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Haiku Stairs in Hawaii – Jump on the stairway to heaven

Close-up of the Haiku Stairs' metal steps against the backdrop of Hawaii's natural beauty.

Are you a lot into hiking recently? The Haiku stairs of Hawaii clearly stand out as one of the most challenging yet amazingly beautiful hikes. It is rightfully called a stairway to heaven, Hawaii.

What purpose did the Haiku Stairs in Oahu serve?

It is basically a very long and steep stairway built by the U.S. Navy in 1942 during World War II, to climb up the Oahu’s Koolau Mountain range. The purpose was to access a secret radio station that was at the very top of the mountain. It consists of shocking 3,992 stairs! The cliffs surrounding the stairway made sure that it was hidden from the rest.

Signage at the base of Haiku Stairs, marking the beginning of the famous trail.
Start your epic journey up the Haiku Stairs, a must-visit for every hiking enthusiast in Hawaii.

How to get to Haiku stairs?

The stairway to heaven hike is actually forbidden, and police patrolling makes it difficult to enter through the conventional route.

There is a backway, though, which is very often used by hikers to get to the stairway without having to confront the police and outrage the neighbors.

You will have to get to the bottom of the stairs after passing through the bamboo forest at the back.

The steep and narrow steps of the Haiku Stairs winding through Hawaii's tropical landscape.
Challenge yourself with the steep ascent of Haiku Stairs and be rewarded with Hawaii’s natural beauty.

Can you climb the staircase to Heaven in Hawaii?

Yes, you can. The backway to the rescue! You can reach the foot of the Haiku stairs through the bamboo forest. The guards can’t stop you from scratching out the name of Haiku Stairs off your bucket list. You wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity of climbing these thrilling Haiku stairs in Oahu.

The climb is steep and extremely challenging. The Haiku stairs often become quite vertical, and all you have is a thin hand railing, to save you from falling into the valleys below! The climb of this stairway to heaven, Hawaii is of 4,000 feet, by stairs that are only about 18 inches wide.

Breathtaking view from the top of the Haiku Stairs in Hawaii, overlooking lush green valleys.
Reach new heights and enjoy panoramic views when you visit Haiku Stairs, Hawaii’s staircase to heaven.

Don’t go unprepared, buddy!

This hike is not an ordinary one, as you would now know. Carry a few essentials with you to ensure a smooth climb.

  • Take plenty of water and some snacks with you.
  • Make sure you have a rope and a raincoat as the weather can be unpredictable.
  • Bring a headlamp so that your hands are free of holding the torch, and you can have a grip on the railing.
  • Wrap up all of this in a waterproof backpack. But make sure you don’t overfill your backpack as the hike of the Oahu Haiku Stairs is very steep.
  • Wear your hiking shoes and contact a guide who can help your gang with the hike.

Why is it called the Stairway to Heaven in Hawaii?

The Haiku stairs seem to reach up into the clouds. The sunrise that you get to see while on the stairway to heaven hike and the mountain view that catches your eyes and makes you sigh is priceless. Thus the Haiku stairs are rightly called the Stairway to Heaven, Hawaii.

As you reach the summit, you see the old radio station cabin with a large antenna. Chill out with your gang, take photos, and get ready to be even more thrilled on your way down.

Close-up of the Haiku Stairs' metal steps against the backdrop of Hawaii's natural beauty.
Witness the intricate construction of Haiku Stairs, perfectly complementing Hawaii’s landscape.

Sure enough, this hike is bound to change your life – the panoramic mountain view of Oahu Island, the orange, pink sunrise, the exhaustion while on the hike, the fear of falling down and a photoshoot like never before. This is surely the stairway to heaven hike!

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