This is a pretty easy hike with great payoff! It only takes about 2 hours, and you get to hike over…read morea couple of bridges, through a bamboo forest, and end up at a gorgeous waterfall! I'm an athletic kinda girl, and I would say this trail is maybe a 2/5 in terms of difficulty. (I'd give it a 1, but it has some incline, so I gave it a 2.) My boyfriend is a homebody and rarely hikes, and he gave it a 3/5 in terms of difficulty. One thing to note: The drive to get here is a DOOZY. I did thee Road to Hana the last time I was in Maui, and it freaked me out so much that we tried going around the south side of the island this time. That was also very scary. Unless you are prepared for very narrow roads (I'm talking one lane with traffic going both ways) on a cliff, sometimes with drops straight into the ocean, don't do it. If you are okay with that, do the Road to Hana for the more scenic drive. The southern drive was less scenic, and probably just as scary.

Came back here 5 years after I went the 1st time and brought my 9 year old. He made it to the end…read moreand back. The trail didn't seem as magical, maintained or green as I remember the 1st time. Maybe a different time of year? More mosquitoes as well. Still, it was pleasant and glad we went. We saw a lot of people bringing infants in carriers and really small kids. This is a serious hike. I would say maybe 7 + in age if you are bringing kids. You may make it part of the way, but it will take you an hour to get to the bamboo forest at least and there are a lot of weird wide steps. Bring water, snacks, hiking stick and bug spray.

Hiking here was one of the highlights of my trip to Maui this summer. It's not a hike with…read morespectacular views but it's a beautiful hike with forest cover and is not strenuous at all. I loved that it was dog friendly and provides plenty of shade on a hot summer day in Maui. It's cooler here as it's upcountry so good to get a jacket. I picked up some food from pukalani Superette, so it made for a perfect picnic! Read the signs carefully as there are some parts that are for bikers only and they come fast and can crash into you. Overall, I loved coming here and exploring upcountry in Maui. If you need sometime away from the sun, come here, you will be in awe of nature and it's a nice contrast to the beaches in wailea (at least to me!).

such a beautiful and peaceful hike, really lets you escape from the heat!…read more the main kahakapao loop trail is about 9 km (5.5 miles), you can find it on alltrails to help guide you. there's a few smaller trails for biking as well. the trail was very clean, some of the paths are confusing though. overall, highly recommend since afterward, you can visit makawao town!

We drove an hour to get here and it was closed for some reason that wasn't super clear. Bummed as…read moreit looked beautiful and cooler weather!

We enjoyed ourselves on this peaceful hike with our dear aunty. Mainly lots of tall pine trees but…read morestill pretty cool up close to look at. About 20 minutes in you'll be able to see where some trees got burned from the past year Kula fires. Very sad. It's still in its healing process. Makes you wanna hug a tree. Approaching the spring we didn't see any freshwater coming through & Unfortunately got bitten by some nasty mosquitoes so be prepared to apply "off" bug spray. Thank goodness i had purchased Lavender hand wash soap & lotion from Kula Lavender Farms before coming here. Also if you're keen on "eye spy" things including Hawaiian native plants. Then keep your eyes peeled bcuz you can spot edible Pohole (Fern shoots) & Elderberries growing nearby. If you do pick them, clean it off at home. Soak with baking soda & white distilled vinegar. Then rinse & Enjoy!

Located at the end of the Pipiwai Trail in the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park, this…read more400-foot waterfall is absolutely picturesque and breathtaking. Pictures will never do this waterfall justice, and it should be included in anyone's Road to Hana journey. To get here, you'll have to do the Road to Hana, and Haleakalā National Park is about 12 miles past the town of Hana. Once there, Waimoku Falls is at the end of the Pipiwai Trail - a 4 mile round-trip moderate hike. That being said, the trail is well-maintained and was not a difficult hike at all. Once you get to Waimoku Falls, it's totally worth it to take some time to just sit and enjoy it. It's such a peaceful and beautiful area to relax and take in all that nature is offering. We visited both the Kīpahulu and Summit districts of Haleakalā, and the Pipiwai Trail w/ Waimoku Falls was one of my top two experiences in the park. This is a must-stop for your Haleakalā National Park and Road to Hana adventures.

We did the Haleakalā sunrise on Saturday of our trip. That national park pass is good for three…read moredays so if you decide to do the road to Hana and include these falls, you won't have to pay the additional fee to enter (we did road to Hana on Sunday, spent the night in Hana then did this Pipiwai Trai hike/falls on Monday). This 400-foot waterfall is just breathtaking. We left around 8am from Hana to do this hike, even with a 9 and 11 year old and with many, many, many stops because I threw out my back four days before, we still managed to get to the falls and return by 2pm (I'm sure it would have only taken around 2 hours if I didn't have to stop so much). Bring lots of bug spray (the spray we did at the car had all sweated off), water and snacks to enjoy the falls once you get there. There is a stopping point where you can't go directly underneath the falls, but the streams around them provide great picnic areas. Make sure to pack out what you pack in. Definitely a great way to end your road to Hana trip before you head back.

Witnessing a sunrise high above in Haleakala National Park on the beautiful island of Maui has got…read moreto be in my top ten outdoor experiences. The view is spectacular from so many angles. I have been lucky enough to witness a couple of sunrises in this park and all of them have been unique, mouth dropping gorgeous. I highly recommend. Sunsets are epic as well but there is something about the anticipation of patiently waiting for the sun to rise out here that is otherworldly. Times have changed with a reservation being required now to attend a sunrise (3am - 7am). Next it can take up to two hours to get here if you are staying in Lahaina. This means you are getting up extremely early to arrive for sunrise, but you won't regret it. You pass through the towns of Kahului, Paia, and Makawao before you begin your ascension to the summit on the windy Crater Road. Be sure to dress warmly for sunrise. Dress in layers and wear a beanie too if your ears get cold. During and after sunrise the crater is the most clear, but it does often fill up with clouds especially late mornings. Hiking here is very challenging since you are sitting at 10,023 feet at the summit and you just came from sea level. We did love every minute of our trek, especially hiking out to the cinder cones. This volcano is not considered extinct but still active. It has erupted at least ten times in the last thousand years. Due to its history, scientists still monitor it today. One of the unique plants that live here is the stunning Silversword plant. This plant only blooms once in its life and can only be found here. This is one of the best ways to start your day on Maui.

Makawao, HI. Visiting this park is like traveling to a…read moredistant planet. I have never seen such barren yet beautiful scenery. It is quite a long and winding road heading up and patience really helps. I used the turnouts as needed to let the tailgaters and speeders go by. I mean really, the speed limit is typically 30 mph and often only 20. We went up on a cloudy day so much of the island view wasn't there but the thin air at the top was crisp and clean and had some magnification factor. The short hike from the visitors center near the summit is easy and only .2 miles and it gives a good view of the crater. I hiked down the Shifting Sands Trail for a short distance just to be down in the crater a bit. It's easy to get shortness of breath so be aware that it a steep climb back uphill on this trail. The views at the summit observation deck are awesome, you can see the peaks on the big island poking up through the clouds. There are silver sword plants everywhere up there looking very healthy and happy to be growing out of nothing but lava rock and sand. No blossoms on this trip though.

Twin Falls Trail is the perfect first stop on the Road to Hana and such a great, easy…read moreadventure--especially with kids. The hike is short, well-marked, and manageable, but still gives you that lush, tropical Maui feel right away. The waterfalls are beautiful and accessible, with plenty of spots to stop, explore, and even dip your feet in. It never feels too crowded if you go early, and the whole area has a peaceful, relaxing vibe. What we really loved was how family-friendly it is. You still get the full experience of Maui's natural beauty without a long or difficult hike, which makes it a win for everyone. Great way to kick off the journey to Hana and definitely worth the stop.

Twin Falls on Mauí is a popular, easily accessible waterfall hike located on the Road to Hana at…read moremile marker 2, just past the small quaint town of Paia. This was our first stop on the Road to Hana. At first, my wife was a bit skeptical (it had rained a few hours before). However, the parking lot attendants reassured us that it was perfectly safe to proceed. As soon as we began our trek, we were met with lush vegetation, beautiful plants and flowers native to the island, and the sound of birds chirping in the air. The Falls were raging when we arrived and we couldn't help ourselves- we jumped right into the water! Such an awesome experience for my kids! Afterwards, we stopped at a concession stand for some delicious treats and fresh coconut water!

Great look out and a restroom stop. The park is accessible by reservation only, so says the sign…read more We did not have reservation on this day. Please come and create your own adventure.

I came here in 2018 and my goal for this park was see the black sand beach. I never saw or touched…read moreblack sand before so when I found out that there was a beach in Maui with black sand, I was amazed and intrigued to go there. When I arrived, I found it boring because there was nothing to do except chill with your beach blanket and sunbathe or read a book like how normal beaches are. The black sanded section was not even that big or long. It was just a tiny part of the park! I did not know how to swim so all I did was touch and grab some black sand and that was pretty much it. The current and waves were strong so it was not safe to go swim. I just stood in the water with the water meeting at my knees. There were some small hills by the black sand to climb up and down. Not good for people who are afraid of heights, which is me. I was pretty scared and had to hold on to the rocks. There are no guided paths or ropes to hang onto so I had to be careful of slipping. I left the park without staying long. Good thing about this park was that there were public restrooms so that was the key thing!

What an amazing spot! I'd venture so far to say that this was my favorite part of the Road to Hana…read moreexperience. The beach itself is quite secluded; you have to park in a quiet part of town near Hana, then find the trail at the edge of a park, then walk roughly 15 minutes to get to the beach itself. And the trail has quite a few obstacles, so be prepared. The beach itself is so cool, there's a natural rock formation that creates a "pool" for everyone to enjoy. All the benefits of the Pacific without as much concern for safety since the rocks create a barrier. Great for swimming and soaking in the sun, and it's a little quieter (until you see this review?), excellent destination near Hana!

A must-see on the road to Hana, definitely one of our top spots throughout the trip. Since this is…read morein a residential area, please prioritize respect to the locals and don't park your oversized Jeep too obnoxiously. The way down is through crossing the grass field to the left of the Hana School/Youth Center. Do NOT cross private property to get to the beach. The path isn't formally paved and a bit slippery, so I recommend NOT bringing your whole beach getup (chair, umbrella, etc.)-- keep it minimal bc you'll likely need your hands to balance. My bf and I just wore backpacks with our towels in them and were totally fine. The beach itself is incredible; a rich terracotta shore with clear waters, sheltered by the cliff and trees. It feels like escaping into a hidden oasis. We spent an hour swimming and skipping rocks, even playing with tropical fish that chased our feet. Bring a pair of goggles! NOTE: Cliffside pathway to the beach is pretty worn but decently stable. Not accessible by wheelchair. Nothing too dangerous if you've ever hiked on trails like Big Sur before, but would recommend hiking sandals as some parts can be a little crumbly. We watched several beachgoers wearing flip flops or crocs eating shit lol

This black sand beach was a nice stop at the end of Road to Hana, but I'd say it's more of a park…read moreexperience than an actual beach. First, please know that you have to make a reservation for the state park ahead of time; you need to get a ticket for a specific time window in order to gain entry. Once on the premises, there's a spacious park and picnic area near the parking lot, before you get to the stairs that lead down to the beach itself. The beach is visually stunning, with the black sand contrasted against the clear blue Pacific Ocean. But the space isn't that big, and with the tourist volume they get, don't count on a peaceful day of lounging on the beach itself. Plus the currents here are not very friendly for swimming, so mist folks didn't go in the water. There are some other interesting sights, like a tiny cave just off the shore, and a trail on the far end of the beach that offers some more views. But again, don't plan a full beach day here, it's more of a sightseeing stop than anything else.

This is cool beach to stop at while on the Road to Hana. You have to make reservations ahead of…read moretime to get a pass. The kiddos loved playing in the water. The area is nice and a good place to chill!