At over 10,000 feet above sea level, the views . Aloha Megan its typically not deep, but, as always, use your judgement, and if in any doubt, ask/see if others are having any difficulty crossing. 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. From Khei it didnt take more than half an hour or so to get to the trailhead. I made one quick stop at Wailua Falls along the way. 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. Its warm, yet not hot and theres always a chance for a light cool mist. Copyright 2023 Guide of US, LLC. Even if the pools are closed below, this hike is exceptional. im planning a visit to maui in october. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails. I would like to hike the bamboo Forrest. It's about 4 miles RT. It is 4 miles roundtrip, gaining 650-feet in elevation. Thank you! |. Yes, it is an absolutely gorgeous spot but certainly not a safe place for every tourist regardless of age and physical condition. WHAT TO WEAR HIKING, 2023 Flashpacking America | US outdoor travel blog, national park campground in the Kipahulu district, no interest in driving the back road to Hana, How to spend one day in the West Maui Mountains, swim shirts with UV protection like these, Why a personal swim buoy is an essential for snorkeling and swimming in the ocean. The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle. Its located at the end of the Road to Hana, and the last point where people would typically turn around and drive the Road to Hana as an out-and-back if they choose to go this far. We live in south Kihei and took the back road to Hana (highly recommend if you are able to). Mahalo! Is this still a worthwhile trip and hike? This is likely not a good hike for the vast majority of octogenarians as it has a steep incline (especially at the start) and also has challenging footing for most older people. The Kpahulu District is open from 9 am to 5 pm. 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? You may want to have a poncho, umbrella, hat, and/or a backpack to protect your camera if it rains. Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. Distance: 4 miles out and back Time: Plan for about 2-4 hours, depending on how muddy the trail is and how much time you take at the waterfall and along the way. PRO HIKING TIP: This trail can be extremely muddy if it has recently rained. 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. Maui's Hana Highway is sixty miles of scenic but curvy coastal road, reportedly featuring 620 curves and 59 bridges, most of which are single-lane bridges. 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. Length: 5.5 mi. 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.) Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability. Is this a steep incline, putting more pressure on his knee? Best bet is to check the Haleakala National Park website the day prior to your trip for real-time closure info. Here's a good online guidebook: http://mauiguidebook.com/things-to-do/road-to-hana-region/. . The most difficult part of the hike occurs within the first half mile with a couple of steep areas. Amazing views from the top on a clear day, and a really eerie mood when the clouds start to roll in like they did after we had been at the top a while. 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. Spend some time in the mysterious, zen-like oasis before continuing out of the forest and towards Waimoku Falls. NATIONAL LAKESHORES Back on the Pipiwai Trail, youll pass though a gate and come to another highlight a gigantic banyan tree with a footprint the size of a decent-sized house! WHAT TO WEAR SNORKELING 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. Thank you! Banyans originate in India, and first came to the islands as gifts to Hawaiian royalty from Indian royalty. Kahekili Highway. That being said, you will probably need to fly into the Kahului Airport (OGG) and either rent a car or hitch-hike to the trail head. Dont let them wander. BIG ISLAND We are going with a few older companions who might not be able to hop across rocks and do not know how to swim. Required fields are marked *. Farther along the trail, around another mile, reach the trail's turnaround point at Waimoku Falls. The first half-mile is a little steep. Also--the trail is in the National Park. All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. HAWAII VOLCANOES: In our article Best Things to Do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, we cover the must-have experiences. Kihei Rent A Car uses the information you provide to us to contact you by email about our relevant content and updates. Thank you! Along the Kahekili Highway, see the Nakalele Blowhole, hike the Ohai Loop Trail or Waihee . This is an absolutely beautiful falls and well worth the hike to access. A fun sightseeing mini road trip 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. Even though most of the photos youll see from this trail show wooden walkways within the bamboo forest, dont let that fool you! Wear comfy sneakers and clothes. If you have planned to go to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? That probably took close to 30 min. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. It's 30.00 and is good for a year. Im going back this May for my honeymoon and would love to explore the side trails this time! This is always a worthwhile hike The water is definitely not low right now, that is old info and changes with the weather. Driving directly from Kaanapali to Pipiwai Trail might be a little over 3 hours with minimal traffic, by way of Paia. The paddleboarders said the shark broke their paddle and punctured the board, but they managed to stay on and escape. For more things to do in Haleakala National Park, with recommendations on how to plan your time, read our Guide to Haleakala National Park. You will still get a taste of the spectacular scenery and views of a beautiful natural waterfall without completing the entire trail. 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. At the four way stop in town make a right on to Olinda Road. We're committed to your privacy. The seven sacred pools are 20 minutes in the opposite direction- but that is just tourist bs- this hike is the real deal. Can you tell me how far the steepest elevation change is and what degree of incline that part of the trail would be? Once you cross the bridge, youll enter the Bamboo Forest, which starts with a stone pathway and quickly becomes a nice boardwalk. Your email address will not be published. Try to get there by 10 am or earlier for heat comfort. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 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. Thanks Megan. There are no height issues on the trail Have fun! best things to do in Haleakala National Park, Best Things to Do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Pipiwai Trail is 4 miles roundtrip, gaining 650-feet in elevation. Its a beautiful walk and best part of this hike, in my opinion. There are basically 2 sections to Haleakala National Park. This includes Pipiwai Trail and Kuloa Point Trail. I would like to know the round trip time with a few stops along the way. You'll need about 2-3 hours to hike Pipiwai at a relaxing pace and get back again (or continue around the Pi'ilani Highway, which re-opened October 4, 2008). We are visiting from Washington in April. 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. Otherwise, even without google maps, you will be able to get there just fine because again, you just keep driving on the Hana Highway. We really enjoyed the Waihee ridge trail that is sort of northwest of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve. PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you plan to drive the Road to Hana and hike the Ppwai Trail, you might want to save some stops on the drive for the return trip, just to make sure you have enough time to hike the trail before the national park closes for the day. I have taken all four of my children on this hike countless times from the time they were little babies in carriers. That said, there is nothing other than your sensibility to enforce keeping your distance, and youll certainly observe plenty of people ignoring the sign. 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. Both my husband and I are quite fit and are interested in doing one hike while we are here. Are there benches anywhere? Bamboo Forest ~ Pipiwai Trail If you are going to drive to Hana, the Bamboo forest is a trail worth taking. Getting There The Pipiwai Trail is located near the end of the Road to Hana drive on Maui, about 12 miles past Hana town near mile marker 42. At the trail junction, go left to start the Ppwai Trail. I am wondering if you know of any public access areas that would be available for use if we brought our own equipment. I am an active 20 year old male who has an extra day in Maui and read so many wonderful things about this trial. 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. Longitude: -156.0437936. The road is narrow with one lane bridges, but in that respect its similar to the Road to Hana. It will probably be easier to find someone heading your direction from Hana anyway. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88162597', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Hana Highway. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. That's being a little generous to allow for road work and traffic delays. Maybe avoid the side trails. Check out Epic Experience Maui if you would like to consider some private tours! My fianc and I will be going to Maui this July for our honeymoon and would like to take a tour that includes this trail. Is it shallow enough to walk in the stream to get to the waterfall? This is a different visitors center than the one at the top of Haleakala Crater, so dont get the two confused if you have your heart set on this hike. What to . Hitting the trail is the perfect way to explore; in fact, it just might be our favorite! and a great banyan tree for climbing right on the trail about 1/3 of the way up. The trail continues on the opposite side of the road. For the next half mile, you walk through this mystical bamboo forest. You guys brought up a good point that I hadn't considered. The problem with hitch-hiking is, although everyone wants to drive to Hana, most people will not drive the Southern route where streams over the road and often wash them out. 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. The location of the Ppwai Trail and Kpahulu District is important, because this part of the national park has operating hours. This can be confusing because Haleakala National Park is actually split into two parts. It takes anywhere from 2 1/2 - 5 hours to hike;dependinghow much nature loving you do. Shortly after starting the Ppwai Trail, you will cross Hana Highway. 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. To finish the hike, retrace your steps to the Visitor Center. aloha! 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.) Both my husband and I are quite fit and are interested in doing one hike while we are here. There are only a few choice people Id advise to attempt jumping here (and it isnt because theyre skilled jumpers!). I highly recommend wearing hiking shoes or a pair of shoes that you dont mind getting muddy. There is also a national park campground in the Kipahulu district. At 0.5 miles you reach the overlook of the Makahiku Falls. IDAHO We BARELY survived the hike back out of Sliding Sands Trail back then, but discovered our love of hiking together. Otherwise, you can take the Northern route and simply get out when most people turn around. Since the Pipiwai Trail is a part of Haleakala National Park, an entry fee is required. The bamboo will become thicker, and the ambiance and hollow percussive sounds of bamboo striking one another, will begin to transport you to an Asian nether-world. 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. Alternatively, you can drive Highway 37 along the south coast to get to the Kpahulu District. Thanks, Aloha Joanne it depends how used to hiking or fit the children are. You cross two bridges over the Ppwai Stream, climb some rock steps, and entire the cool, moist air of the bamboo forest. What time should we leave our resort to avoid as much traffic/crowds as we can? How much time should we allocate to do this hike? There is a lot to see on the RTH, before you get to Oheo Gulch, where the trailhead is located for the Pipiwai. 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. The show is a mesmerizing journey through various types of Polynesian culture presented in a fun and engaging format. DETAILS: To give the Road to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Right near the main parking lot and Kipahulu Visitor Center, youll find the start of the trail. You will hike through a bamboo forest!! Are there any other hikes that are more. Be sure to take a close look at their roots, which grow from the branches down to the ground and expand outward. Is it worth it to travel to? Your email address will not be published. Book now. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. 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. We have done this in Feb 2015 and 2016. I don't mind buying something where we stop! Get here no later than 3 pm, so you have enough time to finish the hike before the gates close. Trying to decide if its worth bringing a rope etc or just stick with bouldering. That said, being cited and fined are unlikely, but youd certainly better be sure that you fully understand your abilities, the physical risks and the current conditions. The only thing missing from this hike is solitude; because of the easy National Park access, and the half-million visitors per-year to the much more famous pools below, you definitely wont have this one all to yourself. Super recommended to download the Shaka Guide app for insightful history and helpful tips for sightseeing spots. not sure if that will always be the case. I am going next year with a large group of all ages. The parking lot was about 1/3 full and I was actually surprised at how many cars were already here. My Family and I love rock climbing as well as hiking. The powerful waterfall flows from 400 feet up, spraying cool mist from yards away. Hi Mark, The park opens officially at 9 but they were letting people in early when we arrived. They are located in Lahaina, Kihei, and Paia. I was wondering how to get from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? At this point in the hike, you've reached the bamboo forest at the Pipiwai Trail. 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 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. Through storytelling, audience participation and remarkable . The false looked like Niagara. I was wondering how difficult it is to cross the stream? Alternatively, you may use. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. On just one hike, you can see several waterfalls, an enormous Banyan tree, and hike through a bamboo forest. Driving from Paia to Pipiwai Trail took me a little under 2.5 hours. 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. 13 Amazing Things to Do in Haleakala National Park, Maui Bucket List: 20 Best Things to do in Maui, Hawaii, Ultimate Maui Itinerary: How to Plan Your Perfect Trip to Maui. 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! This along with the Waihee Ridge Trail were our two favorite hikes in Maui! 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. Although the hike has plenty of covered areas, be sure to pack sunscreen and dont forget the bug spray. A few pounds lighter now, we cannot wait to take on the challenge and reward of a few of the hikes in and around Hana. MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia's Kihei Clark (0) shoots a basket while North Carolina's Rechon "Leaky" Black (1) tries to defend during the second half of an NCAA college . Depending on fitness level, the hike can take anywhere from two to five hours to complete (though we recommend taking your time to enjoy the sights and snap some photos). It definitely looks Dr. Seus-ish to the uninitiated. At the trail junction, go left to start the Ppwai Trail. Aloha Mark, Please use extreme caution when crossing the stream, especially if it's been raining. Here are the driving distances and times from other locations in Maui, via Highway 360 (these times do not take in account any additional time for stops along the way): WHAT WE DID: We drove Highway 360 directly to the Kpahulu District, arriving at 9:30 am. Believe it or not, the same nuts brave folks you saw jumping from the bridge at the highway sometimes come up here to get their adrenaline fix. There is the normal parking lot right by the Kipahulu Visitor Center, and there is also an overflow parking lot. What time does the park open to start hiking the Pipiwai Trail? We hiked the Ppwai Trail and then the trail to the Seven Sacred Pools at Oheo. Not only do I get to live in such a beautiful place, I get to pursue my passion of helping people buy and sell real estate. During normal conditions, the water flows over only the far side; the near side of this pool has taller, thick rock lip that will keep anyone with sense enough to stay on the pool-side from a one-way date with gravity. GRAND TETON WY Waimoku Falls via Pipiwai Trail is a unique and very special waterfall hike in Haleakala National Park where your adventures begin even before you reach the trailhead. Its enjoyable either way and you wont feel regret. That said, in order to fully enjoy your hike you need proper equipment to keep you safe and comfortable. 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. Can I drive to the Oheo Gulch and back in one day? The Ppwai Trail is a relatively short hike that is located in Haleakala National Park on the Road to Hana. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. Hope that answers your question!