is koko head hike open

Get there early to beat the crowd and take your time!!! All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. A: Aloha Caroline. It took us about 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Expect to pay a $5 parking fee. The Diamond Head hike Hawaii is a must-do. Parking is free next to baseball field, crowded on weekends; don't leave valuables in the car. The number one reason to put this hike on your short list of things to do while in Waikiki is the one-of-a-kind view. However, youll need to figure out somewhere to park since the main parking lot is closed before dawn. 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. 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. The north rim of this crater is tough and dangerous, but the south rim (the side nearest the ocean) is quite a bit tamer and safer. The trailhead is open from 4:00 am till 11:00 pm. Lets all do our part to hike the Koko Head stairs safely and responsibly so we can continue to enjoy this trail for many years to come! My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. If your like me, and you revel in a short, challenging and unique hike with a fantastic view Then this is for you! The 1,000+ step walking track consists of abandoned railroad ties that run along the crater's west side to the top of Koko Crater. -There is a part of the trail where the tracks turn into a bridge with no bottom. If you enjoy this hike, consider donating to Kokonut Koalition. Oh man. Well that is just what people or young guys have thrown as they dont need it and it become a trend now.. What's the deal with access to the trail - Is there a gate/hours where the path is closed? Also, because the trail is railroad tracks, there is no navigational difficulty, and the hike is relatively short at just under two miles long round trip. I'm a very experienced hiker who did this trail last week for the first time. It's very challenging with over 1,000 steps to the top. It took us about 45min up, 35min down, spent about 30min on top taking pictures and enjoying the view. Yes, the Koko Crater Tramway is open during regular park open hours. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. We used the flashlights on our phones. -Bring at least one water bottle. The Koko Head Trail can be challenging but is worth the effort. The elevation at the top is 1,208 ft, a significant gain from the near sea level of the parking lot and trailhead. You have reached the top! Free access with effectively no facilities. You do not have to be in great shape to hike the trail, but it will make it much easier. Once you make it through this area, it gets even steeper, but you are now more than halfway there. The Koko Head Crater Sunrise Hikeprovides transportation to and from Waikiki and, of course, a local professional guide. This trail is named after Oahu's most widely known landmark, Diamond Head, a massive chunk of volcanic rock situated on the Southwestern coast of the island. You can take an alternate route (the one I took). After the bridge, you will get glimpses of the view to come, including Hanauma Bay and Hawaii Kai. Visitors can drive around the crater to the opposite side to access the gardens. Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. When you reach the plateau, you can admire the view of the valley and jungle before the path heads downwards to the falls. Most hikers take the detour. Affiliate Disclosures Privacy Policy Terms Of Use Our love for Hawaii draws us to the islands at least a few times a year. Even so, if youre up for the challenge then its a great way to do three hikes in one! Seriously. There are 1,048 railroad ties to climb and then 30 feet to the lookout. Good to know: The trail is has recently (June 2021) reopened after being closed for 2 years. We were turned away at Diamond Head because we didn't have a registration # & what a blessing! Koko Head Hike with DanielsHawaii Tourguide Koko Head is a tuff cone in the eastern part of Oahu near Hawaii Kai and overlooks Hanauma Bay and Waikiki. More Oahu Hiking Guides . The dusty trail and slick metal ties can also be slippery. We crossed paths with two people running up and down this trail, and they informed us that some people complete the entire trip in as little as 15 minutes! Enjoy! Ive done this hike almost a dozen times, usually at sunset, and its always such a great show. Stairs stairs stairs & yes more stairs all the way to the top. The entrance and parking for this hike are FREE at the time of writing, and you dont need to book anything in advance. Loved it. The scenery and views will always be breathtaking in this tropical paradise. I love a good sunset on a volcano! 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. Hiking down can be hard on your knees as well. In our case, a friend dropped us off at the Koko Stairs trailhead and we hiked to the top of the stairs, then we walked along the south Koko Crater rim until we found a spur path to go down to the Koko Arch. This is a relatively quick hike contingent on fitness level. Very steep and exhausting to the top, with pretty big steps, but the view is incredibly worth it!! Dehydration often goes hand in hand with heat exhaustion and is often a contributing factor. Preview trail Hiking Forest Views Wildlife Over grown Rocky Scramble No shade No dogs Description The parking lot for the Koko Head Crater Botanical Garden closes (meaning gates are locked) at dusk. Just remember to take a flashlight and be careful walking unfamiliar ground in low visibility. Koko Head Crater Trail is a 1.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Honolulu, Hawaii that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Luckily for Waikiki vacationers, taking in the scenery from the top of this dormant volcano is just a short drive and day hike away. Super steep and can be precarious at times on the ties. Take water & a bar. the entire park along with Koko Head Shooting Complex will be off . Alternate from Waikiki: Take H1 east bound and you will see Koko Crater on the left side. 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. For example, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. From the very start, you can already see the tiny hikers ascending the mountain, looking like ants in the distance. Look for the signs to the right, and it will take you around. But would definitely do it again, just maybe more prepared this time. We created this site because our friends and family were frequently asking for recommendations and tips on places to eat, where to stay, attractions to visit, etc. The technical term is dormant tuff cone volcano, which basically means that while it hadnt erupted for a few thousand years when it did, the cone and crater were formed by ash and debris compacting into rock over time. When it comes to visiting the Hawaiian capital of Honolulu, hiking the Koko Crater Trail, also known as the Koko Head Stairs, has become a regular tradition for tourists. Its steep and difficult but we thought it was an awesome challenge with gorgeous views at the top. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. Lanikai Pillbox: The Pillbox Hikeis one of my favorite hikes on Oahu. If you are not the average hiker, you can attempt the stairs in the early morning or night darkness . For those in better shape ready for some exercise the ascent can take a little as fifteen minutes. It's awesome. The park does not officially open until 6:30 which is right about sunrise that time of year. Do not bring extra weight like binoculars or jackets. Read more about ourHawaii adventureshere. Warning sign at the Koko Crater railway trailhead. Tough but awesome workout. Today the radar station is no longer there, but the pillbox and structural debris are still present. We took some amazing pics. Youre in for a very tough hike if you do all of this in one day, and I wouldnt attempt it if you arent plenty comfortable with heights. It is a straight line up the trail to the summit. If you want to do three hikes in one, theres even a side path on the south rim that intersects with the Koko Arch hike (more on that in a minute)! 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! Local grinds: Check out Chef Jon Matsubara's restaurant, Feast, in Manoa Valley featuring Hawaiian-style burgers and sandwiches. Are you looking for a great hiking adventure on Oahu? After spending some time at the second peak, its time to head back down on the same trail you hiked up. The Koko Head Trail is mainly uncovered, meaning there is very little shade on the trail. As mentioned, the trailhead can be found about 100 yards past the parking lot on your left-hand side. 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. The stairs will climb over 1,200 feet (so approximately 1 foot per stair!) Loved it. 7 miles to the top. Ill explain more about these side trails later in this blog post. Plus, this is excellent exercise! After taking some pictures at the arch, we walked down to the road at Halona Beach Cove and caught a bus home. Is koko head climb still open? The way down is a little scarier than the way up. Some companies will provide transportation to and from the Waikiki area along with a tour guide. Turn around and look at the amazing view towards the beach and Honolulu. The most popular hike on Oahu is Diamond Head. But the views at the top cannot be beat. As mentioned, we recommend hiking this trail early in the morning before it gets too hot. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. There are even underwater camera options for a wide range of adventures. We dont recommend doing this, though. There is a way around the bridge if you head to the right (shady section). One of the best views of Oahu - period. This website's use is your expressly conditioned acceptance of the terms, conditions, and disclaimers found within our Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability page without any modifications. Great views of north, east, and south O'ahu at the summit. This isnt a great hike for kids or older folks. We do not recommend hiking the Koko Head Trail with children as it is challenging. Incredible view at the top. Go early to beat the crowd and the sun. The hike is open all year long except for occasional trail maintenance. . A couple of travel dreamers who fell in love with Hawaii and want to share the beauty of the Islands! The best advice is to start early and bring plenty of water! Mahalo! Also, the botanical gardens inside the crater are worth a look. We'll give you our best recommendations for things to do, spa Wayne's 2019 10 Day Ultimate Waikiki Itinerary. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the Koko Head Trail (primarily due to safety reasons). Koko Crater is one of the better-preserved volcanic formations of its kind, and if you came for the volcanology, its worth a look. Makapuu Beach Park This beach is perfect for an afternoon picnic or a stroll on the beach. The military used them previously during World War 2 as part of an incline tram to transport supplies to a lookout post at the summit. Definitely take a set of hiking poles if you are not fit or hiking with additional load on your back like a baby carrier. Small section towards the top without ground coverage - take Murphy's bypass to avoid this (look for sign). Dont forget to check out my other Oahu hiking guides and my complete list of the best things to do in Oahu Hawaii! I will be the first to admit that there were certain areas I had to sit on my butt to get to the next stairs because the stairs are not well maintained in some areas. Yes, Koko Head is open! The US Army built the trail at the start of the 20th Century, and as you head up to the summit you'll catch a glimpse of its military history. Really nice hike, tough but worth it. Reserve some energy for the trek down and do a LOT of stairs or the StairMaster as part of your workout before making this trek. Remember that its not a race, so take your time and feel free to stop and enjoy the views along the way! Small section towards the top without ground coverage - take Murphy's bypass to avoid this (look for sign). The views are fantastic, and its relatively easy and paved all the way. Enjoy the view at the top and embrace the slow grind going up! Mahalo for stopping by. Alternatively, for a change of scenery you can hike out via the Koko Crater Rim trail, but this route is more sketchy and it takes you away from the Koko Head parking lot, so youll need to figure out transportation when you reach the bottom. 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Waikiki Itinerary a dozen times, usually at sunset, and south O & # x27 ; allowed..., east, and it will take you around and views will always be breathtaking in this tropical.. Enjoying the view to come, including Hanauma Bay and Hawaii Kai tour guide is closed before dawn closed... Popular hike on Oahu bridge, you can take an alternate route ( one! ; experiences Explore different ways to experience this place can drive around the Crater to the.. Occasional trail maintenance trailhead is open year-round and is often a contributing factor English in the.! Will climb over 1,200 feet ( so approximately 1 foot per stair! #! In Oahu Hawaii leave valuables in the car way up Use our love for Hawaii draws to... And can be precarious at times on the ties however, youll need to book in! Ready for some exercise the ascent can take an alternate route ( the I! The lookout the valley and jungle before the path heads downwards to the top Diamond. The beach and Honolulu with over 1,000 steps to the lookout back down on the beach and.!

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