Let’s Hike the Lanikai Pillboxes
Quite busy, and for good reason, this moderately difficult 2-mile hike starts under a canopy of purple flowers and leads you to not one, but TWO, pillboxes that offer sweeping views of the world-famous Mokes and bright blue waters of Kailua and Lanikai on the windward side of Oahu.
Our reason for calling this hike moderately difficult?
It's accessible and fun for the whole family, but will require some scrambling during the steep 600 feet of elevation gain.
Don’t worry, YOU GOT THIS.
Just make sure to throw a water bottle in your pack, wear actual shoes and load up on sunscreen, because it gets hot and sunny on the unprotected ridge line.
Oh, and do me favor and treat these trails like you would the ones at home.
Scratch that.
Treat them better.
The impact the crowds have had is clear, and we want to keep this neat trail accessible for everyone in future years.
Disclaimer: A moderately difficult hike for one person might be extremely difficult for another. Always listen to your body and stop if the terrain is beyond your comfort zone, physical ability or skill level.
what to expect
Is this hike out-and-back or point-to-point?
Well, both.
If you’re looking to visit the pillboxes, simply hike up, enjoy the views and then hike back down the way you came - which is the most popular way.
That said, you can beat the crowds by continuing on past the pillboxes where you’ll find another mile and a half (or so) of single track that will dump you out on the street of another residential Lanikai neighborhood.
If you take this route, expect more steep inclines and descents with loose, rolling rocks that can prove difficult and slippery when maneuvering. In other words, it can get a little dicey.
Again, always listen to your body and stop if the terrain is beyond your comfort zone, physical ability or skill level.
What do you mean when you say to wear ‘real shoes’?
Save your flip flops for the beach, you’ll want to wear an actual trail running or hiking shoe with good traction for this hike.
My husband and I have logged hundreds of miles on trails and both of our favorite shoe (right now) is the Hoka Speedgoat.
When you say there’s some ‘scrambling’, what does that mean?
Scrambling is a hiking activity that entails climbing up steep hills and terrain with your hands and feet.
What is a pillbox and why do I want to see it?
Scattered across the island of Oahu, you'll find a number of WWII military bunkers, known as pillboxes.
These concrete bunkers are often painted with graffiti art both inside and out, and are situated on mountains overlooking the ocean - which makes them the perfect hiking destination for amazing views.
How do I get to the trailhead?
Simply dial up Lanikai Pillbox Hike into your gps and it should guide you there.
That said, the trailhead is located in a residential neighborhood near popular beach access points, so parking can be difficult.
Be mindful of resident driveways and no parking signs as you look for street parking, which will probably take a while - so put on some tunes, relax and enjoy the drive as you wait for a spot to open up.