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Koko Head Crater Trail

Difficult Difficult
 4.4 (30)
  1. Areas
  2. HI
  3. …Oahu
  4. …Kamiloiki Valley
  5. Koko Head Regional Park
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“This is a popular, difficult trail on old railway tracks with incredible panoramic views from the top. ”

Miroslaw Wierzbicki
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0.5

Miles

0.9

KM

Point to Point

1,174' 358 m

High

214' 65 m

Low

960' 293 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

34%

Avg Grade (19°)

91%

Max Grade (42°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers

Description

The trail is steep and crowded. You’ll be climbing 1048 old military railroad ties to the top of Koko Crater. Your reward will be incredible panoramic views. Going down is even more difficult because the trail is steep and you do not want to miss the steps.

Contacts

Local Club: Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Dec 1, 2025: Halema’uma’u Eruption Episode 37 on November 25, 2025

Nov 24, 2025: Santa Comes to Kahuku on Saturday, December 6

Nov 24, 2025: Episode 36 of eruption in Halema’uma’u on November 9, 2025

Land Manager: State of Hawaii - Division of Forestry and Wildlife

Shared By:

Miroslaw Wierzbicki
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 30 votes

#1

in Koko Head Regional Park

#173

Overall
  4.4 from 30 votes
5 Star
53%
4 Star
37%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
3%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Koko Head Regional Park

#2

in Hawaii

#173

Overall
55 Views Last Month
4,648 Since May 7, 2018
Difficult Difficult
0%
0%
13%
7%
60%
20%
Add a Photo

Photos

Hiking down the steep railroad ties is even more difficult.
May 10, 2018 near Waimāna…, HI
Panorama shot from the top of the pillbox at the very top.
Aug 2, 2019 near Waimāna…, HI
One of many railway ties
May 10, 2018 near Waimāna…, HI
Koko Crater
Nov 26, 2017 near Waimāna…, HI
Koko Head Crater: West View
May 11, 2018 near Waimāna…, HI
Hanauma Bay from the summit
May 11, 2018 near Waimāna…, HI

2 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 44 days ago
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Check-Ins

Apr 13, 2025
Lyra Rider
Strenuous trail straight up to the top along a rail line w/ wood railroad ties 0.5mi
Jun 27, 2024
Marc Daniel
With Mila — 19h 00m
Apr 24, 2024
Brendan Murphy
0.5mi — 0h 40m
Apr 8, 2024
Matt Culpepper
Kohelepelepe summit from Halona Cove via Koko Arch and ancient social trail. Descended the steps to shuttle from Sam. (2/1300) 0.5mi
Feb 20, 2024
Erik Lackey
1.8mi — 1h 26m
Feb 16, 2023
Rebecca Gager
Amazing hike 1mi
Jan 13, 2023
Kate Sully
Took a little over 2 miles round trip. Straight quad burner but views are sooo worth it 0.8mi
Aug 26, 2022
Thomas Clark

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