Ascend an abandoned railway and see Honolulu from whole new heights on the Koko Crater Trail. Though only 1.8 miles long, this hiking trail is no easy feat. If you want to experience the breathtaking vistas and jaw-dropping sunsets, you’ll have to climb 1,048 steps. There’s a reason why people refer to this pathway as “Nature’s StairMaster.” If you’re up for the journey, lace up your hiking boots! This challenging hike in Hawaii has an amazing payoff.

Today, the Koko Crater Trail is an adventurer’s paradise, but it didn’t begin that way.

jmarv 47/AllTrails

In WW II, the United States military constructed a steep railway tram to the lookout towers on top of Koko Crater.

Connie Lamagna/AllTrails

After the war, the area was converted into an Air Force Station. By 1966, however, this was deactivated, leaving us with an abandoned pathway to the summit.

Julia Mundy/AllTrails

When we say this hike is challenging, we aren’t kidding. In less than a mile, hikers will climb 1,100 feet.

Yuanyuan Xu/AllTrails And the farther you get, the more the incline increases!

But everyone agrees—these views are completely worth some sore muscles.

Emily Lauren/AllTrails

Look out over Hanauma Bay and soak up the vibrant views all around you.

Jane Saito/AllTrails

Though these pictures are astonishing, they hardly do justice to the real thing.

Naoko Seki/AllTrails

See Hawaii from a whole new level on the Koko Crater Trail.

jmarv 47/AllTrails To learn more about this challenging hiking trail in Hawaii, check out the AllTrails page for the Koko Crater Trail.

Have you ever hiked the Koko Crater Trail in Hawaii? Was the hike as challenging as you thought it would be? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

jmarv 47/AllTrails

Connie Lamagna/AllTrails

Julia Mundy/AllTrails

Yuanyuan Xu/AllTrails

And the farther you get, the more the incline increases!

Emily Lauren/AllTrails

Jane Saito/AllTrails

Naoko Seki/AllTrails

To learn more about this challenging hiking trail in Hawaii, check out the AllTrails page for the Koko Crater Trail.

If you’re looking for something less strenuous, check out these easy hiking trails in Hawaii.

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Address: 7604 Koko Head Park Rd #7602, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA