Sustained by the Hanawi Stream, here you'll find that the lower waterfall cascades 200 feet into a freshwater pool. Exploring and discovering are all part of the journey and a van tour is often a long and pretty boring way to see the road, even if you get a great guide and they show you all the best locations. If you aren't planning on stopping at any of the waterfalls, trails, scenic viewpoints, etc., the drive straight from Lahaina to Hana will take a good 2.75-4 hours, depending on time of day. I have sprinkled some affiliate links in this post. But you can completely avoid this dangerous and scary part of the Road to Hana by making it an out-and-back drive on the Hana Highway. **Kaulahao Beach aka Kuau Beach Park. Now lets get to the exciting part the best stops along the backside road to Hana! Locals can be a problem as they are generally a lot more confident on the road and view the tourist as a major inconvenience. At last youve made it to Hana town. Need to stay under a fixed budget? So is the road justifiably scary? Yes, it is long, hard work, challenging, and costs a full day of your vacation along with a precious lie-in, but there is so much beauty and wonder along this little highway it has to be right at the top of your bucket list. RtH has too much traffic and has been widened and or paved in most scary sections. Road to Hana. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114353050', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Napili beach as well. MICHIGAN But having an accident and being stuck out in the jungle is a real Vacation Wrecker! Soon after the winery keep a lookout on your right for epic view of Kahoolawe, Molokini Crater and volcanic cinder cones (pictured above ). Its so incredible itll change your life! Its 11 miles past Hana town and takes a little over half an hour to reach with no stops. TSA lines have been very long. As we made our way along the southern coast of Maui, we found the scenery to be beautiful and varied. The Road to Hana is an absolutely stunning road trip to take on any Maui vacation, and is 100% a must-do. How long does it take to drive to Hana backside? This is the wrong way to do it. 2) Is this too late in the afternoon to see safely in early August? It gets pretty windy! Hi Im Jess. You can wear mosquito repellent, but there's not much you can do about the traffic. Standing up and talking in front of others caused untold anxiety and could only be faced with a LARGE amount of dutch courage. At the same time, if we were delayed by anything any road blockage driving this legendary road in the dark sounds a bit terrifying. We personally have no issues at all but the fear is very real in many people and cant be dismissed. Back on the Hana Highway, as you leave Maliko Gulch, around mile marker 11, you'll pass through the rural area of Haiku, where you'll see banana patches, cane grass blowing in the wind, and forests of guava trees, avocados, kukui trees, palms, and Christmas berry. We have written extensively and lyrically about the road in our other articles and we imagine if you are seriously questioning the journey you are pretty aware of what the road is so we will not go in too deep here. that people are always looking for a headstart or a leg up. We all have different phobias and they can not be dismissed just because we do not suffer from them. Im there answering questions every day and there are 7500+ other friends who have a ton of Hawaii information to share! Next youll see a rainbow colored sign, thats the Kaupo store. The scenic Road to Hana on Maui is the undisputed top attraction on the island. There is no beach, but the rocky coastline is spectacular as far as scenery goes. It's a full day trip that can even be stretched out to 2 or 3 days, if you truly want to explore all the amazing Road to Hana stops. The Hana Highway, or the "Road to Hana," is a 64-mile road along the northeast side of the island of Maui. Maybe at one point that was true, but I dont really think it is anymore. Hazards aside, you're not giving yourself nearly enough time in either direction. MOUNT RUSHMORE SD Theyll give you the very best prices, you dont have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. Or someone from the rural US where roads amble on for hundreds of miles with barely a bend would find the almost endless snaking of the road completely daunting. My girlfriend. Copyright 2023 Lincoln Travel Co ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, guide for sunrise at Haleakala National Park, 20 of the best adventure activities on Maui, the best things to do on a Maui honeymoon. (I think the back road may be closed to traffic anyway) That part of the road (going on from Hana towards Kula) is the part that is prone to washouts, etc. You'll battle the traffic with other day trippers, missing some of the drive's highlights due to time constraints and eventually running out of . We are aware for some the road is a terrifying prospect and we are not trying to diminish that. What is scary to some is nothing to others. 10 Best USA Road Trips Drive These Before you DIE. The Road to Hana is a 64 mile stretch of road that starts in Kahului and ends at Kpahulu. more! 9. Snorkeling at Molokini is one of the best things to do in Kihei. The biggest hazards on the Hana Highway are mosquitoes and traffic. Risks include tow trucks that take a long time and costs lots of money. So if you REALLY know its just going to be too much and even the thought of it is keeping you up at night, Its time to let the pros do the driving. We will land in the morning, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114352867', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cars on the tight turns and one-lane sections); you're extremely unlikely to drive off the edge so long as you pay attention and don't speed; you don't want to take the southern (backside) road (it's at least as hazardous and a longer route to the airport). Plus youre on a cliff side and at some points without a guard rail. Expect scenic views, volcanic structures and the sweet taste of freedom. The main part of the Road to Hana which is not particularly dangerous means the drive that most people do. 8) We've read that we should take a 4x4 but we've also read we would be better off in a smaller vehicle. So if you have no problem with the highway spouting off you dont see the big issue isnt particularly helpful to those that do fear it! About the Road to Hana. This is one of the most dangerous places in Hawaii. Everything we have said above is solely aimed at the section between Paia and Kipahula, beyond that, the road changes immeasurably! Yum! 22 Best Road to Hana stops Twin & Caveman Falls Huelo Lookout Road to Hana Rainbow eucalyptus trees Waikamoi Ridge Trail Ka Haku smoke shack Garden of Eden arboretum Haipua'ena Falls Honoman Bay lookout Ke'anae Arboretum Aunty Sandy's Wailua Valley State Wayside Park Upper Waikani Falls Upper Hanawi Falls Pi'ilanihale Heiau Road to Hana lava tubes If you leave Paia by 8AM (and hey earlier is even better), I promise you that youll be ahead of 90% of the people planning to drive to Hana that day. Does this add a lot to the drive, having the top down? Well over 50 in total and most of the single lane for both directions. Take your valuables with you or at the very least keep them out of sight. And if you just want more details (more! Most of the road is one lane with pullouts. The back road to Hana conditions are as followed. I have regretted not trying since we arrived home. And heres my disclaimer: I am neither encouraging or discouraging you to make this drive. TRAVEL TIP: If you would prefer to follow along to an audio tour I recommend the Shaka Guide! I grew up riding ATVs and driving on trails in Colorado (I also drive a Jeep and a 4Runner) so I consider this drive FUN and not at all scary, but I can definitely see how if youre not a confident driver or youve only ever driven in the city it could be stressful. The backside of Hana has some one lane graded dirt roads and rusty guardrails so the drive requires extra caution. The Oheo Poolsare a tier of waterfalls that flow into pools and eventually into the ocean. Your support really helps me keep this blog running! Road To Hana (Maui) - Toughest Section DrMKC 739 subscribers 56K views 7 years ago This is the dashcam video of the toughest 30 minutes on the famous Road to Hana in Maui. 1. Thanks for sticking around and reading this whole post! On a calm day you are able to swim inside the pools. If theyre open ; ) Ill note here that the National Park does NOT have water or snacks for sale so since the Kaupo Store is undependable, make sure you have everything you need once you leave Hana. Most of the photos courtesy of Natalie Brown Photography. PICTURED ROCKS MI So drive with caution and be very aware. Narrowed it down to a certain location? From the grounds you can get a great view of kaupo gap. From there its about a two hour drive (with no stops) due east to the town of Hana. It has an arid quality. The second English expressway on our list, this scenic road was recognized by the United Kingdom's Road Safety Foundation as one of country's most dangerous roads in 2010. Okay, so lets get on with the questions, Theres a lot of hype about how bad the backside of the Road to Hana is. How long to travel Maui? Break up the drive with a great hike Kaumana Trail. This three-part waterfall is often called the Three Bear Falls for the Papa Bear-, Mamma Bear-, and Baby Bear-size cascades of water. Driving the Road to Hana means that you will be driving the Hana Highway. have no issue at all, but it is narrower, more exposed, and in places has no asphalt topcoat (Dirt Track). If the (only) road from Kaanapali to central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? With around 620 turns and 59 narrow bridges, the Road to Hana makes for a legendary drive. Need a coffee or fresh fruit after your refreshing waterfall plunge? My friend and I visited Maui in 2019 and neither of us was brave enough for the drive. It is! While a lot of the guides/apps say to try to be the first car in a line while driving through the frontside so you dont have to watch their brake lights too closely while youre looking around, I think the opposite is true when youre driving past Hana. This is also the scary part of the Road to Hana. It sounds a little more intense than it is. Distraction is a great way to keep the fear at bay. Hamoa Beach (MM 51) Heading away from Hana, turn makai (toward the ocean) onto Haneoo Road when you reach it. A thirty something adventure seeking, gin loving, sun chasing, temple searching, bikini wearing, outdoor enthusiast who is based on Maui and writes about Hawaii and her adventures abroad. As you continue driving down the Piilani Highway youll come up on some old homes and a bunch of run down old cars. I will say though, that while I have driven this in a Jeep, Ive also driven it in a sedan and a full size pickup. These falls are some of the best waterfalls that Maui has to offer. The popular way is to start the Road to Hana is by passing through the town of Paia. 9. The Road often apps up in worlds most dangerous roads lists, along with other such shock journalism. If you take the road past Oheo Gulch (Seven Pools) and past Lindbergh's grave and continue around the south side of Maui to go all the way around, you will have to drive on about 5 miles of unpaved dirt and gravel road. Other people revel in that sort of environment. Important Note* The first one and a half hour stretch of the back road to Hana is usually forbidden by rental car companies and is stated in the rental car agreements. road to Hana. Besides that, I just dont think youre going to make that much of a difference on the crowd levels at each stop by doing it in reverse. Yikes. Read about my favorite luxury resorts, boutique hotels, honeymoon resorts, family friendly resorts, and condos (many under $100/night!). Theyre seriously the only company I ever use. GRAND TETON WY The backside of Hana has some one lane graded dirt roads and rusty guardrails so the drive requires extra caution. There is no shame in knowing your limits and calling it quits. Hna Maui. The Road to Hana travels along the edge of many sheer cliffs. The road is very comfortable for one car to drive on, the problem comes when you pass another car. This is terribly unfortunate, The highway is really a real jewel in the already stunning Crown of Mauis natural beauty. other than a slight hindrance to your rate of progress there is nothing to worry about. This part of Maui is known as Upcountry. You can drive the road to Hana yourself, or take a tour in a van . A few of my favorite moments from the past year! Just before mile marker 15 is the Maui-Grown Market and Deli (tel. Mostly this stems from rumors (I like to call it an urban legend, hmm maybe Ill call it a jungle legend lol) about it being illegal to take rental cars back this way. Their reasoning is that the popular sites closer to Hana would be less crowded by getting there earlier and then I guess they think that the crowds at the stops closer to Paia will have moved on towards Hana so by the time they retrace their steps theyll have all the popular spots to themselves. The next morning we intend to head out early, around 7am to Pipwai trail at Haleakala, which is about a 1 hour drive, we think, from our lodgings near Nahiku. Need a specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms? Hana Highway, also known as the Road to Hana, runs for more than 64 miles along state Highways 360 and 36, connecting Hana in east Maui with Kahului. There is almost nothing about the drive that causes anxiety in us. We did have some locals honking at other cars, we made it a habit to just pull over and let others by which made it a better experience. Hanawi Falls is located right after Mile Marker 24 on the Road to Hana. Mmmmkay, If you think any rental car company is going to come get you if you have a problem ANYWHERE, you have more faith in them than me. 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. The Numbers really do not match the roads reputation. It connects the town of Hana with the city of Kahului. If you havent already, you will soon understand why thisis a perfect spot for them. I'll add, no, the late afternoon shouldn't be an especially dangerous time to drive the road (but it will take longer than 2 hours from the start of the RTH, let alone Kaanapali); you absolutely don't need a 4X4 (I prefer smaller (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? These activities past Hana town will still be considered Road to Hana activities since people typically do them as a part of their Road to Hana trip! 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