Road to Hana: Highway Map, Things to Do And Tips

The world-famous street to Hana is likely one of the must-do experiences when visiting Maui. It will be overwhelming planning what to see on this iconic street journey when you’ve got restricted time. So we’ve rounded up all of the street to Hana stops that we did on Maui’s epic coastal drive. You don’t have to see all the things (until you’ve got the time) so we’re right here to aid you select what are the highest stops that you will need to make.

The Road to Hana, aka The Hana Highway, takes you from the surf city of Paia to the peaceable city of Hana. It’s straightforward to discover one of the best stops on the street to Hana, all you want to do is comply with the mile markers. We have included the mile marker for every cease on the Hana Highway on this information. It is a good addition to any Maui trip.

The Road To Hana

Most individuals make a day journey out of the street to Hana drive and start in Paia within the morning spending the remainder of the day working their method out to Hana Town stopping alongside the way in which. We as an alternative drove instantly out to Hana earlier than dawn to discover Hana Town and its close by points of interest earlier than making our method again slowly within the afternoon. It was one of the best resolution we made. We averted the site visitors and had most of the prime stops on the Road to Hana all to ourselves.

The Hana Highway is likely one of the hottest day journeys on Maui, so it may well get very busy quick. We suggest leaving early and driving instantly to the Pools at O’he’o Gulch a part of Haleakala National Park which is about half-hour past Hana. Getting there early beats the crowds and you’ll hike the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls in relative peace and quiet after which, you may then spend the day slowly making your method again to Paia.

Recommended Road To Hana Tours

Top Road to Hana Stops

Traffic on the street to Hana from Paia to Hana is plugged and stopped later within the day. Seeing the sights in reverse order, allows you to benefit from the viewpoints and waterfalls at your personal tempo. Plus, we discovered the views on the way in which again, method higher than on the way in which out as we have been on the precise aspect of the street with unobstructed views!

Stock up Before you Leave Paia

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Hot Hana Highway Tip

Before heading out, seize some gourmand picnic lunches to take with you on the Road to Hana. The Hana Picnic Lunch Company places collectively lunch and breakfast to your street journey. Order the day earlier than 2 pm so as to set out early within the morning. There are picnic tables alongside the route the place you may cease to benefit from the extraordinary ocean views. Or you may seize some banana bread and a espresso earlier than leaving and save lunch for when you arrive in Hana.

Note: The espresso outlets and eating places don’t open till 7 am, so if you need to choose up provides for the day, we propose doing it the evening earlier than and making a espresso out of your lodge.

1. Paia Town

Paia isn’t only a cease on the Hana Highway, it’s a vacation spot unto itself. Located on the North Shore of Maui, there are many issues to do in Paia to hold you occupied. We recommend spending a few nights having fun with this surfer’s city. Ho’okipa Beach Park is a good place to watch the world-class surfers and windsurfers and Baldwin Beach is a phenomenal lengthy sandy seaside that could be a must-visit.

Making our base in Paia we stayed on the hip boutique lodge, the Paia Inn, the place we woke early to make our method to Hana. After selecting up a espresso at Paia Bay Coffee Bar and ordering a boxed lunch at CJ’s diner we have been on our method.

2. Haleakala National Park

As we talked about above we drove instantly to the top of the Road to Hana to start our street journey. Going in the wrong way of the site visitors.

The maps and guides can have Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) as your final cease on the street to Hana, however we like to be totally different, so that is the primary cease of our day.

Located half-hour past Hana at Mile Marker 42, this department of Haleakala National Park is attractive. Once you arrive, you’ll stroll the Pipiwai Trail to a number of the most scenic points of interest on Maui. This lovely portion of the nationwide park homes a bamboo forest, the 400-foot-high Waimoku Falls, the Seven Sacred Pools ( Oheo Gulch), and the Haleakala volcano. This was undoubtedly the spotlight of our street journey and we spent nearly all of the morning right here.

It prices $30 per car to enter Haleakala National Park. This offers you entry to the nationwide park for 3 Days which incorporates the Haleakala Summit. So you possibly can spend the day right here at some point, after which head to Upcountry Maui and catch the dawn on the Haleakala Summit the next day.

3. Pipiwai Trail

The Pipiwai Trail is a simple path stuffed with scenic views. The 4-mile climbing path is a phenomenal scenic stroll that takes you thru big Banyan bushes and an infinite bamboo forest earlier than you attain your closing vacation spot on the lovely and really excessive Waimoku Falls. If you might be into climbing be certain that to take a look at our information Top 12 Hikes in Maui to Take your Breath Away for some nice recommendations across the island.

4. Bamboo Forest

The bamboo forest was a spotlight of the path. We have by no means seen such a pristine bamboo forest outdoors of Asia. The bamboo was introduced to Maui by Asian migrants engaged on pineapple farms to use as scaffolding. There is a boardwalk that cuts by the forest and strolling trails placing you within the middle of this beautiful scene. Make positive to spend a little bit of time right here, it’s attractive and really uncommon to see.

5. Waimoku Falls

The finish of the path comes to the 400-foot-high Waimoku Falls. It’s postcard-perfect for pictures. We suggest having a superb pair of water sneakers or Tevas as you’ll be crossing streams. By arriving early, we shared the waterfall views with just one different individual. It was really spectacular.

Note: Obey the indicators not to get too shut to the falls. We noticed different individuals ignoring it, however have heard that there have been deaths at these falls due to falling rocks. It feels secure sufficient to take a look at, however it’s harmful.

6. Seven Sacred Pools (Oheo Gulch)

The Seven Sacred Pools (Also often called the Pools of ‘Ohe’o or Oheo Gulch) are one of many prime points of interest to see on Maui and they’re additionally positioned within the National Park. They can get very crowded, so it’s value getting there early. It is a stunning cascading steps waterfall. It is a brief loop path of solely 1km.

Be conscious, the Seven Sacred Pools Trail is usually closed due to flooding and there have been deaths at Oheo Gulch obey the indicators and comply with the principles.

Once you’ve got completed up within the National Park it’s time to make your method again to Paia. We suggest stopping as a lot as attainable at any scenic lookout that you may.

We stopped at most of the waterfalls and scenic lookouts on the way in which again and actually loved driving on this course. For one, we have been now on the precise aspect of the street to have the cliff views and two, we weren’t sitting in site visitors till the night.

7. Wailua Falls

Wailua Falls is taken into account Maui’s most photographed waterfall and you’ll cease right here for some picture alternatives. It’s probably the most accessible waterfall on the street to Hana and it’s a pretty cascade of 80 ft over a rocky jungle setting.

Wailua Falls is positioned a mile marker 45 in your method again from the Pools of O’he’o. You can swim within the plunge pool beneath these waterfalls

8. Koki Beach Park

Koki Beach Park is a pleasant picture cease since it’s a combination of crimson, black, and white sand. It will not be an appropriate swimming space due to the robust currents, however it’s a good picture cease for a scenic view. It’s positioned simply outdoors of Hana and is an efficient spot to benefit from the gourmand picnic lunch that you just had packed earlier than leaving Paia.

The turn-off for Koki Beach is positioned at Mile Marker 51.

9. Hamoa Beach

Hamoa Beach is that excellent crescent-shaped sandy seaside that everybody is on the lookout for. There is a car parking zone right here, that fills up quick and you’ve got to stroll down a set of stairs to get to the seaside. The seaside is owned by Hana Maui Resort, so you’ll be sharing it with company who’ve entry to all of the facilities. But there are restrooms open to most of the people. If you keep the evening in Hana, this can be a good seaside to spend a while at.

Hamoa Beach is positioned at Mile Marker 50 and there’s a car parking zone right here. The stroll down is steep so be ready when you’ve got mobility points.

10. Hana Town

By the time we bought to Hana Town (aptly nicknamed heavenly Hana), it was time for some meals. Hana is taken into account the “traditional Maui” feeling like a sleepy city you’d count on on the Hawaiian Islands. I think about that is what Paia was like a few many years in the past.

If you resolve to spend the evening in or round Hana, it’s a terrific place to calm down for the day. You can take a look at the cultural middle, calm down on the seaside or take pleasure in some downtime on the spa. There is a picnic space the place you may seize a chew to eat and calm down by the water taking within the ocean views or you may hit one of many eating places.

We grabbed snacks on the normal retailer as an alternative of choosing a sit-down lunch. There was an excessive amount of to see and we didn’t need to waste time consuming. So with our automotive stocked once more with meals, we have been on our method. Whenever we’re on a street journey, we want meals readily available.

11. Wai’anapanapa State Park

In a nutshell, Wai’anapanapa State Park is the place you get that traditional picture of the Hana Highway. With lovely scenic viewpoints and a black sand seaside, it’s a must-stop for no less than {a photograph}. There are some climbing trails, caves, and a blowhole to discover right here.

It is right here that you just’ll see the Pa’iloa, the traditional black sand seaside of Maui. There is a stairway main down to the seaside the place you may rise up shut with the sleek black pebbles lining the shore.

Note: Wai’anapanapa State Park is positioned simply previous Mile Marker 32 and you will need to make reservations to enter the State Park.

12. Hana Lava Tube

This is your likelihood to go inside a lava tube when you’ve by no means been. The Hana Lava Tube was shaped by lava flowing to the ocean for a two-year interval. As the outer layer cooled, the lava continued to move inside making a tube. Give your self an hour to see it. It is unquestionably probably the most underrated stops on the Hana Highway the place guests can discover the 0.3 miles on their very own to discover the caverns, stalagmites, and lava tubes.

The Hana Lava Tube is positioned at Mile Marker 31 and the doorway charge is $15 per individual for a self-guided tour. There are restrooms right here.

13. Hanawi Falls and Upper Waikani Falls

Two of the stops on the way in which again which can be positioned earlier than midway to Hana are the Hanawi Falls and Upper Waikani Falls. You can hike to see them however simply be certain that to discover a secure parking spot that doesn’t block site visitors.

The falls are positioned at Mile Markers 19 and 24 respecively.

Upper Waikani Falls

If you need to cease at waterfalls, there are 18 alongside the Hana Highway. Upper Waikani Falls is usually referred to because the Three Bears with the papa, mama, and child bear waterfalls cascading at totally different lengths. You can go for a swim right here or simply calm down on the boulders and benefit from the views of considered one of Maui’s hottest waterfalls.

Hanawi Falls

Hanawi Falls will be seen from Hanawi Stream’s bridge, (one of many 80 bridges alongside the street to Hana). The cascade of Hanawi Falls drops 200 ft into the plunge pool beneath. The water is chilly right here so it’s not one of many waterfalls to go swimming in.

Nearby there’s the Nahiku Market place the place you may get some espresso, tacos, sorbet, and different snacks that you may take pleasure in underneath the shade.

14. Halfway to Hana Stand

The street to Hana is brief. If you allow early within the morning and drive instantly, you will be by it in 90 minutes. But when you take your time, you could be prepared for a relaxation cease and a brief snack by the point you get to mile marker 17. Another nice street journey within the US is 17 Mile Drive in California.

This little store is understood for its banana bread made out of native bananas. They additionally promote Maui’s favourite “shave ice,” ice cream, and different snack bar favorites. There is even an atm when you discover you might be operating quick on money. There is slightly picnic space the place you sit underneath the shade to take pleasure in your ice cream too. If you need to strive one other nice banana bread take a look at Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread which is about 4. miles earlier than you attain Halfway to Hana.

15. Ke’anae Arboretum

What is sweet about this cease on the Hana Highway is that it’s free. The principal attraction on the Ke’anae Arboretum is the rainbow eucalyptus bushes. We thought the Eurcaplytus bushes of Maui have been the best factor. They are an invasive species imported from Asia, however you may’t assist however cease to take images. They are eye-catching. It’s a brief path so it gained’t take up an excessive amount of time on the Hana Highway to see them.

16. Honomanu Bay

If you need to see one other black sand seaside it may be performed at Honomanu Bay. This isn’t a well-liked cease on the Hana Highway, so you’ll discover fewer individuals right here if you’re on the lookout for a spot with out crowds.

Located at Mile Marker 14, Honomanu Bay is a lush shoreline of Maui the place components of Jurrasic Park have been filmed. We snapped a shot of the coast from a helicopter. This is a cease on the Hana Highway that you just’ll need to do solely when you’ve got time as you may’t drive down until you’ve got a 4X4. So you’ll need to hike.

17. Garden of Eden Arboretum

When driving the Hana Highway, it’s straightforward to discover the stops on the street as there are mile markers all alongside the street. The Maui Garden of Eden is positioned on Mile Marker 10. There are 2 1/2 miles of maintained strolling trails and you’ll see the Puohokamoa waterfalls from the Garden of Eden. It ought to take out about an hour.

There is a cost of $15 to get into the Garden of Eden however it’s value it if you need to see the flora of the island. There’s an outdated mango tree, and strolling trails by the immaculately saved gardens. , so be sure to have the time to actually discover the gardens.

18. Canyoning at Rappel Maui at Garden of Eden

If you need to do one thing adventurous in Maui, Rappel Maui is positioned within the Garden of Eden the place you may ebook a full-day tour to rappel down Puohokamoa Waterfall. We’ve rappelled down a waterfall and it’s wildly enjoyable!

19. Twin Falls

Twin falls is one other waterfall cease on the street to Hana. There are the decrease falls and the higher falls and it’s a quick one-mile hike making it an simply accessible waterfall for everybody to take pleasure in. It’s a terrific place for a dip in one of many swimming pools. We didn’t go for a swim however you may swim there. There can be a farm stand the place you should purchase snacks and smoothies.

Twin Falls is positioned at mile marker 2 and there’s a car parking zone that’s restricted. There is simply room for 50 vehicles at Twin Falls, so when driving out on the street to Hana, we suggest stopping right here instantly as soon as you allow Paia as a result of there’s a good likelihood you gained’t get a parking spot within the car parking zone and can miss it. There is not any parking on the street to Hana.

20. Ho’Okipa Lookout

We talked about Ho’Okipa Lookout as one of many issues to do in Paia. But when driving the street to Hana, this can be a nice cease for sundown on the way in which again. Located simply outdoors of Paia on the Hana Highway is Ho’okipa Beach Park. It is likely one of the greatest spots on the island for sundown and a terrific place to watch the professionals at work.

You can’t miss it since you’ll see all of the windsurfers taking pictures by the water as you method. The waves are big right here thanks to the right waves that break on its north shore. If you’re going to learn the way to Kite surf or windsurf don’t go right here. This is for professionals solely. Do what we did and go to Kahului Beach as an alternative.

21. Paia Fish Market

It’s been a protracted day. (no less than if you’re nuts like us) and meal time. One of one of the best locations to eat in Paia is the Paia Fish Market. Grab a plate of Mahi Mahi at this native favourite and reminisce in regards to the superb belongings you noticed at present on the Hana Highway.

Where to Stay on the Road to Hana

There are only some inns in Hana when you resolve to keep the evening which is a good thought to permit extra time to discover. The lodging on this aspect of Maui as it’s extra of rugged and distant, however you may verify VRBO for trip leases within the space like this pretty keep in Hana.

We recommend leaving early to beat the site visitors. The Road to Hana can develop into overcrowded rapidly. If you’ve got two days, we suggest taking the complete two days as there are many websites to see! There are a number of inns in Hana, we propose the Hana Maui Resort: Check charges and availability

We stayed on the Paia Inn in Paia and it was fabulous. It’s positioned on the seaside and is inside strolling distance of most of the prime Paia points of interest. The boutique lodge has a hip vibe and affords yoga courses, contemporary Kona espresso, and stylish rooms.

Quick Tips For Driving The Hana Highway

Make positive to choose up The Road to Hana CD at any memento store in Maui. Turn it on in Paia and comply with their suggestions as you go. It performs some native music and it’s fairly entertaining to boot. Stop in Paia to choose up a field lunch at CJ’s Diner. Leave early, the roads are completely free and away from site visitors within the morning and also you’ll have the freeway all to your self. Pack further water. Make positive to have sturdy water sneakers with a superb grip for the waterfall trails. We recommend taking 2 days to actually discover the Hana Highway, one isn’t sufficient to see all the things. There are lodging in Hana. Drive instantly to Hana stopping just for a number of of the waterfall and scenic ocean views so as to get to the park earlier than the crowds. Allow no less than 2 to 3 hours within the park to discover the climbing trails and make it out to the waterfalls. Once you might be completed within the park, make your method slowly again alongside the freeway stopping in any respect the spots you missed on the way in which out. Stop on the black sand seaside in your method again to Hana from the park to see the locals picnicking and browsing. We discovered the freeway to be a extra scenic drive on the way in which again to Paia so take pleasure in your afternoon. Pay particular consideration to the one-lane bridges, they are often difficult on winding roads.

About The Hana Highway

Maui’s Hana Highway is taken into account one of many world’s nice coastal drives and probably the most lovely drive in Hawaii. beginning in Paia and ending simply previous the city of Hana. It is simply 45 miles (72 km) to Hana from Paia, however the drive can take a complete day while you cease in any respect the attractive sights alongside the way in which. Read extra: The Most Amazing Facts About Hawaii

The twisting street to Hana is stuffed with 600 hairpin turns crossing 59 bridges. The slender street clings to the aspect of excessive sea cliffs and also you typically come face-to-face with oncoming site visitors.

It will not be really useful for somebody who will not be used to driving, so when you don’t have a number of expertise behind the wheel, we propose taking a tour of the Hana Highway as an alternative of driving it your self. But when you like to drive, and don’t thoughts one-lane bridges, get your self a cool automotive rental and hop on this street for a phenomenal day in Maui.

To get to Hana from Paia you’ll really take highways 36 and 360. But the Hana Highway sounds a lot cooler. We hopped on Highway 36 in direction of Hana after which after 9.5 miles, we turned onto freeway 360 to Hana.

In some sources, you may learn in regards to the Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach. This culturally delicate space is on non-public property and is off-limits to guests. Please respect the posted indicators and don’t go to Red Sand Beach. 

The Best Tip for Driving the Hana Highway

The greatest tip for driving the street to Hana is to b-line it to Hana after which drive again slowly in the wrong way. We drove instantly to O’he’o Gulch very first thing within the morning. It is simply previous the city of Hana which we placed on our record to cease at on the way in which again. After exploring the paths and waterfalls, we then made our method slowly again in direction of Paia for the remainder of the day.

It was a terrific alternative as we didn’t have to sit in site visitors. Plus we had the Pipiwai Trail to the waterfalls and thru the bamboo forest all to ourselves. We have been grateful for our alternative and felt fairly happy with our resolution once we noticed the lengthy strains of vehicles on the opposite aspect of the street as we drove in the wrong way of all of the site visitors.