How to Legally [& Illegally] Hike the Stairway to Heaven (2024)
The Stairway to Heaven [Ha’iku Stairs] is the most famous [and Instagram-worthy] trail on the island of Oahu. There are two ways to hike it – one legal, one illegal – but both come with risks. The legal [and longer] way takes you the scenic route up the back of the mountain – with steep drop-offs, ledges, and muddy trails all the way to the top. The illegal way takes you directly up and down the staircase – but you will need to be veddy veddy sneaky as you navigate through a bamboo forest, under/around the fence, and evade the guard with his looming $1,000 fine.
Built in 1942, the 3,922 step staircase was constructed as a means for the Navy to reach a top secret radio tower at the peak of the lush Ko’olau Mountain range. The staircase allowed the US opportunity to send and receive radio signals to ships in the Pacific Ocean during WWII. In the 1950’s, the tower was decommissioned and opened to the public, but was eventually deemed unsafe for visitors in 1987. Since then, it has become a historical landmark for Hawaii, and a top addition to many traveler’s bucket-lists.
So what’s the best way to hike it, you may be wondering?
Difficulty: Moderate (difficult in rainy conditions)
Distance: 11 miles (to/from the parking lot)
Elevation: 2,637 feet (804 meters)
Route: Out & Back
Time: 4-8 hours
If you’re low on money or crazy adventurous spirit – do not fear! The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you the back way up the mountain, eventually reaching the top of the staircase. Basically, you can complete your hike, hop on the stairs, get your pictures, and ensure you keep your money. This trail makes for a significantly longer hike, but who the heck cares?
Begin by typing “Moanalua Valley Trail Start [Kulana’ahane]” into Google Maps. This will lead you to a dead end neighborhood road at the end of Ala Aolani St. There is street parking available, and the trailhead is very obvious from here. I ventured off alone one morning with every intention of taking this trail up and down the mountain.
The trail remains clear and flat for the first hour [2+ miles], through sections of mud, rocks, trees, and tall grass. You will eventually reach a clearing with telephone wires above you, and will want to stay to the right.
Continue until you reach the signage for the Kulana’ahane Trail. This was the most confusing part for me, so be sure to pay attention. Take a left at the signage to cross the stream, and then take the “middle trail” [more to the right] to stay on the Moanalua Ridge Trail. I recommend checking Maps.me at this point, but we’ll discuss that later. I accidentally made the decision to stay straight on the Kulana’ahane Trail, which quickly became obvious I was in the wrong. This is where you begin your ascent!
The next 2.5 miles will continue up along the ridgeline – which if you have a clear day, will provide stunning views of the valley, the ocean, and the city. The best of all worlds. If you were like me, and did not bother checking the weather, then it will be less beautiful [but still very worth it]. The ridgeline is the most difficult part of the hike, with several sheer drop-offs to each side, and ropes tied up [from who knows when] to assist you in the steepest sections. However, it is not as bad as some blogger videos make it look. Just be careful.
After 2,600+ feet of elevation gain and a few hours of hard work, you will see the radio tower up ahead. This means you have reached the top! Take a break. Take some pictures. Eat some lunch. Meditate. Do whatever it is that you came here to do, and congratulate yourself for all of your work. If you’d like to play it safe [at least financially], you can head right back down the way you came.
Difficulty: Moderate (difficult in rainy conditions)
Distance:3+ miles (to/from the parking lot)
Elevation: 2,637 feet (804 meters)
Route: Out & Back
Time: 3-6 hours
Sure, it’s illegal. Yeah, there is a $1,000 fine [if you get caught]. It is steep, and has broken sections along the way. There are plenty of reasons not to do it – but once I reached the top and made a few new friends, we all decided to take our chances and go down the stairs together. Besides, even if the guard was waiting for us at the bottom, I now only had to not be the slowest one in the group..
The stairway leads you straight down the opposite side of the mountain, overlooking the H3 and Kaneohe. There are endless photo opportunities, and even on a cloudy day [which is common at the top], you can’t go wrong.
A few sections become very steep, and one small section has been knocked on its side, but it is all still very doable. However, in several areas, the guard’s car starts to stare you down from the distance. As the leader of the pack, I admittedly started to get a little nervous as we slowly made our way down.
As we approached the bottom of the steps, we started to plan. You will know you’ve reached the bottom when you see a fence blocking your exit. The guard’s car will be parked close to the front of it [if you haven’t seen him by now, you’re probably in luck and can walk out on your merry way]! There is a large hole in the bottom of the fence that you can duck under, but it’s safer to veer off the stairs to the right into the forest. There are a few laid out ropes and pink ribbons tied to trees to guide your way.
Pay attention, and follow the ribbons for a few minutes. Stay to the right of the water tower, and enter the bamboo forest. Continue to your right alongside the road until the path ends. At this point, you can cross the road, through the broken fence, and continue on the trail into another section of bamboo forest. This part will be obvious. Keep an eye out for spray painted arrows to assist you [however these were made to help people go up the stairs so they will actually be at your back]. When you reach a small clearing, stay straight and you will shortly reach the road onto Makena St. in the town of Kanehoe. This will be where you can call your Uber back to your car, and it will also be your starting point if you plan on climbing the stairway up!
Many people start this route before dawn to beat the guard, and if that’s your plan, I recommend checking out the post from 1LifeOnEarth with his self-proclaimed “Seal Team Six” planning. There is about 2,000 feet of forest before reaching the start of the stairs, and I could definitely see that being a daunting task in the dark.
As far as the guard goes – it doesn’t seem to be a huge deal. There were other people on the trail going up, and I’ve met many others who were able to pull this hike off without getting caught. Honestly, there is no way he didn’t see us, and if he wanted to catch us, he could have with ease. If he does see you, just remember you are on private property. Be polite, give him a shaka – and then run away as fast as you can!
Weather: The weather is very difficult to predict in Hawaii, but try to do your research. All of these trails can quickly become an extraordinarily muddy mess with just the slightest bit of rain.
Water: Hawaii tends to be warm. Bring more water than you think you need. I recommend a minimum of 3L per person on this hike.
Food: Use your judgment, and bring enough food to keep you satisfied for the day.
Maps.me: This is a big one. Before you begin, download the island of Oahu on Maps.me. If you download the island while on WiFi, you will be able to follow the trail via GPS [without wifi] through the entirety of your trek. You will thank me later, especially if you’re trying to sneak in while it’s still dark.
Gear: You are hiking, not walking your poodle around the neighborhood. Wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Some people bring spikes to get through the muddy sections.
Buddy System: There are very slippery areas, and sharp drop-offs on many of these hikes. It’s best to have someone else with you.
Time: Make sure you’ve given yourself ample time to complete the hike at your pace. Do not get yourself in trouble by getting stuck after dark.
Be Safe: People have died and been seriously injured on this trail, which is part of the reason it is illegal today. Be safe, smart, serious, and don’t take any rope, rock, or moment for granted.
Preservation: It has been announced recently that the Hawaiian government is motioning for the removal of the Haiku Stairs. To learn more about the movement to keep them maintained, you can visit the Friend’s of Haiku Stairs (FHS) website HERE.
As always, I love to hear your feedback, and if you have any additions you’d like to submit – please send them over! Happy Trails, Folks!
Synopsis. Hawaii, besides being home to some spectacular beaches, is also renowned for its iconic Haiku Stairs or Stairway to Heaven. However, the government has decided to remove the famous attraction because of numerous illegal trespassing and injuries at the site, leading to hefty costs.
Hawaii's famous Haiku Stairs, known as the "Stairway to Heaven," will be removed due to illegal trespassing and injuries at the site that have led to hefty costs. The stairs, built by the U.S. Navy in the 1940s, are now known to lead the best views in Hawaii, despite being closed to the public for over 30 years.
The safest way to gain access to the stairway is to go via the drainage ditch (see photo below for the exact location). Once you jump the fence and go down into the drain (it's clean, don't worry) you will then climb through bush until you reach a security fence.
This hike is illegal and can come with a $700+ ticket if you are caught. The stairs have to be accessed after trespassing behind Haiku neighborhood. Expect the stairs to be weathered and sometimes not trustworthy. The hike is a continuous and steep path to the old radio tower at the top of the Koolau's.
Haiku Stairs/Vimeo It was a popular hiking trail in the 1980s, operated by the coast guard, until 1987 when it was deemed too dangerous for the public. Though the hike is illegal, tourists (and some locals) attempt to scale the Stairway To Heaven every day.
To walk the Haiku stairs is illegal and not recommended. The better option is to take the longer route, which takes you to the top of the mountain, and the Haiku stairs. The trail is long and strenuous, but offers amazing views of the Moanalua valley.
The steep hike, which includes 3,922 steps that ascend more than 2,800 feet from Haiku Valley to a ridge of the Koolau Mountains with breathtaking views, has long been a popular destination for tourists and social media influencers despite the fact that it is closed to the public and trespassers face fines of up to ...
You may see people wearing flip flops and sandals, but we seriously advise against it! The trail is highly unpaved and uneven, and the best way to stay safe and avoid falling is to wear a good pair of hiking shoes.
Add damaging weather to the equation, and a once-safe hiking trail can become damaged to the point of no-repair. By booking a hiking tour with a reputable company like Hawaii Aloha Travel, you can avoid trails that pose safety hazards, and you can also be assured your hike is fully legal.
The Stairway To Heaven is located at the top of Tianmen Mountain, 24,500 feet above the city of Zhangjiajie in China's Hunan province. The 999 steps lead visitors to Tianmen Cave, which is the world's highest naturally formed arch, which is also known as the Gateway To Heaven.
How Hard is the Stairway to Heaven? The Stairway to Heaven is rated as difficult, mainly due to the actual stairway part! It's a steep ascent to the summit of Cuilcagh so yep, you can expect to break a sweat getting there!
The only way not to run into the police and avoid this $1.000 fine is the legal way on the Moanalua Track. However, trespassing on the stairs on the top is already illegal. A guide is unnecessary, but good preparation for the Moanalua Track is relevant!
The trail is 10+ miles round trip and can take anywhere from 7 to 10 hours to hike. However, I will say that the views along the way (and the fact that it's legal) were definitely worth it.
In 2020 the Board of Water Supply transferred ownership of the stairs and the surrounding 200 acres to the city last year. It's now managed by the city's Department of Parks and Recreation, which funds police enforcement of the rules that hikers continue to ignore.
Though the recommended time for the walk is 3 - 5 hours Tara Foy claims it took her just one hour to climb up and one hour to come down again. “In many ways the walk down is just as difficult. You think you are nearly there and then you come to another corner.
We'll say again – the Crouching Lion hike can be dangerous and tricky, especially when wet. It is also technically illegal and the state of Hawaii does not recommend you do it. But if you use caution and take it slow, it's totally doable and absolutely worth it.
Here are the facts: the Haiku Stairs, commonly referred to as “The Stairway To Heaven“, hike is closed. You're no longer allowed to enter Stairway to Heaven from any route. It's completely illegal and hikers who attempt to do it are regularly cited and fined - just DON'T DO IT.
It's not worth the risk so please take this seriously. It's not only dangerous but illegal. look at all those steps! Koko Head hike isn't as gnarly as the Stairway to Heaven, but the 1,048 steps up the steep, old railway track isn't exactly easy.
The main reason why Stairway to Heaven is 'banned' in many guitar stores is because of a movie released years ago. The reality is that the song isn't forbidden to play, it's just very overplayed by people trying out guitars. You're not going to get kicked out of any guitar stores if you begin playing this iconic song.
In September 2021 the mayor of the city gave the order to remove the stairs and this sparked outrage in lots of communities including (of course) the Friends of Haiku Stairs who have earlier organized a fundraising program to seek the support of individuals all over the world in the fight to prevent the destruction of ...
The 0.8 mile hike from trailhead to the summit is steep and strenuous, gaining 560 feet as it ascends from the crater floor. The walk is a glimpse into the geological and military history of Diamond Head.
It is possible to hike to the summit of the Diamond Head crater, and it is totally possible to do this Oahu hike on your own without a tour. When you're planning to do the Diamond Head hike, you'll want to plan to allow a half a day for it.
The interior and adjacent exterior areas were the home to Fort Ruger, the first United States military reservation on Hawaii. Only Battery 407, a National Guard emergency operations center, and Birkhimer Tunnel, the Hawaii State Civil Defense Headquarters (HI-EMA), remain in use in the crater.
From palm-fringed beaches and lush pineapple groves, to staggering volcanoes and waterfalls, Oahu offers no shortage of natural beauty. And there's no better way to immerse yourself in it than by embarking on one of the island's epic hiking trails—most of which are free (or nearly free).
The challenge took place on Tianmen Mountain in Hunan province, China. The Dragon Challenge consists of driving from the bottom of the mountain around 99 sharp turns and up 999 steps, to reach the final destination: Heaven's Gate.
The Gate to Heaven at the Tianmen Mountain of Zhangjiajie in Hunan, China. At the top of Tianmen Mountain in Hunan, China, there is a spectacular natural phenomenon. Over hundreds of years, soil and water erosion have slowly formed a 30-metre-wide arch in the rock face of the mountain.
Located in the Tianmen Mountain National Park, in the northwestern part of Hunan Province, China, Heaven's Gate is one of China's most famous landmarks. Heaven's Gate is a stunning rock arch that soars among the clouds. One of the world's most spectacular locations.
It is a super challenge (not too small, not too big), which will give you all that self-satisfied glow at the end of your day. But it isn't really suitable for small kids, unless maybe you are a very experienced hiker and are carrying them on a frame.
The boardwalk was built to protect the rare blanket bog from erosion caused by walkers in the Cuilcagh Mountain Special Area of Conservation. Located at the end of a 5.8 km limestone gravel track, the boardwalk is 1.6 km in length and features 450 steps.
There are about 6 rope climbing sections on pretty slippery inclines, the worst is a ~30 foot vertical climb through a trench. Def daunting but not too bad once you're in it, even for people who are afraid of heights. From that point it's mostly flat/downhill over to the top of the stairs through super muddy trenches.
The City Mayor of Honolulu has declared to remove the stairs forever as they have been beleaguered by numerous issues such as trespassing, personal injuries, invasive species, and the safety of the public.
“Stairway To Heaven” may be banned in guitar stores, but it's not against the law to play it. That said, it is seen as a forbidden riff by many, and not often well received. Perhaps, out of courtesy and respect for the staff and other customers, you'll refrain from excessive self-indulgence.
The trail is 10+ miles round trip and can take anywhere from 7 to 10 hours to hike. However, I will say that the views along the way (and the fact that it's legal) were definitely worth it.
Though the recommended time for the walk is 3 - 5 hours Tara Foy claims it took her just one hour to climb up and one hour to come down again. “In many ways the walk down is just as difficult. You think you are nearly there and then you come to another corner.
Security guards, “No Trespassing” signs and the threat of fines have done little to deter hikers from making the 3,922-step ascent, known as the “Stairway to Heaven,” to a former radio relay station used by the Navy during World War II.
Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, a cultural practitioner, said the top of Haiku Stairs is considered wao akua (a place of the gods) and is therefore sacred. Hewett also is critical of the military's role in displacing Native Hawaiians who once lived in the area.
It is widely believed that the idea of the forbidden riff began in the 1970s as an inside joke in the guitar stores of London's famous Denmark Street. Employees began to circulate lists of songs that they could no longer stand to hear from the (mainly beginner) players trying out instruments.
Much like “He-who-must-not-be-named,” from Harry Potter, the opening riff of Stairway to Heaven is considered forbidden among people who are so against the song that they cannot even bear to hear it played. The reason for this popular nickname could come from a number of sources, which we will explore below.
Smoke On The Water – Deep Purple (when I first heard of the forbidden riff, I actually expected it to be this one!) Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana. Iron Man – Black Sabbath. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd.
How Hard is the Stairway to Heaven? The Stairway to Heaven is rated as difficult, mainly due to the actual stairway part! It's a steep ascent to the summit of Cuilcagh so yep, you can expect to break a sweat getting there!
The only way not to run into the police and avoid this $1.000 fine is the legal way on the Moanalua Track. However, trespassing on the stairs on the top is already illegal. A guide is unnecessary, but good preparation for the Moanalua Track is relevant! Check out my Packing List below.
First, just to clarify where to park your car 54.250183, -7.815756. This wasn't quite obvious to me :) The walk is suitable for kids, however the very young ones may need some help from time to time. It's not very challenging, nor too long. Good place and idea to start your hiking season with.
Introduction: My name is Allyn Kozey, I am a outstanding, colorful, adventurous, encouraging, zealous, tender, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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