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Crouching Lion Trail

Crouching Lion Trail

Crouching Lion Trail
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks
10:30 AM - 2:00 AM
Monday
10:30 AM - 2:00 AM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 2:00 AM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 2:00 AM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 2:00 AM
Friday
10:30 AM - 2:00 AM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 2:00 AM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 2:00 AM
What people are saying

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What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles41 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
10
Average
2
Poor
4
Terrible
1

Maya K
11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Family
This hike was recommended to me by a friend who had lived on a neighbouring island. The hike to the lookouts was difficult, steep and occasionally dangerous with all the loose dirt. However, my family was prepared and are very active, therefore did not find this annoying. The first peak the path leads you to is outstanding, and the second peak is even better. I would not recommend this hike to anyone inexperienced or younger than 12.
Things to know:
1. Google maps will take you to a restaurant. However, the start to the path was along the drive, there are two signs that state “hazardous cliffs” and “danger”, that is where the path leads even though it appears to be entering bushes.
2. Parking was easy as we did this hike at 11am, the parking spots were limited and right across the street.
3. This is NOT AN EASY HIKE. My father is extremely active and even found himself occasionally slipping on the loose dirt. I am very active as well and at times we were literally climbing rocks.
Written July 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eldon-Vancouver
Vancouver, Canada490 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2016 • Couples
Having done the popular hikes on Oahu, we decided to try some of the less "touristy" ones. Finding the trailhead for the hike can be a bit of a challenge as there really isn't any official marker or anything. We searched online and found where others had entered the trail and went there. Just past the Crouching Lion restaurant parking lot and around the curve going north, we parked on the side of the road and entered the trail. It's sort of marked as others have used ribbons and hair ties to "mark" the trail.

Although the hike itself isn't very long, it isn't a simple hike, especially if it's rained at all. You climb under and over trees along the way and there are some steep sections that are muddy or have loose rocks. I found I had to grab onto roots, rocks, trees, etc to help navigate the trail. Once you get higher up, the trail becomes more obvious, but there are some narrow spots with loose rocks so you do have to be careful. Once you reach the top though, you get a great view from the top. It's good for a short hike, but don't think because it is short, it is a simple hike. You do need good shoes and you have to be aware of the surrounding.
Written April 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sammy
Redlands, CA6 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019
I've done a couple hikes before but I wouldn't call myself outdoorsy. Saw a lot of people on instagram post about hiking here so I thought, how hard could it be?! It's a short hike but very steep and had to use ropes and sometimes the trees/roots for support. Wear shoes, saw a few people that only wore slippers but it helps to wear footwear with traction. The view is amazing.
Written November 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Al G
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Solo
This “hike” is illegal. And it’s illegal for a few good reasons. If you do your research in to why it’s illegal, dangerous, and considered sacred to Kanaka Maoli. Please stop promoting this “hike”.
Written January 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Charles1019
North Fort Myers, FL4,630 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2018 • Solo
This is a short steep climb. Only .4 miles but it is at very steep angles most of the time with a couple spots having rope to assist. It is a beautiful climb and once you get to the top you will see it is well worth it. The view of the area including the ocean is spectacular.

The signs at the entrance say it is closed but this does not stop many people. It is for sure climb at your own risk. This is a steep climb with limited things to grab on to along the way. Wear some good climbing shoes. They will help for sure. Have fun, be safe and enjoy the views when you reach the top. we sure did!
Written August 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

imperialzp
Montreal, Canada78 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Family
I did the hike end of January 2019.
I thought it was gonna be hard to find after reading many comments saying so.. But it was actually extremely easy to find, at the mile marker 27 near the road. Just type Crouching Lion in google map and you will find it. There is 3 separate entrance. There is a very small parking the other side of the road. I'm sure the parking gets full super early.
It says not to enter at the entrance (as it is not a legal hike). The day we went, there was many other people even through it was early. Since it is not a legal trail, it is sometimes hard to find which way to go and it gets confusing.
It has been raining the whole week we went so it was supper muddy (EXTREMELY SLIPPERY!) It hike is short, about 0.4 mile and extremely steep. The view is beautiful but to be honest, I was expecting a little more.... You get a nice instagram photo but that's it. Not a hike I enjoyed that much.
We did it with a baby in a baby carrier (we are very adventurous) and very honestly it would NOT recommend it to anyone to do this as it was so dangerous. We did so many hike in O'ahu, it has a nice view but there are so many better option. If you are passing by, it might be worth it but I would not recommend to go there specifically just for that.
Written February 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SARAH W
Austin, TX2 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018 • Family
Okay, folks. You are looking for cheap, fun entertainment. I get it. It's Oahu, and things are EXPENSIVE. We hiked Crouching Lion this morning -- parked right off of Kam Highway. . . It's a tough hike for the average middle-age lady and her family, and I have some nice little wounds to show for it on my rear and legs. Yes, the view is breathtaking, but the "hike" (I call it a CLIMB) was arduous. When I got back down, shaky, my car, as well as four other cars, had their windows smashed. . . We filed a police report, and Officer Pacheco says this is very common for the area. Warning! When you see window glass on the road, it's probably a bad sign. . .I believe there are a lot of homeless people living off the highway (and the large amount of beer cans and refuse). PLEASE think twice before doing this hike. I would advise the average family to find a safer venue to experience Hawaii!
Written August 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Meily L
New Orleans, LA10 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Couples
I think this hike is a fun adventure but can be nerve wrecking to those less experienced hikers. I only got half way up when it started to drizzle and we made the decision to turn around as from that point on the trail only got steeper and the way down in the rain could be a death sentence. If you are not confident in you or your hiking buddy's ability to climb and descend a steep cliff I would choose a different hike. However, the view from where we got to was stunning and I can only imagine it is even more beautiful from the very top.
Written May 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jeanne F
34 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2017 • Couples
We ate at a Resturant called the Crouching Lion and had a wonderful lunch, beautiful scenery! They closed but we were just by there and they have sold it , but it is under construction and will open a new Resturant in the same location in front of the Crouching Lion rock formation!
Written September 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WanderlustLoveTravel
Honolulu, HI4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2019
Although this hike is short, it's a bit steep. Watch for rain before going, since muddy ground will not be very kind. The views are amazing, and the pictures will be worthy of any trip!
Written November 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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Crouching Lion Trail - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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