There really is a stairway to Heaven in Hawaii, or at least something that looks like it. The Haiku Stairs stretch over the Ko’olau mountain range like a snake sunning itself on the rock. Consisting only of rudimentary iron handrails and rusty metal platforms for stairs even over practically vertical stretches of mountain, this is not your everyday hike. What compounds the problem is that it’s not even legal. Most of the hikers who sneak past the guard every day risk up to $1000 fines from the city, security guard encounters and broken handrails, among other things. So what makes the risk worth it? The sublime beauty of the dense greenery that surrounds you, the incredible Instagram-worthy views of the Hawaiian cityscape spread out before you, and for some, the thrill to be gotten from having gotten away with something you’re not supposed to be doing. It’s definitely not a trail for the faint of heart, but once you get to the top, you’ll be rewarded with a view unlike any other.