Maui offers fabulous hiking, from leisurely coastal paths to more challenging volcanic, rainforest, and mountain terrain. There are many top Maui hikes awaiting you!

Whether a novice or an expert hiker, you’ll be rewarded on Maui’s trails with wonderful surprises like hidden waterfalls, lush forests, rare plants, native birds, and jaw-dropping views. There are numerous excellent resources — both online and in print — that will provide you with detailed information on Maui’s hiking trails. Make sure you do your homework and prepare properly before embarking on any Maui hike.

I won’t even attempt here to cover all the Maui hiking trails, but here we’ve listed our top five favorites covering various regions of the island. Now, put on your shoes, get out there, and do some trekking!

(UPDATE: This blog was updated in January 2024, but things can change, as they do. Some of the trails, businesses, or activities mentioned in this blog might change their operations temporarily or permanently. Please check directly with them to verify access, operating status and hours. Mahalo!)

 

Five Top Maui Hikes

 

Pipiwai Trail (East Maui)

The Pipiwai Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails on Maui — and for good reason! Located in the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park, this four mile out-and-back trail treks past waterfalls, banyan trees, and bamboo forests, eventually leading to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls. Places to stay nearby: East Maui Accommodations.

Tiffany’s Tips: Sometimes people refer to this hike as the Bamboo Forest Trail, because that’s such an amazing part of this experience. But there is so much more! This hike has everything, and pretty much anyone can do it if you don’t mind walking 4 miles. You start/end at the beautiful Pools of Oheo (aka Seven Sacred Pools), hike through tropical rainforest, and pass by a magnificent banyan tree.

Then you’ll get chicken skin (goose bumps) as you walk through the bamboo forest, it feels so mystical. Stand quietly and listen to the wind funneling through the massive bamboo stalks as they sway. And if that’s not enough, this hike ends at a viewpoint for a 400-foot waterfall – so massive, it hurts your neck to look up at it! This is my number 1 recommended top Maui hike! 

NOTE: Don’t hike this trail if a storm is predicted. The Pipiwai Trail can be very dangerous if the weather turns bad. It can get extremely slick and is prone to flash floods. Streams can quickly turn into raging flood waters, sweeping people away. You shouldn’t be on ANY Maui hiking trail in stormy weather, but this trail requires extra caution. Additionally, obey all posted signage and don’t venture to the base of Waimoku Falls. Falling rocks have taken multiple lives here. For the safest experience, book a Road to Hana tour.

 

Twin Falls (North Shore)

Twin Falls is located in Hoolawa Valley on Maui’s north shore — at the very start of the famed Road to Hana. This relatively easy hike travels past multiple falls and ponds, eventually leading to the largest pond and waterfall. The last waterfall is only about a mile from the parking lot. The only disadvantage to this hike is the area can get crowded. Places to stay: Condos in Hana.

Twin Falls is located on a private farm which graciously allows public access. Parking is $10 per car. Occasionally, the farm closes access to the top waterfall if heavy rain is predicted. Kama’aina days are held on the first Saturday of every month. On kama’aina days, the farm only allows Hawaii residents with a Hawaii I.D. Keep this in mind if you’re planning to drive the road to Hana on a Saturday. 

Tiffany’s Tips: This hike is perfect for those who don’t have time to drive all the way to Hana but want a little sample of the tropical beauty of this area. You can swim in the pools created by the waterfalls, and at the top waterfall, go underneath the waterfall itself. You’ll likely see locals jumping off the cliff into the pool! If you prefer to take a tour, check out the Maui Waterfall & Jungle Hiking Experience.

 

Sliding Sands (Keoneheehee Trail at Haleakala)

Haleakala Crater features more than 30 miles of hiking trails. Sliding Sands is the most popular. This trail is extremely strenuous, thanks to the high altitude, steep grade, and slippery-slidey cinders for which the trail is named.

Changing weather conditions and cold temperatures can make this hike even more challenging. Most people doing a “day hike” here only choose to hike a mile or two. Do not attempt this hike without plenty of planning and preparation!

Tiffany’s Tips: This is an amazing hike, but it is extremely difficult . . .  so not for anyone looking just for a leisurely stroll! The sand inside the volcanic crater is incredibly beautiful with varying colorful layers and textures, but it does slide and can be tricky. On a clear day, the colors are vibrant and the views from the summit are breathtaking.

On a cloudy day, you can literally be hiking inside a cloud at this elevation. Be aware on your return that each step you take back up the crater takes twice the amount of effort because of the sliding sands. I suggest you start this adventure by watching the sunrise at the summit, followed by the hike down into the crater for a truly incredible and well-rounded Haleakala experience.

NOTE: On this trail, you’ll see Haleakala Silverswords, extremely rare plants (a threatened species) found nowhere else in the world — only at high elevations on Mount Haleakala. Haleakala Silverswords can live up to 90 years, but they bloom only once, with a spectacular flowering stalk, then die soon after. So if you see one in bloom, consider yourself very lucky!

The Haleakala environment is precious and fragile, a sacred area to Native Hawaiians. Please respect it. Dispose of your trash properly and don’t gather any natural “souvenirs” on your hike. It is illegal to take rocks or minerals from Haleakala National Park, and don’t even think about uprooting a Haleakala Silversword plant to take home. They are protected by Federal law, and theft of a Silversword can be charged as a felony crime.

 

Pali Trail (West/Central Maui)

This is a very strenuous 5-mile (one-way) hike in the mountains overlooking Maalaea and the Ukumehame area. Most people choose to only hike one way and leave a vehicle at the other end. Otherwise, you’ll have to hike out the same way — 10 miles total. Plan to do this hike around sunrise, as the heat of the day makes this hike even more strenuous. Pack lots of water and sunscreen!

 Tiffany’s Tips: This hike is best after a few days of rain, so the surrounding area is green and lush. You’ll hike above the two-lane highway that connects West Maui and Central Maui, but you’ll be high enough (after a certain point) that you won’t hear the cars, and the view is amazing.

Do this hike during whale season (December-March) and you could sit for hours just watching the whales. Midway through the trail, you come across the huge wind turbines on the mountainside, which is an interesting experience. But be forewarned it is VERY windy up there (obviously) and can get cold fast when it’s cloudy. Hike past the wind farm down to the conclusion of the trail in Maalaea, or head back the way you came. Places to stay nearby in Maalaea.

 

Waihee Ridge Trail (West Maui)

This 4.5-mile round trip trail is located in the West Maui Forest Reserve and offers stunning views of Waihee Valley, the West Maui Mountains, and the North Maui coastline. You’ll also get peek-a-boo views of Makamakaole Falls just to the north of the trail.

Mornings are best on this trail, as it’s more likely for the mountains to be clear. Plus, the parking lot can get crowded as the day goes on. After a lot of rain, the trail can get very slippery, so it’s best to wait until things have dried up a bit. Entry to the trail is just past the hamlet of Waihee on Kahekili Highway. Stay at a Bed &Breakfast or private Cottage near this hike.

Tiffany’s Tips: This is a fairly challenging hike up into the West Maui Mountains. Unbelievable views! Once you get high enough, you can see the entire island from Kahului Harbor on one side, to the island of Molokai and the ocean beyond on the other side. There is a picnic table at the end of the trail so you can sit and have a bite to eat, but the best views are during the hike itself. When it’s a hot, clear day it’s very muggy on the trail, but the views are stunning! 

 

OTHER MAUI HIKING TIPS

 

Guided Hikes

The Maui Chapter of the Sierra Club hosts some great guided hikes for just $5 ($3 for Sierra Club members). Take a look at their schedule of upcoming hikes and consider joining in. 

 

There are some wonderful (and free!) ranger-led guided hikes in Haleakala National Park at the summit, on the Pipiwai Trail in Kipahulu, and in the protected Waikamoi Preserve. More information here. 

 

For a more in-depth experience, try a Guided Road to Hana tour. From hiking and swimming to bird watching, there is something for everyone on the Road to Hana. Seeing Hana with a guide to tell you about the culture, history, and nature along the way only enhances the experience.

 

HeleWai Eco-Tours offers a small-group hike guided by trained naturalists in the Pu’ukukui Watershed Preserve, a spectacular 15,000-acre natural preserve that is closed to the public. A truly unique, one-of-a-kind hiking experience.

 

Walk down waterfalls and explore jungle cliffs, canyons, and natural freshwater pools with Rappel Maui (pictured) for a day of rappelling and canyoneering in lush East Maui, along the Road to Hana. No experience is required, and all gear is provided.

 

 

Free Coastal Walks

Kapalua Coastal Trail (pictured): Starting at Kapalua Beach, you can enjoy this easy to moderate walking path (approximately 1.5 miles, part paved, part dirt and rocks) as it meanders north along the beautiful rugged coastline, past the Ritz-Carlton, ending at D.T. Fleming beach. (Places to stay nearby: Kapalua Condos) 

Kaanapali and Wailea Beach Paths: For really easy (but beautiful) strolls, take a walk along the beach paths fronting the Kaanapali (West Maui) or Wailea (South Maui) resort areas. The paved paths run adjacent to the beach fronting all the big resorts. Easy walking and lovely ocean and sunset views.

• Looking for great places to stay on Maui? You’ll save by BOOKING DIRECTLY with the owners/managers of these accommodations.
• Looking for Maui deals? Sign up herefor our free monthly Maui Deals & Steals enewsletter with the latest book-direct deals from our advertisers.  

 

Happy Travels!

Questions? Comments? Drop me a line: Blog@MauiAccommodations.com

(Note: We recognize and respect the significance of the ‘okina and kahakō markings in the written Hawaiian language; however, we have omitted those diacritical markings on our site in order to integrate with the more common spellings used in online searches.)

©Copyright 2016-Present Maui Accommodations Guide. If you wish to share content from our site, you may do so only by publishing a link to our original content on MauiAccommodations.com, so full and clear credit is given to us. Any other unauthorized use and/or duplication of any materials on this site (either text or photos) without our express and written permission is strictly prohibited. For permission to use excerpts or photos from our site, please contact the publisher. Mahalo!