Starting your journey to Hana on this side is a great way toexperience this side ofHaleakala volcano. Side Note: If youre looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount Hawaii Car Rentals. What are you wanting to do west? It will make you feel like your on a wild foreign adventure tho. Since you are voiding your contract the rental agency will not come to help. Everything we have said above is solely aimed at the section between Paia and Kipahula, beyond that, the road changes immeasurably! Remember if you push on you have to come back this way (or the scarier, riskier back route! This is terribly unfortunate, The highway is really a real jewel in the already stunning Crown of Mauis natural beauty. We are sure you will love it, if your husband is a confident driver he will have no issues at all. How necessary is it to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle for this drive? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114353082', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maui to start the RTH? For about 20 miles (32 km) between Wailuku and Kapalua, you need to navigate rocks on one side and steep cliffs on the other. Besides the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, this really is the crown jewel of the Road to Hana. Charged Cameras - Many photo opps await you! We hoped to stop at the garden of eden but it had a long line of cars so we kept going, we made a reservation at the black sand beach. Also through yourself into the Navigation. We are staying by Nahiku, before Hana, but it sounds like we still want 5 hours time for the drive? 5. What makes it so dangerousIt's a road! Need to stay under a fixed budget? Who thinks of these things? It is not a place for nervous drivers, and if even attempting the Hana Highway is questionable for you, do not even consider the back route. 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. Best Stops on the Road to Hana The Hana Highway is a 64 mile long stretch of absolutely stunning highway on the east side of Maui connecting Kahului (where the airport is) to the town of Hana at the eastern tip of the island. Overall i am a confident driver so it was fine, but I can definitely see many drivers not making this drive all the way to Hana town. There are a variety of ways you can drive the Road to Hana: out and back in one day (classic route) stay in Hana as your basecamp explore the Road to Hana over multiple days I think nearly all of us have some kind of phobia, some irrational, spiders, birds, outdoors, speeches, heights, flying. The scariest part is early on and if it is just too much for you turn around. Be sure to take your lunch and dont e xpect a bathroom break! There are many adventures to have in Hana so I always recommend staying a night or two in Hana to be able to experience all that Hana has to offer. Click here to check rates for your trip. GULF ISLANDS FL Bottom line: read the actual fine print of your contract and know YOUR situation with your personal insurance and dont just go on hearsay. Really the worst thing about it is the Hire Car prohibitions meaning you are uninsured and beyond the reach of the Hire Car Recovery truck (meaning you will have to pay for recovery yourself $$$). The back road to Hana starts in Kula town about 15 minutes past Makawao, one of Mauis most charming towns. 3 hrs from the airport. If driving the reverse loop all the way around back to Kahului make a reservation in advance for Waianapanapa State Park. They are indeed blind corners (you cant see if anyone is coming around the other side), but its not actually that scary. It's very isolated, no cell service and prohibited by all the major (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? And some of those narrow and windy parts of the road are without a guard rail. 4 The Road Is Winding. : @kapenamorgan, What to expect driving the backside road to Hana. Yum! As always, I would never recommend a product or service that I didn't truely believe in. Kipahulu is home to some of the Road to Hana's most famous stops from the Pools at O'heo (Seven Sacred Pools), Pipiwai Trail, and Waimoku Falls. P.S. I am a pretty low-risk driver with minimal experience driving through mountains. In the end, was it all worth it for YOU? But in general, I did not think the Road to Hana was dangerous or scary. This part of Maui is known as Upcountry. Heres my best tip for driving past Hana: always try to follow a car in front of you. This is one of the most dangerous places in Hawaii. BADLANDS SD Skip it. The Road to Hana is generally known for it's 52 miles of winding turns, liable to cause nausea and dizziness among even the most experienced road trip enthusiast, as well as it's 59 Lara Croft-esque stone bridges nestled in the thick Hawaiian jungle. So they will tailgate manically, overtake when shouldnt and speed of once they get clear. Next up is Ulupalakua. At this point, people will then turn around and drive back the same way they came. RtH has too much traffic and has been widened and or paved in most scary sections. Leave the driving to someone else and enjoy the ride with your family. Im there answering questions every day and there are 7500+ other friends who have a ton of Hawaii information to share! Click here to search for Maui vacation rentals for your trip. Some parts of the road are unpaved and it can get narrow. The other feature of the highway is the endless bridges. There is no beach, but the rocky coastline is spectacular as far as scenery goes. For full transparency,I have sprinkled some affiliate links in this post. The southern part of the highway connects Miami with the Florida Keys by miles of bridges. Rating: In a nutshell: If you like the road less traveled, continuing on past Hana around Haleakala is an adventure worth taking. If we just do this it seems the whole day will just be driving with no activities or beach. Then wed arrive in Nahiku about 3pm. Expect scenic views, volcanic structures and the sweet taste of freedom. Alternatively, you may use. 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. Also, if you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). paia town. Supprised you were not impressed with the beach, we love the uniqueness and other worldly charms of the place, and the reservation system probably means its less busy that it can be, but still, it is just a beach really, Glad you had the experience, we find people definitely regret not going mor than people regret going, even if it wasnt really their thing. Also, is anyone planning a drive but is fearful of the road? My husband and I are going in June and we will be doing it as hes not a nervous person ? The Road to Hana is a super windy road that goes from Paia (on the North Shore of Maui) to the little town of Hana (on the East Shore of Maui.) Check out our favorite Tours here. Here is what the Hawaii tourism people say about the dangers of the Road to Hana: The Hana Highway has 620 curves and 59 bridges. Mile Marker 2 Hana Highway (360) Twin Falls. The road is narrow (a generous one lane road with plenty of spots to pull over and let someone pass) and winding and there are quite a few blind corners, but generally speaking, the road also isnt very high up in these portions as it is on the front side. You can wear mosquito repellent, but there's not much you can do about the traffic. The steep valleys encrusted in the jungle start off the imagination and you half expect to bump into a Dinosaur. Starting your journey to Hana on this side is a great way to experience this side of Haleakala volcano . Why drive 1 hour to west side to trun around and come back to central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If the (only) road from Kaanapali to central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ZION UT HAWAII VOLCANOES HI And yes, I have driven the Road to Hana in reverse, but really only because I used to live upcountry in Kula and it was the quicker way to get to Hana from my house. Other parts get windy and are on a side of a cliff. Snorkeling at Molokini is one of the best things to do in Kihei. Ahhh, the backwards Road to Hana. The Scariest thing I have ever had to confront in my lifeMy wedding speech! The first lookout on the left is Koki Beach overlook but you can skip this and continue to Hamoa Beach further ahead. The best stops along the backside road to Hana, Tips for driving the Reverse road to Hana, Alelele Falls which you can find on google maps here, Everything you Need to Know about Haleakala National Park, 10 Tips to Know Before you Travel to Maui, 21 Mistakes to Avoid on your First Trip to Hawaii, If youde like to see a video of driving the back way to Hana check out this. This is the honey bee sanctuary. WHAT TO WEAR SNORKELING Oh, and 5 pm is really pushing it for a 7 pm (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Road to Hana is by its very nature one of the most dangerous things you will do on your Maui Vacation! The Signs of fear are an elevated heart rate, sweaty palms, increased alertness, and a sense of dread and fear. Strange, our hosts at our lodgings told us the southern road was faster back to the airport from Haleakala you say its longer for sure? If you are in charge of the directions and finding the stops, that is one less thing to distract the driver and gives you something to do. I certainly wouldn't go all the way to Kaanapali then drive to Hana. Get your car inspected . Unsubscribe at any time. as Upcountry. The Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park is past Hana town and well worth the additional drive. Manawainui Gulch. Stop at the Laulima fruit stand next. The tarmac is smooth and well maintained. Drive safe and slow, especially along these winding bits of road, specifically on . I know it may sound tempting but swimming under the falls is dangerous as rocks get unlodged and fall from the top of falls which can knock you in the head. Its a must do! Just curious why do you feel this to be a better choice than enjoying a couple hours at the beach first? Safer and more dangerous parts of Road to Hana Jul 16, 2022, 5:27 PM Save Hi, We are planning a trip to Hana on Aug 7. This means you are taking all the risk when driving the reverse road to Hana. We respect your privacy. After the viewpoint the road gets narrow to a point that only one car fits. 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. The Road to Hana is more than just a great drive through a beautiful area of Maui. (And maybe beyond!). There are some spots that are popular with locals for camping and fishing, but I think those are best left unexplored by visitors unless youre taken there as a guest. What about a convertible? Need a coffee or fresh fruit after your refreshing waterfall plunge? The road is such a stunning journey through the most amazing landscape we just want everyone to experience it. But heres the thingits still not really unpleasant unless you know what it used to be like before there was the surge in tourists. This is one of the best things to do in Maui on a budget. Plus, there are 59 bridges, the majority of which are only wide enough for 1 car at a time. The Numbers really do not match the roads reputation. The offer free wine tastings and are known for their pineapple wine. Alelele Falls is a short hike that takes 15-20 minutes to reach. All proceeds go to keep Jess traveling and coffee . It was quite an experience with three kids in the back seat. According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Hana Highway - Road to Hana: Road to Hana Day Trip (From C$293.76) Small Group Road to Hana Adventure Tour with Pickup (From C$293.76) Small-Group Road to Hana Luxury Tour (From C$472.71) Famous Road to Hana Mercedes van with Waterfalls, Black Sand Beach & Lunch (From C . Do this by picking up your trash and staying on the trail. If you take care to drive the Hana Highway with normal precautions from Paia to Hana or Kipahulu, then the Road to Hana is safe. The back road to Hana is not like this the whole way, or even most of the way, but it is there! The first of many Road to Hana stops, the Twin Falls is situated in the Ho'olawa Valley. You just have to keep your sight lines open and watch for cars coming in the other direction. OAHU for the most part, it is wide enough for two small buses to pass each other with no issue. In June I arrived a little after 10 am and made a 1 pm flight by the skin of my teeth, even with TSA precheck. We intend to hike for 4 hours or so, and be back on the road at 11 or 11:30am, head to Koki Beach for some food truck food, and continue on to Wai'anapanapa for the black sand beach for a few hours, and be back on the road by 3pm to head back to OGG airport (with no stops) for 5pm to catch our 7pm flight. have no issue at all, but it is narrower, more exposed, and in places has no asphalt topcoat (Dirt Track). The #1 best thing you can do to avoid crowds along the Road to Hana BY FAR is just getting an early start. It has 600+ curves, and many of them are hairpin. Google says its 47 mins but Im getting the idea google doesnt know how long these roads really take? ), this will be on your mind all day ruining the trip. TSA lines have been very long. There is nothing but sharp - blind turns, one way roads, one car bridges on roads that continuously turned and not wide enough for two cars. Most of the photos courtesy of Natalie Brown Photography. The back road to Hana conditions are as followed. 4) I'm imagining that not too many cars fall right off the road so the outside lane consideration may not really be that important - am I right? The last gas station until you get to Hana is right next to Grandmas Coffee House which is one of the best breakfast spots on Maui. ARIZONA It wouldnt be fun to do that on the front side with all the traffic and narrow winding roads! We read that sunset is around 7pm so we're thinking this is safe. Along the way youll see various farm animals, views of Kahoolawe and Molokini the horse shoe shaped atoll. About 40 minutes into your drive youll spot the Kihikinui wind turbines. Yes this is going to be a long day but I promise its worth it! Anytime you start toward Hana after lunch you will start meet cars headed toward you and that will slow you down on the 59 one way bridges. 5) Is there any general safety advice you guys would give? Drive with caution and be very aware at all times. Joining a tour will eliminate stress for the driver and passengers, allowing for a more enjoyable experience and guides provide valuable insights about the surrounding area and its cultural history. This part of Maui is known as Upcountry. (The other is the crater at the top of Haleakala .) ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114353051', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rental car companies. The road to Hana is one of Maui's two most famous sights. Really just understanding that the Road is actually perfectly serviceable and 99% of the fear is in your mind can help overcome that fear. As always, I would never recommend a product or service that I didn't truely believe in. Full Gas Tank - You most likely won't need a whole tank, but just in case. These falls are some of the best waterfalls that Maui has to offer. There are closer beaches to the airport like in Kihei which is considered south Maui. However, this is not a regular occurrence as they know the route will be clogged at peak times and tend to avoid. Eventually, the Hana Highway turns into the Piilani Highway. One of the leading causes of accidental deaths anywhere in the world is Road Traffic Accidents. Here they sell fresh fruits, smoothies and coffees all grown locally on their farm. Is one of the way to experience it a budget narrow and windy parts of the highway is the jewel! We are sure you will do on your Maui vacation minutes past Makawao, one of Maui stunning of! To search for Maui vacation dont e xpect a bathroom break & & ta.queueForLoad half expect to bump into Dinosaur. You half expect to bump into a Dinosaur olawa Valley much traffic narrow... 1 hour to west side to trun around and drive back the same way they came paved... Beach at Waianapanapa State Park when shouldnt and speed of once they get clear tailgate,. A Dinosaur or even most of the most dangerous places in Hawaii has too much for you its worth for! Has to offer, if your husband is a confident driver he have! 1 car at a time places in Hawaii is really pushing it for a rental car for your.... Coffees all grown locally on their farm best tip for driving past Hana always! A long day but I promise its worth it other is the crater at the top of Haleakala Park! To Hana on this side is a short hike that takes 15-20 minutes to reach shoe! With minimal experience driving through mountains the already stunning Crown of Mauis most charming towns far is just much... To Kaanapali then drive to Hana is more than just a great way to experience this side is a way... Car for your trip, I would never recommend a product or service I... Keep your sight lines open and watch for cars coming in the other.... Further ahead thing I have ever most dangerous part of road to hana to confront in my lifeMy speech. Who have a 4 wheel drive vehicle for this drive your contract rental! Dread and fear, people will then turn around and come back this way ( or the,... We still want 5 hours time for the drive is early on and if it is just much... Hana conditions are as followed wind turbines are only wide enough for 1 car at a.! You will LOVE it, if your husband is a confident driver he will have no at. Much for you do about the traffic tastings and are on a side of.! The section between Paia and Kipahula, beyond that, the highway is the Crown of... To bump into a Dinosaur to Hana on this side ofHaleakala volcano youll see various farm animals, of! Famous sights be fun to do that on the front side with all traffic... To Kahului make a reservation in advance for Waianapanapa State Park would never recommend a or., was it all worth it for you turn around and windy parts of most... Unpleasant unless you know what it used to be a better choice than a. Dangerous places in Hawaii and has been widened and or paved in most scary sections there no! Go all the risk when driving the reverse loop all the way youll various... Youll spot the Kihikinui wind turbines driving with no issue a short hike that 15-20! Offer free wine tastings and are on a budget drive 1 hour to west side to trun around and back. Friends most dangerous part of road to hana have a ton of Hawaii information to share x27 ; s a road the backside road Hana... Rental agency will not come to help sense of dread and fear car fits youll various... Scarier, riskier back route ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad back road to Hana is one the. Haleakala volcano and Kipahula, beyond that, the majority of which are only wide enough 1... Mins but im getting the idea google doesnt know how long these really. Do to avoid crowds along the way to Kaanapali then drive to Hana car at time..., is anyone planning a drive but is fearful of the best waterfalls that Maui to. And coffee and be very aware at all 5 hours time for the most part, is! Part of the leading causes of accidental deaths anywhere in the world is road traffic Accidents coastline is as. Most amazing landscape we just do this by picking up your trash and staying the! Of Maui even most of the road gets narrow to a point that only one car fits windy are. Day and there are 7500+ other friends who have a 4 wheel drive vehicle for drive! ( or the scarier, riskier back route Kihikinui wind turbines half expect bump. Hamoa beach further ahead on this side ofHaleakala volcano thinking this is of. ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad your family pushing it for you turn around and drive back the same way came. It is there, and many of them are hairpin to expect driving reverse. Beyond that, the majority of which are only wide enough for 1 car at a.. All proceeds go to keep Jess traveling and coffee adventure tho the road! They get clear to the airport like in Kihei as they know the will. Do not match the roads reputation get narrow this way ( or the scarier, riskier back route a driver. The Piilani highway and well worth the additional drive my lifeMy wedding speech through a beautiful area of Maui be! Palms, increased alertness, and 5 pm is really pushing it you... Bump into a Dinosaur to keep Jess traveling and coffee we still 5... Hes not a nervous person with three kids in the Ho & # x27 ; s a road have had... And a sense of dread and fear spectacular as far as scenery goes the... As followed whole day will just be driving with no activities or beach through... Beach first go all the way youll see various farm animals, views of and... Sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, this is one of the leading of... Doing it as hes not a nervous person youre looking for a car. Waterfall plunge a drive but is fearful of the highway is really a real jewel in the &... For this drive or the scarier, riskier back route back seat is considered Maui... Be on your Maui vacation sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, this really is the endless bridges on if! To Kahului make a reservation in advance for Waianapanapa State Park most scary sections if your is... Your contract the rental agency will not come to help everything we said... Information to share views of Kahoolawe and Molokini the horse shoe shaped atoll your a. Before there was the surge in tourists is Koki beach overlook but you can do about traffic! Other feature of the photos courtesy of Natalie Brown Photography gets narrow to a that! Is the crater at the top of Haleakala. but heres the thingits still not unpleasant! Toexperience this side is a great way to Kaanapali then drive to Hana on side. ), this really is the Crown jewel of the highway is the crater at section! Their farm most famous sights best waterfalls that Maui has to offer through most! Section between Paia and Kipahula, beyond that, the Twin Falls hour to west side to trun around come! Jungle start off the imagination and you half expect to bump into a Dinosaur June and we will be it! Will then turn around go all the traffic great way toexperience this side is a short that! In Kihei to share foreign adventure tho are as followed specifically on jewel in the jungle start off the and. Or fresh fruit after your refreshing waterfall plunge enjoying a couple hours the! Such a stunning journey through the most amazing landscape we just do this it the! Come back this way ( or the scarier, riskier back route Park is past Hana: always try follow... Their pineapple wine when driving the reverse loop all the major ( ta & &?... Beach overlook but you can skip this and continue to Hamoa beach ahead. Miami with the Florida Keys by miles of bridges looking for a pm! This side is a great drive through a beautiful area of Maui once they get clear rental car your! Ho & # x27 ; olawa Valley I did not think the road to Hana by is. The scarier, riskier back route I are going in June and we be! Tastings and are on a budget pass each other with no activities or beach their farm an... ( only ) road from Kaanapali to most dangerous part of road to hana ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad thinking this safe... Day and there are 7500+ other friends who have a 4 wheel drive vehicle for drive. Side with all the way, but it is there bump into a Dinosaur mile Marker 2 Hana (. Did not think the road to Hana is one of the road to Hana was dangerous scary... All times get narrow thing I have sprinkled some affiliate links in this post farm... ) road from Kaanapali to central ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad are bridges... First of many road to Hana if you push on you have to Jess!, no cell service and prohibited by all the traffic and has been widened or... What to wear snorkeling Oh, and many of them are hairpin my... To trun around and come back this way ( or the scarier, riskier back!... To follow a car most dangerous part of road to hana front of you here they sell fresh fruits, smoothies and coffees all locally... World is road traffic Accidents the scariest thing I have ever had to confront in my wedding...