Koko Crater Arch Trail - Honolulu, Hawaii

Vijay Thakkar

The Koko Crater Arch Trail is a hidden gem for those seeking a short but challenging hike with breathtaking views. The trail is relatively steep, with some rocky sections that require careful footing, but the payoff is worth it. The arch itself is stunning, and the panoramic views of the coastline and surrounding landscape are simply spectacular.

Parking: The parking situation is manageable but can fill up quickly, especially during peak hours. Arriving early in the morning is recommended to secure a spot.

Trail Details: The trail is not well-marked, so it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings and follow the path carefully. The incline is steep, and there are some narrow spots, so it’s not ideal for beginners or those with mobility issues.

Experience: The hike to the arch and back can be done in about 1-2 hours, depending on your pace. The final approach to the arch involves some scrambling, but it’s a rewarding experience for those who enjoy a bit of adventure.

Tips: Bring plenty of water, wear sturdy shoes, and be prepared for some sun exposure, as there is little shade along the way. The trail can be windy, so a light jacket might come in handy.

Overall, Koko Crater Arch Trail offers a unique hiking experience with stunning views that make the effort worthwhile. If you’re up for a bit of a challenge and love scenic vistas, this trail is definitely worth checking out.

It is also a pullover sightseeing.

Adam Cormier

I wanted to share a review of this awesome hike to warn people about its increasing difficulty.

Hike from the road to the bottom of the arch is pretty easy. From the bottom of the arch to the underside of the arch is a scramble. Going over the top of the arch is tricky but doable. Coming back down the arch is what I want to warn you about. It’s steep with not a lot of room for error. One wrong step and you’re going on a trip. Please don’t climb over the arch unless you’re confident in your skills.

Pj

We stopped at Koko Crater Arch Trail on the way, and it was an incredible experience! You can easily pull over on the side of the road and take in the stunning ocean view. The feeling of getting close to the water and heading towards the edge of the mountain was absolutely breathtaking. The sunset view, along with the mountains and water, made for an unforgettable moment. We only stayed for 10 minutes, but the beauty of the place left us in awe. Highly recommend stopping here for a quick and relaxing break to soak in the amazing views!

Jerome Aroni

A short hike to the arch with a stunning view for a sunrise capture spot. Come here to take my friends who aren’t really into hard hikes but it’s not long and it’s not hard. Just rock climbing a little to the top until you get to the last hill which is the arch itself. Some loose rock so be careful and wear proper shoes to hike there. If you wanna continue hiking, you can hike past the arch to the top of the mountain. You’ll be on a different trail (Koko Crater run trail) that’s connected to Koko stairs (hike left to the stairs) if you wanna be a marathon kind of person to hike all that (I’m one of them 😂). One of the hikes to check out if you’re visiting or been living here that never try it yet. Short and not hard.

Kae

Gorgeous views of the sun hiding behind the cloud on top of the ocean. It was so beautiful that you can just stare for hours. The wind is strong and the breeze is fresh.

Tiffany C.

This is also a pull over for sight seeing. Absolutely stunning beautiful spot. There’s a place in the rocks where the waves will shoot up through the rocks. Very mesmerizing and amazing to watch. There’s 3 different points to check out. Few steps or ramp and go down the edge. Everything is blocked off so no falling or climbing down. Just a pretty pull over and watch the waves hit the crater and explode.

Jeff Powers

Intense climb delivers spectacular views. Over 1000’ elevation stair climb with confidence building along the way. Open stairs over some areas which was harrowing. A few really fit guys were going up several time over and over. They literally were running down the train blocks. It was tough but once you get to the top it seems worth the effort

Evelyn Ku'uAloha Nomura

We started the back side of the trail next to the botanical garden and went around the koko crater rim. Trail is not really visible at first until around half way to the top. This trail is hard, some areas are pretty narrow and steep going up and going down so wear good comfortable hiking shoes. Spectacular views from the top.