10 Pillbox Hikes In Oahu With Nice Views

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Throughout World Battle II, the U.S. army constructed concrete bunkers all around the island of Oahu as defensive lookout posts guarding Hawaii, and most of them have superb views of the shoreline.

These ‘pillboxes’ have been deserted ever for the reason that battle, however they’ve became beloved mountain climbing locations due to the good surroundings and historical past behind them.

Right here’s my information for all the pillbox hikes in Oahu, together with some hidden gems!

1. Lanikai / Kailua Pillboxes

The preferred pillbox hike in Oahu is unquestionably the one in Lanikai, close to Kailua.

If I had to decide on one hike on this listing as my favourite, it could be this one. This hike is brief, simple, and extremely stunning. I can’t think about a nicer view for a wartime bunker!

The one draw back is that it’s getting fairly well-known and generally the path is crowded.

The primary pillbox at Lanikai might be reached in about 15-20 minutes of mountain climbing, and for my part it has one of the best views and picture spots of the entire hike.

It’s a enjoyable place to relax after mountain climbing, and there’s a pleasant ocean breeze so it doesn’t really feel too scorching up there even in the midst of the day.

From the primary pillbox at Lanikai, it’s solely a ten minute stroll to achieve the second pillbox, which is greater.

The second pillbox truly has two separate rooms, and you’ll go inside both of them by climbing down a set of steel rungs.

The interiors are crammed with graffiti, and looking the home windows provides one other neat perspective of the surface surroundings.

Simply watch out with small children close to the hatch, as a result of it wouldn’t be an excellent place to fall.

A safer, simpler manner for youths to benefit from the inside the Lanikai pillboxes is by climbing by the entrance window as an alternative, though they nonetheless may have a hand.

Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 450 toes (140 m)
Problem: Simple

Learn Extra: Lanikai Pillbox Hike

 

2. Maili / Pink Pillbox Hike

This can be a ridge hike on the west facet of Oahu with a pink pillbox and panoramic views of the coast all the best way to Waianae.

There are a bunch of concrete bunkers on the prime of the ridge, and you’ll stroll inside or climb on prime of them for even higher views of the shoreline.

It’s not a really exhausting hike, however the ridge is a bit steep and there’s no shade on the path, so it might get fairly scorching in the event you go in the midst of the day.

This hike isn’t as crowded because the one at Lanikai, and it’s an excellent place to look at the sundown in the event you don’t thoughts happening when it’s nightfall.

Typically in the event you’re fortunate, you possibly can even see whales leaping within the distance.

Distance: 1.2 miles (2 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 500 toes (150 m)
Problem: Simple / Average

Learn Extra: Pink Pillbox Hike

 

3. Ehukai Pillboxes

Also referred to as the ‘peace pillbox’ hike, it is a good path on the North Shore with views of Ehukai and the coast from above.

There are two concrete World Battle II pillboxes on this hike. The view on the first one is blocked by timber, however it’s nonetheless enjoyable to stroll contained in the bunker.

From right here, you proceed previous some boulders and down the hill till you attain the second pillbox, which has nice views of the North Shore.

General, it’s a household pleasant hike with a good quantity of elevation acquire, just like the path at Lanikai, though this one has much more shade because you’re strolling by a forest for a lot of the hike.

The trailhead is clearly marked and it begins from the parking zone of Sundown Seaside Elementary College, which is true subsequent to Ehukai Seaside Park.

Distance: 1.5 miles (2.4 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 650 toes (200 m)
Problem: Simple

 

4. Diamond Head Hike

The extinct volcanic crater of Diamond Head is certainly one of Oahu’s most well-known landmarks, and the hike to the highest of the crater can be standard.

This can be a nice hike for households, and it options some cool WWII bunkers and pillboxes with superior views of the cityscape at Waikiki and Honolulu. It’s a basic hike.

In the course of the battle, the U.S. Navy constructed tunnels and gun emplacements all alongside the sting of the crater for the protection of Honolulu, and you’ll nonetheless see these and go inside a few of them.

A lot of the path is paved with railings, so it must be fairly simple for anybody with first rate health, however you’ll wish to convey a hat and sunscreen since there isn’t a lot shade.

Distance: 1.8 miles (2.9 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 500 toes (150 m)
Problem: Simple / Average

Learn Extra: Diamond Head Hike

 

5. Koko Head Hike

Koko Head is one other well-known hike in Oahu. It’s a grueling exercise that takes you on a steep railway path up the facet of a dormant volcano crater.

That’s proper — as an alternative of mountain climbing on rocks or filth, you’ll be strolling on railroad ties with wood steps. It’s a reasonably distinctive mountain climbing expertise.

I’ve climbed the Koko stairs many instances through the years, and it’s at all times nice enjoyable.

It’s not a harmful hike so long as you’re cautious, however it’s an actual health check and might not be pleasant for everybody.

The railway at Koko Head was constructed by the U.S. Military in 1942 to hold males and provides to a radar station on the prime of the mountain, and you’ll nonetheless see a number of the outdated bunkers and pillboxes there right this moment.

After World Battle II, it was then used as an air pressure station by the USAF beginning in 1947, however with advances in expertise it will definitely turned out of date for monitoring plane. The set up was deactivated in 1966, and the U.S. Air Power handed it over to the town of Honolulu.

Within the years since then, the path has grow to be a success, and as many as 500 to 1,000 individuals climb it daily for the thrills, the views, and the free exercise.

Distance: 1.6 miles (2.6 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 900 toes (275 m)
Problem: Average / Arduous

Learn Extra: Koko Head Hike

 

6. Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Pillbox

That is one other pillbox hike that’s brief, simple, and family-friendly. It’s situated in Kaneohe.

After a short hike within the jungle, you’ll discover two pillboxes with views of Kaneohe Bay and your entire windward facet of the island. You’ll be able to even sit and watch the U.S. Marine Corps planes flying out and in of the bottom at MCBH.

It’s not a extremely popular hike in comparison with Lanikai, so that you may even have the place all to your self, like we did!

Distance: 2.3 miles (3.7 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 600 toes (180 m)
Problem: Simple

 

7. Ka’ena Level Pillbox

The Ka’ena Level hike takes you to the distant western tip of Oahu island, the place there’s a wildlife sanctuary and nice sundown views.

Nevertheless, most individuals who hike to Ka’ena Level don’t know there’s additionally a bonus path to an outdated army pillbox on the ridge, with superb views of the entire space.

As soon as on the prime of the pillbox, you get to see Ka’ena Level from above, with a pleasant breeze and the sound of sea birds, plus superb views of the sundown and whales hopping within the distance.

The facet path to the Ka’ena Level pillbox is brief, however fairly strenuous. A part of the problem is discovering the trail to the highest of the ridge, as a result of it’s unmarked, rocky, and a bit overgrown.

Here’s a map of the place the pillbox facet path begins. You’ll undoubtedly need footwear for this one, not sandals. Convey an excellent headlight too in the event you go for sundown.

The trouble pays off. This is without doubt one of the greatest sundown hikes on Oahu, and to prime it off, we had the place all to ourselves! Most individuals simply hike to Ka’ena Level after which name it a day.

Distance: 6 miles (9.8 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 425 toes (130 m)
Problem: Average

Learn Extra: Ka’ena Level Path

 

8. Makapu’u Pillboxes

Most individuals hike to Makapu’u Level to see the lighthouse and attempt to spot whales breaching within the distance, however in the event you go off the crushed path, there are additionally a bunch of pillboxes hiding in plain sight.

The primary pillbox is close to the 0.7-mile mark, hiding on a small hill that you simply go because the path forks to the Makapu’u tide swimming pools.

As a substitute of happening to the tide swimming pools, climb this little hill and also you’ll discover a pillbox hiding behind it, with good views of the southeastern coast.

However that’s not all. There are just a few extra pillboxes at Makapu’u in the event you hold going to the top.

Afterward within the path, when you attain Makapu’u Level, you possibly can depart the pavement and bushwhack as much as the highest of the hill, the place there are 4 pillboxes with panoramic views of Koko Crater within the distance.

The spot is marked as #7 on this AllTrails map if you wish to use it for navigation. Listed below are a few of our pictures from the hike beneath.

Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 600 toes (180 m)
Problem: Simple / Average

 

9. Crouching Lion Pillboxes

Crouching Lion is one other hike in Oahu that’s recognized for its superior surroundings, however only a few individuals know there are additionally a few pillboxes there hiding within the jungle.

Regardless that they’re run down and surrounded by foliage, it’s nonetheless an fascinating characteristic of the path. You’ll be able to stroll inside or climb on prime of them for a pleasant view of Kahana Bay.

This brief little hike is already some of the scenic locations on the island, so that you may as effectively see the pillbox when you’re right here!

Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 300 toes (90 m)
Problem: Simple / Average

Learn Extra: Crouching Lion Hike

 

10. Turtle Bay Pillbox

This can be a pillbox on the seaside which you could attain by mountain climbing from both Kawela Bay or Ō’owopāla Seaside.

The simplest technique to get there may be to park and stroll from Kawela Bay Seaside Park. In any other case, in the event you keep at Turtle Bay Resort and hike from there, it takes about half-hour.

This pillbox isn’t as spectacular as a number of the different hikes on this listing, however you possibly can attain it in simply 10 minutes of mountain climbing, and there’s a pleasant banyan tree to see alongside the best way.

The seaside is surprisingly secluded, and there are good views of the sundown.
 

Extra World Battle II Hikes In Oahu

• Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven)

Should you’re on the lookout for extra WWII-related hikes in Oahu, there are just a few you must find out about. Considered one of these is Hawaii’s most notorious hike: the Haiku Stairs.

Also referred to as the ‘Stairway To Heaven,’ these steep steel stairs had been constructed on the facet of a mountain by the U.S. Navy in 1942, together with a radio station and large antenna on the prime of the height that had been used to speak with ships within the Pacific.

The Haiku Stairs had been formally closed within the Eighties, and so they’ve been broken somewhat (and repaired) on and off within the years since then.

The path is hiked by 1000’s of individuals yearly due to its superb surroundings, however it stays unlawful and its standing remains to be in limbo. The state of Hawaii is afraid of legal responsibility and might’t resolve what to do with the steps.

As of 2025, there’s a political battle over the way forward for the steps taking part in out in courtroom. Will it grow to be a authorized hike sometime?

Distance: 2.3 miles (3.7 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 2,625 toes (800 m)
Problem: Arduous

Learn Extra: Stairway To Heaven Hike

 

• Battery Cooper Bunker

This one isn’t a hike, however it’s nonetheless price seeing! There’s a whole World Battle II bunker at Kualoa Ranch, and so they allow you to go inside it in the event you do a tour of the ranch.

The Battery Cooper bunker was inbuilt 1944 and utilized by the U.S. Military for five years. Its tunnel is 150 toes deep and has a number of rooms, which are actually embellished with props from the numerous Hollywood films which were filmed at Kualoa Ranch.

We went right here with a GetYourGuide tour that included a go to to the Jurassic Park and King Kong film websites, and different well-known filming places within the Kualoa valley.

You’ll be able to e-book the identical tour within the hyperlink beneath!

E book Now: Kualoa Ranch Tour

 

Map Of Pillbox Hikes In Oahu

Right here’s a map of all of the World Battle II pillbox hikes in Oahu.

You’ll be able to click on the icons to get extra information and instructions for every focal point, however take note a number of the places on this map could also be approximate.

For extra detailed data on learn how to discover the precise trailheads, you possibly can take a look at my particular person guides for every hike.

As at all times, please keep in mind to maintain the path clear, be thoughtful of different hikers, and depart no hint. Thanks and pleased travels!
 

 

Extra Mountain climbing Guides For Hawaii

Thanks for wanting! I hope you loved a few of these enjoyable pillbox hikes in Oahu.

Should you’re planning a visit to Hawaii, don’t neglect to take a look at my different journey guides earlier than you go!
 

Oahu Resorts

 
 

Finest Oahu Excursions

 

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