The Stairway To Heaven hike in Hawaii is epic, scary, and slightly illegal. Still interested? This trail in Oahu, also known as the Haiku Stairs, takes you to the top of the Ko’olau mountains via 3,922 metal stairs of pure adrenaline and doom.
At some points, the stairs of death are almost vertical, clinging to the side of the steep mountain. Still, thousands of people make the climb every year, and for good reason — it’s one of the most spectacular hikes on Earth!
I first discovered the Stairway To Heaven hike on the internet in 2015 and knew I had to try it when I was in Oahu. Not only are the views out of this world, but the whole experience is just beyond awesome and unique.
I’ve climbed the Haiku Stairs several times now, and even after traveling in many countries around the world, it’s still probably my favorite trek of all time. It may never be surpassed!
This blog post will explain some of the details of the Stairway To Heaven hike, and then I’ll discuss the history and local politics surrounding the stairs, and plans for their future.
Stairway To Heaven Hike
Quick Facts
- Distance: 2.3 miles (3.7 km) return
- Elevation Gain: 2,625 feet (800 m)
- Difficulty: Hard
- Duration: 3 hours up, 1-2 hours down
The incredible Haiku Stairs of Hawaii
What Is It? History Of The Haiku Stairs
The Stairway To Heaven was built in Oahu by the US Navy in 1942, along with a radio station and giant antenna at the top of the mountain that were used to communicate with ships in the Pacific during World War II.
The trail up the Haiku Stairs was officially closed in the 1980s, and it’s been damaged a little (and repaired) on and off in the years since then.
The stairs are hiked by thousands of people every year, but the status of the trail is still in limbo because the state of Hawaii is afraid of liability and can’t decide what to do with the stairs.
A non-profit group called Friends of Haiku Stairs has drawn up some good plans for keeping the staircase and re-opening it with managed access, hiker fees, assumed liability, and minimal disturbance to the local neighborhood.
If it’s handled right, this solution could resolve many of the issues associated with the Stairway To Heaven. Check out their website and consider donating if you’re a fan.
Drone pic of the mountain. If you look closely, you can see the winding stairway. Relax, it’s not as scary as it looks here.
Is The Stairway Illegal To Climb?
Yes, technically it is illegal to climb the Haiku Stairs since they’re closed to the public. Liability is the main reason they’re closed.
The government in Oahu has a habit of closing any hike they consider even slightly risky, because it might attract lawsuits or rescue costs. Crouching Lion and Sacred Falls are other examples.
It all goes back to a history of lawsuits from people getting injured while hiking in Oahu and then suing the state. You can read about it in this SFGate article. Many of the best hikes in Oahu have been closed preemptively to avoid more of these unjustified lawsuits.
Personally I think it’s an overreaction. Hikers should decide for themselves what kind of risks they’re comfortable with, but bear the responsibility themselves if they have an accident. Don’t sue the state. Make the risks known to people, but don’t close all the hikes.
That’s how it works everywhere else, and it’s why so many wonderful hiking trails like Angels Landing are still open in the mainland United States after all these years. Even the Kalalau Trail is open in Kauai despite being much more risky than the Stairway To Heaven.
The Hawaiian Stairway To Heaven
In any case, just be aware that fines of up to $1,000 USD have occasionally been given out to people caught climbing the staircase. The trailhead area below the stairs is patrolled by a security guard around the clock, and sometimes the Honolulu police are called.
There’s the potential for a criminal charge of second degree trespassing (a misdemeanor record), which could be a big problem for some people who have security clearances, sensitive employment, professional licenses, immigration applications, etc.
Lastly, you could also be billed for emergency services if you’re somehow injured and need to be rescued while doing this hike. That wouldn’t be cheap.
Both times I did the hike, the security guard yelled at us from a distance but didn’t seem to chase after us or call the police. We hit the stairs and then disappeared into the jungle before we could find out.
One of my favorite views on the Stairway To Heaven hike
Where Is The Stairway?
The Stairway To Heaven trail is located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
The stairs start in the Haiku Valley, under the H3 highway (John A. Burns Freeway) and they wind up the side of a mountain near Kaneohe, called Puʻukeahiakahoe.
However, the whole Haiku valley is surrounded by a residential area with fences, yappy dogs, and a security guard, with only a few possible entrances.
Looking straight up the Haiku Stairs
How To Get There: Stairway Entrance / Directions
One of the main challenges of climbing the Stairway To Heaven in Hawaii is just finding where the trail starts.
Speaking of which, please be respectful to the local neighborhood and don’t make noise or throw trash, and definitely don’t jump any fences or go into anyone’s yard.
I won’t share the location and exact directions to the stairway here publicly, but I understand there are at least three different main ways to reach the stairs from the neighborhood below, and I’ve used two of them in the past.
There’s also a legal way to reach the top of the mountain by climbing it from the backside via Moanalua Valley trail, which I’ll explain in more detail later in this guide.
Steep drops on both sides, but the metal stairs and railings are surprisingly solid.
What Else To Expect
The hike up the Haiku Stairs is steep and strenuous, but the toughest part is the first 1/3rd of the stairway leading up to platform one. After you reach the first platform, the hike flattens out quite a bit and things get much easier.
At this point, it becomes a ridge walk as you keep gradually ascending to the radio tower, and even on a cloudy day the views are spectacular. You can see the windward side of Oahu island with Kaneohe Bay’s sandbars, and an amphitheater of mountains surrounding you on all sides.
The sounds of the cars on the H3 highway below you gradually disappear, and everything starts to get quiet. Suddenly you’re alone on the mountain. Alone with some of the best views in the world.
When I did the Haiku Stairs trek for the first time on my birthday in 2016, the weather started out clear, but then some clouds came in thick. It gave the mountains and everything a surreal touch that made us feel like we were walking up into the heavens.
There’s something really special about this hike, and I still consider it one of the highlights of my life. I hope to do it again someday. For me personally, it was well worth any of the risks involved!
Crazy views on the Stairway To Heaven.
Are The Stairs Safe / Dangerous?
The Stairway To Heaven hike is scary, but not very dangerous in my opinion unless you goof off or do something dumb.
I wouldn’t recommend it if you have a big fear of heights, but most people who do the hike will agree it’s not nearly as bad as they expected. There is one short section of stairs that was mangled in a storm, but the damage is pretty minimal and you can pass that part without any trouble.
The steepest section of stairs is actually near the start of the hike, right before you reach the first platform. It’s not a vertical climb, but it’s pretty dang close to it. To stay safe on this hike, just wear shoes with good grip and remember to keep three points of contact at all times.
Also, keep in mind there are some fake photos of this hike floating around on the internet that are just silly photoshops. You can’t see outer space or the curvature of the Earth from this stairway!
Views of Oahu, Hawaii from the Stairway To Heaven.
Deaths On The Stairway To Heaven In Hawaii
As of 2024, there have never been any falling deaths on the Stairway To Heaven in Hawaii. The only death I’m aware of was caused by a heart attack in a middle aged hiker (that steep ascent to platform one can be strenuous).
There was also a hiker named Daylenn Pua who disappeared on the Moanalua Valley trail (the backside route that intersects with the Stairway To Heaven) and was never seen again. We don’t know for sure what happened, but it’s more likely his death happened on the steep and muddy Moanalua trail, not the stairway.
Overall, I think the risk of death on the Stairway To Heaven is greatly overstated, and as long as you’re careful you should be fine. Thousands of people hike this trail in Hawaii every year and no one has ever died by falling.
What To Bring
- Shoes: Wear hiking shoes with good grip. Some of the older stairs can be slippery, especially if there’s dew or rain.
- Water: Bring at least 2-3 liters per person. It’s a huge workout and the Hawaii humidity can be intense.
- Snacks: You will be burning calories like an oven. Bring energy snacks to eat at the first platform.
- Jacket: Probably a good idea to bring just in case. Even if you plan to hike during the day, it can be pretty windy at the top.
- Headlight: Required if you hike it for sunrise or if you start in the afternoon.
- Camera: You’ll want to take pictures. The ‘Haiku Stairs’ Oahu hike has fantastic scenery from start to finish.
Another steep section on the Haiku Stairs.
This picture was taken on the first platform.
The Legal Way – Moanalua Valley Trail
If you want to see this place legally with almost no chance of fines, you can hike up the Moanalua Valley Trail on the back side of the same mountain. This is known as the back way for the Stairway To Heaven.
The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. It’s not quite the same experience as climbing the stairs from the bottom up, but you can still reach the Stairway To Heaven at the top and go back down in either direction when you’re done.
Keep in mind, to stay 100 percent legal on this hike you will have to go back the same way you came. If you hike up the Moanalua trail and then down the stairs, you’re still risking a fine, because the stairway is not legal.
However, it’s possible to take some great pictures on the stairs and then leave via Moanalua without hiking the entire stairway from top to bottom, that way you get to experience some of both hikes.
The Moanalua trail can be muddy after rain, so check the conditions before you go. You definitely want good weather for this hike. Wind and rain can make it much harder and more risky.
Ironically, the general consensus is that the stairs are actually a safer and easier route to the top of the mountain. The main reason to take the back way is just to stay legal and rule out any possible fines.
Moanalua is still a pretty epic hike in its own right, and the views are amazing, so I’d recommend doing it if you enjoy hard hikes!
Moanalua Valley Trail — the ‘legal back way’ for the Stairway To Heaven
Future Of The Haiku Stairs – Open / Closed?
For years, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply owned the Haiku Stairs, and they repeatedly talked about the idea of tearing them down for political (liability) reasons. I really hope that doesn’t happen.
This trail is a national and state treasure, with amazing scenery and a cool bit of history behind it. I hope it will be repaired and preserved for people to enjoy forever. The stairs are priceless.
Legal climbing of the stairs would mean providing a non-intrusive access route through the neighborhood below, but that could easily be accomplished with the millions of taxpayer dollars that have been spent on security over the years.
Update: 2024
For awhile, there was still hope that the Stairway To Heaven might be saved. Ownership of the stairs was given to the city of Honolulu, and supposedly they were planning to turn the Haiku Stairs into a guided attraction, which would make sense.
At one point, Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi publicly stated he might be willing to consider options to save the stairs, and Hawaii Senator Schatz pitched the idea of handing it over to the federal government to renovate and operate, with a different entrance so all parties are happy.
Unfortunately, this decision was reversed and the city decided they would rather spend millions of dollars to remove the stairs. The stairs are slated to be removed as early as April 2024, which is a real tragedy.
There should be more information about this soon. I’ll keep this blog post updated.
Looking down the stairs. That’s Kaneohe at the bottom.
Koko Head vs Stairway To Heaven
You may also be wondering how Stairway To Heaven compares to the infamous Koko Crater Trail in Oahu, also known as the Koko Head ‘Stairs of Doom.’
I’ve done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. The Stairway To Heaven hike is much longer, steeper, harder, and scarier than the Koko Stairs. It has about 3 times as much elevation gain and takes at least 3 times as long to climb.
The Stairway To Heaven also has much more epic views than Koko Head in my opinion, but Koko Head is still a great hike in its own way, and it’s completely legal, so it’s a good choice if you want another challenging hike with some fantastic island views.
Read More: Koko Head Hike
More Hawaii Travel Tips
Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed this guide for the Stairway To Heaven hike in Oahu, Hawaii.
Don’t forget to check out my other Oahu hiking guides and my complete list of the best things to do in Oahu Hawaii!
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