon returning to your hotel for fantastic photo opportunities. 360 degrees from the top, and it will give you a work out alright! The garden was built in 1958 and currently occupies 60 of the 200 . Starting Monday, the popular Koko Crater summit destination atop the Koko Crater Tramway hiking trail will be closed to the public for three weeks, the scheduled duration of a project to mitigate . If you decide to do this hike during sunrise, remember to bring a flashlight and a jacket, as it gets cold in the early morning hours. Steep, no-shade, climb to the top of Koko Head Crater that includes spectacular panoramic views of the east Honolulu shoreline, Hanauma Bay, and parts of Moloka'i. If you enjoy this hike, consider donating to Kokonut Koalition. Tough but awesome workout. Begin the long climb up the stairs to the top of Koko head. This is the most touristy hike as it is very close to Waikiki, but has a great view. Some companies will provide transportation to and from the Waikiki area along with a tour guide. However, this fall we planned for it and worked out leading up to the trip. A: Aloha Caroline. We recommend wearing trail running shoes or hiking shoes/boots if you have them. Koko Crater Railway Trailhead: Parking Lot / Directions, Best Things To Do In Oahu Hawaii - Fun, Couples, & Free, Best Hikes In Oahu Hawaii - Most Epic & Beautiful Hiking Trails, Iguazu Falls Argentina & Brazil Travel Guide (+Map), Perito Moreno Glacier View & Trek (El Calafate Argentina), Mount Fitz Roy Patagonia: Laguna De Los Tres Hike (Argentina), 16 Great Zion Hikes: Best Hikes In Zion National Park, James Bond Island Thailand: Phang Nga Bay Tour (Phuket), Maine Lighthouses Map: The 15 Best Lighthouses In Maine, Acatenango Volcano Hike: Volcan De Fuego Guatemala, Tikal Guatemala Ruins: Map & How To Visit Tikal National Park, 15 Best Things To Do In Singapore Airport (Changi Layover), Maya Bay Thailand: The Beach Is Open! why is there many pairs of sneakers on the telephone line when you start the koko crater railway trail? Learn about the best time to visit Oahu . The bridge is scarily degraded wood - take Murphys pass, If I lived in the vicinity, would do this at least once a fortnight for fitness. The Koko Crater trail is one of the most popular hikes in Oahu. Roundtrip Koko Head Stairs Distance: 0.9 mile / 1.4 km. Itll mess up your day and waste taxpayer money, and it gives the locals an excuse to call for closing yet another classic Oahu hike. Koko Head Trail is open all year and one of those trails to hike anytime. Hopping from railroad tie to railroad tie up this scenic mountain was an extreme challenge for this 60-ish climber, leaving me with sore muscles for a few days--but worth it. Enjoy! Amazing views! At this point, you might even see some tired people climbing up the stairs on all fours, or scooting slowly on their butts as they go back down. The military later used the summit of the Koko Head crater in World War II. The path at Diamond Head is in much better condition than the Koko stairs, so its definitely more suitable for kids and older people. I would recommend earlier. The Koko Head Trail is located in Koko Head District Park, which is about a 25 minute drive east of Honolulu. If you are not the average hiker, you can attempt the stairs in the early morning or night darkness . The Koko Head sunrise is at least as popular as sunset, and the views of Oahu island are just as stellar. The Koko Head Hike is a trail of over 1,000 stairs. Make sure to enjoy the spectacular views at Halona Blowhole. Get there early to beat the crowd and take your time!!! Its not a dangerous hike and there havent been any falling deaths, but its a real fitness test and may not be enjoyable for everyone. After your hike, you can take a well-deserved break at one of the many nearby attractions. Mahalo! We used the flashlights on our phones. I love a good sunset on a volcano! It was closed for 3 weeks of renovation in 2021, but it's very rare for that to happen. S pu andare anche di notte oppure ha orari di chiusura? Take pics. The Koko Crater (or Koko Head) hike outside Honolulu, Hawaii is one of Oahu's most popular hikes, and for good reason. It was a good workout again like every These are the current hours and entrance fees for the Diamond Head hike, as of 2022. The Koko Head Trail can be challenging but is worth the effort. It is still your decision to choose the best season to visit Hawaii. When To Hike Koko Head. To be fair, Koko is not as hard as Manitou, but instead of high elevation to contend with, you do have the tropical heat and humidity of Hawaii. Content on this site is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical, health, or safety advice. The Koko Head Hike railway stairs is a short drive from Diamond Head and Waikiki. There is plenty of parking at the baseball fields. The views and breeze at top is incomparable ! Make sure to wear proper hiking shoes to make sure your feet are protected. Public restrooms. The views are fantastic, and its relatively easy and paved all the way. Witnessing the sunrise from the top of Koko Crater is definitely worth the early morning! Arriving early in the morning to begin this Oahu hike is ideal, as it warms up quickly without shady trees or other types of cover along the way. Walking along the south rim of Koko Crater. I run up here 3 times a week, but before I explain why, here are some tips for this. Its taxing cardio-wise and can be tough on the legs, knees, and feet. Luxurious Tropical Getaway w/Salt Water Pool, AC & High Speed Wifi: Villa Luana, The Beach Waikiki Boutique Hostel by ALOH, View all hotels near Koko Crater Railway Trail on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Koko Crater Railway Trail on Tripadvisor, View all attractions near Koko Crater Railway Trail on Tripadvisor, Hilton Grand Vacations Hotels in Honolulu, Diamond Head - Kapahulu - St. Louis Hotels, Hotels near Makiki - Lower Punchbowl - Tantalu, Hotels with Military Discounts in Honolulu, Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in Honolulu, Hotels near University of Hawaii at Manoa, Allswell Communities Holiday Parks - parent brand in Honolulu, Public Transportation Systems in Honolulu, Architectural Buildings in Downtown Honolulu, Government Buildings in Downtown Honolulu, Theatre & Performances in Diamond Head - Kapahulu - St. Louis, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Downtown Honolulu, Churches & Cathedrals in Downtown Honolulu, Diamond Head State Monument: Tickets & Tours, Pearl Harbor National Memorial: Tickets & Tours, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve: Tickets & Tours, Makapuu Lighthouse Trail: Tickets & Tours, Koko Crater Railway Trail: Tickets & Tours, Battleship Missouri Memorial: Tickets & Tours, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum: Tickets & Tours, US Army Museum of Hawaii: Tickets & Tours, Koko Crater Railway Trail Tours and Tickets, Private Tour of Kamasutra Temples in Khajuraho, Guided Early Morning Walking Tour of Florence, Ultimate Prickly Pear and Anguilla Experience, Cliff Diving Boat Trips in Nea Makri, Athens, Normandy Beaches Half-Day Afternoon Trip from Bayeux (A2). A hat and sunscreen are also imperative if you hike Koko Crater during the day, because theres almost no shade at all on the trail. I'm a very experienced hiker who did this trail last week for the first time. Suggest edits to improve what we show. I would try to avoid hiking Koko Head in the middle of the day because the heat is brutal and theres no shade at all. Check out their website and consider donating if youre a fan of Koko Head. Koko Head Trail is located in the east of Oahu, offering stunning views up to Honolulu. Dehydration often goes hand in hand with heat exhaustion and is often a contributing factor. There is no doubt about where you are going. That means Koko is steeper and harder. Many people say that there are about 1048 stairs; however, this is ever-changing since some steps are replaced or added as needed. The hike starts at the Koko Head District Park. You might be thinking it sounds like one of the easiest hikes you've ever done but hold your judgement til you are 3/4 of the way to the top. Near home plate you will find a trail leading towards the stairs. They are devoted mainly to different types of cacti and succulents and are said to be quite photogenic. It's also called the Koko Crater Railway Trail. Koko Crater Botanical Gardens This is an excellent spot for peace and tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Wear a lot of sunscreen and bring a small bottle to re-apply at the top. I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for the Koko Head hike in Oahu, Hawaii. Sunny but there was a nice breeze at times. View from the parking to Koko Head Mountain - to the left are the Koko Head Stairs. As an Amazon Associate, thistraveldream.com earns from qualifying purchases. Taka e left onto Koko Head District Park where you'll find parking lots and a trailhead. -Take your time. 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