Lanikai Trail is the most popular scenic pillbox hike in Hawaii, offering a panoramic view of the "heavenly sea."
It is the spark that ignited the pillbox boom, popular for allowing hikers to enjoy spectacular views of the No. 1 beach in the US!
By the way, Lanikai Trail is a common name; the official name is "Kaiwa Ridge Trail."
Generally referred to as a pillbox hike, it is a hiking course favored by locals as well.
It is a sightseeing spot where you can fully experience Hawaii, so be sure to stop by when visiting Kailua Beach or Lanikai Beach.
There Are Two Pillboxes on Lanikai Trail
There are actually two pillboxes, and while both are at about the same elevation, the view changes!
If you go to the second pillbox, you can see the Twin Islands (Mokulua Islands) directly in front of you, so we recommend visiting both.
The recommended time to reach the summit is definitely sunrise!
Depending on the season, the sun rises from between the Twin Islands, creating a very mysterious atmosphere.
Sitting on the edge of the pillbox for a photo always looks great for Instagram.
Lanikai Trail Duration and Difficulty
Although there are some steep slopes, Lanikai Trail is basically a pillbox hike that is not too difficult.
It is a course that takes about 30 minutes to ascend and 20 minutes to descend.
It is possible to climb in sandals, but since it gets quite slippery when it rains and the ground is sharp in some places, trekking shoes are recommended.
The beginning of the climb is the most difficult part, so be sure to climb with caution at first.
It is more slippery on the way down, so if you feel scared, it is safer to descend sideways (crab walk) to control your speed!
How to Access Lanikai Trail
Since the trailhead for Lanikai Trail is in a slightly difficult-to-find location, we will explain a simple route starting from Kailua Town!
There are mainly four ways to get there: walking, bus, Uber, and bicycle.
It takes about 45 minutes one way on foot, about 15 minutes by electric bicycle, about 20 minutes by pedal bicycle, and about 10 minutes by bus or Uber.
By Walking or Bicycle
Kailua Road → Turn left at the junction with Wanaao Road and head north → Turn right when you hit Kailua Beach → Proceed along Alala Road and take the road to the right (Aalapapa Drive) at the junction where the Lanikai Monument is → Turn right at the crossroad (Kaelepulu Drive) after proceeding for a while → You will see a golf course on the right and a sign indicating the trail entrance on the left → That is the entrance to Lanikai Trail!
If you are on a bicycle, there is a parking space on the golf course side, so park your bicycle there.
By TheBus
Take bus number 671 from the bus stop in front of Kailua Shopping Center, and you will arrive at the nearest bus stop (Aalapapa Dr + Kaelepulu Dr) in about 10 minutes.
After getting off, walk towards the mountains for about 5 minutes to arrive at Lanikai Trail.
By Uber
It is the easiest method; just enter "Lanikai Trail" as the destination in the app!
It automatically calculates the shortest route and fare from your current location when you open the app.
Once the vehicle arrives, you will reach Lanikai Trail in about 10 minutes.
Lanikai Trail Basic Information
| Name | Lanikai Trail |
| Address | 265 Kaelepulu Dr, Kailua, HI 96734 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Holidays | None |
| Duration | About 1 hour or more |
| Restrooms | None |
| Parking | None (Use nearby parking) |
Recommended Transportation to Lanikai Trail
TheBus – The Cheapest Public Transport Covering All of Hawaii
Taxi & Uber – Ideal Charter Vehicles for Small Groups in Hawaii
Rental Car & Turo – Private Vehicles for Free Movement in Hawaii
Areas Surrounding Lanikai Trail
Complete Guide to Popular Sightseeing Spots on the East Coast of Oahu, Hawaii