ALOHA!
So you are making a trip to Haleakala National Park on Maui!
Is there hiking in Haleakala National Park?!
Yes, there are Haleakala hiking trails that can be well worth your time!
This includes hiking in Haleakala summit district, and hiking in Haleakala Kipahulu district!
A bit more on these Haleakala hiking areas below!
3 best hikes in Haleakala National Park
1. Sliding Sands Trail
Haleakala summit district hiking trail
The Sliding Sands Trail is the Haleakala crater hike.
This is the hike you must do in the Haleakala summit area!
You have options for how to hike the Haleakala crater hike.
You can make it short(er) or an all-day thing!
See more about this Haleakala hike: Sliding Sands Trail
2. Pipiwai Trail
Haleakala Kipahulu district hiking trail
The Pipiwai Trail is the Haleakala bamboo forest hike.
It’s also a trail that ends with a magnificent view of tall waterfalls!
See more about this Haleakala hiking trail: Pipiwai Trail
3. Kuloa Point Trail
Haleakala Kipahulu district hiking trail
The Kuloa Point Trail is a Haleakala coastal hike.
You take the Kuloa Point Trail to get to the famous Haleakala waterfalls called the Oheo Pools, also referred to as the Seven Sacred Pools or Oheo Gulch.
These Haleakala waterfalls have been known for swimming, although in recent times it’s been closed to swimming.
Still, they can be worth seeing as part of a coastal hike where you can see the waterfall stream flow into the ocean.
This means vast ocean views!
See more about this Haleakala hiking trail: Kuloa Point Trail
More below about planning for hiking in Haleakala National Park!
🌋🌴
Here are some popular activities you need to know about to get some very-Hawaii experiences! Read the reviews on the partner websites listed below!
🐢 You can swim with turtles on Maui!
Read the reviews for the molokini and turtle town tour on viator and the turtle town kayak and snorkel tour.
🌺 Eat Hawaiian food at a luau with a fire show! Have a look at the Maui Nui Luau
🐳 Winter means it's WHALE WATCHING season in Hawaii! And Maui is the best Hawaiian island for whale watching! 🐳
Read the reviews for the whale watching by raft tour and the whale watching catamaran tour.
🐠 If you're going snorkeling (or to the beach!), here are things you must consider packing for Hawaii!
You can find these things on Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate.
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel
- walking sandals perfect for Hawaii
- teva is a popular outdoor shoe brand
- teva sandals for women
- teva sandals for men
I also don't go snorkeling in Hawaii without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
How to save money on your trip
I tend to use booking.com or hotels.com to look for the cheapest hotels. You can also try the expedia hotels site (good for car rentals too) or see if you like any of the vrbo vacation rentals.
Search for the cheapest car rentals at the Maui airport.
/end side note
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There are 2 areas to hike in Haleakala National Park
So the first thing to know about hiking in Haleakala National Park (and Haleakala National Park in general) is that there are 2 sides of the park, and these 2 areas are not connected by road through the park.
There is the inland summit district and the coastal Kipahulu district.
This means that the vast majority of people who hike in both areas of Haleakala National Park do so on separate days.
One day you can hike the Haleakala summit district’s Sliding Sands Trail.
Another day you can hike the Haleakala Kipahulu district’s Pipiwai Trail and Kuloa Point Trail.
Although, if you REALLY want to, and you keep your expectations in check (it can be a LONG and packed day that may not go according to plan!), then you can attempt to make it one day of hiking in Haleakala National Park with a trip to both the summit district and Kipahulu district.
A sample plan for the long day on both sides of Haleakala National Park below!
What to know about hiking in Haleakala summit district
👆 Parking for Haleakala summit district trailhead
The important thing to know about hiking in the Haleakala summit district is that the Haleakala crater hike (aka Sliding Sands Trail) does not give you summit access.
The Sliding Sands Trail is located about a half mile down the road from the Haleakala summit.
This means that visiting the summit will be a separate thing.
It’s an easy visit to the summit, and there’s no real hiking involved from that, aside from walking around.
You can drive directly to the end of the Haleakala Highway where you can stand on top of Haleakala after a final short ascent up stairs or a paved trail.
You can do this before or after you hike the Sliding Sands Trail.
See more about driving to the Haleakala summit.
The Sliding Sands trailhead parking is the Haleakala Visitor Center parking lot that is a half mile down the road from the summit.
Before you get started on the Sliding Sands Trail, you might want to check out the overlook located just behind the Haleakala Visitor Center for a glimpse of the Haleakala crater!
And if you don’t mind a little extra walking, then you can also do a short hike to another Haleakala crater overlook from the visitor center, the Pa Kaoao Trail.
This will give you more views of the Haleakala crater, from a little higher up.
What to know about hiking in Haleakala Kipahulu district
👆 Overflow parking for Haleakala Kipahulu district trailhead
The important thing to know about hiking in the Haleakala Kipahulu district is that this requires a drive along the famous Hana Highway aka the Road to Hana.
Aside from Haleakala National Park, there are truly TONS of stops you can make along the Hana Highway, so that’s why you may want to dedicate an entire day (or more!) to making a trip to the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park and driving the Hana Highway.
See more about driving to the Haleakala coastal district on the Road to Hana.
The Haleakala National Park pass lasts for 3 days
There is a cost to enter the national park, which means that there is a fee for hiking in Haleakala National Park.
In 2023, an individual pass costs $30 per vehicle. This pass lasts for 3 days and you can use it to visit both the summit district and Kipahulu district. There is no one-day Haleakala pass. See current fees.
You can also consider buying a Hawaii national park annual pass ($55) which will cover you for one year for Hawaii national parks on Maui and the Big Island. The U.S. national park pass ($80) is also valid at Haleakala National Park.
How to hike both sides of Haleakala National Park in one day
So again, most people who hike in the Haleakala summit district and Kipahulu district do so on different days.
But, if you REALLY want to, you can hike both sides of Haleakala National Park in one day.
This would basically be a Haleakala hiking ONLY trip, and if you are prepared to make it a long day with a lot of time in the car.
How to spend one day hiking in Haleakala National Park on both sides:
- 7am: Start in Kaanapali (West Maui) or Wailea (South Maui)
- Drive to Haleakala Visitor Center (not HQ visitor center) – 2 hours
- 9am: Hike the Sliding Sands Trail (hike down for 20 minutes, then turn around) – 1 hour
- Drive to the summit and walk around – 10-20 minutes
- Depart by 11am: Drive the Hana Highway to get to the Haleakala coastal area Kipahulu Visitor Center – 3.5-4 hours with no stops and no major traffic delays
- Hike the Pipiwai Trail – 2-3 hours
- Hike the Kuloa Point Trail – 30 minutes
- FINISHED! Depending on how much daylight you have left, you can make some Road to Hana stops on the way back. If it’s still light out, for sunset stop by Hookipa Beach to see turtles! The drive from Kipahulu back to West Maui or South Maui might be around 3-3.5 hours. Or bring your own everything and stay in a Waianapanapa State Park cabin overnight! There might be a minimum stay requirement.
Or something like that! Things may not go as planned! No matter what though, it’s sure to be a great Maui adventure!
Notes:
- With this kind of plan, you may not be back to your hotel in West Maui or South Maui until 8pm or 9pm!
- When looking at google maps, you’ll look for your first destination in the summit area as the “Haleakala Visitor Center“, not the “Haleakala headquarters visitor center” that you’ll pass shortly after the park entrance
- To get from the summit area to the Kipahulu coastal area, google maps may show an alternate route that is faster, but that’s the “back road to Hana” and it’s not recommended. First time visitors to Maui do drive it, but be sure to look into it before deciding to drive that way.
- Check the sunset time before you go so you know how much time you have left at the end of the day! In winter, sunset on Maui might be around 6pm. In summer, sunset on Maui might be around 7pm.
- On your way to the Haleakala coastal district, stop by the Keanae Peninsula for famous Road to Hana banana bread. It will be closed on the way back. They might be out of banana bread by 2:30pm. Cash only if you will be buying just one loaf.
- If you have time, the ONE stop not to miss on the Road to Hana on the way back I would say is Waianapanapa State Park! This is the location of Maui’s famous black sand beach. It also has one of the best hikes to see lava fields on Maui. This does require a reservation in advance. It’s about a 45 minute drive from the national park to the state park. (There is camping at the state park too, along with cabins – book early.)
- If you want to stop for food with an outdoor seating area that accepts credit cards on the way back, you might try Hana Farms or Braddah Hutts BBQ food truck.
- Bring food and water! Not only do they not sell these items in the national park, but it’s less time you’ll need to spend stopping for food. And if you will be hiking, then you especially want to make sure to have water and snacks as part of your hiking essentials for Hawaii! (If you’re renting a car for a few days, just have a few gallons of water in the trunk for easy refill!)
- The earlier you start, the better!
So, if you’re chasing national parks and have minimal time on Maui, or if want to dedicate minimal time to the national parks, while still seeing what the different areas have to offer, then you CAN do it in one day.
Be prepared for a packed day and a long day!
And a REST day the following day! The beach can make for a perfect recovery day! See where to go for the best snorkeling spots on Maui!
Or if you’re ready for more Maui adventures, then see:
- How to spend one day in the West Maui Mountains
- Best things to do in West Maui
- Best things to do in South Maui
- Best hikes on Maui with amazing views
And that’s a bit about the best hiking in Haleakala National Park!
See the great Maui hiking trails:
- Sliding Sands Trail
- Pipiwai Trail
- Kuloa Point Trail
- Waihee Ridge Trail
- 13 Crossings Trail
- Waianapanapa Coastal Trail (see old volcano lava flows in East Maui)
- Hoapili Trail (see old volcano lava flows in South Maui)
- Kapalua Coastal Trail
- Dragons Teeth Trail
And for even more to do on Maui, if you are looking for a way to spend your day that will keep you somewhat active, you can make it a day trip to the far north of West Maui with a bunch of shorter walks:
- Hike to the Nakalele blowhole
- Hike to the Olivine tide pools
- Hike the Ohai Loop Trail
- Walk to the Kahakuloa Bay overlook (or drive to it if you dare)
No matter which hike you do in Haleakala National Park, be sure to come prepared for hiking in Hawaii!!
At the very least, this includes WATER and snacks for EVERY hike! Proper shoes for hiking would be very good for all of these hikes as well. Take a look at the hiking essentials for Hawaii!
If you’ll be visiting other Hawaiian islands, see more hikes in Hawaii with amazing views:
- Best hikes on Lanai (day trip from Maui)
- Best hikes on the Big Island
- Best hikes on Oahu
See more ideas of how to spend your days on Maui!
HAPPY HIKING IN HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK!
