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).

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. 

  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.

You could 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). 

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