ALOHA!
So if you have a half day to spare, the Waihee Ridge Trail can be a perfect hike to do!
This hike is considered to be one of the best hikes in the West Maui mountains, as well as one of the best hikes on all of Maui.
It comes with amazing views!
It does require a little bit of work for those views, but you’ll likely think it’s worth it!
👆 Spot the person on the Waihee Ridge Trail!
Tips for hiking the Waihee Ridge Trail
- Maui ridge trail with views!
- Waihee Ridge Trail difficulty
- Waihee Ridge Trail safety
- Can you get to Waihee Ridge Trail by bus?
- Can you take an uber to Waihee Ridge Trail?
- My experience hiking the Waihee Ridge Trail
- More hikes in the West Maui mountains
This is what’s below! I hiked the Waihee Ridge Trail on Maui and this is my experience!
Maui ridge trail
So this is a ridge trail, and that means for part of the trail you’ll the hiking along the “ridge” or basically along the top of a mountain range!
Ridge trails in Hawaii are some of the best hikes in Hawaii for the views! You can do the Waihee Ridge Trail on Maui, the Kaiwa Ridge Trail on Oahu, and the Koloiki Ridge Trail on Lanai! 😄
Is the Waihee Ridge Trail a difficult hike?
You’ll be hiking UP on the Waihee Ridge Trail, so it wouldn’t really be called an easy hike either.
It’s been rated as a difficult hike.
It might be a little strenuous but it’s also not ridiculously strenuous.
Going up means that you’ll also be hiking down.
Using hiking poles could help to take the stress off your knees as you’re going down.
You can get some pretty nice views even if you don’t make it all the way to the top.
The Waihee Ridge Trail, as described by the State of Hawaii:
Beginning at 1,000 ft elevation, the Waihee Ridge Trail climbs the windward slope of west Maui through a brushy guava thicket, a young stand of planted trees, and wet native scrub forest.
Views of Waihee Gorge and Makamakaole Gulch can be seen along the way.
On the peak, at 2,563 ft are panoramic views of Wailuku and central Maui, the Kahakuloa slopes, and Mount Eke.
This trail is a part of the Hawaii Na Ala Hele Trail and Access Program.
The Waihee Ridge Trail is listed as a 5 mile round trip hike, with 1563 ft elevation change.
I was walking at a leisurely pace, and I was on the trail for a little over 2 hours.
Safety
The people of Maui would also like you to know…
Hazardous cliff warning: This trail or area contains this hazard. The ground may break off without warning and you could be seriously injured or killed.
Please brush off you shoes before and after your hike.
Diseases and invasive plant seeds can stick on shoes and gear.
Can you get to Waihee Ridge Trail by bus?
The nearest bus stop to the Waihee Ridge Trail is around 4 miles from the start of the trail.
So for most people, this probably isn’t walking distance.
This would mean that you can’t get to Waihee Ridge Trail by bus.
Can you take Uber to Waihee Ridge Trail?
I met someone who took an Uber to the Waihee Ridge Trail from around Lahaina (just south of Kaanapali in West Maui), and she said it cost around $40 one way.
You don’t need to be on Maui to check Uber prices, so you can have a look at the Uber app for more specific costs from where you’re staying.
🌴
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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My experience hiking the Waihee Ridge Trail in the West Maui mountains!
The beautiful views you’ll get from the drive to the trailhead and from parking lot are just the beginning of what you get to see with a hike on the Waihee Ridge Trail!
It’s generally said that it’s best to start this hike in the early morning, as there’s a chance that cloud cover will come through later in the day.
Clouds can mean obstructed views, which can mean you may not get to see as much of the amazing views.
I ended up starting this hike late morning.
As I was driving over and getting closer, close to 11am, I saw some clouds in the mountains which made me a little nervous about if I’d get those views from the top of the trail.
Well, as it turns out, the mountain side was pretty cloudy…
But ocean side was almost perfectly clear for most of the hike!
Although, towards the top the clouds became more noticeable ocean side!
So, if you also see clouds in the direction you’re headed towards as you’re driving to the trail, there’s still a chance that you’re not too late!
More hikes in the West Maui mountains
Make it a hiking day!
The day I did the Waihee Ridge Trail went like this:
- Waihee Ridge Trail
- 13 Crossings Trail (waterfall hike with small bamboo forest)
- Iao Valley (to see the famous Iao needle – no strenuous hiking)
The Waihee Ridge Trail is a short drive from the 13 Crossings Trail. So if you’re looking for a multi-hike day, it can be reasonable to pair these hikes together. Waterfalls in the West Maui mountains you can kind of easily access are a rarity! See pictures from waterfall hike.
Some people may think that doing both of these trails in one day is a bit much. So it will be best to consider your ability before deciding to do both in one day. Just doing one of these hikes can be plenty for some people.
Also see another one of the best hikes on Maui: the national park bamboo forest hike that leads to waterfalls!
And see more great hikes on Maui!
If you’re staying in Lahaina, Kaanapali, or Kapalua, also see great things to do in West Maui.
If you’re staying in Wailea, see great things to do in South Maui.
HAPPY HIKING IN THE WEST MAUI MOUNTAINS!
