If over on West side/Kaanapali leave at 630 am or 6. Mahalo! I hiked this trail back in May 2017, but didnt know of the side trails at that time! not sure if that will always be the case. There are no benches. 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. My husband has a bad knee (it hurts to walk), but I can get him to walk around the neighborhood. Back On The Trail Reservations for sunrise 3 to 7 a.m. daily accepted. Good for anyone relatively active and healthy. Even though most of the photos youll see from this trail show wooden walkways within the bamboo forest, dont let that fool you! BADLANDS SD Keonehe'ehe'e (Sliding Sands) Trail and Halemau'u Trail into the crater open for day hikes. This trail does have some shade but there are sections where you will be exposed to the sun. The trail can be slippery at certain areas due to the on and off rain, so make sure you bring proper hiking shoes, or shoes that have some decent traction. We will be staying in Kihei. 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! Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Maui Revealed by Andrew Doughty (2021, Trade Paperback, Revised edition) at the best online prices at eBay! The trail goes through a beautiful bamboo forest and ends at. 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! If we leave at 5 in the morning, we are going to need at least one potty stop. Kihei Rent A Car uses the information you provide to us to contact you by email about our relevant content and updates. Stop at Honolulu Coffee in Paia go restroom and breakfast . We had similar results, left (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? So youre off to hike the Pipiwai Trailthat is one of the best hikes on Maui! In 2021, an individual pass costs $30 per vehicle. So you have to pay 25.00 admission . Jan 13, 2023 | Sight Seeing on Maui, Things to do on Maui. 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. That's being a little generous to allow for road work and traffic delays. Have a blast! You can choose either to navigate you to the start of the Pipiwai Trail. So really, about the same time hiking (I take just over two hours on the Pipiwai for the return trip), but the drive to Waihe'e Ridge is easier. What locations on the way to Pipiwai are good for bathrooms that early. WATCH THE SUNRISE AT HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK. Arrived at the park around 8:45. Pipiwai Trail is 4 miles roundtrip, gaining 650-feet in elevation. Yes, it is an absolutely gorgeous spot but certainly not a safe place for every tourist regardless of age and physical condition. Cheers, Julie, Hi! Be sure to take a close look at their roots, which grow from the branches down to the ground and expand outward. 2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. We are visiting from Washington in April. Kihei Rent A Car96 Kio LoopKihei, Maui, HI 96753, 2023 Kihei Rent-A-Car Inc., All Rights Reserved . WYOMING The road is not nearly as bad as other sources make it out to be. This includes packing out what you bring to the hiking trail, be considerate of other hikers, and leaving archaeological artifacts as you found them. Spots are limited so you need to book well in advance. It was awesome but it did add to the danger. JEWEL CAVE SD, HAWAII TRAVEL PLANNING See all photos from David N. for Road to Hana. The show is a mesmerizing journey through various types of Polynesian culture presented in a fun and engaging format. It depends how long you take to drive the rad to Hana. The 1.8-mile trail is easy, pet-friendly and only has elevation gain of 350 feet. We BARELY survived the hike back out of Sliding Sands Trail back then, but discovered our love of hiking together. (This is also where the boardwalk comes in and save you from having your shoes sucked off by thick mud.) Lahaina is a town located on the western coast of the island and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Maui. Shortly after starting the Ppwai Trail, you will cross Hana Highway. All Rights Reserved. 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. They really need to do something about the road to the Black sand beach, seriously. If you want to break up the drive with some quick stops, roadside waterfalls on the Road to Hana can be perfect! My husband and I are over 65, fairly active, and would like to hike this trail this February. You will wait in line in front of the entrance gate until a space becomes available. This narrow stretch of road on the northwest side of Maui is for the experienced driver, but a great alternative to Road to Hana. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-110506590', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kihei area to the Pipiwai Trailhead, if we don't make any other stops along the road to Hana? The trail will cross over the Hana Highway. Otherwise, you can take the Northern route and simply get out when most people turn around. Enjoy the Hana drive. There is the normal parking lot right by the Kipahulu Visitor Center, and there is also an overflow parking lot. Hiking shoes are ideal since they provide a lot of traction but you can also get by with running or walking shoes. (Again, 5 minutes per destination except the last hike). You can also consider buying a Hawaii national park annual pass which will cover you for one year for national park sites on Maui and the Big Island. 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. The Ppwai Trail is located in the Kpahulu District of Haleakala National Park in Maui. I would like to hike the bamboo Forrest. And then theres the coastal Kipahulu district with the popular bamboo forest hike aka Pipiwai Trail! 1 year ago Save Just did this today - left northernmost Kihei at 6:40, got to the Pipiwai at about 10. This site has been very helpful. If it's been wet in the area recently, you mayfind yourself surrounded by numerous small waterfalls on the surrounding cliff face. Cecilia. Love hiking the bamboo in a fine mist. So you have to drive the RTH to reach it. We left Kihei at 5:30 and made one stop for a bathroom break along the way. Most Internet sources say it takes 2 1/2 5 hours to hike. 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. 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. From the trailhead, it is a 0.5 mile walk to the first viewpoint of the hike, the Makahiku Falls Viewpoint. Continue on the path (and up more stairs before the terrain levels out) to immerse yourself in the bamboo forest. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TN NC Sunblock, sunglasses, and a hat. Just past the third section of bamboo is the breathtakingly lovely Waimoku Falls with its steep fern-covered walls. Katherine is a freelance writer who covers Hawaii and California travel for Tripsavvy. The dramatic diversity then suddenly morphs into the zen-oneness of an immense bamboo forest. Along the Kahekili Highway, see the Nakalele Blowhole, hike the Ohai Loop Trail or Waihee . Hi Mark, All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Continuing along the trail youll notice the scenery changing to bamboo. Pipiwai Trail bamboo forest boardwalk. **Park closure was extended from January 2023 to February 2023 For updated information go here: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/maui/iao-valley-state-monument/ Iao Valley is a lush, tropical valley located in the West Maui Mountains on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Nov 28, 2018 | Beautiful Maui Scenes, Sight Seeing on Maui, Things to do on Maui. 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. The first part was under the heat and sun, but when you get deeper into the forest (and especially bamboo forests), then its more comfortable. Take a look at our calendar and join us for a ranger program. If you're visiting during the rainy season, call ahead to the visitors center to make sure that the trail is still open. For more information, check out our privacy policy. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. If you have planned to go to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You will probably have to cross the stream in two places before you can get right up under the falls. FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES Pipiwai Trail is 4 miles roundtrip, gaining 650-feet in elevation. Although Pipiwai Trail is relatively simple to navigate, knowing what to expect before setting out will make it even easier to make the most of your time. Flash-flooding, rock falls and cliff/bridge jumping have taken several lives, and many natural dangers occur suddenly without warning. Happy hiking! And in this part of Maui, it rains quite frequently. That said, an 8-year-old girl was tragically killed on this trail from a falling rock while we were hiking it in 2011. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Your email address will not be published. Not worried about the distance. Ive really enjoyed reading about these wonderful hikes in Maui. Elevation at Waimoku Falls (end of trail): Learn more about driving the Back Road to Hana, including photos of the road, in our, If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our. UTAH Located above the Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools), Pipiwai Trail is 4 miles roundtrip and gains 650 ft. of elevation. What you might not know that there is a smaller section of Haleakala National Park on the southern coast of Maui. Many visitors ask us about where to go hiking on Maui. I would like to take my 87 year old mother for a little walk on this trail. Your humor and descriptive writing are perfect! Not to hike the Pipiwai Trail or visit the Kipahulu District, although you should get here early to get a parking space. Some people decide to swim on their way, either in rivers or at the very end under the fall. There are restrooms at the Visitor Center but none along the trail. 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. It takes about 1h00-1h30 on the way up. Google maps is reccomending we take Haleakal highway to get there is this an option? What are they like in October? The 2-mile Pipiwai Trail inside the park is perfect if you want to go on a hike and see more of the stunning wonders around you. Free shipping for many products! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88162835', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car insurance if you do, and it doesn't save you any time. Hi Jackson mom--I grew up in Clinton, but haven't been back in a while! BIG ISLAND How did your day go- and would you have changed anything? Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. Quite slippery so if you have hiking poles bringem, or pick up one of the many of the natural variety that seem to get left at the gate. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. The Waimoku Falls hike passes the 185-footMakahiku Fallswhich is also beautiful. and a great banyan tree for climbing right on the trail about 1/3 of the way up. There are only a few choice people Id advise to attempt jumping here (and it isnt because theyre skilled jumpers!). Once you arrive you'll have to go through an entrance station where a fee of $30 per vehicle is required. Julie Last updated: January 27, 2023 United States 4 Comments. If you drive straight to the trail your be missing so much. Visitor Info: $10 for parking, swimmable but with caution. $. Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve. It has absolutely been my favorite part of the vacation so far. There are myriad trails offering sweeping ocean and mountain views, as well as lush jungle routes through rainforests. Difficulty: The Pipiwai Trail is rated moderate due to the often muddy and uneven terrain. Its a beautiful walk and best part of this hike, in my opinion. The NPS has even built a boardwalk to span the muddy sections and have been adding more stone steps in the steeper grade areas in the past couple years oooh the luxury! You still end up in Kahului and then have to drive to Kihei. The Kpahulu District is open from 9 am to 5 pm. It's not that hard. Location: 6300 Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708. From inside the pool you will observe why the guidebook name makes sense views from the pool emulate that of a resort-style Infinity pool and are jaw-dropping (to say the least) as the deep blue of the ocean appears to meet the edge of the pool. 201 reviews of Pipiwai Trail "This is a trail that you can find in the lower section of the Haleakala National Park. "Seven Sacred Pools" is a name coined decades ago by the owner of what is now Travaasa Hana (previously Hotel Hana Maui) for the purpose of marketing this deservingly spectacular (but then unknown) remote location to tourists. The location of the Ppwai Trail and Kpahulu District is important, because this part of the national park has operating hours. As it is now rainy season here in Maui, and the trail crosses a stream it sounds like, does the water level ever get too dangerous and high to pass during April/May? Eat at Thai by Pranee in Hana after the hike. Can anyone tell me about how long it will take us to drive from the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ?