My only problem is that I have a height problem. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88163100', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kahului. The out-and-back hike is located in the Kipahulu region of Haleakal National Park. The Ppwai Trail is a relatively short hike that is located in Haleakala National Park on the Road to Hana. You will definitely want to bring water and some bug spray. From the somewhat challenging summit of the Haleakala volcano to the awe-inspiring views along the Pipiwai Trail, Maui offers hikers of all levels something to enjoy. They are located in Lahaina, Kihei, and Paia. 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. The trail follows the Pipiwai Stream and is a fantastic hike on Maui. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. The Pipiwai Trail is truly one of a kind as it takes you through a bamboo forest that ends spectacularly at the 400-foot Waimoku Falls. To reserve call 808-248-7375. Just note that you could be violating the terms of your rental car agreement if you drive Highway 360. Rangers are available at the Visitor Center to answer questions, offer suggestions, and talk story. 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. Hiking shoes are ideal since they provide a lot of traction but you can also get by with running or walking shoes. This beautiful banyan tree is not quite as big as the one in Lahaina, but it is not nearly as crowded and a great photo op. Driving from Hana to Pipiwai Trail: Hana Highway, less than 5 minutes away from Haleakala National Park Kipahulu area. Is this still a worthwhile trip and hike? This is the absolutely stunning precipice of Makahiku waterfall, a sheer lava-rock cliff face that drops almost 200 into the valley below. MAUI How much time will it take me to hike up to the 400 foot or last waterfall on the trail. 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. Mile Marker: #42 (Hana Hwy aka Hwy 31 *After Hana markers go back down) Both my husband and I are quite fit and are interested in doing one hike while we are here. Arrived at the park around 8:45. Continue on the path (and up more stairs before the terrain levels out) to immerse yourself in the bamboo forest. Bring at least one liter of water per person but more is even better. (Yeah, you can call it a mountain apple tree!) 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. Its warm, yet not hot and theres always a chance for a light cool mist. Download your copy of our Our luau is less than one quarter the size of the average luau in Hawaii. Getting to the Trail Getting to the Trail The Pipiwai Trail is in the Kipahulu district of Haleakal National Park. PRO HIKING TIP: This trail can be extremely muddy if it has recently rained. It is 4 miles roundtrip, gaining 650-feet in elevation. Its a great hike. So once you enter the Haleakala National Park Kipahulu area, youll just continue to follow the signs to the parking! Past the Banyan, another side-trail will present itself (hint: the Park Service has placed a TRAIL arrow here pointing away from it (and toward the main trail.) The Kpahulu District is located on the south coast of Maui. If youre a tree climber (or you have some in-tow like I usually do) youll be spending more than a couple minutes here. If over on West side/Kaanapali leave at 630 am or 6. Hi Jackson mom--I grew up in Clinton, but haven't been back in a while! 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. We have had tons and tons of rain in the past couple months. The falls here are surrounded by greenery ranging from massive ferns to bamboo and vines. Being a Realtor on Maui is a dream come true for me. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Aloha Iris It is shallow enough to cross without swimming, however the stream bed is boulders and rocks, is quite slippery and footing may be difficult for your older companions depending on their agility. 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. No--you need to do the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Katherine is a freelance writer who covers Hawaii and California travel for Tripsavvy. So you have to pay 25.00 admission . Riper (to the point where the skin begins to crack and become damaged) is better. Keep in mind that your doing so is against the National Park Services prohibition which could potentially carry a court date and quite significant fines. Tip: Take all warning signs seriously. Alternatively, you can drive Highway 37 along the south coast to get to the Kpahulu District. "It was terrifying," Valentine said. Rocks frequently fall over this cliff face and the fall distance would make even a small pebble an unpleasant experience. There is no other parking near the Pipiwai Trail, so you need to enter the national park in order to hike the Pipiwai Trail. The most difficult part of the hike occurs within the first half mile with a couple of steep areas. 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. This side trail soon takes you to a view of cave, pool & waterfall combination that my words (or photography) have not yet been able to do justice. Drive Yourself. If you relish your driving experiences then the Road to Hana alone is . If you drive straight to the trail without stopping, around 4 hours. 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. One of the easiest ways to access the pools is via the Pipiwai Trail. I have hiked this trail with children dozens of times. Just beyond the Makahiku Falls Viewpoint, you reach a giant Banyan tree. There are several great waterfalls along the route; thedestination beingWaimoku Falls,which drops400ft. down a sheer lava rock wall shaped like a horseshoe. Took us just north of two hours to get back, there was some traffic only in the very end. See more about driving the Road to Hana in reverse. FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES Is it worth it to travel to? Kihei Rent A Car96 Kio LoopKihei, Maui, HI 96753, 2023 Kihei Rent-A-Car Inc., All Rights Reserved . This iconic hike is one of Mauis idyllic treasures. Continuing along the trail youll notice the scenery changing to bamboo. Basically, the hike to Waimoku is the Makahiku hike extended about 1 1/2 miles. I would just plan to leave Lahaina before sunrise if you can, and take your time enjoying yourselves. Answer 1 of 18: I'm planning a 1 full day 10-12 hour trip up the road to Hana and I am interested in your trips there. Is it worth it to travel to? Also, is there an address for the park? Good advice from IdreamofMaui - important to note that they left at 5:30am. It depends how long you take to drive the rad to Hana. It can be accessed by driving 12 miles past the town of Hna, on the famous Hna Highway that circumscribes the northeast coast of the island of Maui. There is nothing specifically of danger to note if you stay on the trail, but things can happen in wilderness. Throughout the hike youll spot several warning signs; take them seriously. If it's been wet in the area recently, you mayfind yourself surrounded by numerous small waterfalls on the surrounding cliff face. There is a lot to see on the RTH, before you get to Oheo Gulch, where the trailhead is located for the Pipiwai. We are going with a few older companions who might not be able to hop across rocks and do not know how to swim. Best bet is to check the Haleakala National Park website the day prior to your trip for real-time closure info. Ive seen elsewhere were they have closed access to the pools and you cant get close to the water to see the falls. and you should give yourself at least a couple hours if you plan to enjoy yourself, add another hour if you stop a lot and/or arent a regular walker/hiker. Reservations for sunrise 3 to 7 a.m. daily accepted. It takes anywhere from 2 1/2 - 5 hours to hike;dependinghow much nature loving you do. The pools are closed often and without much notice; Your best bet is to visit the Haleakala National Park website the day prior to your visit for updated closure information. Once you arrive you'll have to go through an entrance station where a fee of $30 per vehicle is required. 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. In 2021, an individual pass costs $30 per vehicle. NORTH DAKOTA HALEAKALA HI Hiking is an awesome way to enjoy the beauty of Maui for free or very little. Is it worth it to travel to? 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. Makahiku Falls is at 185 foot falls, which is one of the most beautiful on Maui. I would like to know the round trip time with a few stops along the way. My husband has a bad knee (it hurts to walk), but I can get him to walk around the neighborhood. The Pipiwai Trail is easy to access on the south end of Haleakal National Park, is exceptionally well-maintained, and takes hikers past a wide range of unique sights. Weird question, I know. Jan 13, 2023 | Sight Seeing on Maui, Things to do on Maui. By donating to our small business, you accept and acknowledge the donation terms. 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. The seven sacred pools are 20 minutes in the opposite direction- but that is just tourist bs- this hike is the real deal. 1 year ago Save Just did this today - left northernmost Kihei at 6:40, got to the Pipiwai at about 10. A fun sightseeing mini road trip to Hana. Re: Distance from Kihei to Pipiwai Trail? Considering the variety of scenery and maintenance of the pathway, Pipiwai Trail is often hailed as one of the best hikes on Maui. 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. My husband and I are over 65, fairly active, and would like to hike this trail this February. . All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. 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. Since this is part of the Haleakala National Park . On a windy day, the bamboo stalks sound like wind chimes as the breeze knocks them together. Subscribe to receive discounts, updates and other news! We have done this in Feb 2015 and 2016. 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. Thanks Megan. Eat at Thai by Pranee in Hana after the hike. That probably took close to 30 min. WIND CAVE SD The Pipiwai Trail cuts though an immense and unforgettable bamboo forest, The stream is a string of pools and waterfalls, In a nutshell: Pipiwai Trail is a treasure of the National Park System that passes through diverse scenery and culminates at the base of an absolutely spectacular waterfall. Phone: 808-572-4400 On way back. BRYCE CANYON UT Your humor and descriptive writing are perfect! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-110524812', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kihei at 6:40, got to the Pipiwai at about 10. Its beautiful. I am not a hiker but I think I should be able to handle this trail. The trail goes through a beautiful bamboo forest and ends at. Your online price: 375 USD. Farther along the trail, around another mile, reach the trail's turnaround point at Waimoku Falls. Pipiwai means "sprinkling water" in hawaiian, and right away you'll understand where the trail gets its name as you walk along the stream past the "Seven Sacred Pools." The trail alternates between compacted dirt and boardwalk trails. Do you have to make reservations for this park? I have googled it but have heard to not trust the google maps drive times when it comes to RTH! They said they used their arms to . Really want to do this hike but concerned about my level of fitness for incline hiking. **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. You will hike through a bamboo forest!! Is it advisable to take the road back thru Kahului and down as opposed to taking the rough road outlined on the western side of the island that goes thru Keokea. If you have any questions about how to hike the Ppwai Trail, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Driving Directions: From Haleakala Highway turn left on to Makawao Ave (State Hwy 400). Hike the Pipiwai Trail. 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. 14 . No stops were planned , but had to stop twice - one of the kids was very nauseous. 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. Not nearly so hard to get to the hike. My Family and I love rock climbing as well as hiking. Ive been reading that its now closed, though, but I see this page was last updated just a few weeks ago, so Im hoping its current. Both my husband and I are quite fit and are interested in doing one hike while we are here. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails. Hi Mark, Because of the marshy ground, wooden boardwalks have been built to make hiking easier. On the summit side is where you will find the Haleakala summit (of course) and the famous Haleakala crater hike. 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. And don't forget a selfie stick to get amazing pics of your Valley Isle getaway! It is approximately a half-mile from the trailhead. Thank you! (It is actually past Hana town though technicalities!). Once you emerge from the bamboo, you are getting close to the end of the trail. Parking is $10 per vehicle and is valid for 3 days at any of the Haleakala National Park areas, so save your receipt if you've already gone up to the crater or plan to. You still end up in Kahului and then have to drive to Kihei. Its a beautiful walk and best part of this hike, in my opinion. 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. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. Getting to the Pipiwai Trail requires a drive down the famed Road to Hana. Pipiwai Trail hike information. Once you emerge from the bamboo forest, you cross a few more bridges, climb a few more sets of stone steps, and come to the end of the trail. You can take a hike! The Kpahulu District is open from 9 am to 5 pm. Is this hike safe enough to carry a toddler in? Also stopped at an arboretum (about 30 minutes) and a few stops for lunch and smoothies (maybe another 1.5 hours.) Its also the hottest, since it is the sunniest part of the trail. This is always a worthwhile hike The water is definitely not low right now, that is old info and changes with the weather. 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. It can get hot on the hike, especially on a sunny day. Your email address will not be published. As the trail continues winding, if you pay careful attention the bamboo will begin to thin and trees will start coming back. Right near the main parking lot and Kipahulu Visitor Center, youll find the start of the trail. There are basically 2 sections to Haleakala National Park. This 1.8-mile route offers one of the best hikes in East Maui. Trying to decide if its worth bringing a rope etc or just stick with bouldering. 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. Im in Hana now. 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. 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. Lahaina is a town located on the western coast of the island and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Maui. Looking at this tree in front of you, with new trunks sprouted out along the far-reaching branches, ever further from their source, you can see why Hinduism considers the banyan the symbol of eternal life. Please use extreme caution when crossing the stream, especially if it's been raining. 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. From Kihei it took us about seven hours to get to Hana stopping for a hike in the bamboo forest to the first 2 waterfalls and a swim (about 2 hours) and a stop at Twin Falls for another swim (about 1 hour.) It took us about an hour to get to the falls with stops to read some signs and take pictures. 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. LANAI Mountain apples are oddly attached to the trees on which they grow. You may want to download offline google maps before you go (its free), as you will likely not have data for most if not all of your drive on the Hana Highway. Maui. 2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. Pick about three or four stops you want to see, and then anything else you have time for is a bonus! These 2 districts are not connected by road. Enjoy the Hana drive. 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. Follow the trail for about 300 feet. Can anyone tell me about how long it will take us to drive from the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Getting caught in restricted areas could result in hefty fines or a court date. If you plan on taking it all in, its just way too much to do in one day. 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. The trail will cross over the Hana Highway. Google maps is reccomending we take Haleakal highway to get there is this an option? 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. HAWAII VOLCANOES HI Contact us today to make your reservation! Julie Last updated: January 27, 2023 United States 4 Comments. At the entrance booth you will pay the park entrance fee. This NPS Map more accurately shows the trail and streams. 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. Pipiwai Trail bamboo forest boardwalk. Are there any points in the trail that have a narrow point and dangerously close to edges. Even at a safe distance youll be cooled and refreshed by the mist and wind created by the falling water. This site has been very helpful. Jen. On just one hike, you can see several waterfalls, an enormous Banyan tree, and hike through a bamboo forest. Water. 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. MICHIGAN Bring more water than you think youll need. Through storytelling, audience participation and remarkable . The Waimoku Falls hike passes the 185-footMakahiku Fallswhich is also beautiful. Have fun, stay safe, and let us know what you think! The National Park Service recommends starting this hike no later than 3 pm, in order to give yourself enough time to complete the hike and exit the park before the gate closes. You basically walk up through a bamboo forest to a truly amazing waterfall. The 1.8-mile trail is easy, pet-friendly and only has elevation gain of 350 feet. Alternatively, you may use. Required fields are marked *. The National Park Service has done a fantastic job maintaining the trail, but venturing off of the designated path can be hazardous due to flash flooding, rock falls, and other natural dangers. The town has a rich history, dating back to ancient times when it was a center for Hawaiian royalty. There will be signs pointing you in the correct direction of the trail, which begins just across the street from the parking lot.