One of the best hikes in the world - just look at this gallery of photos. I recommend taking: 2 5-Hour energy drinks, a couple cliff bars, non-slip gloves, and camera.

Pros-Beautiful View-Flat surfaces to eat lunch including top of pillbox.-Minimal Switchbacks-Tree canopy for 75% of the way there. It was shaded-Lots of Picture Opportunities-Fresh Guava in the treesChallenges-Steep inclines by rope-Uneven rocky surfaces-Slippery sandy surfaces on the way down-Trail Marker for Stairway is two signs, but can be hidden.-Can feel long because of inclineTIPS-bring lots of water, like 3x64oz. Sounds overkill but dehydration is not something to mess with.-Brings lots of snacks and a meal for the top.-Do not wear barefoot soles like vibrams. You will feel every rock on the path, especially the first/last 2-3 miles. Ive seen people take off their chacos.-sunblock-Hat - you may bump your head on low hanging branches or on the base of the radar dishes. It gives you extra layer-Ligjt jacket/Windbreaker. the last 2 miles and the top can get really windy. If you get cold easily, throw on a layer.-socks that cover your ankle. The back of your shoe may rub the back ankle raw.

This is one of the most thrilling hikes ever. But dont go up on the Haiku Stairs instead chose the Moanalua Valley up and down. The Haiku Stairs are illegal, and running into the security or police can cause serious trouble. The legal path is pretty strenuous, but with good preparation, you can hike and climb this trail. The drier season from May to October is the best time of the year. However, monitor the weather forecast. Do this steep climb up only in dry conditions. Crampons/spikes are a life saver. You get them in the Outdoor shop in Honolulu. If you want to get a full description check out my website.

This hike is a beast. Ring sturdy shoes and a snack/water. This is a long hike to the summit but offers, in my opinion, the best views that Oahu has to offer. We went the back way up to the summit. It was hard but extremely satisfying.

One of the most do hike. But way long hike. Don’t try it during November and December as its rainy season (you can try through stairs). You may not have clear sky to see the city. Best time to try is march onwards. Good view and fotogenic.

Long but worth the trip. Bring a decent pack with water and snacks. Sunblock and a small bag to take your trash back.

Absolutely fantastic! After living here for three years I finally did this hike. Even though getting to the stair way the legal way took about 6hours, it was an awesome adventure. Bucket list stuff for sure.

Amazing hike, but challenging for novice. Very narrow trail with cliffs on both sides. They should re-open the stairs, the legal way is pretty dangerous.

Amazing view and the best hike on the island. Get there early or there wont be parking

The view is worth the hike. The legal way may beat you down though.

It’s a hard hike. But again views from the top are worth . Even the hike is beautiful across the jungle. The trail is properly marked but some areas are muddy. Please wear strong hiking shoes because more than half of trail has loose gravel that is pretty rough on the feet. Leave early for the hike and carry at least 3 liters of water per person.

Despite the bad reputation this hike has, its relatively easy and safe to complete. Doing this hike helped me overcome most of my fear of heights. Take your time and always maintain at least three points of contact. Its not as steep as it appears from the H3, where you can actually go down facing away from the stairs without missing a step or slipping. The biggest challenge is finding the starting point which is fun going through a bamboo forest in the pitch black.

By far the best hike Ive done since moving here!!

Amazing view of Kaneohe bay, and, Koolau mountain range. Very windy at the top.

The views from the top are stunning. I could see Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, and the North side of Oahu. The mountains are very steep, so you can look almost straight down at the highway below.The view was partly blocked by clouds blowing across the mountain top. I was lucky: with a little patience, the clouds cleared. I hope you are just as lucky.The trail starts with an easy 3-mile walk along the valley floor. Signs warn of flash floods, but there was no rain the day I went.After that, the trail turns to the right and becomes very steep. This part took me about 4 hours round trip, and another 1/2 hour at the top resting and taking photos.Parts of the trail are muddy, even though it was a dry day, and some of the steep parts are slippery. I used the ropes in several places to steady myself, especially on the way down.There trail goes up a ridge to reach the top. Many parts of the ridge are so narrow that it would be hard for two hikers to pass each other.I took about 3 liters of water, and another liter would have been better. I had adequate sun protection. I snacked on almonds, but a real lunch would have been better.

We woke up at 4:00 am got there at 5. Amazing. Apparently there is no legal way to climb, and when it rains the stairs are wet and slippery. So be sneaky, go before sunrise, and don’t run.

If you hike this from the Moanalua Valley Trail from the west, then this is one of the best hikes and attractions in the entire state. If you see the security guard, run fast through the bamboo forest and keep running until you get to the ocean. Then lay in the and hit the . Stairs were in pretty good condition, except for a couple areas. Nothing dangerous at all. Have a blast!

The stairs of Heaven leads to a breathtaking view on the road op of the mountain! You need to be relatively fit to climb the 4000 steps (almost) but it is definitely worth it!! You have on one side the sea and on the other side green mountains.Please be aware that it is actually illegal to climb them and you can be fined if you are caught... But there is a legal way which leads to the top of the stairs: a 8.5 km hike. Download the application « Alltrails » and search for « Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs ». I felt that the legal way was actually more difficult than taking the stairs. What we did is to take the legal way to reach the top, and take the stairs to go down since we have seen some people taking them...Enjoy!

We went in the legal way (Moanalua) and down the stairs! Evade the cops through the bamboo forest. Have fun!

Ive done this to many times hahaIf anyone needs a guide dm my insta: Jai.ti

I took the back way up to the top of the stairs which took me a 7 hour round trip but was well worth it. I did go on the stairs after reaching the top and it was something else being on the top of the island. I highly recommend you get a guide to take you up to the top if you dont know the way or are not a frequent hiker as it can be tricky at times (Someone almost fell of the side during my trek). 10/10

Oh my gosh, this is amazing experience in my life) I was just looking Instagram and sow the pictures from here and I sad we should to go there with my friends and we didn’t know that it’s illegal and we went without any foods any waters we thought at least it will take 25 min)))) yeah it was only in our dream))) so it took 2,5))but it was worth it) so we are glad that we met very friendly people there, who shared water and some snacks)

It is closed. There are broken and missing steps. Take the Moanalua Valley for the same views. Be sure to check the forecast for rain. Too much rain and makes it hard to get back down. All trails app works great. It will track and guide you. Take water.

Don’t do this, unless you want to be fined or arrested...

Very impressive but can Davie504 climb this while playing Stairway to Heaven?

A beautiful hike that I wish wasnt off limits. The state should just fix it up a little bit instead of planning on tearing it down

Amazing site, worth the legal 10 mile hike to the top

Little slippery but if you hold your self on the stairs it’s not dangerous

Amazing views, worth to climb on it

Worth the climb

Nice

Epic views