These major hikes in Maui take a look at waterfalls and volcanoes

The most stunning portion about hiking in Maui? The variety of the landscape. When folks think of Maui, they generally visualize lush trails draped with waterfalls and tropical foliage – and they wouldn’t be wrong – but you will also come across trails that fall into volcanic moonscapes, twist via bamboo forests, bump more than lava beds and ribbon beside golden seashores.

The best section is that most trailheads are inside of a two-hour generate of well-known resort parts. Some are suitable by the shoreline, which include paved walks overlooking the water in several vacation resort cities. You may well even see whales breaching off the coastline, based on when you come to a decision to go to.

The most spectacular trails can be observed in Haleakalā Countrywide Park, which has two different sections summit trails explore the park’s tremendous crater, though coastal paths request out waterfalls and freshwater swimming pools in East Maui. Throughout the island, trails at state parks and regional preserves plunge into forested ravines and climb wooded slopes, presenting bird’s-eye sights of the coastline.

Crucial matters to try to remember? Be cautious of flash floods in steep valleys and ravines, and bear in mind that darkness comes rapidly right after sunset on Maui. Also, be absolutely sure to obey signage at culturally major internet sites and hazardous areas. Other than that, embrace the reality that there are no snakes or poison ivy vegetation on Maui! Here is our decide of the seven most effective trails on Maui.

5 miles roundtrip, 3 hrs, moderate

Kicking off at 1000ft, this lush path climbs to the 2563ft summit of Lanilili Peak in the rugged West Maui Mountains. The route serves up the quintessential Maui: guava trees and groves of eucalyptus, a ridgeline watch of the deep-green Waiheʻe Gorge, open up pastures that evoke the island’s rural roots, and a spectacular glimpse of Makamakaʻole Falls in the distance.

The climb is quite continuous, and it can be muddy and slippery, but there are benches and degree spots along the way so the hike never feels demanding. A cloud-snagging peak with 360-diploma views marks the end of the trail if it is foggy, wait about 10 minutes as the clouds may blow away. Just after rain, you could possibly catch the scent of fallen fruit as you scramble by the mud.

The road to the trailhead starts on the inland aspect of the Kahekili Hwy just south of the 7-mile marker it’s a generate of about a mile to the parking lot. Commence before 8am to avoid clouds that are inclined to obscure sights by late early morning.

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4 miles roundtrip, 2 several hours, reasonable

With its mango and guava fruit trees, majestic banyans and lovely check out of Makahiku Falls dropping above fern-lined cliffs, this hike in Haleakalā National Park in East Maui certainly qualifies as unforgettable, particularly the moment you enter the bamboo forest.

The stroll as a result of this otherworldly grove flips this tropical hike from memorable to downright magical. Get your camera completely ready. A boardwalk navigates a dense grove of soaring bamboo stalks, all knocking collectively overhead in a gentle tropical chorus. The hike, which runs parallel to the ʻOheʻo streambed, concludes with a perspective of Waimoku Falls, a graceful 400ft waterfall dropping down a steep rock wall.

The trail starts off a short length from the visitor heart in the Kipahulu segment of the countrywide park, which is 10 miles south of Hana. You can extend the hike with a stroll on the shorter Kuloa Point Trail, which overlooks a sequence of photogenic freshwater pools in the ʻOheʻo Gulch. The pools are connected by gentle cascades that movement toward the coast.

17.8 miles roundtrip (with shorter options), up to 2 days, strenuous

Prolonged switchbacks drop hikers into a lunar-like crater that hunkers dramatically beneath the summit of Haleakalā, the majestic volcano that anchors Maui’s only nationwide park. The get started of the path is stark and almost barren, with just a couple of environmentally friendly kūpaoa plants and shiny silverswords dotting the crater’s southern wall, but the multi-hued cinder cones forward provide a lot of wows.

The most placing function of this walk? The silence, damaged only by your footsteps crunching versus the volcanic cinders underfoot. Flip all-around at the first forget right after 50 percent a mile, or go on one more 3.5 miles to the crater flooring, a fall of practically 2,500ft from the trailhead. In the crater, the trail passes cinder cones, a spur path to a volcanic pit and the Kapalaoa and Paliku tenting cabins.

Remember that with the steep climb, the hike out will take twice as extensive as the hike in. For a full but satisfying working day, reserve a ticket to enjoy the spectacular sunrise from the summit. The blend of clouds, early morning light and chilly temperatures is unforgettable. Creator Mark Twain wrote that the Haleakalā dawn was “the sublimest spectacle I ever witnessed.”

4 miles roundtrip, 50 %-day, reasonable

This remote path starts on the South Maui coastline at La Perouse Bay, kicking off beside a carpet of spiky black volcanic rocks identified as aʻa lava. The trail rolls past the ruins of an historical Hawaiian settlement then follows the photogenic coastline to a compact cove and a kiawe forest look out for spinner dolphins in the bay early in the working day.

The trail then swings inland to backlink up with the Kings Highway, which bumps via a different lava subject. King Piʻilani instigated the construction of this lava-mattress highway additional than 500 years back to encourage commerce, and the 138 mile route as soon as circled the total island. The trail then swings back again to the coast, sooner or later dropping you at Kanaio Seaside.

For further climbing thrills, retrace your measures, then stick to the spur trail that carries on alongside the coast right after you arise from the kiawe forest, primary to a light-weight beacon at the idea of the bay. The Hoapili Path is largely unshaded and going for walks on the lava can be tiring, so deliver a lot of consuming drinking water and start off early. The nearby ʻAhihi-Kinaʻu Natural Place Reserve has superb, if crowded, snorkeling.

3.5 miles roundtrip, 1-2 hours, effortless

This breezy coastal wander in West Maui is downright cinematic. With golden strands of beach, tropical trailside flowers, black lava cliffs and multi-hued sunsets illuminating the ocean’s relaxed horizon, this path is the place the total Maui motion picture montage unfolds. If you are here in wintertime, you may even place a whale breaching the floor of the Pacific.

This well-known walk backlinks Kapalua Beach with DT Fleming Seashore Park, passing the swanky Montage Kapalua Bay and the equally posh Ritz-Carlton resorts alongside the way. Park for cost-free in the lots at DT Fleming Seaside Park or Kapalua Seaside on Lessen Honoapiʻilani Rd. 

The route passes web pages of cultural and historic significance to native Hawaiiains: Makaluapuna Position, exactly where deep blue waves crash versus jagged lava cliffs, and the Honokahua burial website, which dates to 610 BCE. Equally should really be appreciated respectfully and from a distance.

6.6 miles, fifty percent-working day, reasonable

Mountain bikers hurtle down muddy trails in the Kahakapao Recreation Place, a thick swath of canopied woodland in the Makawao Forest Reserve on the slopes of Haleakalā, and you can be a part of them on foot. This atmospheric forest was planted in the early 1900s to protect the watershed after native flora experienced been destroyed, and it is really now impressively lush.

The multi-use Kahakapao Loop Path, which climbs from an elevation of 2800ft, draws hikers, bikers, puppy walkers and equestrians. This upcountry path does not have sweeping views of the coastline, and it is a bit chilly and distant, but lush gulches and the darkish forest – property to Cook dinner pine, tropical ash and eucalyptus trees and wildflowers – will evoke feelings of your favourite literary fantasyland.

To get right here, get Piʻiholo Rd north from Makawao then switch still left on to Waiahiwi Rd. Follow it for half a mile then flip appropriate on to Kahakapao Rd and go on into the reserve. The parking place is .6 miles from the entrance gate.

.6 miles roundtrip, 1 hour, effortless

Some might quibble that a .6 mile stroll doesn’t qualify as a hike, not to mention the simple fact that the trail is aspect of a privately owned tourist web site that needs an admission charge. But really, where by else can you wander by an underground tube hollowed out by volcanic lava? And don a tricky hat while you are undertaking it?

Fashioned by ancient lava flows almost 1000 yrs ago, the cave-like tunnel is dotted with interpretive signage about its fascinating geology. At the close of the path you can switch off your headlamp to experience finish, mind-rattling darkness.

About 4 miles west of Hana in East Maui, the lava tube is one of lots of intriguing points of interest alongside the well-liked Road to Hana. The tunnel the moment served as a slaughterhouse, and 17,000 pounds of bones had to be cleared out prior to it could open to the general public. Previously mentioned ground you can allow the young ones loose in a enjoyable botanical maze built from crimson ti vegetation.