The Best Sunset and Sunrise Hikes on Oahu

One of the best ways to enjoy Hawaii’s natural beauty is through hikes. You get to make your way through all sorts of landscapes and terrains, from valleys, ridges, mountains, and cliffs. Not to mention the breathtaking skies that await you!

We have enjoyed hiking on Oahu together for many years. This is the island where Jedd grew up, and hiking is one of our favorite activities when we visit his family each year.

To catch the best views hiking, it’s important to choose prime locations. Luckily in Oahu, you have plenty of options to choose from.

Here is a list of the best hikes on Oahu for spectacular sunrise and sunset views.

Tips for Sunset and Sunrise Hiking in Hawaii

Is it safe to hike before sunrise on Oahu?

Generally, hiking at dawn in Hawaii is safe. The biggest concern is navigating the trails if you’ll be spending much time in the dark.

Is it safe to hike after sunset on Oahu?

Hiking at sunset in Hawaii is less safe. As it gets increasingly dark, your risk of getting lost or injured on the trail does increase.

Many Oahu trails are full of knotted tree roots, rocks, and other obstacles that make seeing where you step very important. Visibility will also help keep you from getting lost.

Personally, we prefer to hike at sunrise rather than sunset to prevent getting stuck on a trail in the dark.

Fortunately, we have not had personal experience with crimes like theft while hiking on Oahu. However, it can be said that crime rates are likely higher at night compared to early in the morning.

What time should I leave for the sunrise hike?

Due to Hawaii’s latitude, the sunset and sunrise times only vary about one hour throughout the year.

In the winter, Hawaii sunrise is around 7am; in the summer, sunrise can be a little before 6am.

We usually leave home for a sunrise hike while it’s still dark, timing our arrival at the trailhead when the sky is starting to lighten. This means we might start around 6:45am in the winter, or as early as 5:30am in the summer.

What should I bring on my Oahu hike?

Sturdy shoes – Trail running shoes or sturdy hiking sandals are great options to prevent any slips or falls. In trails with unpaved paths, you may encounter tangled tree roots, loose gravel or rocks. Do not wear flip flops hiking in Hawaii!
Extra change of shoes – Some hiking trails can get pretty muddy, especially those in the valleys or cloud-covered mountains. Trails that aren’t directly exposed to the sun will be muddy and slippery after rainfall. Don’t forget to bring a plastic bag to store your muddy shoes after.
Sunscreen – Sunscreen is a must! Whether you’re hiking on ridge trails where there’s not much shade or coastal paths under direct sun, protect your skin with SPF.
Bug repellent – Bug repellent is important if you’re hiking after rainfall or going to tropical trails. Valley trails that follow streams can also have more mosquitoes.
Water and snacks – Make sure you have water and snacks like a protein bar or trail mix to stay hydrated and energized in your hike.
Headlamp or flashlight – If starting before dark, one light per person will be crucial to safely navigating the trail until sunrise. In our experience, phone lights haven’t been enough on dark trails.

* Access our free Hawaii packing checklist here *
* See our suggested Oahu itinerary and list of more things to do here *

Best Sunrise Hikes on Oahu

Ready to plan your sunrise hike? Here are some suggested trails.

Lanikai Pillbox Hike – Kaiwa Ridge Trail

In Kailua town, above the beautiful Lanikai Beach are the Lanikai Pillbox structures which were once military lookouts on the hills. The trail takes a short, steep ascent at first and then follows the ridge where you can enjoy panoramic views of the coast.

A great spot to catch the sunrise is the first pillbox, only 0.4 miles from the road. From here, you overlook the beach, neighborhood, and the Mokulua islands. Hiking the whole ridge is roughly a mile each way.

Parking can get crowded in the Lanikai neighborhood so hiking first thing in the morning also lets you avoid traffic backups.

Learn more about the Lanikai Hike here

Makapu’u Lighthouse – Paved Accessible Hiking Trail

The Makapu’u Lighthouse is one of the best sunrise hikes in Oahu for beginners. The hike is only one mile long one way and takes about an hour to complete. The paved trail is also quite straightforward and very well-maintained.

Since it’s a very popular spot, expect a lot of people during busy times. It’s best to go here first thing in the morning to beat the crowds.

Though it’s a short hike, you’ll be hiking alongside the southern coastline of Oahu and you’ll even pass by tide pools which you can further explore off the main trail. The main point of interest is of course the Makapu’u Lighthouse which looks spectacular against the sunrise. But on clear days you can also see the islands of Molokai and Lanai.

**Michelle to include instructions about opening hours and parking

Learn more about Makapu’u Lighthouse and tidepools here

Wilhelmina Rise – Mau’umae Trail

The Wilhelmina Rise is more commonly known as Mau’umae or Lanipo Ridge Trail. This is one of the ridge hikes located between the valleys on the east of Honolulu’s city center. The entrance is found in a residential area called Mauna Lani Heights, up the steep incline of Wilhelmina Rise and the top of the Maunalani Circle loop.

This ridge hike is 3.5 miles one way and requires a bit more agility to get through the ups and downs of the trail. While not extremely challenging, the elevations are significant and the path is rocky so we recommend good sturdy shoes.

As for the scenery, there are several summits that provide open views of the sunrise. You’ll catch panoramic views of the neighborhoods nestled between the two valleys and the ocean in the far distance. If you make it high enough past, you’ll also see the famous Diamond Head Crater.

Learn more about the Mau’umae Hike here

Koko Head Crater Stairway

Looking for a challenging but ultimately rewarding hike? Then Koko Head Crater Stairway is the top sunrise hike for you. Located a short drive away from downtown Honolulu, this popular hike was a railway used to transport goods during World War 2.

It’s around 1.5 miles round trip or around 1,048 steps to get to the top. The trail is very well-maintained and there are various designated rest points throughout the hike.

Don’t be fooled by the distance! This steep hike is fairly challenging because of the elevation gain of over 1,000 feet once you reach the top of Koko Head Crater. The sunrise views from here are simply breathtaking and completely worth it. Take in the scenery of Hawaii Kai and the clear waters of Hanauma Bay.

Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail

The Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail has one of the best places to watch the sunrise on Oahu. This is great for beginners to intermediate hikers since the trail is clearly marked and the only challenging part is the steep climb at the end to reach the summit with incredible views.

The hike is around 5 miles total. It starts in Kalaau Road down a dirt path. The path is easy to follow though some parts are worn down. As you make your way, you’ll stumble upon landscape changes like trees that look like doorways and then the first viewpoint with a bench to catch your breath.

In the latter part of the hike, the incline gets higher. There will be fewer trees, revealing unobstructed views of Lanikai Beach and the east coast of Oahu all the way back to the Diamond Crater.

Learn more about the Kuliouou Hike here

Diamond Head State Monument

Diamond Head is one of Hawaii’s most famous landmarks. The broad, saucer-shaped volcanic crater was formed around 300,000 years ago and is now a state park. The hike up to the state monument is sure to be one of the most memorable Oahu hiking trails.

The distance from the trailhead to the summit is short, around only a mile long. But it’s strenuous and there are steep inclines. The ascent into the summit is over 550 feet and you’ll have to climb a steep stairway in a tunnel.

But once you reach the top of Diamond Head, you’ll be greeted with some of the best views of Oahu. You’ll get postcard worthy views of downtown Honolulu, historical sights like bunkers and a navigational lighthouse, and the coastline from Koko Head to Wai‘anae. During the winter months, you may even see humpback whales passing.

*Don’t have a car? A shuttle to Diamond Head + entry fee are included in the Go Oahu card

Diamond Head Loop

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A great alternative to the Diamond Head sunrise hike is going for a walk or run around Diamond Head loop. The loop goes around the iconic landmark, with some elevation change but not nearly as much as summiting the Diamond Head stairway.

Along this urban hike, you’ll see incredible views of the East side of Honolulu. You’ll also pass by some impressive high-end homes in the residential neighborhoods and city parks like Kapiolani Park.

At the end of your run, you can make your way for a quick snack to Montserrat, a popular neighborhood filled with eateries and coffee shops. There’s also a Saturday market in Kapiolani Community College park that’s worth visiting.

If you’re still up for a challenge, you can easily head on to the Diamond Head State Monument after for more beautiful scenic viewpoints.

Find instructions for Diamond Head Loop and other Honolulu walks here

Hanauma Bay Ridge Trail

The Hanauma Bay Ridge Trail is an easy hike where you can watch the gorgeous sunrise over the crystal clear waters of Hanauma Bay. The hike is around 3.5 miles both ways and the path is paved with asphalt.

The ascent is very gradual and so it’s great for all fitness levels. It won’t take long in your hike till you get a good vantage point of the horseshoe-shaped bay and Koko Head.

As you go further, you can choose to stop in the Hanauma Bay Ridge viewpoint or go down a rocky terrain to a hidden rock bridge, a natural formation of an arched bridge over the ocean on the cliffside. This part of the hike is definitely more dangerous since the trail is not paved and can be quite slippery.

Important: Several trails on Oahu are permanently closed to visitors for safety reasons. Illegal hiking trails include: Makapu’u Tom Tom Trail (also known as Makapu’u Puka), Stairway to Heaven, Crouching Lion, and Mariner’s Ridge (without a guide).

More Oahu Sunrise Locations

Sandy Beach – This is the perfect spot to watch the sun rise without all the work and effort of going hiking. It lies on the South Shore of Oahu by the base of Koko Crater and is known for its high tide and crashing waves.

Kualoa Beach – Another great place for beautiful sunsets also has views of Mokoli’i Island and Kaaawa Valley. This beach park is spacious and perfect for picnics and barbecues.

* Access our free Hawaii packing checklist here *

Best Sunset Hikes on Oahu

Many of the top Oahu sunset hikes can be found on our sunrise hiking list as well. These are locations with panoramic views so you can see East as well as West along the trails.

Already covered above are:

Koko Crater Railway Hike
Lanikai Pillbox Trail
Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail
Diamond Head Summit Hike

Ehukai Pillbox Hike

Ehukai Pillbox Hike is also known as Sunset Pillbox Hike because it’s one of the best sunset hikes in Oahu. It’s located on the North Shore of Oahu and is dotted with old historic WWII bunkers.

It’s a short hike of around 1.5 miles round trip. But it’s moderately challenging since the hike to reach the first pillbox is steep.

The best spot to catch great sunsets is at the second pillbox. It overlooks the Ehukai Beach and the Banzai pipeline beach.

Turtle Bay Pillbox Trail

Another popular trail with pillboxes is located near the Turtle Bay Resort also located in the North Shore area. Similar to Ehukai Pillbox hike, the trail is short at approximately 2 miles round trip.

The trail is much easier to navigate since it’s not on an incline. The ground is flat but very sandy. Here you can catch beautiful sunset views overlooking Kawela Bay.

Kaena Point Trail

Kaena Point Trail follows an old railroad bed and dirt road along a beautiful coastal scenery. The trail is well-maintained and simple to follow with not much significant elevation, making it suitable for all levels.

The hike is around 5 miles round trip and can take around 1 to 3 hours depending on your pace. You can begin at either Yokohama Bay on the west of the island or Mokuleʻia Rock Beach from the north side.

Aside from scenic sunsets over the coastline, this trail also leads to Ka‘ena Point Natural Area Reserve. The reserve is a remote area that’s home to many native plants and sea birds.

During whale season in the winter, try to catch a glimpse of whales by the shoreline!

Olomana Three Peaks Hike

Olomana Three Peaks Hike is one of the best sunset hikes in Oahu but it’s also one of the most difficult ones. As the name suggests, the complete hike consists of three peaks of varying heights and difficulty.

The path to the first peak is already pretty steep, with an incline over tree roots and muddy mounds.

Then to reach the summit, you have to climb up a rocky wall. There are ropes to help you but it might be challenging for beginners. I personally was not comfortable continuing past this point in the trail.

However, the first peak is said to have great sunset views of the northeast coast of the island all the way down to Kualoa and Kaneohe Bay.

The second peak has more steep ascents and beautiful views. You’ll also get a glimpse of the third peak which can look intimidating.

The journey to the third peak is the most technical, with a drop-down descent involving rope climbing and narrow sections over slippery ridges. Please do not attempt this if you’re not an advanced climber, especially at dark!

Learn more about the Olomana trail here

More Oahu Sunset Locations

China Walls – A stretch of lava rock ledges that offers a beautiful cliffside location to watch the sunset. Great for swimming as well for experienced jumpers or surfers.

Tantalus Lookout – Located inside the Puu Ualakaa State Park, this lookout has amazing views of the sun setting behind Diamond Head. Plenty of parking places to enjoy a picnic dinner.

Waikiki Beach – Gorgeous sunset beach with views of Honolulu’s cityscape. Perfect place to end the day before heading for drinks or a meal by the beach.

Ala Moana Beach Park – This park offers the perfect backdrop to sunset watching. It has everything from grassy areas, palm trees, a lagoon and of course the beach.

Oahu is a beautiful place full of a wide array of spots to catch the best sunsets and the most gorgeous Hawaiian sunrises. Choose a hike from this list to have the most memorable experience!

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The Best Sunset and Sunrise Hikes on Oahu

Tips for Sunset and Sunrise Hiking in Hawaii