20 Best Sunrise Hikes on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Between the six main Hawaiian Islands, Oʻahu stands alone for having some of the best sunrise hikes in Hawaiʻi, which largely comes down to the sheer number of beautiful, easy, east-facing trails that can be hiked in a relatively short amount of time early in the morning!
This is because there is a large number of quick day hikes that dot the east side of Oʻahu, from Lāʻie on the North Shore to Hanauma Bay and Koko Crater in Hawaiʻi Kai.
All this to say, the list below contains my personal favorite sunrise hikes across the east side of Oʻahu—each being beautiful and unique in its own way!
20 Best Sunrise Hikes on Oʻahu
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst.
Instead, I wanted to create this list to include trails of varying difficulty across all sides of the island, hopefully helping those visiting Oʻahu to find something close to wherever you might be staying.
1. Crouching Lion Trail
Distance (Roundtrip): 0.6 miles / 1.0 km
The Crouching Lion Trail is a very short but steep day hike just north of Kaʻaʻawa on the east side of Oʻahu that I personally see as the best sunrise hike on the island because it’s such a quick adventure for such a rewarding view!
To this point, first light hitting the mountains, as well as the turquoise-blue waters in Kahana Bay, easily makes Crouching Lion one of the best sunrise trails on this list, so long as your up a bit of challenging hike!
That said, if this is your first time hiking the Crouching Lion Trail, I recommend reading my separate post where I highlight all the different trails leading up the mountain, because if you begin at the wrong trailhead—which is very easy to do in the dark—you won’t end up at the best and most iconic viewpoint.
Read My Separate Post: Crouching Lion Trail
2. Puʻu Piei Trail
Distance: 1.0 - 3.5 miles / 1.6 - 5.6 km
The Puʻu Piei Trail is located directly across Kahana Bay from Crouching Lion, and in comparison, it is much less known and much less crowded as a result!
Now, it’s certainly not fair to talk about Puʻu Piei without discussing the challenges of even finding the trail in the dark.
What I mean when I say this is that there are a number of trails that lead up Puʻu Piei, but only two are actually worth hiking for sunrise. Between those two, either trailhead can be quite a challenge to find in the dark—let alone in daylight.
This is why I think it’s important to say that you’d probably be disappointed in this suggestion if you arrive before sunrise and can’t find the trailhead, which is why I highly recommend reading my separate post before visiting. It’s also not the worst idea to have Crouching Lion as a backup plan if, for whatever reason, Puʻu Piei doesn’t work out.
In any case, keep in mind that many sections of Puʻu Piei are extremely technical. However, for the purposes of a sunrise hike, focus on the North Ridge and the North Ridge only, as it’s easily the best and most straightforward option for an early morning adventure!
Read My Separate Post: Puʻu Piei Trail
3. Kuliʻouʻou Ridge Trail
Distance: 4.2 miles / 6.8 km
Elevation Gain: ~1,650 ft. / 503 m
The Kuliʻouʻou Ridge Trail in east Honolulu is a stunning, nearly all-uphill adventure that climbs to a panoramic overlook above Waimānalo, where those who undertake the steep climb before sunrise get to enjoy first light over Makapuʻu Point and the dramatic southern Koʻolau Mountains before the trail inevitably gets busier throughout the day!
That said, Kuliʻouʻou Ridge is easily one of my favorite sunrise hikes on Oʻahu, but that doesn’t go without saying that it’s also one of the longer adventures on this list.
Therefore, if it’s your first time, I highly recommend budgeting more time than you think you need, as the 2.1-mile (3.4 km) hike to the summit can certainly be a challenge, especially if you’re cutting it close on time while trying to catch first light.
Read My Separate Post: Kuliʻouʻou Ridge Trail
4. Mt. Olomana Trail (Three Peaks)
Distance: 4.4 miles / 7.1 km
Renowned for its stunning, dramatic views, Mt. Olomana on the east side of Oʻahu is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful hikes and one of the best sunrise hikes on the island!
However, its beauty cannot be talked about without first discussing the challenging, steep uphill climb to reach the first peak, including a few short Class 4 climbing sections below the summit and beyond!
It’s for all these reasons that I want to stress that the Mt. Olomana Trail is beyond some people’s hiking ability, and bear in mind that many—not a few, but many—hikers have lost their lives on the Three Peaks Trail in the past.
I write all this to say that Mt. Olomana should only be attempted by those who are comfortable with steep and exposed scrambling and who have the proper gear—most notably proper hiking shoes!
If you think you’re up for the challenge, I personally recommend the Mt. Olomana Trail for sunrise. However, there are some challenges to consider when it comes to simply accessing the trail prior to sunrise, meaning you need to start earlier than you may think, as the golf course security where the trail is located has been known to turn hikers away.
This is all to say, I highly recommend reading my separate Mt. Olomana Trail article, where I talk in more detail about the steep and challenging hike up to the summit, as well as all the most important details needed to hike the trail prior to sunrise.
Read My Separate Post: Mt. Olomana Trail (Three Peaks)
5. Pali Notches Trail
Distance: 0.8 miles / 1.3 km
The Pali Notches Trail is just one small 0.4-mile (0.6 km) section of Oʻahu’s cross-island Koʻolau Summit Trail (KST), but its distance should not be used to judge its difficulty.
By this, I mean that the Pali Notches Trail is certainly one that I see as one of the best all-around sunrise and sunset hikes on Oʻahu, but that doesn’t go without saying that the Pali Notches is not for people of all abilities.
I say this because the short trail is very steep and exposed, and many hikers have taken fatal or near-fatal falls in the past. This is just one of countless different reasons I always say that Hawaiʻi has the hardest hiking in the country.
That said, the Pali Notches Trail certainly deserves a place on this list because it really is that beautiful. However, I write all this because it’s not fair to talk about its beauty without first discussing the challenges and dangers associated with the hike—not to mention, the Pali Notches is NOT an established or maintained trail, and there are potential legal consequences that you accept if you decide to hike this closed trail.
Read My Separate Post: Pali Notches Trail
6. Puʻu Māʻeliʻeli Trail (Digging Hill)
Distance: 2.2 miles / 3.5 km
The Puʻu Māʻeliʻeli Trail, also called the Digging Hill Pillbox Trail, is a beautiful, fairly easy, and often uncrowded sunrise hike on the east side of Oʻahu that climbs a short ridge to an old WWII-era bunker overlooking Kāneʻohe Bay, Mt. Olomana to the south, and Kualoa Ranch/ Mokoliʻi to the north!
That said, I recommend reading my separate article to learn about the trail’s unique parking area and trailhead access, as the start of the Puʻu Māʻeliʻeli Trail is located in a somewhat unsuspecting location.
Read My Separate Post: Puʻu Māʻeliʻeli Trail (Digging Hill)
7. Lanikai Pillbox Trail (Kaʻiwa Ridge)
Distance (Roundtrip): 0.9 miles / 1.4 km
The Lanikai Pillbox Trail is one of the more touristy hikes I’ve included on this list, but that is because the Kaʻiwa Ridge Trail to the Lanikai Pillboxes is one of the most beautiful day hikes and one of the best sunrise hikes on Oʻahu!
I say this because the vibrant turquoise-blue water just off Lanikai Beach is truly second to none, but all this goes without saying that the Lanikai Pillbox Trail is more challenging than it may initially seem.
This is because Kaʻiwa Ridge is one of the most popular day hikes on Oʻahu, which has inevitably made the already steep Lanikai Pillbox Trail very eroded and, as a result, very slippery!
Many hikers do not actually make it to the Upper Pillbox because of this, which is why I encourage you to read my thoughts on both the challenging trail and the challenging parking situation before setting off on the Lanikai Pillbox Trail—especially if you plan to hike it in the dark for sunrise!
Read My Separate Post: Lanikai Pillbox Trail
8. Koko Head Stairs
Distance: 0.9 miles / 1.4 km
Elevation Gain: ~930 ft. / 283 m
The Koko Head Stairs is a beautiful but steep east Oʻahu hike in Hawaiʻi Kai that climbs the steps of a historic WWII-era tramway built in the early 1940s by the U.S. Army, ultimately ending at the summit of an ancient volcanic crater called Puʻu Mai!
Following its historic past, the Koko Crater Stairs have since become a favorite among both locals and visitors from around the world, with many Oʻahu residents hiking the railway as a quick morning or evening workout, often beginning just before sunrise or sunset.
That said, the Koko Head hike may not be for everyone, as the steep tramway climbs a little under 1,000 ft. (305 m) in only 0.45 miles (0.7 km). However, if you think you’re up for the challenge, the views from the summit cannot be beat—especially when hiked during golden hour!
Read My Separate Post: Koko Crater Stairs
9. Koko Crater Arch Trail
Distance: 1.0 miles / 1.6 km
The Koko Crater Arch Trail is a very short out-and-back day hike on the eastern slopes of Koko Crater, below the Koko Crater Rim Trail, that leads to a beautiful panoramic viewpoint above the easternmost side of Oʻahu!
If it’s your first time hiking the Koko Crater Arch Trail, I think it’s important to mention that finding the trailhead can be challenging—especially in the dark when trying to visit for sunrise—which is why I recommend reading my separate post before setting off on the hike.
Read My Separate Post: Koko Crater Arch Trail
10. Kahekili Ridge Trail (Pillbox)
Distance: 0.8 miles / 1.3 km
The Kahekili Ridge Trail, also called the Kahekili Pillbox Trail, is a short but steep adventure that can most similarly be compared with the Crouching Lion Trail mentioned above, as the two are truly sister hikes and are only small sections of the much longer Puʻu Manamana Loop Trail.
However, unlike Crouching Lion, the Kahekili Ridge side of the loop is much less crowded. I mention this because it can be a great way to enjoy sunrise without other hikers around, but also to encourage you to be quiet and respectful!
Yes, the Kahekili Ridge Trail begins up a very quiet, local residential street, which is why, if you are hiking the trail for sunrise, I ask that you please don’t play loud music and keep all talking to a whisper so that local trailheads like this, and others elsewhere, can continue to remain open without pushback from the community.
Read My Separate Post: Puʻu Manamana-Kahekili Ridge Loop Trail
11. Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail
Distance (Roundtrip): 2.4 miles / 3.9 km
Elevation Gain: ~475 ft. / 145 m
The Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail is a short, paved day hike in east Oʻahu that leads to a beautiful overlook atop Makapuʻu Point, overlooking Makapuʻu Beach and the southeastern Koʻolau Mountains!
For this reason, the Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail is, without a doubt, the easiest and most straightforward hike on this list, which is why it is one of the most popular sunrise adventures on Oʻahu for both locals and visitors alike!
Saying all this, I think it’s important to stress once again that the entire trail, from the parking lot to the viewpoint at the top, is paved, which is why the Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail is the best and easiest family-friendly hike I’ve talked about thus far!
Read My Separate Post: Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail
12. Kahuku Coastline Trail (Kahuku Point)
Distance: 2.0 miles / 3.2 km
The Kahuku Coastline Trail is a long 5.5-mile (8.9 km) adventure along Oʻahu’s most undeveloped stretch of shoreline, but in terms of a sunrise hike or early-morning adventure, the Kahuku Coastline Trail from Turtle Bay Resort to Kahuku Point, about 1.0 mile (1.6 km) away, is as good as it gets!
That said, I recommend hiking to Kahuku Point if you’re already staying somewhere on Oʻahu’s North Shore, as the Kahuku Coastline Trail to Kahuku Point is one of the best, easiest, and closest adventures around—not to mention, it’s typically very quiet and uncrowded this early in the morning!
Read My Separate Post: Kahuku Coastline Trail
13. Pride Rock Trail
Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
The Pride Rock Trail is a short but steep section along the much longer and more technical southeast ridge on Puʻu ʻŌhulehule that leads to a unique rock and viewpoint above both Mokoliʻi and Kualoa Ranch, with views across Oʻahu’s east side!
That said, the Pride Rock Trail is steeper and more challenging than the distance might lead you to believe, as the entire trail from the trailhead to the summit never stops climbing—not to mention, there are a few scrambling sections with loose rock as the trail nears the top.
On a different note, the Pride Rock Trail is very similar to the Kahekili Ridge Trail in that it begins on a small, quiet residential street. This is why I again want to stress that all hikers should be quiet and respectful so as not to draw negative attention to what is often one of the least-trafficked sunrise hikes on Oʻahu!
Read My Separate Post: Pride Rock Trail
14. Maʻakua Ridge Trail
Distance: 3.7 miles / 6.0 km
The Maʻakua Ridge Trail is often an overlooked adventure in terms of Oʻahu day hikes, largely because views are very limited on much of the loop.
However, there is one beautiful viewpoint near the very beginning of the hike that can be a great place to catch the sunrise, as it’s only 0.6 miles (1.0 km) from the trailhead!
This is the Maʻakua Overlook, and similar to the Kahuku Coastline Trail, the Maʻakua Ridge Trail can be a great nearby option if you’re staying at Turtle Bay Resort or elsewhere across the North Shore of Oʻahu!
Read My Separate Post: Maʻakua Ridge Trail
15. Pali Puka Trail
Distance: 0.7 miles / 1.1 km
Just as Kahekili Ridge is to Crouching Lion, so is the Pali Notches to the Pali Puka Trail.
By this, I mean that both the Pali Notches Trail and the Pali Puka Trail are sister hikes on either side of the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout. Both are very short but steep sections of Oʻahu’s much longer Koʻolau Summit Trail, and both pose a significant amount of risk due to the exposure, meaning sheer drops on the windward side of the ridge!
However, just like the Pali Notches Trail, the Pali Puka Trail is stunning and is easily one of the most beautiful places on Oʻahu to catch the sunrise, though it must be said again that the Pali Puka Trail, like the Pali Notches, is NOT an established or maintained trail, and there are potential legal consequences that you accept if you decide to hike this closed trail.
Read My Separate Post: Pali Puka Trail
16. Makapuʻu Tide Pools Trail
Distance: 1.9 miles / 3.1 km
The Makapuʻu Tide Pools are a little-known secret off the popular Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail in East Honolulu that leads hikers off the main trail to a beautiful cluster of turquoise-blue coastal tide pools along the water!
That said, the Makapuʻu Tide Pools Trail is not a hike for all people of all abilities—especially kids. It should not be compared as having the same difficulty as the popular Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail, as the path off the maintained trail to the pools traverses a very narrow, loose, rocky trail down a steep cliffside.
In addition to this warning, the Makapuʻu Tide Pools are exceptionally hazardous because of the open ocean swell that slams into the coastline, creating huge waves that wash onshore, which can make the pools particularly hazardous on any given day.
All of this is to say that while the Makapuʻu Tide Pools are, without a doubt, one of the best places to catch sunrise on Oʻahu, I highly recommend reading my separate post before setting off on this beautiful but challenging adventure, as there is more to the hike than the short distance may lead you to believe.
Read My Separate Post: Makapuʻu Tide Pools Trail
17. Secret Beach
Secret Beach is a beautiful hidden stretch of sand within Kualoa Regional Park on the east side of Oʻahu, and while it isn’t much of a hike, it can be more than a 1.0-mile (1.6 km) walk during the summer months, when sunrise is early and the gate for the park has yet been opened for the day.
That said, the most important thing to know about Secret Beach is where to park, specifically the very far end of Kualoa Regional Park, where the last campgrounds are located. From there, the hike/ walk begins (when the gate is open) for about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to a little remote stretch of sand that is inaccessible by vehicle.
Before visiting, know that the entire beach is a public right-of-way, but some of the pavilions and other structures within the trees are on private land.
Google Maps Directions: Kualoa Campground (Secret Beach)
18. Kaʻena Point Trail & Pillbox
Distance (West Side): 2.1 miles / 3.4 km
Distance (North Shore): 2.4 miles / 3.9 km
The Kaʻena Point Trail is a flat, coastal North Shore adventure that certainly is not the typical sunrise hike like the rest on this list. However, I’ve included it because both sunrise and sunset are the two best times to hike to Kaʻena Point!
I say this because both sides of Kaʻena Point State Park are very exposed, making an early morning hike—either at or shortly after sunrise—not only one of the coolest times of the day but also one of the most beautiful!
That said, both the North and West Kaʻena Point Trails are very similar coastal trails, but in many ways they could not be more different from one another. Therefore, I highly recommend reading my side-by-side comparison at the beginning of either article linked below, where I explain in detail the main differences between the two.
Read My Separate Post: Kaʻena Point (North Shore) / Kaʻena Point (West Side)
19. Stairway to Heaven (Haʻikū Stairs)
I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about the infamous Stairway to Heaven, as it’s certainly no secret that many people attempt the stairs every day—so, here are some honest thoughts!
First, regardless of your choice when picking an access point, all routes begin in residential neighborhoods, and all trails that lead to the stairs are illegal. That said, there’s no hiding what you’re up to if you’re in either of the two main residential areas prior to sunrise.
Second, there is no longer a guard at the bottom of the stairs—and hasn’t been for many years—but regardless, the residents and the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) are the real concern. I say this because residents may confront you and call HPD if they see hikers where hikers shouldn’t be, and this includes when you can’t see them because they’re calling from within their homes.
This is all to say that I have not and never will provide a step-by-step guide to access the illegal Stairway to Heaven, but I’ve chosen to include Stairway on this list because of how popular this hike is.
To learn more about the Haʻikū Stairs, including the most up-to-date information about the trail, I encourage you to read more in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Stairway to Heaven (Haʻikū Stairs)
20. ʻAiea Ridge Trail (Stairway to Hell)
Distance: 11.6 miles / 18.7 km
The ʻAiea Ridge Trail to Stairway to Hell is certainly the odd one out on this list, as a remote 5.8-mile (9.3 km) one-way hike is no quick sunrise hike!
However, Stairway to Hell deserves a place on this list because it is arguably the most beautiful overnight backpacking adventure in the Koʻolau Mountains, and if you happen to catch sunrise from the stairs on a clear morning like this, you surely won’t be disappointed!
Now, I would almost never consider the ʻAiea Ridge Trail to Stairway to Hell to be anything but an overnight backcountry trip, unless you think of yourself and your group as very strong, independent hikers.
If so, Stairway to Hell could possibly be reached quicker and easier with a lighter pack, but that would almost certainly mean beginning around midnight or earlier the night prior, depending on how fast you think you can move in the dark!
Read My Separate Post: ʻAiea Ridge Trail (Stairway to Hell)
Best Sunset Hikes on Oʻahu
If you enjoyed reading my sunrise recommendations, I have also written a similar list about the best sunset hikes across Oʻahu, which you can read in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Best Sunset Hikes on Oʻahu
Native Hawaiian Plants on Hawaiʻi Trails
I wanted to include this last section on this post because this is a subject that’s personal to me.
The native plant biodiversity in Hawaiʻi is insane, and I say this because 90% of the native plants that you will see around the islands are found nowhere else on Earth, which I mention for two reasons.
The first is that I ask that you please do everything you can to minimize your impact on Hawaiʻi’s trails, as many native plants across the islands at risk of extinction. The second is that if you have a personal interest in the subject or may be curious about something that you found, I wrote a separate post entirely about native Hawaiian plants, which hopefully can help to identify anything that you might be curious about!
For example, this species in the photo below can only be found on the Island of Oʻahu and nowhere else on Earth!
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
