The Koko Head hike is a challenging trail on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, that takes you up a steep railway trail on the side of a dormant volcano crater. It can leave your legs feeling sore the following day.

The hike is not very long in terms of distance, but the path is steep with a significant elevation gain, earning it the nickname “Koko Head stairs of doom.”

The Koko Head hike in Hawaii is popular among both locals and tourists due to its challenging nature and breathtaking views of the sunrise and sunset.

I have hiked the Koko Crater trail multiple times throughout the years and have found it to be an enjoyable experience. While it is a challenging hike that may not be suitable for everyone, it does not pose any significant dangers or risks.

This travel guide provides information on how to access the Koko Crater railway trailhead and parking lot, as well as details on hiking during sunrise or sunset and other important things to know before your visit.

Planning a hike? Here’s what you can expect on the Koko Head Trail.

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Quick Facts

The Diamond Head hike is easier and offers different views compared to Koko Head. Both hikes are enjoyable. If you’re wondering how Koko Head compares to the Haiku Stairs, also known as the ‘Stairway To Heaven’, there’s really no comparison in terms of difficulty. The ‘Stairway To Heaven’ hike is much longer, steeper, harder, and scarier than the Koko Stairs. It has about 3 times as much elevation gain and also requires more time to climb. Although the Stairway To Heaven offers more epic views, it is closed and illegal for the public to climb. Thank you for reading this travel guide for the Koko Head hike in Oahu, Hawaii.

Diamond Head and Koko Head offer contrasting hiking experiences with unique viewpoints, but both are enjoyable.

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Comparing Koko Head and Stairway To Heaven.

You may also be interested in comparing Koko Head to the well-known Haiku Stairs in Oahu, which is also referred to as the ‘Stairway To Heaven.’

Having done both hikes multiple times, it can be stated that the ‘Stairway To Heaven’ hike is significantly more challenging in terms of length, steepness, difficulty, and fear factor compared to the Koko Stairs. The former involves a much greater elevation gain and takes at least three times longer to complete.

The Stairway To Heaven offers more scenic views compared with Koko Head. However, it is unfortunate that public climbing is prohibited due its illegal status, despite the stairs potentially being in better condition.

Learn more about the Stairway To Heaven Hike.

More Hawaii Travel Tips

Thank you for reading. I hope you found this travel guide for the Koko Head hike in Oahu, Hawaii informative. We enjoy climbing the Koko Head stairs for sunset whenever we visit Oahu.

Please remember to also explore my other resources and my comprehensive list of Oahu hiking guides.