Cihan Akdere
Google
I did this hike on Sunday, and it was a great experience overall! First off, parking can be a bit tricky—there isn’t a designated parking lot for the hike. At the entrance, there’s a turnaround, and you’ll need to park on the street. It can get crowded, so I ended up parking on a nearby street and walking a bit more to get to the trailhead. Not a huge deal, though—just something to keep in mind if you can’t find parking right at the entrance.
Now, the hike itself. I started at noon on a beautiful sunny day, and it took me about an hour and a half to reach the top. It's a challenging hike with a lot of elevation gain, and the surface is rocky with tree roots all around. Make sure to wear good hiking shoes because they’ll really help with the climb. Also, bring plenty of water—especially on a hot day, because you’re climbing up, and you’ll need it. I ran out of water by the time I got to the top! I did see a few people resting along the way, especially on the last section, which is full of stairs.
That being said, it’s totally worth it. The view at the top is amazing! It was a bit foggy when I reached the summit, but I still enjoyed the scenery. I rested for about 25 minutes, had lunch, and snacked a bit before heading back down. Going down was much easier and took me about an hour and 15 minutes (I took my time for photos and videos).
Overall, this is an incredible hike, and I definitely recommend it. However, I wouldn’t suggest it for someone who’s not regularly active, as it can be tough, and you might feel sore the next day. That said, I saw kids as young as 4 or 5 doing the hike, so it’s definitely doable if you’re up for the challenge. It's a tiring hike but well worth it, with stunning views and a rewarding experience.