(From Someone Who Actually Lived There)
I lived on Maui for four years and hiked almost every trail on the island. When friends visit, here’s where I take them!
These five hikes cover a range of difficulty and experience — from a serious ridge climb with views that’ll stop you in your tracks, to a bamboo forest trail that feels like stepping into a different world. There’s something here for every kind of hiker, as long as you come prepared.
A quick note before you go anywhere: Maui’s trails pass through land that’s sacred, ecologically sensitive, and actively managed by people who care deeply about it. Stay on the trail, take nothing, pack out everything you bring in, and leave it better than you found it.
1. Waihee Ridge Trail
Distance: 4 miles out-and-back
Elevation gain: ~1,500 ft
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Fee: Free
Hours: 7am–7pm
This is our go-to. Every single time friends visit, Waihee Ridge is on the list. It’s one of the most scenic hikes on the island and somehow still feels less crowded than the Hana side trails — as long as you go early.
The trail climbs steadily along a ridgeline in the West Maui Mountains, passing through lush forest before opening up to sweeping views of Waihee Valley, Makamaka’ole Falls, and on a clear day, the summit of Haleakala across the island. The upper section is exposed and can get quite muddy after rain — I’ve watched people in flip flops slide backwards on the descent, so please wear actual shoes. Trail runners or sneakers with grip are the move.
Parking tip: Get there early to snag a spot in the main lot at the top of Maluhia Road. If you miss it, you’ll end up parking in the overflow lot off Kahekili Highway — which adds about 0.8 miles and 400 feet of elevation before you even start the hike. Weekdays are noticeably less crowded than weekends.
One more thing: if you reach the top and it’s socked in with clouds, give it 15 minutes. The weather on the windward side moves fast. Sometimes it opens up completely. Sometimes it doesn’t. Either way, the hike is worth it!
I love doing this one first thing in the morning and pairing it with a drive around the West Maui loop counter-clockwise.
2. Haleakala Crater — Sliding Sands to Halemau’u
Distance: ~12 miles point-to-point
Elevation: Starts at ~9,850 ft; descends ~3,600 ft, gains ~1,800 ft
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Fee: National Park — $30/vehicle (valid 3 days, covers both districts)
Hours: Summit access 3am–7am requires a sunrise reservation via Recreation.gov; after 7am, no reservation needed
This is the hike I recommend when someone says they want to do something that doesn’t feel like a typical Hawaii vacation. You’re hiking inside a dormant volcano. The landscape looks like Mars — cinder cones, silversword plants that only exist on this mountain, colors in the lava you don’t expect. It’s one of the most otherworldly places I’ve ever been.
The best day hike option is the ~12-mile Sliding Sands (Keoneheʻeheʻe) to Halemauʻu Trail, point-to-point. Start at the summit trailhead and descend into the crater, then climb out via the Halemauʻu switchbacks. This direction is strongly recommended over the reverse — starting high means less climbing at altitude.
A few things to know:
You need to plan for transportation. This is a one-way hike, so you’ll either need a second car waiting at the Halemauʻu parking lot (about 10 minutes drive from the summit) or plan to hitchhike. I’ve done the hitchhike many times and haven’t had an issue — there’s a designated spot near the trailhead. Completing the hike in the afternoon is best since there are tourists driving up for sunset.
Sunrise reservation: If you want to go up for sunrise and start hiking immediately after (which is what I’d recommend for the full day hike — start hiking as soon as you’re done watching the sun come up), you need to book a sunrise permit in advance on Recreation.gov. They go fast!
Dress in layers. It starts around 10,000 feet and can be cold, windy, and intensely sunny all at once. A lightweight sun-protection hoodie and a hat with a brim are non-negotiable. Once you drop into the crater it can warm up significantly. Here’s a tried-and-true sun shirt I love from REI and a great sunhat (very stylish lol)!
We’ve also done the backpacking trip to stay at the cabins in the crater multiple times — Paliku cabin in particular is one of the most special places I’ve ever slept. That deserves its own post, which is coming…
3. Pipiwai Trail (Waimoku Falls)
Distance: ~4 miles out-and-back
Elevation gain: ~800 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Fee: $30/vehicle (Haleakala National Park — Kipahulu District)
Hours: 9am–5pm (Kipahulu entrance)
This one’s at the end of the Road to Hana, past Oheo Gulch, and it’s worth every curve of that drive.
The Pipiwai Trail starts in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park and winds through a rainforest up to Waimoku Falls, a 400-foot waterfall at the end of the trail. Along the way you pass a massive banyan tree, an overlook of Makahiku Falls, and then — the reason everyone remembers this hike — a dense bamboo forest that feels completely different from anything else on the island. The bamboo is tall enough to block out the sky and when the wind comes through, it knocks together and makes the most magical sound.
A few things to know: the trail can get very busy if you’re on the same schedule as every tour bus doing the Hana Highway. The best way to avoid this is to be there early, or better yet, stay overnight in Hana and start your morning with the hike before anyone else arrives. I did this after camping in Hana and had the trail almost entirely to myself.
Also: do not approach the waterfall closely. Rocks fall from the cliff face and it is genuinely dangerous. Stay back, take the photo from the viewing area, and resist the urge to get closer.
4. La Perouse / Hoapili Trail
Distance: 3.4 miles out-and-back to Hanamanioa Point Lighthouse (King’s Highway continues further)
Elevation gain: Minimal — flat lava field walk
Difficulty: Easy (terrain-wise) — but hot and exposed
Fee: Free
Hours: No formal hours; go early
The Hoapili Trail starts at La Perouse Bay on the southwest coast of Maui and takes you across old lava fields right along the ocean. It’s completely flat, totally wild-feeling, and on the right morning you’ll have almost no company. We’ve seen wild goats, sea turtles and dolphins from the shoreline, and some of the clearest water on the island when conditions are calm.
A few important things:
Bring snorkel gear. The bays along this trail offer excellent snorkeling when the ocean is calm — and ocean conditions in the morning are almost always better than the afternoon. Check conditions before you go. This area has no lifeguard and the lava shoreline is unforgiving — only attempt snorkeling if you’re a strong, confident swimmer in open water.
Go early and bring more water than you think you need. The lava field gets extremely hot once the sun is up and there is zero shade. Sun protection is essential.
Footwear: you can technically walk this in flip flops, but the lava rocks are sharp and uneven enough that I wouldn’t. Sneakers or trail runners make it much more comfortable.
5. Kahakapao Loop Trail (Makawao Forest)
Distance: ~6 miles loop
Elevation gain: ~1,200 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Fee: Free
Hours: 7am–7pm
If you need a break from the beach, the heat, or the Hana traffic, this is where to go.
Makawao Forest Reserve is upcountry Maui — around 3,000 feet of elevation, significantly cooler than the coast, and completely different from anything else on the island. The Kahakapao Loop winds through towering eucalyptus trees and Cook pines, and the smell alone is worth the drive up.
The trail is a favorite of locals, trail runners, and mountain bikers (who share some of the paths, so keep an eye out). The loop is well-marked, consistently graded, and forested enough that even on a warm day it stays cool. It’s not the most dramatic scenery on this list — no crater views, no waterfall payoff — but it’s beautiful in a quieter, greener way that feels like a completely different Maui from the one most visitors see.
Getting there: It’s a little off the beaten path. From Makawao Avenue, turn onto Pi’iholo Road, then left on Waiohiwi Road, then right onto Kahakapao Road. Drive to the end. There’s a gate that opens at 7am — the last stretch of road is narrow and steep, but even your rental care should make it.
A Note on These Trails
The land you’re walking through is culturally and ecologically significant. Stay on designated trails, do not remove rocks or plants, and clean your shoes between hikes to prevent the spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, a fungal disease that’s devastating native trees across Hawaii. Stations are available at some trailheads for this purpose.
The trails are sacred. The land gives a lot to visitors. Tread lightly and give back where you can.
We’re writing a full guide to backpacking Haleakala crater — with everything you need to know for an overnight trip to Paliku cabin. Coming soon — make sure to subscribe to be the first to see it!
Have questions about any of these trails? Drop them in the comments — happy to help.
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