Hawaii- KoKo Head trail stairs in Oahu

I wanted to share one of the activities that we did in Hawaii that I didn't go in to detail on during the Friday 5 post (because I didn't want to make the post so long).

Koko head trail stairs in Oahu Hawaii


On Thursday, after visiting Pearl Harbor,  we hiked up Koko Crater Trail ( also known as the KoKo Head Stairs). We have wanted to hike this trail all week, but didn’t want to do it before the marathon or the next day after (as I'm sure you'l be able to see why).

The trail consist of old railroad ties that are mounted on the side of the mountain from the bottom to the top.   During World War 2, the Military created a pillbox bunker lookout on top of the mountain. They used the railway as a way to transport cargo and supplies to the top.  Now it is just used as one of the best look out points on the island.


 We had read several reviews about this and they all said it was very challenging. One said I consider myself fit, and I thought it was difficult. We both thought, well heck we just ran a marathon I think we can do a few steps. And oh my, they were not kidding. The distance was 1.8 miles up a mountain. The steps were very uneven and there was no railing to hold on to. Some steps were extremely steep. 

hiking, Hawaii

  We were struggling and we were not even half way up.  The higher up we got, the better the view was and the more we were able to see.

Hawaii Marathon

Yocould tell the people that were tourist because most would stop every few steps while the locals would be running up it (they must be used to it). I did ask this one guy after seeing him several times how many times he runs up this. He says only 3 times about 4 times a week like it was nothing.   It took us over an hour to get to the top and we did not even know if we were going make it.  I read somewhere there was a total of 1050 steps. And like I said, a lot of them where uneven and not spaced equally which made it even more challenging.

                        It was so hot and we didn’t bring any water (I know, stupid us). 

Best views in Hawaii, World war 2 bunker lookout

After arriving at the top, we were happy we stuck it out. The view was amazing!   At top there are plenty of other things to explore including many lookouts.  You get a panoramic view of the island/coastline and I know my photo doesn't even begin to do it justice.

After a bit of a rest at the top, it was time for us to hike back down. The hike down is equally as challenging. 


 By the time we finished the hike, we were completely drenched.  We had already checked out of our hotel for the day and had a red eye that night. Luckily my friend that is a local was home and was generous and allowed us to freshen up before our flight home!   -L

30 comments:

  1. Oh I wish I had known about this trail and the stairs when we were there last year! Looks like a fun one

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  2. That looks awesome!!! I would be all over that. The view had to be so rewarding!

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  3. Wow, that is a beautiful view but it looks really tough!

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  4. That looks tough! I'm kind of sorry I know about it now. I'm afraid I'll feel like I need to climb it, too, if I ever visit Oahu!

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  5. What an awesome experience! We didn't hike these stairs when we went to Hawaii in 2011, but I'm definitely putting them on my list for our next trip there (whenever that is).

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    1. It was good, bu very challenging, so definitely not for small children.

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  6. I felt a little woozy just looking at the pictures. I'd never make it.

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  7. We hiked this on Christmas morning 2013! Amazing and super tough! Last year we lived in Hawaii Kai and could see the trail from our rental - it is common to see lights going up in the dark, pretty great place to catch a sunrise.

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  8. Colorado Springs has something similar, but I've never been adventurous enough to try it. I did hike Diamond Head back in 2006, and when I got to the top, I could see some other Hawaiian Islands.

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    1. We had to run up parts of Diamond Head during the marathon and that was not fun!

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  9. Wow, that is one heck of a gorgeous view!! But dang. Not sure I would have made it to the top. Good on ya for getting there!

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  10. This reminds me of The Incline in Manitou Springs, Colorado. What made it super hard for me was the elevation was so much higher than PA!

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    1. Oh yeah I bet that would have been hard. The elevation didn't bother us at all during the hike there luckily.

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  11. That view is amazing!! I bet it was worth the hike!!

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    1. Yes it was. Not sure if I have a desire to do it again though.

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  12. Wow! Running here is so great! I also want to try... Thank for you shared a nice place! I like...

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  13. Wow that view is amazing!! Those pictures. It's winter here and those photos are making me long for summer days or at least a tropical vacation!

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    1. Oh how about it? We did not want to come back to the East Coast.

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  14. Simply stunning. One of my friends is in Hawaii right now and I am SO jealous.

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  15. Whoa, this is intense! I love the views, I love the intensity of these stairs, and how quickly the locals are able to traverse them on a regular basis!

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