Koko Crater Tramway, commonly referred to as Koko Head, Koko Head Stairs, or just The Stairs, is one of Oahu’s most iconic hikes. In this post, I refer to the trail as Koko Head.
Comprised of 1048 stairs made from railroad ties of an old tramway, this strenuous hike is a march to the top of Koko Crater, an extinct volcano on the southeast side of Oahu.
Located in Hawaii Kai, this hike is in proximity to Waikiki.
Once atop the lookout, you have stunning 360-degree views of Oahu, including Hanauma Bay and Hawaii Kai. Arguably, the summit of Koko Head has some of the best views of any lookout on Oahu.
When I lived on Oahu, I hiked Koko Head multiple times per week and brought many visitors to hike the trail. I’m happy to share what I’ve learned with you.
If you’re thinking about hiking Koko Head on your Hawaii trip, here is everything you need to know.
Koko Head Hike Trail Information
Koko Head is an intense trail. You gain almost 1000 feet of elevation in only 0.8 miles by going up a series of 1048 steps.
The trail has absolutely no shade, and the sun beats down on you hard during the day.
Here are some basics to know before you go:
- Located in the Koko Head Regional Park
- 1.6 miles round trip
- 912 feet of elevation gain over 0.8 miles
- Ranked as hard
- The time it will take you to hike this trail varies greatly depending on your fitness level. As a novice, I recommend allotting 1.5 to 2 hours on the trail.
- Be mindful of your body and others on the trail. It’s a tight space, and people will be coming both up and down and passing you from either direction.
When Is The Best Time to Hike Koko Head?
Sunrise or sunset is the best time to do this trail. This is partly because it’s when the sun is less intense, and the views are more beautiful.
Getting to the trail right at sunrise, or when the gates to the park open, is my favorite time to do this grueling hike.
For your own safety, don’t attempt to hike in the rain. The stairs can get slippery, and this is a safety hazard for you.
Read More: Hawaii Travel
What To Bring to Hike Koko Head
Due to the nature of this trail, keep it light while you hike.
This is one of the only hikes I do without a pack. Instead, I wear a belt bag with 1-2 bottles of water.
If it’s easier to bring a backpack with a bladder or bottles of water, by all means do that. Make sure you have plenty of water.
Typically, when I hike, I suggest wearing layers; however, here I suggest wearing as little as possible.
Again, this is a hot trail in direct sunlight. I typically wear biker/running shorts and a sports bra or bra top when I do this hike.
What to Bring to Koko Head Hike
- Sturdy shoes with good grip: I recommend a light sneaker or trail runner with good traction
- Water – at least 1-2 bottles
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, sun shirt, etc)
- Snack
- Headlamp for hiking around dusk/dawn
More Amazing Oahu Hikes:
- Beginner Oahu Hikes You Can Do In A Day
- 3 Pillbox Hikes with Amazing Views
- Best Waterfall Hikes On Oahu
- Ehukai Pillbox Hike
- 10 Best Trails in Hawaii According to AllTrails
How Do You Get to Koko Head?
The easiest way to get to Koko Head is to drive. The hike is a fast 25-45 minute (pending traffic) drive from Waikiki.
There is a parking lot at the base of the trailhead next to the baseball fields.
If you don’t have a car, you can easily Uber or Lyft to and from the trail from Waikiki or other parts of Honolulu.
If taking the bus from Waikiki, the 23 bus is an option that can get you within a 10-minute walk of the trailhead. You can take the bus to the Kalanianaʻole Highway and Hawaii Kai Drive stop and walk from there.
Visit: The Bus To Learn More About Bus Schedules
How Long Will It Take to Hike Koko Head?
This is a loaded question.
Racing to the top of Koko Head has become a sport for many people. There are a lot of hikers who work this hike just to better their time and outperform themselves and others.
As of the writing of this post, the fastest recorded time to the top of Koko Head Stairs is 8 minutes 32 seconds by Conard Newfield.
Many of the regular hikers who do the trail have a time somewhere between 15 and 25 minutes to ascend to the top.
From personal experience of bringing novice hikers on this trail, I would give yourself 30 to 45 minutes to get to the top of the trail. More time if you are not in good cardio shape, or go in the middle of the day.
Take your time. There is no rush to compete with the trail runners.
The trail can be slippery, and you don’t want to fall.
Plan at least 20 minutes to relax at the top of the summit and 15-30 minutes to get back down the stairs.
Overall, if it’s your first time hiking this trail, I recommend giving yourself 1.5 to 2 hours to get up and down.
Is There Parking At Koko Head?
Yes, there is a large parking lot at Koko Head. Parking is free.
To get your car through the gate of the park, the gate needs to be open. Typically, the gate opens at 7 am. However, this time varies, and during the summer it may open earlier.
Because the entire park shares the parking lot, it can fill up quickly, especially on weekend mornings.
DO NOT leave any valuables in your car. Trailhead parking lots are known for break-ins. People are watching you leave your vehicle, so even if you hide something valuable and it’s not visible, your vehicle may still be broken into. This applies to all parking lots, especially trailheads, in Hawaii.
When I hiked Koko Head on Saturday mornings, I always got to the lot right around the time of the gate opening to secure a space in the parking lot.
If the parking lot is full or the gate is closed, you can park in the surrounding neighborhood of the park. If you do this, please be respectful and quiet so as not to disturb the neighborhood.
Where Is the Koko Head Trailhead?
From the parking lot you want to walk north towards what looks like the back of the park near the shooting range.
When you hit a road next to the baseball field, you want to turn left and follow the road.
On your right, you’ll see the start of the stairs.
This is a well-trafficked trail, so if you have any trouble finding the trailhead, you can always ask somebody walking towards it.
The maps on the AllTrails app will also guide you through it.
Going Up The Stairs
Once you get to the stairs, the way up is self-explanatory.
You walk up 1048 stairs to the top.
Going up the stairs is a testament to your cardio endurance. In contrast, descending is going to challenge your balance and knees.
The bottom of the stairs is more spaced out and easier to climb.
The top of the stairs is steeper.
I’ve gotten a lot of advice from the regulars on this trail, and they all say the same thing:
“Pace yourself one step at a time”.
Meaning, go at a pace that you can maintain without stopping to rest. Once you stop to rest, you can lose stamina.
As much as you can, take one step in front of another without stopping. Maintain a pace that keeps you moving instead of needing to stop for rest.
The Bridge/Murphy’s Pass
About one-third of the way up the trail, you’ll find yourself facing the infamous bridge.
The bridge is a series of railway tracks with no bottom connecting them, meaning there is space in between each step, which you could fall through. This is a dangerous part of the trail as you can fall through the steps.
You have a couple of options for the bridge:
- Walk across it – only recommended if you have good balance
- Crawl across it – no shame in this. I crawled crab style across the bridge many times
- Take the pass, which is a gravel trail that bypasses the bridge altogether
Koko Head Lookout
Congratulations! You made it to the top of the stairs.
As you take that final step, give yourself a round of applause – you completed over 1000 stairs.
When you get to the top, you’ll notice that it’s a tight squeeze right around the top of the stairs.
If you turn right and go up a little gravel path with rock steps, you’ll find the summit where you can relax and absorb the view.
At the lookout, there are two pillboxes that you can relax on, as well as rocks.
To the south, you can see the ocean, Hanauma Bay, and Hawaii Kai.
Is The Trail Dog Friendly?
No, dogs are not allowed on the trail.
While you’ll occasionally see some dogs, they are technically prohibited.
Recap: Koko Head Hike
Koko Head hike is a 1048-step walk to the top of a crater. It is a strenuous hike with no shade and a steep incline.
Go early to avoid the heat and sun beating down on you.
Give yourself plenty of time to get to the top, rest, enjoy the view, and come back down.