Lanikai Pillbox

Great hike with amazing views, especially for sunrise and sunset. Not difficult going up but it can be a little slippery coming back down.

An iconic hike that is popular amongst tourists and locals alike. This is a very easy trail once you get past the initial slippery part but there are ropes to help pull you up. I’d recommend this for children ages 8 and up, but if you had an intrepid young one it might not be too hard for them. Great views of Lanikai and the ocean. One of my favorite hikes on the island.

Amazing hike. Easy to do, the views over Lanikai are breathtaking. Do it for sunrise if you can for an even more amazing experience!

One of the easier and best viewing hikes, if you want a view of the ocean that is. It takes about 15-30 mins tk reach the second pill box. And the trail continues but that is for another day. Not very busy and it does get hot because its not a shaded hike. There are a few sketchy spots so not recommending this hike for younger children.

It was a fun and easy hike just parking is difficult to come by. This neighborhood is small and everyday thousands of tourists swarm it. Just be courteous if where you park. The hike was fairly easy some steep parts but saw little 5 year olds charging it with their parents. Don’t forget water.

There by are quite a few great hikes on Oahu, and this is one of the better ones. The hike itself is relatively short and the trailhead is easy to find. Once on the trail you will find that the grade can be pretty significant if you havent prepared. The trail is also narrow with the exception of a few areas. Water coming down the trail when it rains makes it a little more difficult to navigate, especially in the dark.The hike is easy enough if you are on your own and there is no one in the trail in front or behind, but that is rarely the case. People in front who have to slow or stop can make it more difficult when you have to stop/start. And folks coming up behind you can be a little impatient if youre not moving at their pace.If youre making the hike to watch the sun rise, go early enough to get to your desired spot at least 30 minutes before the sun starts lighting the sky. Bring breakfast and beverages with you - no food trucks here - and whatever creature comforts you want with you. And a headlamp for the hike so you can see the trail and keep your hands free for the climb.There are no bathrooms or porta potties, just the trail, pillboxes, and people. You can bring your dog, but theres not a lot of room to get your dog out of the way, or for people to move out of your way so your dog can pass. If you do bring your dog, please clean after them.

The best hike in Hawaii! Absolutely worth it! Breathtaking views of Lanikai and Kailua Towns, the beach and the coast.

Beautiful place to catch a sunrise!

The hike is pretty decent and easy. I can say its a level 1 hike. Good for beginners too. The total climb would not take more than 30 to 45 minutes. The view is breathtaking. Pristine, turquoise water with the two small islands right in the front make it unique compared to other hikes. Drones are allowed. Definitely recommended for hike lovers. Aloha

This was on our list of things to do in Hawaii in the island of OahuThis was amazing.The view was excellent.It’s a hard start, but easy finish and you can not beat the views.We would suggest shoes and socks and some water.Not flip flops or sandals Take your time as there are lots of spots to stop and check out the ocean and scenery and take some epic pictures

Amazing as always. Great views

Great hike. Not easy, not hard

Had a great time walking this hike for sunrise this morning. We drove here and found parking not to be a problem. Theres plenty of street parking around you just have to check theres no signs or youre not blocking the street. The walk begins down a small alleyway then gets a bit verticle after about 10 meters. After about 5 minutes of climbing youll get to the first of a few good viewpoints, the next is a few minutes after. From this it only took us 15 minutes to walk up and get to the first Pillbox. The second Pillbox is about 5 minutes after here. We chose to stay between the 2 pillboxes as this had the best view of the 2 small islands and the sunrise next too them. Down is relatively easy Just watch out for loose rock and soil. One of the easiest hikes weve done on the island and certainly one of the best.

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome. Im 61 and made it no problem. Me and my kids made the trip up. Well worth the hike. If your not in good shape overall dont try it. It can be challenging at times. You should like to climb, coming down can be as challenging as going up.

Love love love the Lanikai pillbox hike!! Anyone who is in Hawaii should do this hike, you wont regret it. Once you are at the pillbox youve got treated with the beautiful views. The hike in the beginning was a little rough, steep upward with the help of a rope they installed to help hikers climb up. Once we were on higher ground, there were sections with open space for people to rest . There was no traffic because lots of sections with huge flat surface, like on one of the pictures I posted. I am adventurous and I loved walking along the edge on some parts, that way I got to see the views without any trees/bushes in my way taking pictures. I would rate the hike as easy to moderate and I would definitely do the hike again if I visit Oahu again. Must hike Lanikai pillbox and after the hike you can just swim on the beach down there. Parking was a little hard for us, we got a spot on the street in front of a residential area. We were lucky we got that spot, and we had to walk a bit to the trail like about 10min. Its better to go early to be able to get the parking spot and also it is much cooler in the morning than later on the day.

Awesome Hike that is short but epic with great views of Kailua Beach and MidPac Country Club/Golf Course.

This is on everyones top 10 list in Hawaii for a reason. Its a short, steep, hot hike, but well worth the effort. Dont forget to lather on the sunscreen, wear a hat and bring a bottle of water. The pictures never do it justice, but they still look amazing.

Easy quick hike, took us around 30min to the top.Bad parking around to the hike.

Its gorgeous! We were there when it was cloudy, and it was still beautiful. Do wear shoes though! We went in flip flops and it wasnt the best decision to the landscape..

Moderate hiking.. A little crowded.. Beautiful scenery.. Bring water and be cautious, stay on the hiking trail.. Stay Safe

Such beautiful views! And the bus drops off super close and then you can walk to the beach to cool off afterwards. I’d recommend this because parking seemed a bit scarce.It’s a busy hike but well worth it! It was pretty dry when I went and was able to hike in my slippers but I can see it being slippery when it rains so definitely when tennis shoes. It isn’t very hard and there were a lot of children, elderly and mom’s w youngins strapped to them. It’s a bit steep but fairly short. I hope to make it back again.

Beautiful iconic site. A must do hike in lanikai/Kailua.

Beautiful views. Parking was on the street in residential area so can end up having to park far away. There was a little sign that showed u where to go. Some parts of the hike were a little hard. I would not do this hike if you are scared of heights at all.

This hike should be on everyone’s list of things to do in Honolulu.Moderately easy hike, with incline 60 minutes up and back, great view of the island,Pillboxes are intact, great for all agesTip-Do not go after it rainsWear hiking boots with gripPlan 30 mins to reach to reach the topPlan to see sunrise or sunset

My Family Absolutely loves this Hike!! Such Beautiful Views on the way up and also at the top!! We’ve done this multiple times as a Family (kids ages 9, 7, 6, 3). It’s been windy (almost lost my hat), rainy (which can get a bit slippery at times), super hot (bring lots of water & a snack), and then Perfect Weather!! Ha!! My 3 year old makes it all the way up by himself and has made it half way back down before “his legs are tired”!! I also babywear him for times I just want a workout!!!

This is a great hike for all ages. It is a moderate hike when it is dry. Up and out is just about 2 miles. If you are visiting this is a must do hike. It’s great to plan the Pillbox in the morning and hike Lanikai beach afterwards. As always, spread the Aloha!

This is one of my favorite hikes. Its beautiful, up and down.Its steep and rocky, but its doable. Our 5-year old did it, though we had to help him in different areas. Wear shoes with good traction.I recommend you here early, as its quite popular and gets crowded rather quickly. Also, I like to do it before the midday sun hits. Parking is street parking, so you go have to park in the neighborhood. Take care to avoid blocking driveways. Dont leave any trash behind.

Great hike! Beautiful views!

Fast hike. Less than 20 minutes to the first lookout but very steep!! Worth it

A relatively mid to easy hike with a really great reward of a view of Lanikai Beach

Fairly easy and short hike with some of the best views on the island. The reward at the top is worth the hike!!

Awesome mildly challenging hike!! A little hard on the legs coming back down but a rewarding hike none the less.

Beautiful hike!

Fairly easy hike with gorgeous views from each of the bunkers. Use caution as some areas have slippery footing, a few spots have ropes to hold onto to help get yourself up.

This hike was so fun! It wasn’t too long, and it gets windy up top, so hold onto your hats! We went to the first pillbox, which had an amazing view! I’m sure the second one is just as amazing. So you can stay on the first one, or climb a little higher. It is just an old concrete bunker type of thing with graffiti on it. Great view of the ocean and islands.

Beautiful, well maintained area. Very clean!

My favorite hike on the East coast of Oahu! Perfect spot for sunrise hike; make sure you get there before the sunrise, as it tends to get a little busy, and you want to ensure you have a nice spot on the pillbox. The views are insane, I promise you, and I worth getting up before 5am. The hike is not long, however a little steep at time. Make sure you have a flashlight with you in your backpack before you leave.

Good hike! Beautiful view! A few tough spots but a great hike!

Very beautiful hike with amazing views. Definitely recommend to spend the morning in Kailua and then to the beach

Top 10 hikes of the island.

Steep and slippery! But worth the climb. Wear good shoes!

Lanikai Pillbox hike is a must when staying in the Kailua area. The views of Lanikai beach and the Mokulua islands. It is a relatively simple hike when dry, likely slippery when wet. I suggest to do early morning prior to the heat.I did this as trail run and was quite quick.

Short hike with excellent payoff in the form of views. Parking can be tough if going later in the day

Excellent hike for sunrise on clear days. The trail is short but has decent elevation.

You must park on the residential area before heading up to the hike, so ensure you leave time for the walk to the trail. Parking will get busy quite early, so leave plenty of time for the hike so that you dont miss the sunrise. Views are just unreal. Theres really no words to describe it, you just have to be there and see for yourself. Make sure to pack a flashlight or use your phone. You work regret waking up early to see the sun come up here.

If street parking is unavailable (not reccommended due to resident push back), park at the carpark next to Ironwood Grove. From there, the walk to the trailhdead is about 10 minutes.Overall, the hike is a 4 of 10 difficulty, with some spots being slippery even when dry. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the first pillbox. Otherwise, it is a fairly easy hike offering stunning views of the ocean especially at sunrise. We usually go for the sunrise, so parking is no problem (1 hour before sunrise). However, after sunrise, it gets busy and parking becomes difficult.As for the Pillboxes, there are two, about 4 minutes from each other. Each one offers amazing views of the surrounding area.We reccomend hiking shoes with great traction as they help a lot with the loose gravel. And the usual: water, sunscreen.

Great views.

It is beautiful . Trail is steep but worth it . There are ropes to assist you. One of the top spot to view the sunrise .from top of trail u can see Lanikai beach . There are two pillbox in the same trail. They are from world war 2 era. You can even locate gun turret under first pillbox.There multiple trailes to choose from. Good thing is that they all go to same spot.It took us around 30 mins on our way to top.There are trailes going even further, if you are interested.One downside is, there is no public restrooms available. Nearest one is at the beach.Recommendation : U need to have water with u.

Awesome hike and breath taking view of Lanikai beach! We went after a night of rain, so the initial CLIMB up the hill was slippery and muddy. You have to climb up a pretty steep bank with ropes, so flip flops are not recommended.

Definitely a rugged hike, but well worth it! The 360 views are incredible, very highly trafficked theres people on the trail all hours of the day. I would recommend doing it for the sunrise, or sunset it is gorgeous for both. Just make sure you plan ahead and bring water! It is not too long, but pretty steep.

Loved this hike. The first few meters are a bit slippery and it is not for everyone. Be safe on the ridges.Bring water as there’s almost no shade

On the recommendation of friends and reviews online, we did the Lanikai Pillbox hike to catch the sunrise, and it was amazing! Its about a 30 minute drive from Waikiki, and you need to park down the street near the intersection of Aalapapa and Kaelepulu. If you do it before sunrise (~1h before sunrise, so you can get there close to first light), you will need to bring a flashlight. The beginning is pretty steep and rocky, but still doable in running shoes when dry. There are two pillboxes along the hike - since it was already past first light when we got to the first one, we just stayed there, but others went on to the second. Before the light came in, we enjoyed a beautiful night view of Kailua. We watched quietly while sitting on the edge of the pillbox along with other hikers, as the sky changed colour and sunlight gradually came upon us. It was a wonderful experience and highly recommended!!

I highly recommend this hike. The views and interesting trail complications make it challenging yet rewarding endeavor.Wear actual shoes and hiking apparel. You will have to use your hands in multiple spots throughout the trail to make it. Steep inclines and loose dirt made the kids slip a few times, so be cautious and able to assist those in your group who are not the strongest.Pros:Family friendly. Our young children were able to complete the trail all the way up to the pillbox. Ages 4 and 6. My wife wore our 5 month old in a baby carrier.Views are some of the best Ive seen on the island.Lanikai beach is five minutes away. You can do the hike, then easily go cool off in the ocean without even having to move the car.Cons:No public restrooms.No public parking. Few legal parking opportunities exist, so get there early.

Ive done this hike numerous times. Its so beautiful. Sunrise is the best time to go. Take a flash light and start about 45 min before the sunrise, this way you are already seated on the pillbox before the sun comes up.

Great hike with a real sense of accomplishment when you are done (back at the bottom; down is just a fun, interesting and challenging as up!). It is short, but steep, wear real shoes with good traction (dont really need full on hiking boots unless you like them). Steep sections, multiple routes, amazing views along ridge/spine trails. And the Wailua beach awaits when you are done!

Moderate hike with a lot of slippery parts along the way. There are ropes in the beginning of the hike which is super helpful at muddy spots. As we go up, its easy to get lost as there are multiple ways to get to the top. It is better to take the rocky path as muddy paths tend to be slippery. There are two pillboxes at the top and we get 360 degrees view of the shore and surrounding. Going down was comparatively easier than we thought. There is no parking available near the trailhead. We parked a few blocks away and took a lyft to the the trailhead. One of the beautiful hikes in Oahu.

Fun hike. Trail does not circle back. Dont let maps fool you. Incredible views of lanakai beach

This hike was super fun! Parking was easy - just find a spot not too far down the road near Lanikai beach, which youll want to hit after the hike anyway. It starts across from the golf course and is about 30 minutes up to the top, 30 minutes back down (leisurely pace) - but plan for extra time for pictures at the pillboxes. Just a couple spots are steep, Id recommend shoes (no sandles/flip flops) and visit Cinnamons in the town for breakfast (the red velvet pancakes are amazing).

Beautiful views. It was a great experience.

Small hike, beautiful history and an amazing view.

Love it, we went for sunrise!Which was A unique experience!Which was better experience than going near noon and getting sun burned!

Very good hike with great views. Moderately difficult but well worth it

OMG this was an amazing hike just go and watch the sunrise

Great View, Easy up, no so for down!

Beautiful hike with great views. A definite must do in Kailua. Did this hike with Nike frees no problem!

Easy hike. ( might be slipery in rainy days ) A must do while in oahu. Outstanding views

You have to do this. Not super easy but totes doable for anyone. Except wheelchairs, duh

Beautiful hike. Can be a little crowded. This is not the pink pillbox hike - we ran into several people looking for this hike. The pink pillbox is on the west side of the island.

Look lets be clear, this isnt as easy a hike as they make it out to be in the guidebooks. If there has been recent rain its slippery and challenging. If its dry its still a scramble for much of the hike. With that said the views are spectacular and its a comparatively short effort to get solid reward.

The Lanikai Pillbox is one of many Pillbox hikes on island. This hike is one of my favorites for its simplicity and amazing views. If you are looking to chase a sunrise this is a fantastic hike based on its ease to do with minimal light and quick if you are running late.

Short but beautiful hiking trail to pillbox from the Lanikai beach.

The beginning of the hike can be difficult, but its not too bad and the views at the top are incredible and definitely worth the minor danger.

Stunning hike. Mostly uneven terrain so come prepared with a pair of walking shoes.

Hot, steep and rock, but the views are amazing!

The views are breathtaking and the pillboxes are super fun!

Short hike to the pillboxes. All uphill, but manageable for anyone. Views the whole way up, and past the two boxes. Not a lot of shade, bring sunblock!

Beautiful view from pillbox. Best when you go for sunrise. A bit of steep climb and descent, so if you have knee problems like myself, be careful and go slow.

Excellent view, easy in gene5

Great views, easy hike

Overcrowded but beautiful little hike. Good for beginners!

Super dope hike with sweet photo ops, although parking is really only an option at the public beach

Beautiful hike with great views. Bring good hiking shoes or sandals

Quick and easy hike with rewarding views. This one is great a sunset and you can get down quickly before its too dark.

Great hike for sunrise and then short walk to the beach to cool off!

Don’t mess around... bring a flashlight and your camera and do this for sunrise. Seriously... start when it’s dark and get up there. Nobody gets to see sunrises like this.

Great quick hike. Views are stunning the whole way up

Easy hike but the views are

Fantastic hike. Even when mudy So funny. But easy to break bones. So take care. Stuning views.

Best sunrise hike, park down the road a ways

The view here is great. It isnt a long hike but its great for seeing the morning sun rises

Street parking, the hike itself was easy! Up and back took us 80 mins. And we stopped for many photo opportunities, the breeze was awesome. Overall it was great. Would definitely recommend. Not much shade coverage! Bring water!! Two pill boxes. Super worth the short hike!

Nice hike with great views all the way up!

Best view on Oahu in my opinion.. hike is easy a little steep but easy saw kids 4 years old doing

The Hike was awesome, its really hard if you dont do hiking really often but it was worth it. Make sure you get up really early and there is not a lot of parking around because a lot of people do it. So make sure you calculate 15min to 20min more than when you expect to arrive at your destination for finding parking and walk to the entrance. Bring Lights!!

Loved this hiking, spectacular view! A must do

Great Hike. Amazing views. If you dont like or cant stay out in the sun for too long, recommend going in the morning. Visit both pillboxes, the second one has better views.

This was a beautiful hike. Parking is in a residential area and trail head is across from the golf course. We went on a slightly muddy day. It starts off steep (no big deal if dry). There are some ropes to help you. Then it gets rocky until you reach the first pill box. Its a great view. You can see the 2nd pillbox from the 1st one, its a short flat hike to the 2nd one. It can get pretty windy up top. The path is pretty wide in most places so never felt nervous. The views are amazing from up here. We did both this pill box and the Ehukai pill box. I prefer the views from the Lanikai Pill box, I would say the Ehukai pill box hike is slightly easier (ledge wise). They are both worth doing. Although when we were up top it started to down pour so had to make a quick escape down and it was muddy and slick! This is a super short hike, 15 minutes to the first pill box. Wish we wouldve been able to do this is as a sunrise hike but the weather didnt allow for this. In all it was about 60 minutes round trip including exploring and being slow.

Steep from the start. Views are amazing. Parking is a challenge. Its a must do.

Super and challenging hike with every step! Magnificent and breathtaking views, you will like it all with a little bit of military history.

Easy hike with great views of the ocean. The only thing missing is signs explaining the great history behind the pillboxes. Aka the military look outs.