10 Pillbox Hikes In Oahu With Great Views
10 Pillbox Hikes In Oahu With Great Views During World War II, the U.S. military built concrete bunkers all over the island…
10 Pillbox Hikes In Oahu With Great Views
During World War II, the U.S. military built concrete bunkers all over the island of Oahu as defensive lookout posts guarding Hawaii, and most of them have amazing views of the coastline.
These ‘pillboxes’ have been abandoned ever since the war, but they’ve turned into beloved hiking destinations because of the great scenery and history behind them.
Here’s my guide for all of the pillbox hikes in Oahu, including some hidden gems!
1. Lanikai / Kailua Pillboxes
The most popular pillbox hike in Oahu is definitely the one in Lanikai, near Kailua.
If I had to choose one hike on this list as my favorite, it would be this one. This hike is short, easy, and incredibly beautiful. I can’t imagine a nicer view for a wartime bunker!
The only downside is that it’s getting pretty famous and sometimes the trail is crowded.
Resting at the top of the pillbox hike
The first pillbox at Lanikai can be reached in about 15-20 minutes of hiking, and in my opinion it has the best views and photo spots of the whole hike.
It’s a fun place to chill after hiking, and there’s a nice ocean breeze so it doesn’t feel too hot up there even in the middle of the day.
From the first pillbox at Lanikai, it’s only a 10 minute walk to reach the second pillbox, which is bigger.
Views from inside the second pillbox
Entrance
Inside
The second pillbox actually has two separate rooms, and you can go inside either of them by climbing down a set of metal rungs.
The interiors are filled with graffiti, and looking out the windows gives another neat perspective of the outside scenery.
Just be careful with small kids near the hatch, because it wouldn’t be a good place to fall.
A safer, easier way for kids to enjoy the inside of the Lanikai pillboxes is by climbing through the front window instead, although they still may need a hand.
Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 450 feet (140 m)
Difficulty: Easy
Read More: Lanikai Pillbox Hike
Lanikai pillbox hike
2. Maili / Pink Pillbox Hike
This is a ridge hike on the west side of Oahu with a pink pillbox and panoramic views of the coast all the way to Waianae.
There are a bunch of concrete bunkers at the top of the ridge, and you can walk inside or climb on top of them for even better views of the coastline.
Pink pillbox hike
It’s not a very hard hike, but the ridge is a bit steep and there’s no shade on the trail, so it can get pretty hot if you go in the middle of the day.
This hike isn’t as crowded as the one at Lanikai, and it’s a good place to watch the sunset if you don’t mind going down when it’s dusk.
Sometimes if you’re lucky, you can even see whales jumping in the distance.
Distance: 1.2 miles (2 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 500 feet (150 m)
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Read More: Pink Pillbox Hike
Inside the pink pillbox
Drone pic of the pink pillbox. Amazing views of the Waianae coast!
3. Ehukai Pillboxes
Also known as the ‘peace pillbox’ hike, this is a nice trail on the North Shore with views of Ehukai and the coast from above.
There are two concrete World War II pillboxes on this hike. The view at the first one is blocked by trees, but it’s still fun to walk inside the bunker.
From here, you continue past some boulders and down the hill until you reach the second pillbox, which has great views of the North Shore.
View from the second pillbox at Ehukai
Overall, it’s a family friendly hike with a fair amount of elevation gain, similar to the trail at Lanikai, although this one has a lot more shade since you’re walking through a forest for most of the hike.
The trailhead is clearly marked and it starts from the parking lot of Sunset Beach Elementary School, which is right next to Ehukai Beach Park.
Distance: 1.5 miles (2.4 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 650 feet (200 m)
Difficulty: Easy
Inside the first bunker at Ehukai
Banyan trees in the jungle
4. Diamond Head Hike
The extinct volcanic crater of Diamond Head is one of Oahu’s most famous landmarks, and the hike to the top of the crater is also popular.
This is a great hike for families, and it features some cool WWII bunkers and pillboxes with awesome views of the cityscape at Waikiki and Honolulu. It’s a classic hike.
During the war, the U.S. Military built tunnels and gun emplacements all along the edge of the crater for the defense of Honolulu, and you can still see these and go inside some of them.
Most of the trail is paved with railings, so it should be pretty easy for anyone with decent fitness, but you’ll want to bring a hat and sunscreen since there isn’t much shade.
Distance: 1.8 miles (2.9 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 500 feet (150 m)
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Read More: Diamond Head Hike
Diamond Head Lookout — an easy, family friendly hike.
5. Koko Head Hike
Koko Head is another famous hike in Oahu. It’s a grueling workout that takes you on a steep railway trail up the side of a dormant volcano crater.
That’s right — instead of hiking on rocks or dirt, you’ll be walking on railroad ties with wooden steps. It’s a pretty unique hiking experience.
I’ve climbed the Koko stairs many times over the years, and it’s always great fun.
It’s not a dangerous hike as long as you’re careful, but it’s a real fitness test and may not be enjoyable for everyone.
Koko Crater is an extinct volcano that was used as a radar station in WWII
Hiker at the summit. Amazing views!
The railway at Koko Head was built by the U.S. Army in 1942 to carry men and supplies to a radar station at the top of the mountain, and you can still see some of the old bunkers and pillboxes there today.
After World War II, it was then used as an air force station by the USAF starting in 1947, but with advances in technology it eventually became obsolete for tracking aircraft. The installation was deactivated in 1966, and the U.S. Air Force handed it over to the city of Honolulu.
In the years since then, the trail has become a hit, and as many as 500 to 1,000 people climb it every day for the thrills, the views, and the free workout.
Distance: 1.6 miles (2.6 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 900 feet (275 m)
Difficulty: Moderate / Hard
Read More: Koko Head Hike
Old military pillbox at the top of Koko Head
6. Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Pillbox
This is another pillbox hike that’s short, easy, and family-friendly. It’s located in Kaneohe.
After a brief hike in the jungle, you’ll find two pillboxes with views of Kaneohe Bay and the entire windward side of the island. You can even sit and watch the U.S. Marine Corps planes flying in and out of the base at MCBH.
It’s not a very popular hike compared to Lanikai, so you might even have the place all to yourself, like we did!
Distance: 2.3 miles (3.7 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 600 feet (180 m)
Difficulty: Easy
On top of the pillbox
Funky graffiti inside
View from Pu’u Ma’eli’eli
7. Ka’ena Point Pillbox
The Ka’ena Point hike takes you to the remote western tip of Oahu island, where there’s a wildlife sanctuary and great sunset views.
However, most people who hike to Ka’ena Point have no idea there’s also a bonus trail to an old military pillbox on the ridge, with amazing views of the whole area.
Once at the top of the pillbox, you get to see Ka’ena Point from above, with a nice breeze and the sound of sea birds, plus amazing views of the sunset and whales hopping in the distance.
Sunset on the secret pillbox high above Ka’ena Point — it doesn’t get much better than this!
The side trail to the Ka’ena Point pillbox is short, but pretty strenuous. Part of the challenge is finding the path to the top of the ridge, because it’s unmarked, rocky, and a bit overgrown.
Here is a map of where the pillbox side trail starts. You’ll definitely want shoes for this one, not sandals. Bring a good headlight too if you go for sunset.
The effort pays off. This is one of the best sunset hikes on Oahu, and to top it off, we had the place all to ourselves! Most people just hike to Ka’ena Point and then call it a day.
Distance: 6 miles (9.8 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 425 feet (130 m)
Difficulty: Moderate
Read More: Ka’ena Point Trail
8. Makapu’u Pillboxes
Most people hike to Makapu’u Point to see the lighthouse and try to spot whales breaching in the distance, but if you go off the beaten path, there are also a bunch of pillboxes hiding in plain sight.
The first pillbox is near the 0.7-mile mark, hiding on a small hill that you pass as the trail forks to the Makapu’u tide pools.
Instead of going down to the tide pools, climb this little hill and you’ll find a pillbox hiding behind it, with nice views of the southeastern coast.
First pillbox on the hike
But that’s not all. There are a few more pillboxes at Makapu’u if you keep going to the end.
Later on in the trail, once you reach Makapu’u Point, you can leave the pavement and bushwhack up to the top of the hill, where there are 4 pillboxes with panoramic views of Koko Crater in the distance.
The spot is marked as #7 on this AllTrails map if you want to use it for navigation. Here are some of our photos from the hike below.
Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 600 feet (180 m)
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
There are 4 hidden pillboxes at the top of Makapu’u Head
Views of Koko Crater from the last pillbox
9. Crouching Lion Pillboxes
Crouching Lion is another hike in Oahu that’s known for its awesome scenery, but very few people know there are also a couple of pillboxes there hiding in the jungle.
Even though they’re run down and surrounded by foliage, it’s still an interesting feature of the trail. You can walk inside or climb on top of them for a nice view of Kahana Bay.
This short little hike is already one of the most scenic places on the island, so you might as well see the pillbox while you’re here!
Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 300 feet (90 m)
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Read More: Crouching Lion Hike
Nice views from one of the Crouching Lion pillboxes
10. Turtle Bay Pillbox
This is a pillbox on the beach that you can reach by hiking from either Kawela Bay or Ō’owopāla Beach.
The easiest way to get there is to park and walk from Kawela Bay Beach Park. Otherwise, if you stay at Turtle Bay Resort and hike from there, it takes about 30 minutes.
This pillbox isn’t as spectacular as some of the other hikes on this list, but you can reach it in just 10 minutes of hiking, and there’s a nice banyan tree to see along the way.
The beach is surprisingly secluded, and there are nice views of the sunset.
More World War II Hikes In Oahu
• Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven)
If you’re looking for more WWII-related hikes in Oahu, there are a few you should know about. One of these is Hawaii’s most infamous hike: the Haiku Stairs.
Also known as the ‘Stairway To Heaven,’ these steep metal stairs were built on the side of a mountain by the U.S. Navy in 1942, along with a radio station and giant antenna at the top of the peak that were used to communicate with ships in the Pacific.
The Haiku Stairs were officially closed in the 1980s, and they’ve been damaged a little (and repaired) on and off in the years since then.
The trail is hiked by thousands of people every year because of its amazing scenery, but it remains illegal and its status is still in limbo. The state of Hawaii is afraid of liability and can’t decide what to do with the stairs.
As of 2025, there’s a political battle over the future of the stairs playing out in court. Will it become a legal hike someday?
Distance: 2.3 miles (3.7 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,625 feet (800 m)
Difficulty: Hard
Read More: Stairway To Heaven Hike
The WWII-era ‘Stairway To Heaven‘ is one of Hawaii’s most infamous hikes
• Battery Cooper Bunker
This one isn’t a hike, but it’s still worth seeing! There’s an entire World War II bunker at Kualoa Ranch, and they let you go inside it if you do a tour of the ranch.
The Battery Cooper bunker was built in 1944 and used by the U.S. Army for 5 years. Its tunnel is 150 feet deep and has multiple rooms, which are now decorated with props from the many Hollywood movies that have been filmed at Kualoa Ranch.
We went here with a GetYourGuide tour that included a visit to the Jurassic Park and King Kong movie sites, and other famous filming locations in the Kualoa valley.
You can book the same tour in the link below!
Book Now: Kualoa Ranch Tour
The bunker entrance at Kualoa Ranch
Inside the Battery Cooper bunker
Map Of Pillbox Hikes In Oahu
Here’s a map of all the World War II pillbox hikes in Oahu.
You can click the icons to get more info and directions for each point of interest, but keep in mind some of the locations on this map may be approximate.
For more detailed information on how to find the exact trailheads, you can check out my individual guides for each hike.
As always, please remember to keep the trail clean, be considerate of other hikers, and leave no trace. Thanks and happy travels!
More Hiking Guides For Hawaii
Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed some of these fun pillbox hikes in Oahu.
If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, don’t forget to check out my other travel guides before you go!
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