Tips for Hiking the Koko Head Trail

Koko Head Trail on Oahu is a popular hike for tourists and locals. It's very challenging with over 1,000 steps to the top. Some people consider it one of the hardest hikes on the island. I wanted to share my experience hiking the Koko Head stairs and offer helpful tips for people considering it, especially if it's your first time. I would consider it an intermediate to difficult hike, depending on your fitness level. It took me about 50 minutes up and about 25 minutes down. Lots of resting in between. Start early, pace yourself, and be safe.
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[@jeffhaun9803]

This was super helpful. Watched yesterday and hiked it first thing this morning (6/8/23). I took water and stopped for rest multiple times. I'm 59 and I really appreciate the heads-up. Stunning view at the top, totally worth the effort but these stairs kicked my butt today. Thanks for posting.

[@hendricktran3089]

Great video! Thanks for the tips. I did this hike a few days ago (June ‘22) and it was amazing. The track renovation is now complete so the tracks are newer and more evenly spaced. They’ve also added a lot more resting places along the sides. I took the bridge detour as you suggested and have no regrets doing so. I started at 6am (just after sunrise), took about 35 mins going up, spent about an hour on top taking pictures and halfway coming down the sun started hitting my back and I couldn’t imagine going up in direct sunlight. Lastly I would recommend a lot of water, I drank almost all of my 32 oz bottle but maybe I drink a lot(?). Anyways thanks again!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Glad to hear about the renovations.

[@brndn9423]

ugh i did this hike today and it was crazy , i def took about 10 breaks , got to the top in a little over an hour , the view was so worth it , spent make 30 mins to 1 hour taking in the view , i def had a hard time hiking , i felt like i wanted to throw up a couple of times .Getting down was def the hardest part because felt like my legs gave out alot

[@FlyNavy2004]

Great video. I can attest that daytime hike is brutal. I consider myself in decent shape but it took ver 30 minutes to get to the top with 6-7 breaks. Bring water/Gatorade

[@virgilasuncion5841]

Another awesome video! I really appreciate you being truthful. Hiked Koko Head, stopped many times and felt like throwing up. View on top is amazing. Mahaloz.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thanks. It's a tough hike, but the view is amazing.

[@saintspistonspelicans9684]

Im almost quit at 6… my daughter had to tell me we almost there and we closer to the top than the bottom. Got to the top and so glad I didn’t give up. Oh by the way I did it in crocs (sports mode of course)😂😂😂. It was tough but worth it

[@MrTrincent]

Unreal, I used to do this in 18 minutes every Sunday after work. By the third incline, I'd crawl until the burn settled.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

That's an amazing time. View is worth it, though.

[@mikesalyers4914]

Good tips. Just did this trail and slipped twice. Take your time!!!

[@N0TORiOUSLYiLL]

i did it twice (both times this year, Feb and Dec). it is def a thigh burner but caught the sunset both times, first time I saw the sunset actually go down. It took me 45 mins to go up there

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Nice. 45 minutes is pretty good time. The view is amazing.

[@jsauce01]

Awesome video! A group of friends and I are going to be heading to Oahu in July to do this hike, wicked excited for it!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Good luck. Bring lots of water.

[@mayvelynbagasol3202]

Thank you for the tips. I’ve been contemplating doing this hike but I’m definitely not in shape to do it. Taking a few months to prepare myself.

[@cheguevara8410]

It’s in quite bad shape, I would even go as far as saying it’s almost hazardous. Also, I did it wearing slippers....yeah I underestimated it a little.

[@ibnkrisishayawasatmuhammad3589]

damn

[@ibnkrisishayawasatmuhammad3589]

Well it wouldn’t take me to go there to see it’s hazardous/dangerous just based on how steep it seems

[@pollylin]

when I hiked it recently, there were volunteers bringing gravel up and fixing up the beams :)

[@mikegrand4181]

Thanks for taking the time to make this. Precovid, I hiked Diamond Head just about every day. That just seems so much easier than this. Did you have to crawl going up or coming down? Coming down with no railing at that angle looks a bit scary to me. Thanks for the tip of using the side path. I watched another video and he recorded looking straight down through the ties. I would definitely not want to do that. Take care and mahalo.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thanks for watching. I didn't crawl up or down, but I was struggling. Like I mentioned, I rushed it and felt very sick. Just have to take your time and take plenty of breaks.

[@diamondheadfitness7810]

This is a great video! We love Koko Head!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Yeah, it's a great hike.

[@NutmegThumper]

Trying to plan my trip and afraid I’ll be doing this midday- thanks for the tips.

[@_MP004]

Mahalo brada. Im doing this hike in 2 days time. Thanks for the bypass tip 😃

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@_MP004]

@@HelloFromHawaii the hike went great. Ate 2 bananas, energy bar in the morning - Going up, the last third of the hike was tough 😄, i paced myself, had 7 rest breaks.and got up to the summit in 35mins 🥵😄 the views were spectacular-"God sightings!" The descent, it wasn't as steep as i thought, but took my time coming down. I iced my knees afterwards, precautionary, so knees are fine the next day. Looking forward to doing it again, monthly! ...Merry Christmas HFH! 🤙🏻

[@heavenbound3665]

The view is spectacular. Going up ( and down) a grueling test of endurance but worth it.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

It's a great view. One of the best, IMO.

[@michellemorash9635]

I actually got heat stroke on that trail because I went in the middle of the day. And with no quick way down I was stuck there almost at the top. My boyfriend and people passing by where pouring water on me to help me cool down. I was laying on the side trying hide under a bush to get out of the sun. I couldn't speak it was that bad. All I could say was 911. I literally thought I was going to die that day. And my boyfriend said we don't need 911 and we are going to walk down this hill. After being there for like 45 minutes I did start to cool down and I did manage to climb down very slowly. That was one of the scariest days of my life

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Glad you made it down safely. I've seen people being rescued with the helicopter. Just gotta take your time.

[@michellemorash9635]

@@HelloFromHawaii Thank you! It was very scary. But honestly I am determined to do koko head many times if I ever get back there! (It's expensive to travel to Oahu from Eastern Canada). But I will be very smart about it and next time! All of your recommendations are spot on! I'm so glad you made this video for people!

[@seranieri]

I attempted it in mid Feb 2020 on a misty/drizzly day...It was muddy and very slippery I wound up turning back halfway up

[@HelloFromHawaii]

That's tough. Yeah, I would have turned around too. Don't want to slip and fall.

[@donaldtrumpy5914]

Me too i almost throw up yesterday when i hike that trail

[@Jonidan2]

Thanks so much for the tips - I was quite apprehensive about this as an older , average fit mom . I know my kids will want to do this - so this encourages me to go with them- at my own pace :)

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Yeah, take your time. I heard they repaired/are repairing some of the wooden planks. View at the top is great.

[@MIZK0NG]

Took about 40 minutes to get up yesterday. Getting down was faster but worse I think! My knees are wrecked haha

[@josephnicholson2593]

I take my dogs up this hike every other day at sunset, evenings aren't too bad

[@hothotheat3000]

Don’t forget sunscreen and a snack/water.

[@hanyoo6043]

There's no way to prepare for that. Just do it and you'll be humbled real quick. 😅

[@houstontexas7069]

Railworld tracks are cool

[@HippioKass]

Me and the Bois made it down in 5 minutes by taking off our shirts and using them as handbrakes while we slide down the rails 🤣🤣 good times

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@mlambert1974]

This was a rigorous hike indeed. I took frequent breaks going up and luckily it was raining most of the way up so I did not overheat.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

That's good. Take plenty of breaks. No rush to the top, but it's worth it for the view.

[@klingna]

I almost died climbing to the top of Mt Acropolis in Athens in 40 degree celsius weather was so tough

[@teddcuizon3964]

I hiked makapu'u but gave up on hiking after I hiked diamond head.

[@lorrainehopkins3030]

Nausea happens when you're dehydrated. Take plenty of water.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Yeah, I was pushing myself too hard. Next time, I'll slow down and drink plenty of water.

[@shapho4056]

This was really helpful, thank you! Do you think I'll be okay with hiking sandals?

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I'd do it in shoes, but just be careful.

[@shapho4056]

@@HelloFromHawaii hmm just did manoa falls in my hiking sandals felt comfortable. If that gives any point of reference

[@glennhattori5464]

I saw this trail on a episode of Hawaii Five O. How many miles to the top? Nice video.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Sorry, I don't know the distance up. I just know it's a tough climb. Pace yourself.

[@jasonoki]

Little over a mile to the top. I did it yesterday about 36 minutes I'm mid fifties and a elementary school went up to the top in 21 minutes and he was complaining to his dad will I get back to 18 minutes like before the shutdown?

[@optout5350]

@@jasonoki 17min 50 for me. I have it tattooed on me!

[@hremaddox]

It took me over an hour. I literally had to crawl half of it. 😂

[@minzyminz9987]

How much water do u recommend we should bring?

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Depends. I would bring one liter and make sure to have some in the car for after the hike.

[@optout5350]

I tried for months to get under 20 mins and couldn't do it, until some superfit guy said try chewing gum while you do it as it regulates your breathing......did 17.50 the next week.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Great tip 🤙

[@optout5350]

17mins 50 sec........im 58 years old. met a guy on the day did it 15 but he said he'd done it in. 12!

[@MsKristy1001]

ok so im 285 pounds how long do any of u guys think i can up there?

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Just take your time. No rush to the top

[@disneywithjg]

If you made it to stairway to heaven. Im pretty sure you can do this

[@rafj2762]

Pro tip: dont this after a night out of drinks, it wont be a pleasant experience😂 i still made it though, barely

[@HelloFromHawaii]

😂

[@jesuscastillo3335]

You know, being the kind of landmark that Diamond Head is, all these politicians instead of having had given themselves a raise, should had use that money to built a better trail to KOKO head, it's really ridiculous , that the great wall of Cina has better grounds than Koko's trail. For example; I would put to use those old tracks already in place and acquire a mini train to take people up, of course there would be like a $5 charge for it or they could still hike their way up, and coming down. that same mini train would bring them down, of course, for another $5 charge, or they can still hike down. This mini train would be a hell of alot more useful than the metra train planned for the city, and will cost alot less and make more money, can't believe how dumb the Hawaiian politicians are.

[@elegate87]

No, I felt like I wanted to throw up!

[@issacbrown1087]

Bro. I started at 1:30pm today. So hot. Stupid hot. Dont do it in the middle of the day. Brah i barley made it back down.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Yeah, that's a pretty hot time of day.

[@carlagonzalez8684]

it's free?

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Yes, free.

[@michellekereit8948]

Is it legal?

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I believe the hike is legal. However, they are trying to get City funds to maintain the trail because a lot of the stairs are in bad shape.

[@ArekSuroboyo1]

this is perfectly legal, the stairway to heaven (Haiku stairs) is not legal.

[@seasidewalktosand6567]

That is a treacherous hike not worth the safety risk.

[@donaldtrumpy5914]

I almost died in this hike