UPDATED MAR 2020. Once upon a time, in WWII, a railway was built here to be used as a means of transporting soldiers to the lookouts at the top of Koko Head. The old railway line remains, though nowadays it is covered by the foot traffic of hikers and trail runners who want to conquer the stairs. It’s simple – a visit to Hawaii is not complete without an adventure to the top of the Koko Head Stairs of Doom. They’re 1048 steps of thigh-burning goodness with such epic views at the top that make all that effort more than worth it. Here’s a practical guide to helping you plan your adventure on this popular trail.
A Complete Guide For The Koko Head Stairs AKA Stairs Of Doom
Disclaimer
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FAQ for hiking the Koko Head Stairs
Where is it located?
Hawaii Kai, about 25 minutes drive from Waikiki.
How long does it take?
Anywhere from 1-2 hours depending on your fitness.
Is there a cost?
No, it’s a free hike.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, but on a leash. Keep in mind, the hike is a steep inclined staircase and there’s little to no protection from the sun, so it’s not the best hike for dogs.
What should you bring with you?
- Water
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Good hiking shoes (I use the New Balance Minimus
) - Camera (I use a GoPro and this selfie stick for land adventures, this floaty one for snorkeling)
- Snacks or energy gels (I usually have a couple of these with me when I hike)
- Swimwear to hit the beach afterward
)
for land adventures, 
for snorkeling)
with me when I hike)
How to get to the Koko Head stairs using public transport
It’ll take just over an hour to get there from Waikiki using the bus.
Use the #1 bus towards Hawaii Kai and get off at the Lunalilo Home Rd + Kalanianaole Hwy stop. You’ll probably have to start on another bus from Waikiki to connect to this one so just check what would be the fastest way to do that from where you’re staying.
From the bus stop, you’ll then walk about 20 minutes to the trailhead.
Check with the bus driver and the staff at your hotel to make sure this is current.
An uber is going to cost around $25USD each way.
Where to park
There’s no parking at the start of the trail, instead, you will need to park a little further back at the Goeas Baseball Field parking lot on Anapalau Street.
You can put the baseball field into Google Maps or use ‘Koko Crater Trail Parking Lot’ – it is currently listed in Google Maps as well.
From there you will walk to the trailhead using Koko Head Park Road.
How to find the start of the trail
You will see the crater with the stairs up the side of it so it’s easy to know which direction you’re heading.
You can follow Koko Head Park Road and you will see a well walked path off to the right and it will lead you to the start of the stairs.
What to expect
The trail is very basic in the sense that you just need to walk up the stairs.
You don’t need any special directions or anything, once you start you just keep walking up the stairs until you get to the top. It starts off at a milder incline, then gets very steep so there is a natural warm-up on this Stairmaster in nature.
There’s room to step to the side to take a breather and drink some water all along the way, and you’ll probably need to stop a few times. You can just go to the edge of the stairs so others can pass.
At about the halfway mark there is a bridge which you can see in some of my photos.
It’s just the planks with gaps in between and can unnerve some people. If you feel nervous about it or unsteady on your feet, you can just walk around it using the path on the right, or you could crouch down and do a modified crab walk across it.
Once you pass the bridge, the incline shoots straight up. Each thigh burning step will be setting your quads on fire, they may even be melting, and you will definitely be questioning your ability to make good life choices, but then you get to the top.
The view from the top
The sense of achievement is high and you are a rush of endorphins – you made it!
Once you’re at the top you can walk around to the backside of the top to find some good vantage points. The views are magnificent and seem to stretch out forever.
It’s a good place to stop for a rest and have some snacks before you head back down the stairs. Make sure you snap a couple of travel pics to remember the adventure with.
View this post on Instagram
Safety tips
The hike is completely open to the elements and is very strenuous so it is best to do this one in the cooler parts of the day. Go as early as you can or save it for the cooler time in the evening.
For the same reason, it’s also important to take lots of water with you, some snacks, and to wear sunscreen and a hat.
A note on camaraderie
Personally, I love the camaraderie of this hike. It feels like everyone is struggling together and offering words of encouragement as you pass by.
I also love that anyone can do it, just at varying speeds.
There are trail runners who can run right to the top and back down (I think they might be x-men though), and then there are others like me who just take it step at a time, stopping for breaks along the way.
Other things to do in the area
A great combination for an adventure day in this area is to hike the Koko Head Stairs in the morning, snorkel at Hanauma Bay, drive down the coastal highway and stop at the lookouts, hike Makapuu Lighthouse Trail or tide pools, then stop by Spitting Caves for sunset on the way back.
For other hikes in the area, I recommend Koko Head Crater Arch, Kuli’ou’ou Ridge trail, or Hanauma Bay Ridge trail.
If you are looking for beaches in the area I recommend Alan Davis beach, Sandys beach, Makapu’u tide pools, or Halona Cove.
Make sure you stop for a shave ice at Uncle Clays House of Pure Aloha while you’re in the area too and Island Brew Coffeehouse does some nice coffees and snacks.
Where to stay on Oahu
If you plan to stay in Waikiki, which is a great place to base yourself, I recommend staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
There’s no shortage of hotels to choose from though and, whether you like hotels or guesthouses, I recommend checking out Booking.com. It’s my go-to site for finding accommodation and I usually find good deals there.
I hope this has been able to help you plan your own adventures at the Koko Head stairs of doom.
As with all your adventures, remember to hike to your limits, check the weather forecast before heading out, stick to the trail, and take any trash with you.
If you have found it useful, return the favor by sharing it or following me on Instagram!
Ah I’m extremely jealous right now–my husband has been begging me to do this trail with him for forever and I always put it off. Thanks for reminding me that I should view things like this as a challenge that can be conquered. With that in mind, I’ve officially set a date to do this hike!
YES!!! Good on you! I can’t wait to see your pics, just take it one step at a time and you will do great!
When you get bored of the Stairs/Tracks and you become a more advanced hiker, the hike around the crater rim is quite nice and devoid of crowds. It is a better workout. Nice write up again.
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