Hiking the Koko Crater Arch Trail on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Distance: 1.0 miles / 1.6 km
The Koko Crater Arch Trail on the east side of Oʻahu is a hidden gem next to a number of other, more popular day hikes, like the neighboring Makapuʻu Lighthouse and Kuliʻouʻou Ridge Trail.
I say this because, unlike these other two, the Koko Crater Arch is, by and large, less popular—which is one of the biggest reasons I think so highly of the trail—not to mention its beautiful east-facing views out toward Molokai make it one of the best sunrise hikes on Oʻahu!
That being said, I highly recommend arriving early if your first time hiking the Koko Crater Arch Trail will be for sunrise, given that simply finding the trailhead and a good parking spot can be a bit more challenging when its dark.
Koko Crater Arch Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Koko Crater Arch Trailhead is located in a few small turnouts off of Kalanianaʻole Highway near the Hālona Blowhole.
With that in mind, parking space is very limited in these turnouts to just a few cars, and if there are no spots available, I typically find it best to park in the Hālona Lookout parking lot nearby.
Google Maps Directions: Koko Crater Arch Trailhead
My Hawaiʻi Hiking Checklist
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Koko Crater Arch Trail
The Koko Crater Arch Trail begins at either one of two small ridges next to the turnouts.
The main ridge that’s closer to Hālona is the one shown below, but eventually, they both come together a little before the arch.
On the other side of the guard rail, the trail simply follows the ridge up the sides of the popular Koko Crater.
The area in the photo below on the right is where both ridges come together.
There are two ways to get underneath the Koko Arch, but in my opinion, the route to the right, shown first, is the easier of the two.
I say this because the hike up to the base of the arch gets very steep, while the path to the right is much milder.
Koko Crater Arch
After only 0.5 miles (0.8 km), the trail ends at the Koko Crater Arch, located along the steep slopes of Koko Head.
In my opinion, sunrise through the far side of the arch is one of the best ways to start your day on Oʻahu!
This is the climb up to the top of the arch, and the path on the left.
The climb to the top of the Koko Arch is very steep, and the drops on either side can be dangerous.
That being said, the trail doesn’t necessarily stop at the top of the arch. For the most adventurous type of person, you can climb all the way to the Koko Rim.
Native Plants on at Koko Crater Arch
Most of the slopes along the sides of Koko Head are dominated by non-native/ invasive species like haole koa.
However, there are still a few native species that you can find such as ʻIlima and Alena.
To learn more about these and other native Hawaiian plants from across the islands, check out my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
More Oʻahu Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing Oʻahu adventures, check out my separate posts below!
Best Hotels & Restaurants in Waikīkī
If you’re trying to decided where to stay on Oʻahu, check out my top 10 list for the best resorts and restaurants in Waikīkī.
I break down what makes one hotel a better choice over another, so that you can find the best fit for your stay on the island.
Read My Separate Post: Best Waikīkī Hotels & Restaurants
Waikīkī
HNL Airport-Hotel Shuttle
Prices on ride-share apps like Uber/ Lyft cannot beat the price of booking your hotel shuttle prior to arrival. I say this because there are additional fees for ride-share airport pick-ups at Honolulu Airport (HNL), which is why I recommend booking your transportation in advance using the options below.
Additionally, the last option below will go as far as the Ko ʻOlina Resorts on the West Side and Turtle Bay on Oʻahu’s North Shore!
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Oʻahu
Visiting Other Islands
If you are visiting Oʻahu or heading to another island, check out some of my personal recommendations for Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) in these separate posts.
If you’re trying to decide which island is right for your visit, check out my overview about each island in the post below.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit?
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
The weather in Hawaiʻi can often appear to be warm and beautiful throughout the year, but in my experience, there is a lot more to consider when planning what time of year to visit the islands, such as what island you are considering, what sides of each island do you plan to stay, what activities are you most interested in, the wildlife, and countless other nuanced variables that can all impact the type of trip you can expect to have.
For these reasons, I highly recommend reading through my separate article to not only understand my thoughts regarding the best time of year to come to Hawaiʻi but also what you need to consider based on the time of year that you plan to visit.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
10 Best Tours & Excursions on Oʻahu
There are a lot of different tour options to choose from on Oʻahu, but to make it easier to decide, I made a list of my favorite tours because some things simply are better with a local guide!
Read My Separate Post: Best Tours on Oʻahu
Oʻahu
Safety
All hikes in Hawaiʻi should not be compared to trails outside of the islands, and hikers should exercise due caution on every adventure, given that many are extremely dangerous.
By this, I mean that Hawaiʻi is known for hot, humid weather, steep, dramatic, and unstable cliffs, and flash floods, which can occur without warning. Therefore, it is important that you check the local forecast, understand the physical condition of your entire group, and pack sufficient food and water before attempting any adventure.
Disclaimer
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