Very Beautiful trail. Definitely take it if you're thinking about it. We did this our last day to…read morefinish out the sunset instead of watching from our beach and we're glad we did. We only did about 15-30 minutes of walking and about 20 minutes of sight seeing, didn't walk the whole coastal trail but worth what we did see.

The full Kapalua Coastal Trail is about 1.76 miles and can be divided into four sections (see map I…read moremarked : 1. Blue 2. Yellow 3. Red 4. Green). We stayed on the west side of Maui, only about a 10-minute drive to the trail's north end. Left around 11:30am but had to detour a bit due to road work. 1. Kapalua Coastal Trail - Kapalua Bay Public Beach Parking You can plug in Kapalua Bay Public Beach Parking on Google Maps, but free parking is very limited. We drove in circles around 11:50am and couldn't find a single spot! Paid parking nearby was $20, and some restaurants had valet for $10. A little pricey just for a short hike, so we kept looking for other options. 2. Free Parking - Cliff House This lot is inside the Montage Kapalua Bay resort, but only about 10 spaces are actually free. We got lucky after waiting 10+ minutes and snagged a spot. From here, heading left takes you toward the Kapalua Bay side, passing Cliff House, Namalu Bay viewpoint, and Kapalua Bay Beach. After looping back, we continued right toward the Dragon's Teeth Trail. 3. Dragon's Teeth Trail The entrance has a small free parking lot right next to the Ritz-Carlton. Again, spots are super limited, and by the time we got there around 2pm, it was completely full. The trail takes you past Ironwood Cliffs and Oneloa Beach before reaching Dragon's Teeth. 4. Makaluapuna Ridge Trail This section continues further past Dragon's Teeth, but we didn't do this part. **Tips from our walk (123): * Switch Google Maps to satellite view to spot small parking lots. * Free parking is scarce, just come earlier if you can. * Kapalua Bay Beach & Oneloa Beach sections are sandy and flat, good for swimming and easy walking. * Dragon's Teeth is rocky, sneakers are way better than sandals. * Bring water, hat, and sunglasses. Even though it was only mid-70s (F), there's zero shade, and I ended up with a sunburned scalp after 2+ hours because I skipped my hat. Overall, this trail is short and easy, but because it runs through luxury resorts and golf courses, expect crowds. Still, the coastal views are stunning and definitely worth adding to your Maui itinerary.

We tackled the Mahana Ridge Trail on a warm, humid morning, starting just above D.T. Fleming Beach…read more At first, the trail seemed approachable--lush trees, a slight incline, sounds of birds--but that calm quickly gave way to a true backcountry challenge. As we climbed, the path became narrower, steeper, and in some sections, so overgrown we were basically bushwhacking. Mud clung to our sneakers, spiderwebs greeted our faces, and parts of the trail felt like they hadn't seen a hiker in weeks. It was tough, but also strangely meditative. There's a real sense of solitude out there--just you, the forest, and whatever's rustling in the leaves nearby. The terrain shifted constantly. We moved through wild guava trees, thick ferns, and eventually into a grove of towering Cook pines. Reaching the Maunalei Arboretum felt like arriving in a different world. Some of the trees had roots taller than we were, and there were entire stretches of ground that felt like walking on a trampoline--just a thin mesh of tight, spongy roots stretched across the forest floor. It was one of the most unique environments we've ever hiked through. Now, full honesty: after hours on the trail, we were wiped--and the thought of retracing our steps all the way back down didn't exactly spark joy. So, we took a little shortcut: a road that winds down through a private neighborhood. It saved time, saved our legs, and got us to the beach that much faster. No regrets. If you're planning to hike Mahana Ridge, start early--you'll want to beat the heat and make the most of daylight. Sneakers worked fine for us, even with the muddy sections, though expect them to get dirty. Long sleeves and pants are smart for protecting against the overgrowth, and downloading a trail map ahead of time is a must, since you'll lose signal and some junctions aren't clearly marked. Be ready for a workout--this isn't a casual stroll, but a full-on forest adventure. Mahana Ridge was challenging, sweaty, and at times borderline ridiculous--but also unforgettable. It's not the kind of hike where the payoff is one big view at the end. It's the kind where the journey is the reward: the silence, the wild terrain, the spongy roots, and the occasional thrill of wondering, "Are we still on the trail?" And finding out... no you are not.

Finally had the chance to do Mahana Ridge Trail over on West Maui earlier in July 2024 and it is…read moredefinitely a nice scenic hike, though not too difficult at the same time. Much of it is in the shade, which does help but still best to try to start early in the day, as it can get really hot later on. There were other hikers on the trail, so it did not feel too lonely. The trailhead is at D.T. Fleming Beach, and you will want to park in the designated parking lot but will have to pay for an all-day pass through scanning a QR code or going to the stated website on the signs. There are points where you can see Kapalua and the golf courses as well as other parts of the West Maui Mountains. The stretch with the guava trees can be a bit treacherous at times because of the muddy conditions and all the berries that have fallen on the ground. Some of the signage is hard to read or follow at times. I got up to the loop point where you can clearly see Napili, Kapalua as well as the West Maui Mountains, Lana'i, and Moloka'i in the distance. Then turned around at that point, and the hike took about 4-1/2 hours roundtrip.

This was our second time with Hike Maui and once again we had an adventurous day with our amazing…read moreguide Enrique! We got to explore and hike through beautiful landscapes and swim in a plunge pool with a calming waterfall as backdrop. Highly recommend this hike to anyone looking to explore Maui and connect with mana. Did you know that "The kukui (candlenut) is Hawaiʻi's official state tree and an enduring symbol of light, knowledge, and protection. Its oily nuts once fueled lamps and torches, and a kukui nut lei is still given today as a token of respect, guidance, and lasting aloha."

What a fantastic experience!! Our tour guide was amazing, I can't remember his name, but the whole…read moreexperience is a must! Definitely can't wait to return with my oldest kiddos and do this again!

All the books and sites I checked on Maui said that Kapalua resort had a ton of hiking and lots of…read moretrails. My husband said I should have been wary that I hadn't found any reviews, just the comment that there were over "100 miles of trails." That's because that literally IS the only selling point. Still, this was the closest hiking to our hotel in Lahaina so we decided to try it. You head over to Honolua village (where you go to start the ziplining) and there is a free shuttle offered at 4 times throughout the day. If you miss it you have to wait as you aren't able to just walk to the trailhead. They were out of maps that day (freaky!) so we bought an iphone app online and looked at their maps on the wall. We also had to sign a waiver. After a 15 minute drive you arrive at the arboretum. At first there are fun flowers and plants, beautiful vistas and views and you feel a bit like you're in LOST as the trails aren't totally clear and you have to tread lightly through the tall weeds. However, once you are in there for a good hour there isn't much else to see. There are no birds, no frogs, no random unnameable bugs...It's the same thing over and over again. It gets very very rainy and wet (it's a rainforest but again, no wildlife). It gets cold and dark. The weeds become tall painful over-grown beasts that slice your legs as you try and walk. You find yourself walking on trails that run right next to roads. You see plastic from the vegetation that was installed! There is hardly any wildlife whatsoever. We saw far more of that on the hiking we did off the Road to Hana. We didn't want to sit around waiting for the shuttle which was so many hours out so we opted to take the trail that gets you back to where you parked your car. It was about 8 miles and we did it fast because we were super bored. If you do go, it's definitely good for the workout! I was sore the next day. Oh and fair warning...the ground is orange clay so definitely best to wear hiking boots, my sneakers are still red and they were soaked! Truly, I think there's better hiking elsewhere! One local told us a place called Swinging Bridges that is supposed to be amazing...Think it's on private property but maybe worth checking out! Definitely a miss! I am kinda pissed at my fodor's book for even mentioning it. I had to concede my husband a "told you so" and I really hate that most of all!

We did the 8-mile Arboretum to Mahana Ridge Trail and it was the best hike we've ever done in…read moreHawaii! A bit about us: we love the rain, bush whacking, overgrown trails and the challenge of figuring out if we're on the right trail or not. And getting muddy is part of the fun. So if you like all of that, you will love this hike. Note that it is WET and muddy at the top of the hike, so it's slippery in some parts. The abundance of fruit trees was pretty amazing - we were eating guava and lilikoi for the first couple of miles, it was hard to keep walking because we kept finding more fruit to eat. Further down, we found pineapples growing in the wild, how cool is that? The views were outstanding in some parts, and as we descended we kept entering different micro-climates which meant different plant life in each stage (did I mention that we are botanists at heart?). The smell of eucalyptus trees and seeing the huge banyan trees totally makes this hike. About 3/4 of this hike is under shady forest. I will mention that the last mile was the part I didn't like because all of a sudden we lost our shade and hiked in the blasting sun through the golf course, but we still had great views of the ocean. We took a right instead of a left at the overpass and ended up at DT Fleming beach, which isn't all bad because a dip in the ocean is just what we needed. Even though it's mostly downhill, this hike is a bit of a workout. Highly recommended for people who love to hike and don't mind getting dirty. We used the Kapalua free shuttle in the morning and this service is great (must call to reserve, we called at 8:45am and got on the 9:30am shuttle). Make sure to tip the driver!

We took a half-day trip with HeleWai Eco-Tours to explore and learn about the West Maui Mountains…read more It was a fun trip that allowed us to get out hiking in an area that not many get to visit. We are glad we took the opportunity to see the Kevin partners with Pu'ukukui Watershed Preserve (PKW) and his trips offer an in-depth eco-tour that educated us about the PKW. We got to explore areas in the West Maui Mountains that are closed to the public and provided the most unique hiking experience available on Maui. Kevin is naturalist that shared with us his passion for the Pu'ukukui Watershed and the Hawaiian culture.

The best thing we've done on Maui! Honestly better than any ATV, waterfall, Road to Hana, etc. If…read moreyou are truly looking for a way to connect to this island, it's done through this tour. The forest, the history, the views.. everything was incredible. It fills your soul way more than any luau. 100% recommend!

I loved being right next to the access of this trail. I could walk this every day at any time of…read morethe day. Having the beach as your view makes the walk/hike even more enjoyable. Walking one way leads you to Kapalua Bay and walking the other way leads you to D.T. Fleming Park (Beach).

The Kapalua Coastal Trail is a beautiful little path along the west side of Maui. There are…read morenumerous meanderings of the trail to take you to hidden gems including olivine pools, heart rocks, coastal views, nesting birds, etc. there is a labyrinth to the north end Napili Bay to the south. It is an easy walk which can be started and stopped in numerous locations depending upon one's interests and exploration inclinations.

I recently went on a trip to Maui with 50 women. We were a large group of health coaches from all…read moreover the country and we were fortunate enough to be taken on the most amazing hikes with Damien and klicka. Being such a large group there was a concern as to how everybody would do. These two gentlemen were absolutely amazing and gave us the best experience of our lives. I would highly recommend Klicka and Damien for any adventure you take in Maui! They were very professional and very informative as well as making us feel very safe. What an incredible day! Thank you again! https://www.makanamauiadventures.com/single-post/2018/02/15/Health-Coaches-Unite-on-a-Maui-Ridge-Hike using not only this group but those two phenomenal tour guides on any hike or adventure that you could do in Maui.

We had the BEST experience with Demian. We visited Maui for our honeymoon and had about 8 hours to…read moreexplore as much as we could, and Demian created the perfect itinerary for us to see the most beautiful sites. Just tell him what you're interested in, and he will know exactly what to do! It can be super adventurous or very laid back with zero hiking yet beautiful sites. I highly highly recommend Demian.

Despite several trips worth of explorations to guidebook suggested spots throughout Maui, this is…read moreone of my favorite places that I've come across and this one by chance. After following the Kapalua coastal trail around the north side of the Montage resort, we found a dirt trail through the coastal grass that wraps around to Namalu Bay. This spot is commonly referred to as "Cliff House" due to the actual Cliff House which is an event venue, available for rent, that overlooks the Bay from a cliff above. The trail to Namalu Bay offers spectacular views of gorgeous ocean and rock pools created from old lava flow. Once at the Bay itself, you will experience abnormally clear water that is a mixture of stunning shades of blues and greens. There is no beach here and the amount of open space to just hangout is somewhat limited and on rocks or a few concrete slabs remnant of some previous man made structure of sorts. Despite some limitations, just the view only makes it worth it for me. The real draw however is the opportunity to do some cliff diving and swimming in the bay. The trek down to the water from the cliffs really isn't bad at all. There are a series of steps that have been created in the rocks, several wide ledges where you can step aside and a very helpful ladder at the bottom for access in and out of the water. The water is very deep and for the most part clear of any subsurface obstacles making for several optimal spots for diving. The dive spots I saw range from as little as an 8' or so dive upwards to probably the 30' or so range. Just remember to checkout any potential dive spot for yourself to assess any potential risks. The water itself is clear and during my visits, remained calm to to the fact that it's a protected bay with a landmass wrapping well around three sides. It is a very idealistic place for swimming, relaxing in the water and enjoying the views. While the snorkeling provided great views overall, I only saw a handful of small and unmemorable fish during the 10-15 minutes I spent. I'm sure writing a review does not help, but the fact that this spot was not crowded (weekend or weekday) was another big plus. I would say the range was five to fifteen people here at any given time during my visits.

This is actually the walk through to Honolua Bay, a private protected environment, where there is…read moreexcellent snorkelling for all the family (Take floaties for those unable to swim far) with turtles, lots of fish including some bigger types, the odd reef shark and barracuda, beautiful coral heads, moray eels and a bait ball usually further out in the middle of the bay. Just make sure snorkeling conditions are good, it turns into a surf beach over winter. Sign up for the Maui Snorkel Report so you receive a daily email with conditions; https://thesnorkelstore.com/maui-snorkeling-conditions-reports/ Make sure you read the signs and follow their requests, reef safe sunscreen only, no chasing chickens, no annoying the reef life or touching coral, use the porta potty, and don't go off into the trees as there are graves there from a tsunami and it is taboo. Also park front end into the main parking area so you can fit more cars in. Take photos of the flora and fauna without disturbing it (look for mushrooms on the fallen logs, flowers in the canopy, chickens roosting in the trees, and butterflies), and take some cash to donate in the box at the end to the owner who keeps this amazing piece of nature open to the public. Respect it and keep it pristine for all to enjoy.

Magical place! Wouldn't recommend going here to spend the day in the water but it does make a short…read morebeautiful hike on private land. There are portapotties at the entrance. Be respectful of the land and leave the chickens alone. We had planned to snorkel but it's all rocks from land to water and the weather wasn't super sunny and the water was not clear. It's known to be a great spot to snorkel on clear days but not a family friendly spot to hang out and go swimming if you have kids.