The railway station was used during WWII to transport people and supplies to and from the military bunkers at the top of Koko Crater. The railway was built somewhere between and There used to be steps or railway tracks , but now there are about steps. This happened because of neglect, erosion and exposure to the elements. The Koko crater is a volcano, but not active. Geological evidence indicates that the last eruption would have been about 7, years ago! Koko crater is also known as Kohelepelepe.
Kohelepelepe means labia minor. In an old Hawaiian legend there is Pele, the goddess of the volcano. Pele had a sister, Kapo, who tried to save her by throwing her vagina to Koko Head to distract the pig god. It is definitely recommended to be somewhat in shape when walking up these steps. The elevation, sun exposure and steep way up can be challenging. About 7, years ago according to the city of Honolulu.
You have used the wrong name for this trail. It is Koko Crater Trail that has the railroad ties and is tall. You should correct your information. This Oahu hike is easy to find, easy to park, easy to navigate, but not so easy to climb! After parking in the Koko Head District Park parking lot, you will find an easily identifiable trail that leads to the start of the climb up the mountain.
Simply start walking towards the end of the parking lot and follow the path leading past the baseball field. The dirt trail is a short yards from the park path, before reaching the first step of "the stairs".
The Koko Crater Trail starts off relatively easy for the first steps and progressively gets tougher from there. I generally take a breather after each steps and enjoy the view. As you climb higher up the Koko Head Stairs, not only does the horizon view continue to extend, but new landmarks come into sight, such as Hanauma Bay. There are a total of 1, steps from the bottom to the top of the ridge.
And in all fairness it feels more like 2, steps! A majority of the stairs on the Koko Crater Trail are long and taller than a standard 7 inch stairway riser. You will reach a small section that is flat, but yet still comes with a challenge, as it acts as a bridge with a 40 ft drop below.
It's not hard to cross, but won't feel comfortable if you have a fear of heights. Watch your footing and take your time crossing this section. Sign up for a guided tour up the mountain There is a safe bypass around to the right side, if you wish to avoid crossing the bridge Make sure to step aside and allow other hikers to safely pass by you. And although there is light at the end of the tunnel, you will feel every step you take forward! I easily take half a dozen breaks from here to the top.
I also remember staring at the last 20 steps, as I rest on the side trying to catch my breath and let the blood return to my legs! Surprisingly enough, I saw all types of hikers on this Koko Crater Trail, including folks who were both in and out of shape, children hiking up, and even a few who were walking up in flip flops! I highly recommend wearing the proper hiking shoes if you decide to choose this Oahu hiking trail.
The Koko Crater Trail will take you 30 minutes to 1 hr to reach the top. Give yourself another hour to relax up top before starting your descent. You've earned it, so you might as well enjoy it!
You never know, you may fall in love with it too! However, every time I would stop to take a break and look back, the horizon view would extend and new landmarks would come into sight.
I could see the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and views of Hanauma Bay, and that was my motivation to continue!
Now, as a resident of Hawaii, I try to climb Koko Head stairs every other week for a workout to challenge my fitness and endurance level. I personally love Koko Head now and see young children to older adults hiking. I recommend for everyone to try the Koko Head trail in Oahu at least one time. Depending on your speed, the Koko Head trail can take anywhere from 15 minutes running, to a slower climb of 90 minutes to hike to the top. Be sure to give yourself time to rest and rehydrate at the top before beginning your descent.
There are whopping 1, steps about 1. The Koko Head trail is easy to get to and easy to find parking. There is a huge parking lot at the foot of the crater near the baseball field. From the parking lot, which is free, you need to walk behind the baseball fields for about five minutes until you reach the Koko Head stairs of doom. Park, quietly organize yourself, and then move off to the trail and begin your hike.
There is a tour that includes transport, assistance, food, and someone to carry your water and guide you along the way. The tour does have good reviews and for many, it may be a valuable tour especially as it includes the pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Waikiki. To get to the trailhead from the parking lot, follow the partially paved footpath behind the baseball diamond to the start of the railway.
This is the part of the hike where some people get a little bit intimidated. After looking up at the railway and barely making out the ant-sized figures slowly making their way towards the summit, it is often enough to have most people second-guessing themselves.
They look up at you when you arrive, silently judging you. You can see them thinking in their heads whether the next guy will struggle or not. There are 1, railroad ties steps up the Koko Head Stairs to the end of the railway and then another 30 or so feet of walking to get to the lookout points. There are three distinct sections of the stairs and as you progress through each third they get exponentially steeper.
Many people are confident in the first third and even begin to run. You will likely see them sitting on the side of the stairs gasping for air in the final third. The unevenness of the stairs is half the battle as you can hardly find a rhythm.
You just kind of battle through it. About halfway up you will find the railway bridge, which stretches over the ravine below. It is a small section where the ground disappears out from under the track, replaced by green foliage. Here, you are literally crossing a railway bridge to the next section.
The railway ties in this area are placed much closer together and for the most, part it is safe as long as you walk slowly and step carefully.
If you have a fear of heights you can take a detour into the bushes until you pass this section as pictured below. After the exhilarating bridge section, the Koko Head hike gets exponentially steeper. On the plus side, for the short people out there, this is where the Koko Head stairs begin to get shorter! If you are attempting to run, this part is likely where you will finish your running and commence the walking.
Turning around you can see the gorgeous blue waters of Hanauma Bay, the overhead view of Hawaii Kai, and the shooting range near the base of the crater.
This is also the part of the hike where people on their way down start offering words of encouragement about getting to the top. Generally there will be a sprawl of people here, too tired to congratulate you.
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