The Crouching Lion hike on the island of Oahu in Hawaii is a brief yet epic route that culminates in panoramic views of the mountains and jungles overlooking Kahana Bay. We've embarked on this hike numerous times, and it remains one of our favorite trails. The scenery along the way is breathtaking, with numerous spectacular viewpoints to marvel at.

This travel guide will provide you with all the essential information you need to know before embarking on this hike, including directions to the trailhead.

Quick Facts

• Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) round trip

• Elevation Gain: 300 feet (90 meters)

• Duration: 1 hour round trip

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Hiking the Crouching Lion Trail on Oahu

The trail begins with a 20- to 30-minute dirt path that ascends a steep hillside. While you may feel exhausted and out of breath during the ascent, the path to the first viewpoint is relatively safe.

The elevation gain is only around 300 feet, but due to the short distance, it feels more significant. Be sure to bring some water with you.

Keep an eye on the weather conditions, as the dirt path can become very slippery after heavy rain, making it treacherous.

Hikers on the Crouching Lion Trail on Oahu

It takes approximately 20 minutes to safely and effortlessly hike to the summit.

Crouching Lion Viewpoint

After hiking for about 20 minutes, you'll arrive at a flat summit where you can pause to take in the stunning vistas. The atmosphere here is serene and peaceful. The only sounds you'll hear are the whispers of the breeze rustling through the trees.

There are some steep cliffs here that can be fatal, but as long as you stay away from the edges, you'll be fine. Even if you're in a group, there's plenty of space on the summit to walk safely.

To the east, there's a rocky platform you can climb onto for an even better view of the ocean and mountains. This rock formation is known as the "Crouching Lion," hence the name of the hike.

You can stop here or continue hiking uphill, where the trail eventually merges with the Puu Manamana Trail, one of the scariest and most dangerous cliff trails in Hawaii (not recommended unless you know what you're doing).

Is the Crouching Lion Hike Closed or Illegal?

The state of Hawaii has posted signs stating that the Crouching Lion Trail is closed, but this regulation has not been enforced in years and seems to be no longer in effect in 2024.

It's believed that the intention was actually to restrict access to Puu Manamana, a more hazardous hike that shares a portion of the trail with Crouching Lion.

However, in reality, most people use this trail for a short and easy hike to the Crouching Lion summit, which is one of the best hikes in Hawaii and not really that dangerous.

Crouching Lion Bunkers

If you're looking for something else interesting during your Crouching Lion hike, there are several small U.S. military bunkers hidden among the foliage on the northeast side of the trail.

These concrete forts, known as bunkers, were scattered across Oahu during World War II as lookout posts, often offering breathtaking views of Hawaii's coastline.

Today, the Crouching Lion bunkers are in ruins and surrounded by foliage, but they remain an intriguing feature of the trail. You can walk inside the bunkers and climb to the top for a view of Kahana Bay!

Kahana Bay Beach Park

While hiking the Crouching Lion Trail, don't forget to visit the nearby beaches surrounding Kahana Bay.

It's located across the street from the trailhead, and the views from this beach are incredibly beautiful. And it's usually deserted!

You can camp at this beach park with a permit, making it a great place to hang out before or after your hike.