by A staircase in Hawaii leading to a popular beauty spot is being demolished, after tourists continued to use the off-limits steps for more than 35 years.
The Haiku Stairway, also known as the ‘Stairway to Heaven’, was built during the Second World War to provide pedestrian access across the island for the US navy.
The trail, made up of more than 3,000 steps and climbs to 4,000 feet above sea level, was officially closed to the public in 1987, but there are “no trespassing” signs for tourists to enjoy one of the best views on the island of Oahu. achieve.
Haiku Stairs have become very popular in recent years since the rise of social media platforms: the hashtag #haikustairs has been used more than 63,000 times on Instagram.
In 2021, the local council on the island of Oahu voted unanimously to remove the stairs. In April 2024 it was announced that demolition would begin later in the month, a project that will cost US$2.6 million (£2.08 million).
“Due to rampant illegal trespassing, [the] Haiku Stairs is a significant liability and cost to the city, and it affects the quality of life for nearby residents,” Honolulu City Council member Esther Kiaʻaacr;ina told Hawaii News Now.
“This decision was based on our respect for the people who live in and around the entrance to the staircase, our respect for our [land and sea]and our respect for the future and the history of culture in the Haʻikū community,” said Mayor Blangiardi.
There are, of course, corners of Hawaii that are not negatively affected by tourism. The Telegraph’s Chris Leadbeater recommends Lanai.
“Give Lanai a thought (because many don’t) – it’s only the sixth largest of the eight main islands, and it’s often overlooked. This is a great shame, because Polihua Beach is beautiful, and because of the real quietness the vacation horizon is possible,” he writes.
Sadly, the Haiku Staircase is not a stand-alone example of a natural attraction or historic engineering approach due to increased tourist numbers.
From a paradise beach in Thailand to a canyon in Iceland, these are the beauty spots closed to the public and the lesser-known alternatives, welcoming visitors with open arms.
Maya Bay, Thailand
After the release of the hit 2000 film, The beachMaya Bay on the island of Ko Ph Phi Le has gone on to become one of Thailand’s top tourist attractions.
By the mid-2010s, up to 6,000 tourists arrived per day, which contributed to the environmental degradation of the bay with litter, tourist boats and sun cream destroying the coral reef.
To allow a period of environmental restoration, in 2018 local authorities took the bold step of closing the beach, with no final date set.
Maya Bay was fully reopened to the public in 2022, following the pandemic lockdown, with new rules in place.
Today, boats can no longer dock in the bay, the number of visitors is limited to 3,000 per day between 10am and 4pm only, and there is now a designated section of the bay for swimming.
Another option: Sok San beach, Cambodia
There are many white sand beaches with turquoise waters throughout southeast Asia, but without the party crowds or the sunbathing masses.
Writing for The TelegraphSean Thomas describes Sok San beach in Cambodia as comprising “seven long idyllic kilometers of angelically soft white sand shaded by swaying palms and bathed by gentle vibrations warming intelligently to a soul-soothing 29.3C.
“The obvious comparison for a world-class beach is the Maldives, Thailand or Polynesia – and there’s the ruble. In all those places you would be looking at an island full of development, making the most of the sand, the sea and the blue skies with ease.
“Here, in Cambodia, that development did not happen.”
Fjadrárgljúfur Canyon, Iceland
Iceland’s Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon hit the headlines after featuring in the music video for Justin Bieber’s track, I will show youin 2015.
To date, the video has received more than 520 million views, and it’s clear that some Bieber fans have been inspired to see it for themselves. After an explosion of interest in the canyon, in 2019 the Icelandic Environment Agency announced that it would close the site for all but five weeks of the year.
Speaking at the time, Daníel Freyr Jónsson from the Icelandic Environment Agency directly linked the overtourism issues to the music video.
“This comic used to be little known,” he told RUV, Iceland’s public service broadcaster. “But I think the Jesuits have known about it for much longer.
“The big increase in foot traffic started there after Bieber came. There was an increase of 50 percent to 80 percent between the years 2016, 2017 and 2018.”
The canyon has been closed from time to time, to allow park authorities to restore damaged trails and keep tourists safe during periods of dangerous winter weather.
Another option: North Iceland
Most British tourists visiting Iceland tend to stick to the so-called “Golden Triangle” around Reykjavík, or the south coast, which has impressive beaches and a milder climate.
However, Richard Waters argues that people should consider exploring the quieter and wilder part of Iceland far to the north: “With a carpet of freshly fallen snow blanketing the quiet of Siglufjörður, I drive back to Akureyri through tunnelled mountains, along the coast and across the bottle-green interior, and wonder where everyone has gone,” he wrote.
“At 39,000 square miles, Iceland is slightly smaller than Cuba and much of its population of 340,000 is located in the south.
“No wonder you quickly feel like it’s just you, the rough elements and those hard chocolate colored horses.”
Walker Canyon, California
In February 2019, the hills of Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore became a social media sensation. When thousands of bright orange poppies covered the landscape (in local parlance, “superbloom”), Instagrammers traveled to the area to take a photo.
Local officials complained about the “massive Disneyland crowds” and branded the event #PoppyNightmare on social media. Nearby roads were congested with traffic, and some visitors resorted to parking on the highway and completed their journey on foot.
Anticipating another spectacular event, in February 2023 the city of Lake Elsinore closed Walker Canyon Road and posted no parking signs on the streets, with police officers on patrol. Officials took the same action this year.
The West Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority warned in early March: “Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore, known in the region for its beautiful landscapes, is temporarily closed to ensure public safety and sensitive habitat to protect.
“During this time, the public is advised to avoid the area and obey posted signs.”
Another option: Las Trampas Regional Park
On the other side of California, Las Trampas Regional Park has an abundance of open space (5,778 acres).
In the spring the hillsides boast a rich variety of wildflowers, including the Instagrammable California poppies.
Visit Tri-Valley California writes: “Las Trampas Regional Park has so much open space that it’s one of the most popular places in the Tri-Valley to take your dog on off-leash walks.”
Mount Everest Base Camp, Tibet
In February 2019, China closed access to the Everest base camp on the Tibetan side of the mountain, after a mounting waste problem. Only people with climbing permits were allowed at the camp, meaning tourists could not go as far as a monastery at 5,200m (17,060 ft) just below the camp.
China Base Camp, which is accessible by car, was very popular in the years before it closed – with a reported 40,000 visitors in 2015.
Nepal Base Camp can only be reached on foot – a walk that usually takes up to two weeks.
Another option: The Trans Bhutan Trail
Why not avoid Everest altogether, and consider a trip to Bhutan instead?
Michelle Jana Chan writes: “An ancient kingdom and a fresh-faced democracy, Bhutan continues to value enduring traditions, such as Buddhist rituals, national dress and the indigenous architecture of painted and carved wooden farmhouses.
The country perfectly combines trekking with cultural experiences, including visits to Buddhist temples, monasteries and convents, built precariously on the edges of cliffs, partially hewn from rock.”
