Road to Hana one of the best road trips in the world. When you do it, you will never forget this adventure. It is “must do” attraction when you first visit to Maui.

As you drive along the 52 miles of undeveloped road, with 56 one-lane bridges and over 600 curves and turns, you will pass by the most breathtaking scenery on the face of the earth. It was literally a million years in the making.

First, we want to give some advice about Hana Road trip like other sources. Then we will continue to tell what we did.

As much as starts to trip early!

7 a.m. or earlier is best to get your start in Pa‘ia town. An earlier morning means less traffic and the more traffic you can avoid the more enjoyable your trip down the highway will be. If there is one complaint about the Hana Highway, it’s almost always about the traffic. So avoid the rush, get started early, and you’ll enjo trip significantly more.

Don’t rush!

Without any stops, it can take up to three hours to make the 52-mile journey to Hana. Some visitors and residents will try and do it in half that time. Don’t let yourself be rushed. Just be sure to show some Aloha and pull over occasionally and let those by who are in a hurry.

Don’t stop everywhere!

People generally make big  mistake. They are trying to stop everywhere. Don’t do this. You can’t do everything in a day.  

Make your own plan

You should define what you want to see and do. At least define 5 stops things to see.

 

We got up 4:00 AM to able to take advantage of all day. We were staying in Makena. It takes 30 minutes from Makena to Paia.

Short stop at Paia town before start to long journey.

You can make breakfast or buy snacks from bakery and coffee shop. Even if they tell this is last stop before Hana, don’t need to buy everything from here. There are some good options like delicious banana bread stands on the way. You should try one of them.

Quick breakfast at Antony’s Coffee Co in Paia town before start to Hana Road adventure

Our first stop was Waikamoi National Trail (***)

I can’t say this was best but it is a beautiful, short nature walk through trees, bamboo and ferns with scenic overlooks at various points along the way. There are two sections to the trail. One is a short loop that takes about half an hour and ends where it starts (at the picnic area), and the other is a one-way extension from the loop trail. We selected short one. It was good short morning walk in beautiful forest.

Waikamoi Nature Trail (Mile Marker 9)

Stop Halfway to Hana to try  their fresh banana breads. (****)

When you arrive to that place, you really will be on half of the way to Hana Town. 🙂 We bought only bana bread, you can also another snacks or drink.

Delicius homemade banana bread in Halfway to Hana Located Just past mile post 17 on the road to Hana.

Stop at lookout to see view of Ke’anae Valley.  (****)

You can easly miss here. It’s not a major araction,but it’s worth a stop for some great
scenic views. After parking, take the stairs up to the lookout on your right. Don’t miss. Stop for 5 minutes if you like to take picture. Ke’anae Valley’s view is spectacular.

Nice point to take a shot for view of Ke’anae Valley in Wailua Wayside Park (a little over a half-mile past mile marker 18)

Upper Waikani Falls (*****)

I think it is one of the best points on Hana Highway. Parking is very limited. If you come early you will have more chance to park your car. This is one of the most visited waterfalls in the area. You can get a great view of this triple-spouted beauty from the side of the road. If you’d like to get a bit closer, there is a path at the end of the bridge. Simply climb down and under the bridge and follow the jungle-like path towards the falls and then rock-skip a few feet up to the best vantage point. This is a
really great way to view the falls up close and personal.

Upper Waikani Falls (Three Bears Falls) (mile marker 19) is one of the most visited falls in the area.

Haleakala National Park (*****)

After Three Bear Falls, we passed nonstop from Hana town and headed to Haleakala National Park after Three Bear Falls. This park is furthest stop and we were planning to spend longest time here. For that reason  we decided to go first here. We were planning to stop at other places on our back way. If Haleakala National Park is top place for you on this trip. We highly recommend that, Otherwise you can arrive there very late then you cannot finish back way before dark. Also the best time to see  Waimoku Falls is before noon.

There is an entrances fee for the park. It is 10$ for per car. The fee to use this park is valid for a week and allows you to explore the Haleakala crater on the same pass

We had quick lunch on picnic table near the visitor valley. We ate our banana breads and sandwich.

Passed Hana town. Headed to Haleakala National Park

We were able to arrive to Halakala National Park before noon.

 

We completed Pipiwai Trail hiking. It is one of the best hikes on Maui. Don’t miss it! The 4 mile round trip to the falls and back takes in several great waterfalls before reaching the spectacular Waimoku Falls, and a boardwalk journey through dense, dark bamboo forest that you’re unlikely to forget.

Highlight for the trail: (Check also our pictures below!)

• Makahiku Falls
• Giant Banyan Tree
• Bamboo Forest
• Waimoku Falls

Tips:

• We strongly recommend an early start if you want to make good time on the Hana Highway. Actually it is possible when you stay in Hana Town. Although we started to trip very early we were able to arrive there around 10:30 am.
• The hike route is prone to flash flooding, so be aware of the weather forecast and do not attempt the hike under threat of rain.
• As with all Hawaii hikes we recommend footwear with good grip, since the terrain can get a little slippy & muddy.

 

Beginning of Pipiwai Trail. The Pipiwai Trail is one of the best hikes on Maui. Don’t miss it!

View of Makahiku Falls.

Giant Banyan Tree on Pipiwai Trail

Bamboo Forest was amazing on Pipiwai Trail

The 400 ft Waimoku Falls.

After finished Pipiwai Trail. We visited ‘Ohe’o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools). It looks very nice but It was very crowder. If you are able to arrive there early, it will be better.

Quick info about ‘Ohe’o Gulch:
In 1969, Kipahulu Valley and ‘Ohe’o Gulch were added to Haleakala National Park, which stretches down from the crater’s summit. ‘Ohe’o means “Something Special”, and it certainly is. When water levels are up, there are many more than 7 pools (as the inaccurate name suggests). When water levels are safe, there are many pools open to swimming.

Ohe‘o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) was very busy. Because we arrived there little bit late after hiking.

Hamoa Beach (***)

We visited the world famous Hamoa Beach on our back way after Haleakala. We couldn’t spend too much time but you can spent a day here if you stay in Hana. For more information click here.

After Haleakala National Park We started to turn back. We took a break at Hamoa Beach.

You must try smoothie with tropical fresh fruits by stopping one of fruit stands on the way. We tried it at Hamoa Beach. It was delicious.

Hana Town (***)

We just stopped for groccery and ice cream.

Stopped Hana Town for groccery on our back way.

Wai’anapanapa State Wayside Park (****)

This park was our last stop. We spent an hour here. Wai‘anapanapa’s black sand beach is one of the major aractions of the drive.

Our last stop was Wai’anapanapa State Wayside Park . We visited black sand beach. (mile marker 32)

It was very very long day. But It is worth.Next time we want to stay two or three days in Hana Town.