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At a glance:
Distance: 2 miles round trip (or more if you get lost or just wonder through the woods)
Difficulty: McSteepy then mellow Ascent: 725 feet (ish) Map Link: Ehukai Pillbox Trail Website: Ehukai Pillbox Trail Google Maps Link: Ehukai Pillbox Trail |
Ehukai Pillbox
Eric Wirtz told me about this little gem on the North Shore. Unfortunately, the location marked on the map I used was not correct, so I wandered for a while down the wrong trail. Ironically, I ran into all sorts of hikers who made the same mistake, so we all got the same bad intel. The best place to park is Ehukai Beach Park, which seems pretty obvious.
The views are cool, but the pine trees blew my mind. Beware that it can be quite muddy, so just be ready to get really dirty. If you have some extra time, you'll notice that there are trails galore heading deep into the Pupukea-Paumalu Forest Reserve. Bring a hammock and wander in here for a while, it's really quite the place. |
Makapu'u lighthouse trail
getting there:
Address:
1) From Honolulu, head west on H-201 until you see the H-2 heading North.
2) Take the H-2 until it turns into HWY 80 in Wahiawa.
3) Follow this until you hop onto the 99 and then turn right onto the 83.
4) Follow the 83 until you get to Waimea and then turn up into Waimea Valley. Buy some of the tasty toffee in the gift shop. It's worth it.
5) Continue on the Kamehameha Hwy until you see Ehukai Beach Park on your left. Park here.
1) From Honolulu, head west on H-201 until you see the H-2 heading North.
2) Take the H-2 until it turns into HWY 80 in Wahiawa.
3) Follow this until you hop onto the 99 and then turn right onto the 83.
4) Follow the 83 until you get to Waimea and then turn up into Waimea Valley. Buy some of the tasty toffee in the gift shop. It's worth it.
5) Continue on the Kamehameha Hwy until you see Ehukai Beach Park on your left. Park here.
The Hike:
If you park at Ehukai Beach Park, just head across the road (avoiding the angry rooster) and walk up past the elementary school that will be on your right. The trail starts on the left and you quickly disappear into the forest. It's easy to think that this will be a really easy hike, but then the up begins. You will have to ascend through a combination of mud and roots up the hillside. As you get to the top of the ascent, the ground will be covered in pine needles. Follow the trail to the first pillbox. From here, keep going and head down a steep segment of trail to the second pillbox which has better views. If you have the time, head up into the Forest Reserve, hang your hammock between two pine trees and take a nap. If not, follow the trail back down and go to the beach. Enjoy the perfect day.
If you see this, you are in the wrong place.
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If you see this, you are in the right place
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