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Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs is the only legal trail, and it is recommended for very experienced hikers. The last crossing is allll the way at the end, and immediately after that last crossing, it's dense 12ft tall grass and the trail disappears. Werner Karl, you're right. On my hike up the Moanalua Valley Trail, I went halfway down the stairs and back up just to explore and then returned via the Moanalua Valley Trail although I met some people who were going to try and exit via the stairs. Did this hike last week started at 6 AM. The trail is quite easy to follow for the first few miles with a wide path, winding you through lush forest and warming up your legs. Create a password that only you will remember. 6 rides; 11 miles avg distance; All. Get an early start, because parking fills up fast. Make sure you allow enough time to complete the hike so youre not heading back in the dark. The Kullana'ahane is a better marker. it's not. Its absolutely gorgeous. Haiku Stairs Map How might someone prepare to hike Stairway to Heaven? You definitely want good weather for this hike. Recommended. After Kahahana's death, a plot was laid to kill all the chiefs of Maui on the same . absolutely not! Moanalua Valley Trail the legal back way for the Stairway To Heaven. A headlamp, rain jacket, and good hiking boots or shoes are the three main pieces of gear you need. Future Of The Haiku Stairs Open / Closed? For a complete list of LEGAL State Trails, please visit hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov/trails Lastly, guided hikes and other commercial activity being conducted inside Moanalua valley are illegal. Hunters frequent the surrounding area, so, when in doubt, follow the stream! Follow a small path in the grass, or walk to the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden is on my list of the top ten most beautiful nature places you can drive to. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The hike follows the Moanalua Valley Trail before connecting up the Moanalua Middle Ridge, which is the legal 'backway' to the Stairway to Heaven (Haiku Stairs) satellite summit. ", Barney Griggs, a spokesperson for the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club, said anyone who wants to hike the Olomana Trail "should be an experienced hiker. As we continue on for the next few hours theres something encouraging about being able to zero in on where we started at Moanalua Valley Park and the remote summit before us, to visually track our progress. WHAT IS THE BEST CHEAP BACKPACKER TRAVEL INSURANCE? Distress hikers rescued off Moanalua Valley Trail Friday evening. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. If you don't want to do the illegal way, this way is worth it. My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. Ownership of the stairs was given to the city of Honolulu, and supposedly they were planning to turn the Haiku Stairs hike into a paid attraction. Check out their website and consider donating if youre a fan. Definitely dont pay a guide for this hike like some people seem to. However, it is not the most dangerous hike on Oahu. Do not attempt this hike. This is classic government stupidity for you tax people to build them, tax more to fix them, then tax to take them out because they are dangerous when actually they are much safer than no stairs. The trail becomes quite adventurous with many sections becoming quite narrow and requiring a rope to pull yourself up the slippery, gravel surface. I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. To get to the trailhead, park outside the Moanalua Valley Park and the trail begins just after the green gate. The Moanalua Valley Trail is mostly flat and ventures through tropical forest but kind of stops in the middle of nothing. Be careful. Generally considered a challenging route. The Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku stairs hiking route is one of the most adventurous hikes on Oahu. The Stairway To Heaven hike is much longer, steeper, harder, and scarier than the Koko Stairs. Can be very muddy like lots of the ridges out here on island. A short walk . Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. All Rights Reserved. Ill also share my full experience and all of my photos including some epic shots from the summit so you can get an idea of why this was one of my favorite hikes on Oahu, Hawaii. When people refer to it as the legal backway to get to the Stairway to Heaven that refers to the legal route to the top of the Moanalua Valley Trail but you still arent allowed to actually go on the stairs or the satellite area. Instead, retrace the Moanalua Ridge route to get back to your original destination. Yes, technically it is illegal to climb the Oahu Haiku Stairs since theyre closed to the public. The trail will cross the stream 28 more times before the last 1/4 mile of trail. Non-potable stream water can be found through out the valley. These affiliates don't cost you anything extra and help me keep the site going. The walk would be a little longer but easy on the flat road. The steepest section of stairs is actually near the start of the hike, right before you reach the first platform. Theres also a legal way to reach the top of the mountain by climbing it from the backside via Moanalua Valley trail, which Ill explain in more detail later in this guide. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. The exposed ridges have more space on the sides than the pictures seem. If someone is offering to take you on a hike for a fee, you should report them to the Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement. Ill add a note about that in the article. "One couldnt help but be in a good mood when you were around.". Assuming you are doing the middle ridge hike, very enjoyable. Many of the best hikes in Oahu have been closed preemptively to avoid more of these unjustified lawsuits. Translation: Its going to be a long day. That isnt to say people arent, or should not be super respectful, ie, no trash, tread lightly, be quiet, etc, all that goes with just being a responsible and respectful human being. The hike is four miles each way, making it just 0.15 miles shorter than the Great Aloha Run. We hit the stairs and then disappeared into the jungle before we could find out. Its possible to walk up without the rope but I suggest having some gloves as most people will be holding onto the rope the whole time. I hope it will be repaired and preserved for people to enjoy forever. Ask bognarofsydney about Moanalua Valley Trail. One way to reach the off-limits Stairway to Heaven is to start on a different trail from Moanalua Valley. The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. For more information, visit: Moanalua Valley and Tripler Ridge Trail Loop, Kalihi Ice Ponds [CLOSED / PRIVATE PROPERTY]. and news flash, every part of Hawaii is sacred! This was one of my favorite sections of the hike and the backdrop over the shoulder gave great views of the ridge we had just hiked up. Mahalo! A non-profit group called Friends of Haiku Stairs has drawn up some good plans for keeping the staircase and re-opening it with managed access, hiker fees, assumed liability, and minimal disturbance to the local neighborhood. I first discovered the Stairway To Heaven Oahu hike on the internet in 2015 and knew I had to try it. If you hike up the Moanalua trail and then down the stairs, youre still risking a fine, because the stairway is not legal. The only death Im aware of was caused by a heart attack in a middle aged hiker (that steep ascent to platform one can be strenuous). Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @mike.karas or email me at mikekarasphotography@gmail.com if youd like to join or like gear for the hike I have plenty of microspikes and gloves. It was beautiful! Once you are inside the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park, you will find the trail at the back of the park. The trailhead is located in the back of the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park and crosses seven old cobblestone bridges while making its way up the valley floor. Theres a tree branch that has Middle Ridge carved into it as a reference point. We did the Uncle Toms Trail in Yellowstone and for me that was one of the best little adventures Ive done. There is also a cliff diving spot at one of the falls. After that, it should be pretty straightforward. In this blog post, I will share with you all of the details about the Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku Stairs including distance, elevation, legalities, what to bring, and how to avoid trouble on this route. If you look closely, you can see the winding stairway. Most of the time it will be muddy, so be prepared to get dirty. A man who was hiking Hawaii's Olomana Trail reportedly plummeted hundreds of feet to his death on Sunday after he reportedly tried to grab his hat, marking the fourth death linked to the dangerous trail since 2011. These people are mad and will make increasing trouble for hikers as time goes by. This hike sounds like something I would love to do. There is one short section of stairs that was mangled in a storm, but the damage is pretty minimal and you can pass that part without any trouble. The cause of the airmans death is under investigation. Although extremely tempting, the hike down the Haiku Stairs is highly illegal and subject to fine, etc. I'm David, an American with a passion for adventure, the outdoors, and all things travel. I noticed families on the trail, along with babies being carried by their parents. Wear proper shoes and bring gloves!Quite muddy To remember: You came this far. The valley itself is historical, with the earliest human inhabitants dating back to the 1500s. . An absolutely amazing experience. The Moanalua Valley Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs is a 10.7 mile (roundtrip) hike along varying terrains with several rope climb sections and very narrow ridge climbing. The trail takes you to the same lookout as the Haiku Stairs. Not only are the views out of this world, but the whole experience is just beyond awesome and unique. If people cared more about the "nature" that they so desperately enjoy in this valley, then I wouldn't even be on here. Once at the summit of the Moanalua Valley Trail you will essentially enjoy the view and then turn back around and head down the way you came. Do not leave trash at the summit or on the trail. There is parking outside the gate, which we recommend using in case you don't get back before they close the gates in the evening. Its been a wild ride.