I did a post a few weeks ago about the easier hikes to do around Oahu. They're actually some of my favorites because they deliver on the views without working you over.

But when it comes to hiking, honestly, I dearly love getting worked.

Maybe it's because I spend lots of time behind a computer and I'm overcompensating on exercise. Maybe it's residual/instinctual genetics pushing me to follow my marathoner father's footsteps. (I stopped at two marathons, though; he did some three dozen. Again, compensating.)

This, for me, is the best part about living here: The being out IN IT, climbing through its tropical splendor. Although the only thing about this particular hike that's tropical is the heat, but it's one of my favorites. It's very dry here and the climb is hard, but the views of Hawaii Kai, East Oahu and the outer islands (on a clear day) can't be beat.

The Koko Crater tracks ascend about 1,200 feet: It feels in parts like you're going straight up, but it's only at that last push where the ascent is probably about 50 degrees or so. One thousand and fifty steps in all along an old set of WWII tracks that lead to long abandoned military outposts at the summit. It's a short distance, but the vertical push is so intense your heart will wonder what the @#(*$(*& is going on.



I've done it maybe 50 times, most recently on Sunday (see photo gallery). If you go, park at Koko Head Regional Park (you can see it in the background of the first photo on the right, the cars mere ants in the distance). Bring water and sunscreen: this trail has monster sun exposure and virtually no shade.

But it's great, heart-thumping, endorphins-flowing fun. And the island, a beauty from most vantage points, looks magnificent from there.

See the Koko Crater tracks in 3D »