From the forbidden Stairway to Heaven in Hawaii, we move to the very Stairs to Hell. Oahu is an island full of secrets and trails with impossible routes. Koko Crater, the remains of an ancient volcano on the Pacific island, is one of them, and we warn you that if you want to take this route, be prepared to put your physical endurance to the test. The task is not easy, as the climb is 365 meters high and a continuous ascent. In fact, emergency services are more than used to carrying out rescue work on this trail, with about 12 interventions per month. Such is the risk for hikers that the Honolulu city council is seriously considering the possibility of closing this route.
Getting to Koko Crater is easy, the difficult part is reaching its summit. At the base, we see an old wooden railroad track with steel sheets, but with several fragments corrupted by the passage of time. When you observe the route from below, you never imagine that a straight path could be so intense. Once you start walking on the railroad tracks, you will realize why locals call Koko Crater “the Stairs to Hell.”
The ascent is steep, markedly steep. The first phase is easy, but your body notices the intensity of the exercise and will quickly ask for water. The hardest part comes halfway, when, for a few meters, the ground under the tracks disappears. At your feet, you only have the emptiness of the mountain and the steel planks of the tracks. If you take a misstep, you could fall between the tracks. And believe me when I say it’s easy to fall, as the sensation of vertigo and the inclination of the mountain don’t help to maintain balance. A trick is to get on all fours and use your hands to climb this small section.
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The rest is slightly easier. You just have to take some pauses along the way to avoid running out of breath, as the last section remains: ascending the steepest side of the mountainside. It is important that you do this activity when it is not very hot or at dawn.
Once you have reached the summit, the Stairs to Hell will reward you with spectacular 360-degree views of the island of Oahu and its blue waters. The effort will have been worth it. Stay for a good while lying down and resting in this place. It is refreshing, and your lungs will recharge with pure air.
And while most people find it harder to ascend, there may be some cases in which the descent is complicated. The knees are going to suffer when cushioning the weight of the body on a very steep slope. Take the process calmly, but it will be faster to go down than to go up.
Warning: if you can’t reach the summit of Koko Crater, then don’t attempt the Stairway to Heaven route.
Recommended Hotels
Honolulu has it all: dreamy beaches, vibrant culture, and spectacular landscapes. Looking for adventure? Conquer the Stairs to Hell: Koko Crater! And for a luxury rest, the Kahala Hotel and Resort is your ideal place. Elegant rooms, first-class restaurants, and exclusive services await you.
But if you are looking for a more luxurious experience, the culture and incredible landscapes of Honolulu can be enjoyed by staying at the Hotel Halekulani. This is a cozy place where you can find luxury shops.
Honolulu International Airport is only a 35-minute drive from the Hotel Halekulani and the Kahala Hotel.