This hike starts off pretty slow and easy. And the view of the volcano from the road makes it look easy too! But about halfway up the trail, everything changes to a nearly vertical climb straight up. I really wanted Chris to make this hike with us, but he had to fly out the night before.
I made it up the volcano somewhere between 20-25 minutes. I heard a lady at the top saying that the fastest she’s ever climbed it was 18 minutes. The fastest anyone has climbed the railway is around 10 minutes. Many locals do the hike several times a week instead of going to the gym. When you see the view from the top of the volcano you can understand why. There is a botanical garden in the crater to explore but I was too tired to look. Just wanted to head back down as soon as my legs stopped shaking. The climb down was probably worse than the climb up. Paul and I couldn’t walk right for at least two days after visiting Koko Crater!
Here’s what we read on the internet after the hike:
“Hiking up Koko Head Crater proves to be extremely challenging for most tourists. Its one mile up and one mile down, reaching the height of 1200 ft mark. Its a straight trail marked by railroad tram line. There are nearly 1100 steps you have to climb up and that is a problem for many. If you got bad knee(s), bad hips, bad feet or bad foot or bad balance, this trail is not for you. The steps are extremely uneven all the way up. There is a bridge you have to cross that mark the the beginning of the steep part. The bridge has no platform so you have to walk on the railroad ties to get across. A slip here will cause an injury or worst, trip to the hospital.”
“Koko Head is the 600ft ancient tuff cone that is half the size of the tuff cone of Koko Crater which is 1,200feet. Koko Head itself makes up the Portlock area and the well-known Hanauma Bay nature preserve. These are two different locations. This KOKO CRATER HIKE is considered (DIFFICULT) Why you ask? Because this Hike is no Hike, it’s a WORKOUT up the “STRAIRWAY to HELL”. Now as far as I know my friends and I are the only ones that call it Stairway to Hell. There is also Haiku Stairs which is also famously known as “Stairway to Heaven” a name that it has had for a very long time. If you can’t climb Koko Crater, you can’t climb the Haiku Stairs. If no one knows what Koko Crater actually is… it’s a Volcanic Cinder Cone and is the remnants of the last active Volcano on Oahu that took place 10,000 years ago. This Cone stands over 1,200feet STRAIGHT UP and I’m talking STRAIGHT UP! Just imagine climbing a ladder straight up the side of a 1,000 foot story building! This is no fun my friends! If you are not in good shape, if you are
not mentally and physical prepared for Koko you will regret it, I promise you! This trail is not actually a staircase but it is in fact a set of railway tie steps. An old railroad you could say, that has seen better days. These rail ties get tricky when you come to the Bridge. If you made it that far CONGRADULATION, life is about to get REAL, REAL difficult! Before crossing the Bridge there is a good place to rest to the right. If afraid of crossing the bridge go up the dirt path to the right. It’s right there at the resting spot. The Dirt path to the right takes you to the end of the bridge. At this point climb back onto the Railway Ties and continue up the 90 degree incline. Once you make it, after I’m sure many stops, and “WHY AM I DOING THIS” questions to yourself, you will see how high the railway ties go. Once you continue up the harder part of the railway you will see a WALL in front of you with Graffiti on it. This wall is
called the “WALL OF HOPE” it means you are almost there! Once you see the wall you know the pain in your legs will be over soon at least until you start coming down again. Once reaching the top enjoy your place among the others who went through your same pain. Talk with them, share your story, join the Ohana. For everyone is family here at the top! Walk around, take it all in. Don’t stop,
explore this ridge line. Keep climbing even higher once you rest for a few and get a drink or bite to eat. Branch off and find your own slice of heaven on the mountain ridge line. There is room for everyone. Congratulations, you are one of the few that have made it to the top. Yes, many people climb this crater here everyday but on the grand scale of things 90% of the world don’t. So yes, indeed
you are one of the few who has reached the top and yes you should be proud of yourself. Your will, determination, fight, passion and desire got you this far and it should be a good indication that when you put your mind and body in the right place you can achieve anything! TO DO SO, HOWEVER, YOU NEED TO KNOW THE FOLLOWING or you will be rescued from this crater which I have seen on a weekly basis because I live in front of it: (1.) Take 1.5 liters of water with you (2.) Take Sunscreen (3.)Take your time, this is not a race to see who’s the best, I have seen people pass out or fall (4.) Start this hike at 7AM or 4PM PERIOD, NO SCREWING AROUND WITH THIS ONE unless you do it in winter, than your times can vary on starting this workout (5.) Don’t let that 60 year old man that has gone up and down the stairs several times since you started sike you out. People climb this crater everyday and some people will climb this crater 6 times in one day (6.) Make friends, don’t let this opportunity fly you by. You will make friends with people on this hike, no doubt! And last, ENJOY the scenery, it’s amazing. Don’t complain like an old women and ruin it for yourself and your
friends if they came with you. Stop often and look around. As you get higher and higher the views drastically change. That’s it everyone. Enjoy and stay safe out there, aloha!”
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