The National Park Service has blocked this path as yet another casualty of a popular guidebook that doesnt properly educate visitors as to the dangers in the places it sends them. This will get you a 3 day Haleakala pass, and you can use it to visit both the Kipahulu side and the summit side of the national park. Aloha! Kihei Rent A Car96 Kio LoopKihei, Maui, HI 96753, 2023 Kihei Rent-A-Car Inc., All Rights Reserved . Thank yoU! I'm thinking for me to get an early start, quick stop at Aunt Sandys for banana. I would recommend most people take the clockwise (north) route to Hana and just dont stop at too many stops along the way of you plan to visit this trail. On way back. There is a google map on this article with the location. The Pipiwai Trail is one of the great stops along the Hana Highway, and it is a part of the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park. Easy yet challenging. Contact us today to make your reservation! So you have to pay 25.00 admission . Here are the driving distances and times from other locations in Maui, via Highway 360 (these times do not take in account any additional time for stops along the way): WHAT WE DID: We drove Highway 360 directly to the Kpahulu District, arriving at 9:30 am. The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle. Called the Kpahulu district, this section of the park is lush, green, and filled with waterfalls, plant life, and beautiful coastal scenery. They said they used their arms to . The trailhead for the Ppwai Trail is located to the left of the Visitor Center. There is a lot to see on the RTH, before you get to Oheo Gulch, where the trailhead is located for the Pipiwai. The trail is just mauka the Hana Hwy at Haleakala National Park Kipahulu (Seven Sacred Pools.) Kihei Rent A Car uses the information you provide to us to contact you by email about our relevant content and updates. Once out of the pool, if youre an off-trail kind of hiker who hasnt had enough off-trail, you can continue your side-trip upstream along the streambed (be ready to do some swimming and climbing) and check out some more worthy pools and waterfalls. Or perhaps you'd rather lace up the hiking boots and hit the trail. Or you could make it a 2 day trip if you plan to sleep in some hotel in the road to Hana (Im not that rich, tyvm. The National Park Service offers a guided hike along the Pipiwai Trail on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. on a reservation basis. Flash-flooding, rock falls and cliff/bridge jumping have taken several lives, and many natural dangers occur suddenly without warning. Are there benches anywhere? If youre lucky enough to be here in summer, youre in for a refreshing treat. Follow the trail for about 300 feet. Is it worth the 2 hour trip out? This 200 foot (61 m) waterfall has carved out the valley below. Continue on the path (and up more stairs before the terrain levels out) to immerse yourself in the bamboo forest. No stops were planned , but had to stop twice - one of the kids was very nauseous. So youre off to hike the Pipiwai Trailthat is one of the best hikes on Maui! Beyond the Kpahulu District (to the west), the road becomes rougher and narrower and more remote, which is why many people turn around, rather than driving this section of the road. This includes Pipiwai Trail and Kuloa Point Trail. It was awesome but it did add to the danger. MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia's Kihei Clark (0) shoots a basket while North Carolina's Rechon "Leaky" Black (1) tries to defend during the second half of an NCAA college . The hike starts at the park staging area ($10 per vehicle to get in.) Just note that you could be violating the terms of your rental car agreement if you drive Highway 360. best things to do in Haleakala National Park, Best Things to Do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The daily ticket is only good for 72 hours--meaning you would end up paying again if you didn't do the two areas back to back. Or you can choose to stay several days on the Road to Hana to take your time with the waterfalls and beaches that are along the Road to Hana! Near trailhead is the Oheo Gulch Visitor Center, Oheo Gulch (part of Haleakala National Park), Maui's Top Hotels, Resorts, B&Bs, & Vacation Rentals, Maui's Best Tours, Excursions, & Adventures, Maui Kayak Adventures - Tours & Activities. This includes packing out what you bring to the hiking trail, be considerate of other hikers, and leaving archaeological artifacts as you found them. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I left Paia at 8am and encountered minimal traffic. Take your time on way back. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. You still end up in Kahului and then have to drive to Kihei. There is no other parking near the Pipiwai Trail, so you need to enter the national park in order to hike the Pipiwai Trail. Since the Pipiwai Trail is a part of Haleakala National Park, an entry fee is required. It took us about an hour to get to the falls with stops to read some signs and take pictures. Fee: $15 NPS Info: https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/kipahulu.htm Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. The parking lot was about 1/3 full and I was actually surprised at how many cars were already here. On the bicycle adventureof a lifetime? What to . It takes anywhere from 2 1/2 - 5 hours to hike;dependinghow much nature loving you do. Aloha Mark, ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. This website's use is your expressly conditioned acceptance of the terms, conditions, and disclaimers found within our Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability page without any modifications. You may use these HTML tags and attributes: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Original info & content 2009 to 2023 Maui Guidebook.com, LLC, Maui, Hawaii. Free shipping for many products! Both my husband and I are quite fit and are interested in doing one hike while we are here. The Road to Hana runs along the east coast of Maui. Its a beautiful walk and best part of this hike, in my opinion. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. It is 4 miles roundtrip, gaining 650-feet in elevation. Key Info: (for trailhead @ HNP Kipahulu.) Once you emerge from the bamboo, you are getting close to the end of the trail. It's at the Kipahulu end of the Road to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Going straight leads you up through Paia and on up to Hana. Required fields are marked *. There are many that are pretty much right along the Hana Highway. Get here no later than 3 pm, so you have enough time to finish the hike before the gates close. Follow the trail for about 300 feet. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. This idyllic 1.8 mile trail unfolds alongside a string of (many more than seven) pools and waterfalls framed by the lush green diversity of the lush tropical rainforest. I would like to know the round trip time with a few stops along the way. You probably dont want to hike it in the dark though! The Kpahulu District is open from 9 am to 5 pm. What you might not know that there is a smaller section of Haleakala National Park on the southern coast of Maui. These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. Have fun! Some people decide to swim on their way, either in rivers or at the very end under the fall. If you relish your driving experiences then the Road to Hana alone is . Lots of fun waterfalls, the black sand beach, family-owned convenience shops, and fruit stands along the road. Not worried about the distance. It takes 2 1/2 - 5 hours to hike, depending on how much nature loving you do. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88173006', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Hana anyway, the Pipiwai trail is one of the best and moderate hikes on Maui. im planning a visit to maui in october. So once you enter the Haleakala National Park Kipahulu area, youll just continue to follow the signs to the parking! Thanks, Aloha Joanne it depends how used to hiking or fit the children are. Its a great hike. Kapalua Coastal Trail; Pipiwai Trail; Waihou Spring Trail . There is no parking along Hana Highway. Stop at Honolulu Coffee in Paia go restroom and breakfast . The first part of the trail is covered in roots. DETAILS: When you rent from Kihei Rent A Car, youll receive great personalized service and a quality car at a reasonable price. Basically, all you need to do to get to the trailhead is to get yourself on the Hana Highway and keep driving until you see the sign for Haleakala National Park! Just did this today - left northernmost (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Since the Pipiwai Trail is a part of Haleakala National Park, an entry fee is required. The Pipiwai Trail- with its stunning waterfalls, huge bamboo forest, idyllic stream, and more beauty than you can imagine- is simply one of the best hikes on Maui. The Waimoku Falls hike passes the 185-footMakahiku Fallswhich is also beautiful. This will get you a 3 day Haleakala pass, and you can use it to visit both the Kipahulu side and the summit side of the national park. In fact, when youve reached the end, youre smack at the base of the falls, and can walk right up and stand under them. Distance: 4 miles out and back Time: Plan for about 2-4 hours, depending on how muddy the trail is and how much time you take at the waterfall and along the way. Begin the hike by accessing the trailhead across the road from the parking lot, and after about half a mile youll be in sight of Makahiku Falls. If you have planned to go to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I don't rec you take the "backside" from Kaupo to Ulupalakua, BTW. It is definitely a value at the price of a few extra steps. Ive seen elsewhere were they have closed access to the pools and you cant get close to the water to see the falls. We were on this greatest of all islands for our honeymoon in 03. You could (A) do it tour bus style in your own car, meaning you do the road to Hana, stopping for like 5-10 minutes per location and moving on, then do the big hike at the end to Waimoku Falls and stop to see 7 pools on the way back. Answer 1 of 12: Approximately how long might it take to drive from Kihei straight to Pipiwai trail (no stops)? At least one of the stops was at a waterfall, lol. It definitely looks Dr. Seus-ish to the uninitiated. If you have no interest in driving the back road to Hana, then you will want to make sure that google maps routes you along the Hana Highway that goes past Paia. So you have to drive the RTH to reach it. On just one hike, you can see several waterfalls, an enormous Banyan tree, and hike through a bamboo forest. It is a well maintained trail with two shallow stream crossings at the very end (after the bamboo.) To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. This is valid for 3 days and it includes both the Kpahulu District and the Haleakala crater. Is this hike super hard? The town has a rich history, dating back to ancient times when it was a center for Hawaiian royalty. Sitting back and riding in comfort? We BARELY survived the hike back out of Sliding Sands Trail back then, but discovered our love of hiking together. Book now. A lot of people choose to drive straight through to Oheo Gulch, do the hike, and then drive back the way you came, making extra stops along the way. Many visitors ask us about where to go hiking on Maui. Aloha Holly not sure of the specs how fit are you? ZION UT There is nothing specifically of danger to note if you stay on the trail, but things can happen in wilderness. Your email address will not be published. The Pipiwai Trail- with its stunning waterfalls, huge bamboo forest, idyllic stream, and more beauty than you can imagine- is simply one of the best hikes on Maui. Either lot is fine but the lower lot is closer to the visitor center and restrooms. HALEAKALA HI The 1.8-mile trail is easy, pet-friendly and only has elevation gain of 350 feet. |. Were a couple who are fit for someone who doesnt go to the gym. You may want to have a poncho, umbrella, hat, and/or a backpack to protect your camera if it rains. All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. Since this is part of the Haleakala National Park . Required fields are marked *. Get directions, View Pipiwai Trail & Waimoku Falls in a larger map. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know to hike the Ppwai Trail. Hike the Pipiwai Trail. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The Ppwai Trail is a relatively short hike that is located in Haleakala National Park on the Road to Hana. Most Internet sources say it takes 2 1/2 5 hours to hike. Years ago, the National Park Service added a handy boardwalk through this forest to keep hikers headed in the right direction and keep the mud at bay. Is this a steep incline, putting more pressure on his knee? I have hiked this trail with children dozens of times. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. You get to try lots of great Hawaiian food and see traditional Hawaiian dancers. To finish the hike, retrace your steps to the Visitor Center. Although the hike has plenty of covered areas, be sure to pack sunscreen and dont forget the bug spray. To Makahiku Falls Viewpoint From the trailhead, it is a 0.5 mile walk to the first viewpoint of the hike, the Makahiku Falls Viewpoint. Pipiwai Trail is part of Haleakala National Park and is located above Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools). Pick about three or four stops you want to see, and then anything else you have time for is a bonus! Do you reccommend going alone or paying for a guided tour? On the way back a lot of traffic going the other way, with several drivers with a death wish Then, after lunch, we went to the black sand beach very very late for our reservation, and after that just went back, everybody was wiped out. Observe the streams from the Ppwai trail and see if you can spot the freshwater shrimp and rock-climbing goby. As many have said, its more about the journey than the destination, but we think both in this case are pretty awesome! Both my husband and I are quite fit and are interested in doing one hike while we are here. Just a bit further and some rock-hopping over a usually tame stream, and this scenery-packed hike culminates at the base of sheer 400 cliffs, with spectacular Waimoku Falls quite literally falling to Earth right in front of you. This is always a worthwhile hike The water is definitely not low right now, that is old info and changes with the weather. Use the restroom at the visitors center before setting out on the hike; there are none on the trail. Leave No Trace. Your humor and descriptive writing are perfect! We're committed to your privacy. P.S. HAWAII EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS My fiance and I want to hike the Pipiwai Trail on Wed 6/12/19. That being said, you will probably need to fly into the Kahului Airport (OGG) and either rent a car or hitch-hike to the trail head. I am going next year with a large group of all ages. Here are driving distances and times from other locations in Maui, via the Road to Hana (these times do not take in account any additional time for stops along the way): As you can see, staying in Hana is ideal. This is still an unpaved dirt trail with exposed roots that can get dusty, rocky, or muddy for a majority of the way, so be sure to bring sturdy hiking shoes or boots. A lot of people choose to drive straight through to Oheo Gulch, do the hike, and then drive back the way you came, making extra stops along the way. They really need to do something about the road to the Black sand beach, seriously. You will probably have to cross the stream in two places before you can get right up under the falls. MICHIGAN Phone: 808-572-4400 These mighty thundering falls will probably be more than enough waterfall for most. How much time should we allocate to do this hike? Not nearly so hard to get to the hike. Amazing views from the top on a clear day, and a really eerie mood when the clouds start to roll in like they did after we had been at the top a while. Shortly after starting the Ppwai Trail, you will cross Hana Highway. You basically walk up through a bamboo forest to a truly amazing waterfall. To reserve call 808-248-7375. Continuing along the trail past a couple of bridges, youll start to notice scattered groves of bamboo, which will eventually turn into a thick bamboo forest. Parking is $10 per vehicle and is valid for 3 days at any of the Haleakala National Park areas, so save your receipt if youve already gone up to the crater or plan to. I wish there was an easy way to post photos on this site. At the four way stop in town make a right on to Olinda Road. Your email address will not be published. Is getting to the pipiwai trial from the west doable ? We saw people getting by with flip flops and running shoes, but their feet and legs were covered with mud by the time they finished the hike. Thanks so much for sharing this info! Do NOT cross if the water is high or moving too swiftly. Continuing along the trail youll notice the scenery changing to bamboo. And don't forget a selfie stick to get amazing pics of your Valley Isle getaway! For more things to do in Haleakala National Park, with recommendations on how to plan your time, read our, Read all of our articles about the United States in our. It will probably be easier to find someone heading your direction from Hana anyway. Over time, these majestic trees gained their own special place in Hawaiian myths and legends. Stop at the visitors center to get more information about the trail conditions for the day, check out some maps, and learn more about the area. GRAND TETON WY Bamboo Forest Maui Guide: Fun Hike to the Massive 400 Foot Waterfall Aloha Mamalu check out this post: http://mauiguidebook.com/adventures/itinerary-shelbys-kipahulu-day/, Aloha, would the trail through the bamboo forest be suitable for a 5 and 3 year old. At over 10,000 feet above sea level, the views . Instead of being on a stem that terminates from a minor branch, like most fruit, mountain apples grow on a small stem directly out of the main branches (and even the trunk) of the `ohi`a `ai tree. Your email address will not be published. Super recommended to download the Shaka Guide app for insightful history and helpful tips for sightseeing spots. I did because its gorgeous and I took my sweet time to bask and absorb it all in. About one mile into the hike, the landscape is about to make a dramatic change. Call ahead. If you drive straight to the trail without stopping, around 4 hours. Your online price: 375 USD. You can take a hike! Twin Falls is another waterfall along the Road to Hana drive in the jungle of East Maui. You can access all kinds of info about Hana by looking at the Top Questions on the right hand side of this page, same for the Hana Forum. You will still get a taste of the spectacular scenery and views of a beautiful natural waterfall without completing the entire trail. Before or after the hike (if theres time) do the half-mile loop to Oheo Gulch from the visitors center to view the Seven Sacred Pools. I was in no rush. That said, I hope to be able to do it in my 80s and I know a few very fit 80-year old people that can still do these sorts of things! Hitting the trail is the perfect way to explore; in fact, it just might be our favorite! The U.S. national park annual pass is also valid at Haleakala National Park. I want to hike the trail but my wife is not capable of this type of hike. Getting to the Pipiwai Trail requires a drive down the famed Road to Hana. Its beautiful. The restrooms at Kamahina State Wayside Park were open at 6 also the RR at Ke'anae will be open around that time too. Read all of our articles about the United States in our United States Travel Guide. You say you are in shape so climbing the equivalent of the sears tower in few miles should be doable! This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Is this hike super hard? This first part of the trail is mostly uphill. PRO HIKING TIP: This trail can be extremely muddy if it has recently rained. Wear comfy sneakers and clothes. Rocks frequently fall over this cliff face and the fall distance would make even a small pebble an unpleasant experience. Once you cross the bridge, youll enter the Bamboo Forest, which starts with a stone pathway and quickly becomes a nice boardwalk. yes it is safe as long as you have a good hold on them along the trail. How did your day go- and would you have changed anything? You will need to use the "full site" if using a mobile device. Can anyone tell me about how long it will take us to drive from the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The other side is one lane for miles (with plenty of two way traffic), it is not well maintained and very very bumpy, it is prone to issues with debris in the road and washed out bridges which require a smidge of offroading. Taking into account the easy accessibility, the Pipiwai Trail offers, hands-down, the all-around best of East Maui's most dramatic stream and waterfall hikes. Im looking for about a 2 hour hike somewhere beautiful thats not super hard. If you get to the Pipiwai trail hike too late to do it, I imagine you will have had a very satisfying day and wont be sorry! Make bee-line for State Park. Banyans originate in India, and first came to the islands as gifts to Hawaiian royalty from Indian royalty. Overall, it took about 2 hours in total for us from start to finish, did the short .5 mile loop to check out the 7 sacred pools, and we got back to Kihei around 4:00. This narrow stretch of road on the northwest side of Maui is for the experienced driver, but a great alternative to Road to Hana. The trail continues on the opposite side of the road. As always, we also discourage visitors from swimming beneath the falls. Hours: 9 am to 5 pm; last entry at 4:30 pm. The powerful waterfall flows from 400 feet up, spraying cool mist from yards away. You can choose either to navigate you to the start of the Pipiwai Trail. There are a TON of stops along the Hana Highway you can make along the way to Pipiwai Trail. Be sure to take a close look at their roots, which grow from the branches down to the ground and expand outward. Sunblock, sunglasses, and a hat. I hiked this trail in 2018 and the bamboo forest was one of my favorite parts. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. I agree--if you leave any later than 5 or 5:30, it will easily take you 4 hours. There is an incline, but it gets less once you pass the banyan (and normally doesnt phase active kidsout of shape adults are another story ). That said, an 8-year-old girl was tragically killed on this trail from a falling rock while we were hiking it in 2011. You won't be covered by any (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? :) and its free! For more information, check out our privacy policy. If you're visiting Maui soon, be sure to download your copy of one of our updated 2023 Maui Visitor Guides. Thanks! The dramatic diversity then suddenly morphs into the zen-oneness of an immense bamboo forest. The Hanna airport is the closest, but getting a commercial flight there is probably going to be difficult. Have fun, stay safe, and let us know what you think! This is the only tour available that offers a hiking opportunity in the Kipahulu Section of Haleakala National Park. Also located in the Kpahulu District is a walking trail that leads to the Seven Sacred Pools at Oheo. Alternatively, you can drive Highway 37 along the south coast to get to the Kpahulu District. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. You can go to Pipiwai Trail and the Kipahulu district as a part of the popular Road to Hana drive. How long do you think it will take to get there from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? (No potable water.) We have done this in Feb 2015 and 2016. If it has recently rained, the trail will be muddy. One of the easiest ways to access the pools is via the Pipiwai Trail. Good for anyone relatively active and healthy. . This can be confusing because Haleakala National Park is actually split into two parts. The Pipiwai Trail is located near the end of the Road to Hana drive on Maui, about 12 miles past Hana town near mile marker 42. We saw all sorts of natural treasures including guava, coffee trees, mango, lilikoi, and this hibiscus flower. Maui's Hana Highway is sixty miles of scenic but curvy coastal road, reportedly featuring 620 curves and 59 bridges, most of which are single-lane bridges. Thank you! But if youre capable, we want you to know better: this is just an appetizer to ready you for the much more impressive journey to come. Trying to decide if its worth bringing a rope etc or just stick with bouldering. I am wondering if you know of any public access areas that would be available for use if we brought our own equipment. Good advice from IdreamofMaui - important to note that they left at 5:30am. Hi Mark, The most difficult part of the hike occurs within the first half mile with a couple of steep areas. Is this hike super hard? Once the bamboo begins to thin out, youll pass some mountain apple trees and a small stream before emerging from the trees into a crescent-shaped rock wall in full view of Waimoku Falls. Otherwise, you can take the Northern route and simply get out when most people turn around.