Haiku Stairs is a 2 mile out and back trail located near Heeia, Hawaii. The trail is only recommended for very experienced outdoorsmen and primarily used for hiking.
It's the most controversial hike on the island! The Haiku Stairs is one of the most sought after hikes on the island, but due to worried and frustrated landowners any hiker wanting to go up the stairway will need to bypass private property and a security guard.
The trailhead is guarded, and inaccessible during daylight hours! The only way to access the trail via the trailhead without being turned away by the neighborhood guard (as opposed to approaching it from another trail on the ridge) is to arrive no later than 3am!
Kendra Erin
11 days ago
N/A:
1 Completed 3 Reviews
Great workout. Switchbacks are quick and shaded. Once you get to the picnic tables you will be in the sun. Great views of the N Shore!
Kendra Erin
11 days ago
N/A:
1 Completed 3 Reviews
Great workout! Quick switchbacks to the top. It offers some great views of the North Shore.
Kendra Erin
11 days ago
N/A:
1 Completed 3 Reviews
Beautiful! This hike has the best views of the east side. It's immediately rewarding as you quickly ascend above H3. We went early and did not run into the guard. We were quiet when we parked in a residential area, however the dogs were SOOO loud! The stairs were not difficult as far as climbing, but there are almost 4,000 so you need some endurance :)
Adam Sass (0)
4 months ago
N/A:
5 Completed 1 Reviews
Simply amazing. Although physically demanding, very doable if you take ur time and take breaks. The trek to the first platform is the most difficult, it gets easier afterward. My group arrived at 2 am to beat the guard. We took the drainage canal entrance, not the bamboo forest. Stupid dogs wake everyone up, so move quickly to the entrance to the stairs.
Check out yelp to get ideas on how to prepare. You will be very cold and wet if not prepared. Bring change of shirt, trash bags to use as sleeping bag, a plastic drop cloth to sit/sleep on, and warm clothes. We had 2 hours to kill until sunrise, so we all took a nap on the drop cloth. I spent 17 days in Hawaii, and this hike was by far the highlight. So glad I did it. If you are considering it, I'd recommend it before it's shut down for good. Check the forecast and pray its clear at the top.
Chelsie Moore (36)
5 months ago
N/A:
2 Completed 3 Reviews
I have a question!
I've been wanting to do this for a while but I just haven't had the opportunity to do so. I've read by people on numerous sites to go early if you want beat the guard and there's the way through the top.
If I took the tripler ridge, where in the tripler area would I need to start from and what would be the best time to start so I do not end so late. Also, I heard that you basically should make my will because of the narrowness of the ridge at some points. What is some good gear to have?
Sherrie Wilcox (71)
9 months ago
N/A:
2 Completed 2 Reviews
Came here, exhausted and muddy, from Tripler Ridge. There is a lot of graffiti, but it is a really neat site. Be sure to bring gloves to help with the climb down (or up). This trail is off limits if you start from the bottom, but you can come in from the top! There are some very steep parts where it's like climbing a ladder, and there were a few bees buzzing around closer to the bottom (around 1:00pm, sunny; someone in our group was allergic to bees). It was interesting to read some of the notes on the railings on the climb down - some were inspirational, while others were just silly love notes that kids left. Most people tend to arrive at the bottom of the stairs around 2:00-3:00am, before the guard arrives, but it is a confusing hike through a bamboo forest (in the dark). The stairway is narrow toward the bottom 3/4, so you have to wait if someone is slow or try to squeeze by them. There are a few lookout points along the way - when we were there, a helicopter tour was showing people the stairs - it was so cool to be a part of someone's helicopter tour ;)
Matt Lara (544)
11 months ago
N/A:
14 Completed 8 Reviews
We came to this trail from Tripler Ridge, so our group actually descended down the stairs to complete our hike, instead of ascending up them. The view at the top offers amazing views of the windward side of the island. If you can manage to get past the guard at the bottom to start the trail, I would suggest this one to anyone who loves hiking!
Dan Mizak (21)
11 months ago
N/A:
1 Completed 1 Reviews
I wouldn't consider this difficult or a hike. Its basically like being on stairmaster for an hour and a half. the view from the top is worth the climb
Chelsie Moore (36)
5 days ago
2 Completed 3 Reviews
So I wrote on this asking a question but I finally did it :) I plan on doing it again.