When I found out I was headed to Maui for the holidays, I was over the moon excited! I’ve travelled all around the world–to offbeat places like Rwanda and Laos–but I’d never traveled to my very own backyard of Hawaii. About 5 keystrokes into research, I quickly learned that The Road to Hana is a must-do; an all-day road trip along the northern coast of the island. Tucked away between the hairpin turns on this windy road are dozens of pit-stops that are sure to awe the most jaded of tourists. Idyllic settings of lush valleys, volcanic shorelines, and truly majestic waterfalls litter the trail to Hana.
There are many options and opinions floating around about The Road to Hana, so planning this feels like an exhausting nightmare. Don’t let the overwhelm deter you from this famous Maui experience! It is WELL worth it.
THE SKINNY ON THE ROAD TO HANA
Before I break down some of the stops below, here are some useful, general tips for the Hana adventure.
#1 Emphasis on “Road to”
If you are someone who rarely stops to smell the flowers, tap into that part of you for this adventure. The end-point, Hana, is a sleepy, anti-climactic Hawaiian village. Therefore, the true nature of this activity is to soak up the gorgeous stops along the way.
#2 Leave EARLY
The starting point is the town of Paia. To explore a solid amount without feeling rushed and also reach the Kipahulu Region, aim to begin in Paia at around 7 and no later than 8.
#3 Research = good
In order to tackle this road, you can’t really “wing it” because many stops are unmarked or seemingly hidden to a visitor’s eye. Prepare by researching stops and use the mile markers to guide you. To top it off, download GyPSy Guide. I cannot stress how helpful this is — the app is GPS-based and not only does the narrator describe when and where to stop, but he also shares stories about each point of interest, and the history of the Hawaiian Islands. It is 10 dollars well spent!
#4 The mile markers will confuse you
They go from #1 to #16, THEN…
They restart and jump back to Mile #1 to Mile #35, THEN…
The #s jump to Mile #51, where it begins to go backwards, #50, #49, #48…
#5 Footwear
Depending on what you get after, many of the stops don’t require hiking shoes. However, even the moderate hikes are better enjoyed with sneakers, so consider bringing a pair for the ride.
#6 Fuel it up
Pump yourself full before leaving Paia. There is absolutely 0 development along this nature-filled route and you are in serious trouble if you run out of gas!
7 Aloha Etiquette
This windy drive is two-way, but it is chock-full of old-school, one-way bridges. Locals advise to follow the bridge etiquette. Whoever gets to the bridge first, crosses first. AKA first come, first serve! Easy enough to understand.
#8 Chasing Waterfalls
Throughout the drive, you will pass an exorbitant amount of waterfalls. They are especially common next to the antique bridges. If you can find a spot, feel free to stop at one or two for a quick, yet lovely hit. Try Puohokamao or Waikani Falls. If you do skip out, don’t worry! The bigger stops provide you with enough awe to catch the lesser falls in passing.
#9 Don’t leave valuables in cars
There’s a reason for the warning signs posted at the more popular spots. Unfortunately, it is common for thieves to prey on unattended tourist cars. With that in mind, do not leave valuables in sight when you park!
ROAD TO HANA STOPS
Now for the fun part! Below you will find a round-up of notable places along the route. A little disclaimer: I did this with my family, which tamed down the level of adventure I normally indulge in. More specifically, less hiking, less swimming, less pushing of the envelope. However, this is a really awesome round-up to use as a baseline or to tackle all the must-see spots at a leisure level.
Paia
The starting point for the Road to Hana, Pa’ia is a charming village in northern Maui. A smaller version of Lahaina, it offers a mix of local shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Unless you need to fuel up on gas or breakfast, there’s no real need to stop here at the start. However, you do come back through in the late afternoon, marking the end of your journey. Paia has a lot of highly rated restaurants and cute boutiques. In hindsight, it would’ve been a great idea to complete the tour with dinner here! Even though there was some hangry energy in the car, this idea seemed a bit too spontaneous for us after a long day!
Ho’okipa Lookout
Mile Marker #8.8
Ho’okipa is a popular surf spot in Maui. Stop here to watch the pros tackle barrels of the Pacific. And not only are the waves dramatic, but the views are absolutely stunning! In general, this is a memorable stop to kick-off the journey.
Jaws/Pe’ahi
Mile Marker 13 / 14
This break is where the biggest waves are surfed each year. On record! They are so gigantic that surfers need assistance via tow-in machines. The downside is the need for 4WD to turn off and/or the rocky hike to get there. My fam wasn’t really into the idea of off-the-path hiking for the day, so we didn’t visit here. If you budget time and know the surf is firing, GO and tell me how it is! To make sure there are surfers, check out Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) live wave observation charts.
Twin Falls
Mile Marker #2.1
This is worth a stop if you start early, but it’s OK to miss. The parking lot is packed, but it doesn’t feel like a tourist zone once on the trail to the falls. It’s a short walk, but the setting makes you feel like you are tucked away, deep in nature. Twin Falls is nestled within the rainforest. While there, the flow was powerful, cascading into a pool below and then running down a beautiful stream. There’s more to explore here, but we capped our #twinning experience here.
Kaumahina Park Lookout
This lookout provides a pretty incredible view of the volcanic coast and a stunning sneak peak of the Ke’anae Peninsula. However, if short on time and nature isn’t calling*, its okay to skip! *bathrooms
Ke’anae Arboretum
Mile Marker #16.7
A lot of road-trippers are drawn to the Garden of Eden because of it’s debut in the opening scene of Jurassic Park. However, friends say that while it’s a nice walkway with gorgeous views, the $15 a pop entrance fee is not worth it. Luckily, a garden alternative is the FREE Ke’anae Arboretum. Even if you aren’t a garden lover, this botanical walk-through brims with exotic trees and plants. This includes the very colorful Rainbow Eucalyptus and Hawaii’s famed Hibiscus flower. It’s really beautiful in here and I say that this stop is a must! Allow yourself about 30 minutes to explore.
Ke’anae Peninsula
Mile Marker #16.8
This old Hawaiian Village is situated on a narrow peninsula that juts out into the glistening Pacific. The shoreline teems with lava rocks from Haleakala, which can be seen as the land-side backdrop on a clear day. These features make for uniquely wonderful views that you should not miss. This small town is home to tarot farming, which is a staple in the Hawaiian diet. Apparently, tarot is an “acquired” taste, so I recommend getting some Banana Bread from Aunty Sandy’s here instead!
Nahiku Marketplace
Mile Marker #29
The Road to Hana works up quite the appetite. This row of food trucks was recommended to us by more than one person, so we went for it. Go for the truck with Kalua Pork Tacos because they are fast and delicious. On the other hand, do NOT opt for the Thai Food truck because there’s a 40 minute wait time and the dishes aren’t even worth a 5 minute wait! #Fail. In retrospect, a savvy alternative is to pack a picnic lunch.
Wai’anapanapa State Park (Pa’iloa Beach, Anchialine Pool Caves)
Mile Marker #32
If I look past the ridiculous volume of people here and only focus on the natural setting, this is definitely my favorite stop because WOW. This park offers spectacular landscapes from every angle; jagged cliffs and black sand beaches are surrounded by lush, green hills and valleys. Additionally, you can walk along the trails to explore the beaches, caves, lava rock formations, and even visit the blowhole. Allow for about an hour+ here.
Hamoa State Beach
Mile Marker #50
First of all, the crescent shape of Hamoa Beach is surrounded by beautiful cliffs. As a result, it is deservedly ranked quite high for Maui’s top beaches. It is a perfect place to relax in the sand and even take a dip in the ocean because it’s not nearly as crowded as the other beaches.
Wailua Falls
Mile Marker #44.8
The picturesque Wailua Falls cascades in the thick of a tropical rainforest and drops 80 feet into a plunge pool below. As a matter of fact, this waterfall is situated right on the side of the road. The public location deters a bit from it’s luster, but it’s worth the stop. Most noteworthy, ample parking is available right after the bridge. Also, minus the crowds by walking down the trail for an even closer view of this beauty.
Kipahulu Region
Mile Marker #42
Apparently, this splendid valley is the Holy Grail of the Road to Hana. Unfortunately, we did not make it here, but I wish we did and hope to next time! Here, find Ohe’o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) and the Pipiwai Trail. See the Lower Pools with an easy walk. To access the upper pools, tackle a moderately difficult, 4-mile hike on the Pipiwai Trail. Through a peaceful bamboo forest, ascend about 600 feet and catch many scenic views along the way.