We planned several hikes during our trip to Hawaii and knew the Koko Head Crater Trail hike was one we wanted to challenge ourselves with as a family . Itโs also known as the Koko Stairs of Doom or Puโu Mai Stairs .
Even before we reached the trailhead, we knew this hike was going to be something different. It was already busy, and as we looked up, we could see tiny people scattered along the ridgeโฆ.like little specks climbing straight into the sky. But nothing quite prepared us for that moment when we were standing at the very bottom and looked up.
It feltโฆ intense.
We started out by praying for strength and thanking God for allowing us to be there and that this was a โget toโ for our family . We then started the only way we could โฆone step at a time.
The steps are no joke! They are about 12 to 15 inches high and about that in width as well and because the trail follows an old railway trestle, the footing is uneven. Some steps were solid beams, others required stepping between them, and in places, the dirt was worn away completely. It would be so easy to twist an ankle or slip if youโre not paying attention, so we did our best to stay focused.
Every now and then though,we found a rhythm stepping beam to beam, and those moments felt like a huge win .
One of the most encouraging parts? The people. You see everyone on this trailโฆfamilies, athletes, locals. One guy passed us multiple times, clearly training up and down the mountain. We heard later that many locals actually use this as a weekly workout and honestly, if this were in our backyard, we would too.
During our hike, we experienced a little bit of everything โฆ rain, sun, then rain again. It was wild. Definitely come prepared for changing weather.One thing to definitely be ready for: there is zero shade except for the occasional bush you can step to side to try to get shade so sunscreen,hat ,cooling towel and sunglasses are must!
We had also heard about the โbypassโ section of the trail. It is a part where the track is open underneath, and you definitely donโt want to fall through. I hadnโt been able to find good pictures beforehand, so I wasnโt sure what to expect. Thankfully, itโs a short scramble around the exposed section and much safer than trying to cross the broken trestle.Especially with little ones.
As we climbed , we cheered each other on, and even encouraged others along the way. One of my favorite things about hiking is sharing the struggle with others on the trail .
To keep things fun, we started counting steps. Hitting 500 felt like a victory. Then 700. Around 750 is where the final climb really kicks in and itโs steep. There were sections where we were on all fours, just pulling ourselves up. Check out the picture below โฌ๏ธ
My youngest waited off to the side for that part , I honestly donโt know how she would have managed it safely, especially coming back down or maybe I should say how I would have managed it watching her try to go back down! It was steep!
After all the hard work we were so excited to see the neon green bunker and push to the top โฆSo thankful we had made it to the top!!
The view was absolutely breathtaking. I soaked in that moment and praised God โฆgrateful for the strength to get there and the chance to take it all in.
We took turns going up since part of our family had stayed behind with our littlest, and once everyone had their moment at the top, we were ready to head down.
And let me just sayโฆ
Going down was no easier.It was slow and careful. At times it felt like one wrong step and you could tumble forward. In some sections, turning around and climbing down on all fours was the safest option and plenty of people were doing the same .
Eventually, the trail leveled out, and we made our way back down. It felt like we had been out there all day but in reality, we clocked just over two hours.
And every single step?
Worth it.
What You Should Know Before Hiking Koko Head
๐ Location & Parking
The trailhead is located inside Koko Head District Park.
Parking: Free lot available at the park Restrooms: Available near the parking area Tip: Arrive early โฆthis is a very popular hike and fills up quickly
๐ Hours & Best Time to Go
The park is generally open from sunrise to sunset but keep in mind there are no lights on the trail, so hiking in the dark isnโt recommended.
Best time to hike:
Early morning (before 9 AM) for cooler temps Late afternoon for golden hour views (but plan enough time to get down before dark)
๐ช Trail Details
Distance: ~1.6 miles round trip
Elevation gain: ~1,200 feet Stairs: Approximately 1,048 steps
These arenโt normal stairsโฆtheyโre old railway ties, which makes footing uneven and part of what makes this hike so challenging.
โ ๏ธ Safety Tips
No shade โฆ bring lots of water, sunscreen, and a hat
Wear sturdy shoes (not flip flops!)
Watch your footing โฆuneven steps and loose areas
Use the bypass trail at the broken trestle section (especially with kids) See the pic in our post .
Take your time going downโฆit can be just as hard as going up
๐ A Little History
What makes this hike even more interesting is its past and one of the reasons we really wanted to do this hike. Hike + History = Win!!!!
The stairs youโre climbing were originally built during World War II. The railway was used by the U.S. military to transport supplies up to a military radar site at the top of Koko Head.
After the war, the track fell into disrepair .In a partnership between the the city and Kokonut Koalition ,a volunteer group dedicated to protecting and preserving the Koko Crater stairs ,there has been work done to restore and protect this piece of history . It has since become one of Oahuโs most iconic hikes.
Today, those old railroad ties have turned into the โstairsโ that challenge thousands of hikers each year.
โค๏ธ Why Itโs Worth It
Itโs the kind of experience that pushes you, slows you down, and brings your family together in the best way. Between the challenge, the people you meet along the way, and the incredible views at the top and being steeped in history , itโs something you wonโt forget.
Check out our reel โฌ๏ธ
Check out some more of our adventures in Hawaii โฌ๏ธ
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