UPDATED FEB 2020. The Lanikai Pillbox hike is easily one of the most popular hikes on Oahu and certainly deserves a spot on everyone’s Hawaii bucket list. Today I’m sharing a practical guide to help you plan your own adventure day up to the pillboxes. I hope you find it useful and, as always, if you have any questions, just let me know. Diggin these posts? Follow my blog with Bloglovin.
LANIKAI PILLBOX HIKE – What You Need To Know To Hike The Famous Trail
Disclaimer
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FAQ for the Lanikai Pillbox Trail
Where is the Lanikai Pillbox Trail located?
Lanikai. Eastside of the island, 45 minutes drive from Waikiki.
How long does it take?
1-2 hours depending on your pace.
What is the skill level?
Beginner.
Is there a cost to hike?
No, it’s free.
What should you bring with you?
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Good hiking shoes (I use the New Balance Minimus
) - Camera (I use this action camera with this compact selfie stick and tripod)
- Snacks or energy gels
- Lightweight towel and swimwear if you want to go to the beach afterward
- A travel journal to document it all (this is the one I created)
)
and swimwear if you want to go to the beach afterward
)
Where to park
You can use ‘Lanikai Pillbox Trail’ in Google Maps to get you to the trail.
The entrance to the hike is on Kaelepulu Drive, though given the popularity of the hike, you will likely need to park a little further back and walk up to the street to the trailhead.
Since this is a hike with street parking, please remember to be considerate of the locals who live in the area by not making excessive noise or blocking people’s driveways.
It sounds like it shouldn’t need to be mentioned, but unfortunately, there are a lot of incidents of people blocking driveways.
The entrance to the hike is signed so once you get there look for the sign and then follow the trail.
How to get to Lanikai Pillbox Trail using the bus
If you are planning a visit to Oahu, I recommend renting a car to get the most out of your stay.
However, if that’s not possible then you can use the bus to get to the Lanikai Pillbox Trail. You can take bus #57 towards Kailua, get off at Kalanianaole Hwy + Auloa Rd.
Then use bus #70 and get off at the Aalapapa Dr + Opp Onekea Dr stop to walk to the trailhead.
It will take about 90 minutes to get there on the bus and there are a couple of options so check which is most convenient for where you are staying.
Also, check with the bus driver or staff at your hotel to make sure these routes are current.
What to expect
The first section is a steep slope on a base of slippery dirt.
There are tree roots that help you to make your way up if you’re not as confident of a hiker.
This section is not very long at all, just a little bit of trickiness to start then the terrain is much simpler for the rest of the hike.
If you need to, just take it slow in the first section.
The rest of the well-marked trail is a little rocky, with a few inclines, but it’s fairly simple and doesn’t require much skill.
I saw a woman carrying a baby and others with their dogs, so it’s quite family-friendly no matter whether your family is human or furry.
When is the best time to hike it?
The Lanikai Pillbox Trail has an incredible sunrise view, so if you are an early bird, it’s a beautiful place to watch the sun wake up.
If you’re not up for a hike that early, you could also watch the sunrise from Lanikai Beach then go up to the trail afterward.
Otherwise, stick to the cooler parts of the day if you can to avoid the harsh sun.
Safety tips for the Lanikai Pillbox hike
It is an open hike with no protection from the sun.
Make sure you protect yourself from the elements by wearing a hat, drinking lots of water, wearing sunscreen, and also try to go in the cooler times of the day.
A good pair of shoes will be helpful to get you through the slippery and rocky sections.
I use the New Balance Minimus
and they are my favorite hiking shoes. They give me a lot of confidence and make me feel more stable by providing a lot of grip as I walk.
View this post on Instagram
Other things to do in the area
If you’d like to go to the beach after doing the Lanikai Pillbox hike, you’re in luck.
One of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Lanikai Beach, is just below. You could also visit:
- Kailua Beach
- Waimanalo Beach
- Alan Davis Beach
- Halona Cove
If you’d like to do more hikes in the area, I recommend:
- Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail and/or Tide Pools
- Koko Head Stairs
- Koko Head Arch
- Lulumahu Falls
For food in the area, I recommend:
- Crepes No Ka Oi or Cinnamon’s Restaurant for breakfast
- Paniolos for lunch
- Morning Brew for a coffee and snack
If you’re looking for a shave ice in the area, I recommend Island Snow. There’s a lot around the Kailua and Lanikai area to choose from, these are some of my favorites though.
Where to stay on Oahu
If you will be staying in Waikiki, I have stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village for staycations and it is fantastic.
On the North Shore, I love Turtle Bay Resort.
Unfortunately, my favorite guesthouse in Waimanalo has closed down now but the Waimanalo Beach Cottages are similar and by a stunning beach.
I hope this can help you plan your own adventure day to hike the Lanikai Pillbox hike.
As with any outdoor adventure remember to stick to the trails, take your trash with you and use your best judgment as far as if this would be a good hike for you.
If you found it useful, return the favor by sharing it or following me on Instagram.
Just a heads-up about the locals in this community … they’re exceedingly rude. We parked in front of a house being careful not to block their driveway and being careful not to park on their lawn. WELL … we got back from our hike with a nastygram on our car about parking on the street, we got cussed out for parking on the street, and someone keyed our rental vehicle for which we had to pay damages. This happened on our first day. Not the greatest first day. The hike was great, the sunset even better, but the locals … are … rude. Aloha.
Oh wow, I’m so sorry you experienced this. That’s definitely not the best first day. I hope the rest of the trip was better.