Pa Kaoao Trail (views!) short hike to red Haleakala crater overlook in Haleakala National Park 🌴 Maui Hawaii travel blog

ALOHA!

 

So if you are looking to do just one hike in Haleakala National Park when you are on Maui, then I think that’s the Sliding Sands Trail, which starts near the Pa Kaoao Trail. (Also written as Pā Ka’oao Trail and the Haleakalā crater, per the Hawaiian language.)

 

 

If you have a little extra time (like 20 minutes), then I think the Pa Kaoao Trail can be a worthy hike (walk).

You can easily add this in as a stop along side your drive to the Haleakala summit.

It can also be perfect to do after you have seen the Haleakala sunrise!

If you are looking to save a little bit of time, then I think you can skip the Pa Kaoao Trail, but be sure make sure to head to the lookout that’s right near the Haleakala Visitor Center. This is basically right next to the parking lot. You’ll get those famous red crater views!

 

 

Doing the Pa Kaoao Trail means you’ll be walking UP a little, which that means at the “destination” or “summit” of the Pa Kaoao Trail (end point of the trail) you get these views from a little higher up. 

 

 

 

It’s said to be less than half a mile round trip. Don’t forget to add in a little bit of extra time to stop and take in the views! It’s a well-maintained dirt trail so it’s considered an easy trail. 

 

 

What the National Park Service says about Pa Kaoao Trail aka White Hill Trail

The trail climbs to the top of a volcanic cinder cone for views of the Haleakala Wilderness Area and the highest peaks of the Big Island.

 

 

More below in pictures of what you can see from the Pa Kaoao overlook!

 

 

🌴

 

 

 

Now…

More PHOTOS!

So the Pa Kaoao Trail is up towards the Haleakala summit.

So you’ll drive almost all the way there.

 

 

Then, you’ll see a sign for the Haleakala Visitor Center. (This is different from the HQ visitor center that’s more near the park entrance.)

For the Pa Kaoao Trail, you’ll want to park at the visitor center.

 

 

Then after you’ve parked you can first visit the visitor center to learn about the Haleakala volcano!

 

 

Right near the Haleakala Visitor Center is where you’ll find the viewing area as well to get your first real glimpse of this part of the Haleakala volcano! (If you didn’t stop at the Kalahaku Overlook on your drive up!)

 

 

And also right near the visitor center is where you’ll find the start of the Pa Kaoao Trail.

 

 

And that’s a bit of what you’ll see on the Pa Kaoao Trail!

 

What to do after this short hike?!

Well, you can head off to do a couple of the things you saw while on the Pa Kaoao Trail!

You can hike down into the Haleakala crater by taking the Sliding Sands Trail…

 

 

Or drive further up to the Haleakala summit!

 

 

See more about the drive up to the Haleakala summit during the day!

 

And that’s a bit about a great short hike near the Haleakala summit to see grand views of the Haleakala crater!

 

Plus, if you are interested in Pa Kaoao Trail, then you may also be interested in these top activities on Maui:

• Sliding Sands Trail
• Pipiwai Trail
• Waihee Ridge Trail
• Iao Valley lookout
• How to spend one day in the West Maui Mountains
• Kapalua Coastal Trail
• Nakalele Blowhole
• Hoapili Trail
• Best of Maui hiking

 

HAPPY HIKING THE PA KAOAO TRAIL IN HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK!