It is difficult, risky, and against the law to hike Hawaii’s “Stairway to Heaven.” Still curious? The 3,922 metal stairs of this Oahu trek, also known as the Haiku Stairs, will carry you to the peak of the Ko’olau mountains and provide you with an adrenaline rush.
The death stairs cling to the side of the steep mountain, at times nearly vertical.
Hawaii Haiku Stairs Hike
Short Facts
Distance: 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles). return
Gain in altitude: 2,625 feet (800 m)
Difficulty: Hard
Duration: 3 hours up, 1 to 2 hours down
The Haiku Stairs’s Past
The US Navy constructed the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ on Oahu in 1942, along with a radio station and enormous antenna at the summit of the mountain that were used to connect with ships in the Pacific during World War II.
The ‘Haiku Stairs‘ Hawaii trail was formally shut down in the 1980s, although minor damage has been done to it (and repairs have been made) intermittently ever since.
Every year, thousands of people trek the stairs, but the trail’s future is uncertain due to Hawaii’s state government’s fear of liability and inability to decide what to do with the stairs.
Friends of Haiku Stairs, a nonprofit organization, has developed some sound strategies for preserving and reopening the stairs with controlled access, hiker fees, assumed liability, and little disruption to the surrounding area.
Is Climbing The Stairway Illegal?
Since the Oahu Haiku Stairs are off limits to the general public, it is technically unlawful to climb them. The major reason they’re shuttered is liability.
Any trek that the Oahu government deems even marginally unsafe is typically closed because it could result in legal action. Other examples include Sacred Falls and Crouching Lion.
All of this may be traced back to previous legal actions brought by hikers who were hurt on Oahu and then sued the government. It is covered in this SFGate article. In order to prevent further unnecessary lawsuits, several of Oahu’s best hikes have already been closed.
Personally, I believe that hikers should determine the risks they are comfortable taking for themselves and take full responsibility for any accidents that may occur. Avoid bringing a lawsuit against the government. People should be made aware of the risks, but not all hikes should be closed.
Because of the way things operate elsewhere, so many fantastic hiking trails, including Angels Landing, are still accessible on the US mainland today. Even the Kalalau Trail, which is far riskier than the Stairway to Heaven, is available on Kauai.
Just be warned that anybody caught climbing the stairway may occasionally face fines of up to $1,000. A security officer is on duty constantly patrolling the trailhead area below the stairs, and Honolulu police are occasionally called.
For some people who have security clearances, sensitive employment, professional licenses, immigration applications, etc., the possibility of a criminal charge of second degree trespassing (a misdemeanor record) could be a major issue.
Last but not least, if you get hurt on this hike and need to be rescued, you can also be charged for emergency services. That would be pricey.
The security guy yelled at us from a distance both times I took the hike, but he never appeared to pursue us or call the police. Before we could find out, we struck the stairs and then vanished into the bush.
Getting There: Entrance to Stairs / Directions
Finding the trail’s beginning is one of the biggest obstacles to climbing the Hawaii Stairway to Heaven.
Speaking of which, kindly respect the surrounding community by keeping noise to a minimum, picking up after yourself, and most especially refraining from jumping fences or entering private property.
I won’t reveal the location and the directions to the stairway here, but I do know there are at least three main routes from the area below that go to the steps, and I’ve taken two of them in the past.
In addition, there is a legitimate way to ascend the mountain by using the Moanalua Valley trail, which I’ll go into more depth about later in this tour.
Things to carry
- Hiking shoes with adequate traction are recommended. Some of the older steps can be dangerously slick, particularly after rain or dew.
- Bring 2-3 liters of water per person. It’s a strenuous workout, and the humidity in Hawaii can be oppressive.
- Snacks: You’ll be calorie-burning like a furnace. Take some energy foods with you to consume on the first platform.
- Jacket: It would be wise to pack one just in case. It can be quite windy at the summit, even if you plan to trek during the day.
- If you hike it at daybreak or in the late afternoon, you must use a headlamp.
- You should use your camera to capture images. From beginning to end, the ‘Haiku Stairs’ climb on Oahu offers breathtaking vistas.
The Moanalua Valley Trail, the accepted route
You can trek up the Moanalua Valley Trail on the back side of the same mountain if you wish to visit this location lawfully with almost little risk of penalty. This is referred to as the Stairway to Heaven’s back entrance.
The Moanalua Valley Trail leads you up a difficult, arduous, rope-lined dirt path without any stairs. Although it’s not quite the same as going up the stairs from the bottom down, you can still get to the summit and access the Hawaii “Stairway to Heaven” route before returning in either direction.
Remember that you must return the same way you came if you want to hike legally at all times. Because the stairway is illegal, even if you go up the Moanalua route and then descend it, you still run the chance of receiving a citation.
While not trekking the full stairway from top to bottom, it is feasible to capture some fantastic shots on the stairs and then exit by Moanalua, giving you a taste of both walks.
Check the weather conditions before you travel because the Moanalua trail can become muddy after rain. For this hike, ideal weather is a must. It might become considerably riskier and tougher when it’s windy or raining.
Ironically, most people agree that the steps are a safer and simpler way to reach the summit of the mountain. The major justification for going around is to avoid any potential fines and simply stay within the law.
If you prefer challenging walks, Moanalua is still a really epic hike in and of itself, and the vistas are breathtaking!
