Hiking In Hawaii: Ehukai Pillbox Hike

I have had photos sitting in various drives on my desk for so long that the other day I decided to wipe them all clean, open them up and dive into what I had and what was worth keeping. I discovered tons of photos and some of those photos include one of the times we hiked the Ehukai Pillboxes here on Oahu. How have I never blogged about this Hawaii hike before?! ::face palm:: It’s definitely one of our favorite easy hikes in Hawaii, so today I’m sharing all the details for if you want to these North Shore pillboxes or just want a little Hawaiian adventure from your desk 😉

Hiking In Hawaii: Ehukai Pillbox Hike

The Ehukai Pillbox Hike is one of the easy Oahu hikes (in my opinion). It’s a short sprint to the top and you’re rewarded with beautiful views of the North Shore, famed Sunset Beach and waves from above. It’s also neat to see the old pillboxes from World War II up there and makes for a fun photo op 😉

To start, park at the Sunset Beach Public Parking and look for the trailhead marker. It should be clear and you’ll see other people walking into a forest path – that’s it! To note: If you park at Sunset Beach Elementary you will likely be fined, ticketed/towed or worse – locked in. Don’t let the weekend farmer’s market fool you – they lock that gate in the afternoon! Consider this your fair warning.

The trail is 1.5 miles roundtrip, but it might seem longer during that uphill trek. Keep going! It’s worth it, I promise! Once you get toward the top, you’ll walk through what appears to be a forest before breaking through to panoramic ocean views.

The first pillbox you reach will offer amazing views and it’s easy to spot at the end of the clearing. Be sure to stop and snap some photos before continuing down the hill to the second pillbox. Honestly, I could sit up there and watch waves all day. It’s so peaceful, particularly if it’s not crowded.

The hike is out-and-back, so to get back to your car, just walk down the way you came. While shaded in parts, this hike can get incredibly hot, so be sure to pack sunscreen and some water. Have fun!

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy 6 Easy Hikes On Oahu or 10 Beautiful Hikes On Oahu