There were some very narrow areas that were steep. We knew not to take the road past that around as everyone said it was treacherous. I actually had to stop and move rocks out of my path. Highway 36 (known as Hana Highway or Road to Hana) is one of the most famous highways in the entire country. Absolutely one of the scariest drives ever and I raced motorcycles when I was younger. For the driver who likes a slow challenge, the Road to Hana has over 600 turns, over 50 bridges and constant damp road conditions, making the route a chore for even the most experienced driver. Most of the major rental car companies specify certain roads and sections of roads as “unauthorized roads”. The unauthorized section is not all that spectacular. Road to Hana Full Loop Day Trip Itinerary. We just got way over and the Dodge had enough room to squeeze by at low speed. What IS worth doing is the drive from Nuu to Kula – it was gorgeous in the late afternoon, and was some of the most spectacular scenery I’ve seen, anywhere. The highlight of the Road to Hana is its location, which offers a great opportunity to take a deep dive into all the gems on Maui’s east side. Yes, they do, everyday. PEARL HARBOR HI -many falling rock areas -against car rental policy -uncomfortable in most cars. Some people also call this trail a bit dangerous. This is as far along on the Hana Highway as you can go by bus, and Hana is around 40 miles away from the bus stop. I asked the Park Ranger at Oheo Gulch and she suggested to keep driving and that most people do not turn back. Found inside – Page 3-99... which are defoed as the Airport area north of Hana Highway , west of East ... Moultoring Surveys to Establish Baseline Conditions It was suggested that ... You can make this a bathroom stop or another waterfalls stop. My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon for Maui and I have reading about the Road to Hana for weeks now and it is exactly what I am looking for. Our biggest surprise and near “heart attack” occurred when, after dark, three stray horses were coming at us on the roadway! PICTURED ROCKS You’ll come across the first lookout, and then you can keep driving further down where you’ll pass a famous banana bread stand (next on the list), and then drive further to the end of the Keanae Peninsula where you’ll find another lookout. Cheers. How much for a trip to Hawaii in 2021? Driving the Road to Hana on the northeast coastline of Maui, Hawaii makes for the perfect scenic road trip. The drive to Hana is among the most popular tourist activities on the island. ps. But it was the drive of my life, loved every scary minute of it! My advise is to drive the road from Paia to Hana and/or just beyond to the Kipahulu section of Haleakala Nataional Park — where the Oheo Gulch (aka Seven Sacred Pools) is. 6/26/2021. At least one person has died from a falling rock at Waimoku Falls. Holding up traffic on this winding stretch of road can cause chaos, especially if drivers try to pass. I found the drive enjoyable. but thankfully we had no mishaps to report as we followed a few other drivers and a tour bus. HALEAKALA HI Sheila, I did not know about Saddle Rd being restricted in the Big Island. When I was in Maui last year, I found the highway 31 being blocked past the national park and since I was on my own, I did not want to take the risk, though I would have loved to loop around the island. Even if you drive on the unpaved road, the road around the south side of Maui from Hana DOES NOT CONNECT to the roads in Wailea or Kihei. You can find basic items here. You get to Waimoku Falls by taking the Pipiwai Trail but these waterfalls deserve an individual mention! The first few miles of it are especially gnarly. Drove the whole thing solo. Otherwise, you can park near the highway and walk down. ), not only is help far away, but you are financially responsible for all damage to your rental. If you are interested in learning about Maui’s volcanic landscape, then you are sure to find this interesting! Another place you can break up your Road to Hana trip and stay overnight is at the Waianapanapa State Park. The 4×4 mode of our jeep made it a better ride, but still not advisable. But don’t just take our word for it -- check out … Gary – you are not alone in finding the north side of Maui to be a scary road. The Road to Hana was built in 1926. Take the road less traveled – if you’re life does flash when you go these memories will be among the sweetest. Just because you are intimidated by the road does not mean that everyone wants to go to Hana in first gear and 10 mph. We had a casual drive out to Hana after breakfast in Paia with hardly any traffic (mid-morning). If you are planning a trip back and haven’t done so, drive the north section above Ka’anapali. My wife and I did the road to Hana yesterday, and in retrospect, the borderline insane “beyond” portion of the drive (it seemed easier on paper, in reality it was NOT what we signed up for!) Driving the back road to Hana or ‘the other road to Hana’ is the perfect way to get off-the-beaten path when exploring Maui. But to truly appreciate these waterfalls, you’ll want to make a stop here. Driving slowly and carefully (as you would on the regular Road to Hana) is they key. It’s at the very beginning of the unauthorized section. When we did the loop, it took us 10 hours round trip from Kaanapali and I am trying to avoid that long of a drive again. Hana Highway Driving Time. OAHU ITINERARY I have done it the up and back way from Paia twice, and am going back in a few weeks. I was driving a Jeep Cherokee and it was no fuss at all. It’s also said that car rental companies won’t cover you if something happens to your car along this back stretch of the Road to Hana. There is a fee for this. The sun was shining and the rain was a distant memory. I only wish it were daytime to see some of the spectacular vistas we missed because it was dark. It also looks like 2 lanes most of the way. You can park in front of a cute Hawaiian church and then walk around 10 minutes the rest of the way there. I’m guessing turning around at Kipahulu would probably take you an extra hour versus just plowing through. Something could’ve happened to us and nobody would’ve known since we have no cell reception and no car traffic. After returning to the paved road there were few cars like me driving from Hana & thus not much traffic. Everyone averages about 25 mph or less on this incredible winding road. 4100 Wailea Alanui Drive Wailea, Maui - Hawaii, United States 96753. Road to Hana is not dangerous if you are cautious and don’t speed. We drove past Hana about 15 miles with a rental car in later February 2018. Here are some of the quick lists if you’re looking for something specific: And onwards below with the list of Road to Hana stops! But all and all, it was an experience we are extremely glad we had and will remember for a lifetime. The views in South Maui are totally worth the drive over the Piilani Highway and I plan to do it again the next time I’m in Maui. The road features blind corners, hairpin turns and big hills are compounded by the fact that the thoroughfare is a narrow coastal road. We are from the NW and are used to mountain logging roads so it may be easier to us. Thank you, and keep the rubber side down. As some mentioned, the roads and one suspension bridge are closed from time to time and you don’t want to drive all day just to find out you can’t get through. The maps say that section is narrow, and they are not kidding. But you do get to see each drive in both directions, and at different times of the day, which might make the additional views worth the extra trouble (not to mention the reduced risk!). There are also cabins for a cost of around $90 per night available here. We got to go to the winery on the way. I would recommend it for anyone. We understand how overwhelming planning a Maui vacation can be — particularly for the first time. What to pack for camping on the Road to Hana Backpacking tent. Compared to a standard tent, backpacking tents will be less heavy and less bulky. ... Inflatable sleeping pad. I definitely recommend this, especially if you're concerned about sleeping on the hard ground. ... Solar camping lantern. ... Turkish towel. ... Pillow cover or inflatable pillow. ... Thanks for your stories… I am looking forward to it. There’s a short trail of a minute or 2 that will get you to the pool of these waterfalls. Here are four reasons why: 1. it is a small world indeed. That being said, I live in Southern California, in the mountains, and the roads didn’t seem much different that what I encounter on a daily basis-except the unpaved part of the equation. And if you do go the Kula-Nuu trip, take a lunch/dinner, etc. We encountered an oncoming full size Dodge pickup truck in one of the really tight sections right after this photo was taken. The most popular way is to do the drive as an out and back as you pass along the eastern coast of Maui, and the route that took you through in order with the list above. After driving the extremely curvy road to Hana, you can easily become fatigued and that’s one of the reasons why rental car companies designate the road as unauthorized. This means that there are many waterfalls in Maui that you can access on your own. What are the best days to drive to Hana…less tourists and local traffic??? In the whole scheme of things I bet your safer going this way then taking your chances in the rat race with the other over caffeinated tourist:). Turn back when you arrive to Hana, if you still want to go there…. Then we checked to make sure there were no road closures with the local police. You'll likely encounter a lot of outbound (visitors returning) traffic as you head … We were on the Big Island and wanted to drive up to Mauna Kea. (That one is past Hana and in the national park.). Found inside – Page 297Summer and fall — when drive conditions and relatively mild temperatures ... No road in Hawaii is more celebrated than the Hana Highway (Highway 36), ... Be careful and make sure the areas safe before traveling. But this list of Road to Hana stops will give you an idea of what to see along the way! With my wife, we drove this “unauthorized” road after “the road to Hana” on my birthday, Nove. This is something you can see as you’re driving by, and you don’t even need to get out of the car to see them. Kihei to Hana – 2hr 55 minutes Nature that is untouched. 3. The road was rough but smoothed out for most of the way. 9 photos. In those fifty-five miles, there are more than six hundred curves in the road and fifty-nine bridges, most of which are only one lane. Hookipa Beach can be a worthy stop if you want a chance to see some marine life in Hawaii. We even went on a rope swing and swam under a water fall at one of the first falls- AMAZING. If this is your first time driving the Road to Hana, it can be super helpful to download a Road to Hana guide so you know which Road to Hana stops to skip. I would do the road all over again next time we go to Maui just to see the view during the day. These are famous waterfalls also a part of the Haleakala national park. We later learned another person stopped into the police station in Hana to inquire on that road and were advised not to try it, I did not see a police station there as we past Hana, just a gas station. 2) HAIKU TO HANA We asked a number of locals before we went when we heard the warnings of the backside. The major car rental companies use the same map publisher. To me driving the south end of Maui is not a good idea...not scenic & rough roads and wouldn't recommend it. When I turned around I saw we came straight down a side of a cliff it was looking menacing has I had to climb it. The views, the waves hitting the rocks, the sun going down the beautiful grasses and plants, the waves blowing through blowholes in the rocks like a giant whale was onshore…..it was awesome. I was happy to avoid backing down this area which would have happended if we ran into someone coming the other way. That was over 30 years ago, and I can still see and smell it in my mind, but have never been able to find what it was. To give you a prospective we did see a jeep that was changing a tire themselves on the road, but that was the only problem we saw the entire way. The first day, we plan on traversing the Road to Hana. If you don’t have a jeep, be prepared to be jostled around a lot – I can’t imagine taking that road in a sedan. Yes there are some tight spots and a scary moment or two but I have a scary moment or two in Dallas traffic on a daily basis. This may or may not be on private property of owners who don’t want you there, but you might see tons of cars parked on the side of the road in this area to know something worthy must be around. The road to Hana is composed of three different roads — highways 36, 360 and 31. I often hear these two questions as people are planning their scenic drive on the road to Hana: —- Should we drive the road to Hana starting at Paia, go past Hana and continue on past Kaupo and Kula? The Road to Hana is partially famous for being a dangerous road to drive. Walking the back road to Hana. I drove the whole loop about 15 yrs ago when on holiday – I had forgotten how spectacular the back way scenery is. 6/26/2021. The back road is definitely not intended for normal vehicles, I would say SUV’s and jeeps are recommended for those roads. The car rental companies prohibit you from driving their cars on unpaved roads, and they will not come to tow you out or assist you if you get stuck on that unpaved road. Cindy – probably easier. I first went to Maui in 2002 with my new bride and drove the north side the second day. You can read that article here. The Road: Although it’s improved over the years, there are still unpaved sections without barriers. It’ll scare you, but they do it on the road to Hana, as well. It was 64 miles or 100 kilometers of pure driving pleasure. Found inside – Page 83... Highway (UsA), Great Ocean Road (Australia), Pan American Highway (Mexico section), Transfagarasan/DN7C (Romania), Millau Viaduct (France), Hana Highway ... !It is quite a drive, did it in a jeep…..SO glad we did it, but don’t think I’d try it again! Thanks for your comment it swayed me the right way. However do your due diligence and check the weather and road conditions before you leave and get updates from locals and the park service before you decide to go this way. I never saw another vehicle. Approximately ten signs were installed at each location: Waikamoi Stream Bridge, … BRYCE CANYON UT Anyways, just my take on it, and I was driving a Jeep, which personally was big for what I’m used to (Pontiac Vibe) so it made it a bit more unnerving. There was a place where you can see it washes out at times. 3 reviews. Scenery there is quite incredible, actually I liked it much more than tropical forest you drive through on the “front” road. I just had to chime in, amongst all the tourists here with warnings! One of the main reasons most people do it as an out and back is because depending on what kind of driver you are, it can be considered a scary drive. Being young and stupid, we decided to anyway:) The road leading up to Hana had many beautiful falls and hikes. This is a great scenic lookout area. The worst part was when we finally made it to the paved road, were less than 5 miles from S. Kihei where our hotel was, and saw locals going through the gate that connects the backside to Kihei. Some consider it a “dangerous” drive. I am not really up for an extremely difficult drive, so if it is do let me know , Yes, that part is easier, though still a bit stressful with some one-lane bridges and lots of curves. You come back to pavement after only a few miles. I’d have to agree on doubling back, and if you can fit it in your schedule and budget, stay a night in Hana. Again, you have to have guts and someone who you TRUST driving these roads. JEWEL CAVE SD, HAWAII TRAVEL PLANNING (Hiking sandals, water shoes, waterproof hiking boots, etc.) I was also worried that someone would come flying around the corner and hit us. Just take it easy around blind curves. Found insideGETTING HERE AND AROUND To access Kipahulu from Hana, continue on Hana Highway, also known as 330, for 11 miles southeast. You can also reach the area from ... Flying to Hawaii: How to Choose the Right Airport, Hawaii rainfall chart by month and island, Booking Hawaii Inter-island Flights or Ferry, 10 Best Free Activities and Sights on Oahu. Would I do it again? in fact it was a blast and i tell everyone to “risk it”. I definitely do not recommend the “death road” It’s pretty dangerous and the weather up there can change in an instant. It’s easy to get caught up in the flow of traffic, catch a glimpse of a few waterfalls … The road extends approximately 40 miles from the beach town of Paia to the small, jungle town of Hana. Nevertheless, the view was AMAZING and I am glad we did it. Was lucky it was dry all week, so we didn’t get stuck at the part where the road can wash away and the sign saying “Severe injury or death is possible”….yikes! Found inside – Page 94In its initial two - lane undivided configuration , the highway would be similar to Haleakala or Hana Highway , not Dairy Road or the present Mokulele ... Then, just after the 41 mile marker, stop at Charles Lindbergh's grave site. I’ve only been to Hawaii once and only went as far as Hana. I was kinda disappointed but also a little relieved. The road to Hana is dangerous. Right next to Koki Beach is a spot where you can eat Hawaii’s famous huli huli chicken. If you’re looking for a “safe” alternative to the famous red sand beach, then Koki Beach can be it. Use CARE and drive SLOW, honking horn on blind corners, looking as far ahead as possible, stay as far as you can to your side of the road during these sections and drive with common sense. The Road to Hana (aka Hana Highway) is a spellbindingly gorgeous highway that took us over more than 50 bridges and around 600 curves. Part of it anyway. (Including all of the waterfalls on the list below!) The views on the back side is breath taking due to the danger of the area and raw beauty. Are you talking about the back road to Hana or the main road? It was worth it. Not always true on the Hana road! More waterfalls on the Road to Hana, but these are waterfalls to view from above! Black lines or No traffic flow lines could indicate a closed road, but in most cases it means that either there is not enough vehicle flow … Drove to Hana and beyond to the Seven Pools where I got caught with the dilemma of having only about ninety minutes of daylight left. 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