Koko Head Trail - Full Loop

Trails: Koko Head Trail - Full Loop - not Koko Crater
Distance: Just under 3.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: about 1000 ft
Hiking time: 2.5 hours including time to explore the edge a bit
Area: Hawaii Kai - East end of Island - Hanauma Bay Ridge
Trailhead: Hanuma Bay Entrance
Trailhead Coordinates: 
Sights: Hanauma Bay, Koko Crater, Hawaii Kai Marina, Diamond Head
Directions via bus: Take the 22 to the entrance to Hanauma Bay or any bus to Hawaii Kai and walk up Kalanianeole Rd to Hanauma Bay.
Directions via car: Take H1 East, past Diamond Head into Hawaii Kai. Continue straight and it will eventually become Kalanianeole Rd. It will go uphill, curving left. On the right, you'll find the entrance to Hanauma Bay. Go down and park and walk back up to the entrance.
Recommendations for hike: Sunscreen!!!. There's no shade so make sure you have sunscreen and some sunglasses and/or hat (becareful of the strong winds though). Though it can be done in slippers, I would recommend sneakers. Some of the terrain is loose and rocky along the steeper parts. Boots are unnecessary. Water. No need for bug spray.

 The overlapping red trail is the previous trail.

 

 So Nicole, Hillary, and I went back to Hanauma Bay today to hike the full loop of Koko Head. Last time, we didn't have much time for the full loop. This is not to be confused with the more popular Koko Crater. I forgot my camera but wanted to provide the technical data on the loop.

So we took a counter-clockwise approach this time. Instead of trailing of the paved road, we continued on until we past some stations. Eventually we came across a dirt road on the left that quickly descended towards the ocean. It wraps around towards the edge where you can see Hanauma Bay

Once at the point, I went back down to the edge of the coast again via the same rope. At once again I was fascinated to the layered rock and tiny crevices in the hill side. I'm glad that Hillary braved the descent to the edge as she quickly learned it wasn't so bad. Totally worth it.

Sorry no pics, forget my camera.

You can refer to my old post here.