SOUTH DAKOTA The Kpahulu District is one of the main stops on the Road to Hana. My husband and I are over 65, fairly active, and would like to hike this trail this February. GRAND CANYON AZ Sitting back and riding in comfort? Hiking shoes. It's at the Kipahulu end of the Road to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This beautiful banyan tree is not quite as big as the one in Lahaina, but it is not nearly as crowded and a great photo op. I don't mind buying something where we stop! 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. You will sweat. Haleakal National Park: The Complete Guide, The 7 Best Hikes in Haleakal National Park, The Complete Guide to Driving Maui's Road to Hana, 12 Best Things to Do With Teenagers on Maui, 17 of the Most Beautiful Places in Hawaii, Joshua Tree National Park: The Complete Guide, The 10 Best Hikes in Smoky Mountains National Park, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park: The Complete Guide, 10 National Parks Tied to Asian/Pacific American History. In 45 minutes, you can reach the Kpahulu district, getting here first thing in the morning, when crowds are low. You will need to use the "full site" if using a mobile device. Thank you! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. YELLOWSTONE WY This narrow stretch of road on the northwest side of Maui is for the experienced driver, but a great alternative to Road to Hana. At mile one you will enter the first of three bamboo forests. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88173006', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Hana anyway, the Pipiwai trail is one of the best and moderate hikes on Maui. Most Internet sources say it takes 2 1/2 5 hours to hike. You probably dont want to hike it in the dark though! I wish there was an easy way to post photos on this site. A lot of people choose to drive straight through to Oheo Gulch, do the hike, and then drive back the way you came, making extra stops along the way. Please use extreme caution when crossing the stream, especially if it's been raining. PICTURED ROCKS MI Once you emerge from the bamboo, you are getting close to the end of the trail. Are there any points in the trail that have a narrow point and dangerously close to edges. You will hike through a bamboo forest!! Lahaina is a town located on the western coast of the island and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Maui. On google maps, there is Ppwai Trailand the Kipahulu Visitor Center. The Ppwai Trail is located in the Kpahulu District of Haleakala National Park in Maui. 1 year ago Save Just did this today - left northernmost Kihei at 6:40, got to the Pipiwai at about 10. We are visiting from Washington in April. We really enjoyed the Waihee ridge trail that is sort of northwest of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Kpahulu District is open from 9 am to 5 pm. You may want to have a poncho, umbrella, hat, and/or a backpack to protect your camera if it rains. Sound-bite: [insert hollow percussive sounds of bamboo striking one another]. Continuing along the trail past a couple of bridges, youll start to notice scattered groves of bamboo, which will eventually turn into a thick bamboo forest. The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle. PEARL HARBOR HI Unless you rented a truck or jeep this route is very hard to navigate and a little scary at times. WYOMING Its also the hottest, since it is the sunniest part of the trail. Be sure to take a close look at their roots, which grow from the branches down to the ground and expand outward. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88163443', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Hana any justice, you will need 12 hours, including the time for the Pipiwai Trail. No--you need to do the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The paddleboarders said the shark broke their paddle and punctured the board, but they managed to stay on and escape. This will get you a 3 day Haleakala pass, and you can use it to visit both the Kipahulu side and the summit side of the national park. The Kpahulu District is located on the south coast of Maui. Its not a very long drive, at least in terms of distance, but because of the hundreds of turns and one-way bridges, it takes several hours to drive this stretch of road. Pipiwai trail is a moderate, 4 mile (roundtrip), hike located in Kipahulu, that starts at the 'O'heo Gulch and ends at the awe inspiring Waimoku Falls. 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. This first part of the trail is one of the steepest sections of the hike. I dont beleive the mailing address for the park is at this location. Even if the pools are closed below, this hike is exceptional. Then 45 mins way back. Tip: Take all warning signs seriously. Katherine is a freelance writer who covers Hawaii and California travel for Tripsavvy. https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/kipahulu.htm, http://mauiguidebook.com/adventures/itinerary-shelbys-kipahulu-day/. Otherwise, you can take the Northern route and simply get out when most people turn around. Witness a breathtaking bamboo jungle and dramatic cliffs. HAWAII EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS They are located in Lahaina, Kihei, and Paia. Thanks, Aloha Joanne it depends how used to hiking or fit the children are. My husband has a bad knee (it hurts to walk), but I can get him to walk around the neighborhood. This trail does have some shade but there are sections where you will be exposed to the sun. There was nothing different that day than any other day, a rock fell, as they do from time to time, and struck a child. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Me and my girlfriend started in mid-afternoon and really enjoyed it. If you get here too late in the day, not only will large crowds which make parking challenge, but the park may not even be open. How much time should we allocate to do this hike? WHAT TO WEAR SNORKELING When is the best month to hike the trail and what airport is closest? more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. You will still get a taste of the spectacular scenery and views of a beautiful natural waterfall without completing the entire trail. Some people decide to swim on their way, either in rivers or at the very end under the fall. 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 town has a rich history, dating back to ancient times when it was a center for Hawaiian royalty. Make bee-line for State Park. Whats the best route to take to get to trail head from Lahaina? $. The National Park Service offers a guided hike along the Pipiwai Trail on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. on a reservation basis. Continue on the path (and up more stairs before the terrain levels out) to immerse yourself in the bamboo forest. There are no benches. Spots are limited so you need to book well in advance. Once you emerge from the bamboo forest, you cross a few more bridges, climb a few more sets of stone steps, and come to the end of the trail. Its a great hike. The trail goes through a beautiful bamboo forest and ends at. 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. Just past the third section of bamboo is the breathtakingly lovely Waimoku Falls with its steep fern-covered walls. Located above the Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools), Pipiwai Trail is 4 miles roundtrip and gains 650 ft. of elevation. Its beautiful. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails. The restrooms at Kamahina State Wayside Park were open at 6 also the RR at Ke'anae will be open around that time too. Being a Realtor on Maui is a dream come true for me. For more things to do in Haleakala National Park, with recommendations on how to plan your time, read our Guide to Haleakala National Park. They really need to do something about the road to the Black sand beach, seriously. PRO HIKING TIP: This trail can be extremely muddy if it has recently rained. Right near the main parking lot and Kipahulu Visitor Center, youll find the start of the trail. Our pictures seriously dont do it justice. Bamboo Forest ~ Pipiwai Trail If you are going to drive to Hana, the Bamboo forest is a trail worth taking. The NPS has even built a boardwalk to span the muddy sections and have been adding more stone steps in the steeper grade areas in the past couple years oooh the luxury! Hana airport is the closest, however, if youre not flying in from another island to stay in Hana specifically, youll likely want to drive from where you stay. Photo Credit: Sue Salisbury Maui Hawaii. The trail can be slippery at certain areas due to the on and off rain, so make sure you bring proper hiking shoes, or shoes that have some decent traction. If they can walk 3-4 miles then they should be fine doing the whole thing there is a lot of interesting scenery (even for kids!) Easier (downhill) but just as rewarding with a new angle from which to view the scenery. Since the Pipiwai Trail is a part of Haleakala National Park, an entry fee is required. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-110506590', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kihei area to the Pipiwai Trailhead, if we don't make any other stops along the road to Hana? Even though most of the photos youll see from this trail show wooden walkways within the bamboo forest, dont let that fool you! 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. You won't be covered by any (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Pipiwai Trail is 4 miles roundtrip, gaining 650-feet in elevation. Have fun, stay safe, and let us know what you think! It's a very long way back if you do get injured;so just use caution when approaching the falls. Either lot is fine but the lower lot is closer to the visitor center and restrooms. I would recommend most people take the clockwise (north) route to Hana and just dont stop at too many stops along the way of you plan to visit this trail. One of the easiest ways to access the pools is via the Pipiwai Trail. Stop at Travaasa in Hana for restroom and gift store. Even at a safe distance youll be cooled and refreshed by the mist and wind created by the falling water. 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. Im in Hana now. This NPS Map more accurately shows the trail and streams. Driving from Paia to Pipiwai Trail took me a little under 2.5 hours. Also, is there an address for the park? As many have said, its more about the journey than the destination, but we think both in this case are pretty awesome! Took us just north of two hours to get back, there was some traffic only in the very end. It's 30.00 and is good for a year. Copyright 2023 Guide of US, LLC. Aloha Mark, The hike starts at the park staging area ($10 per vehicle to get in.) This 400 foot waterfall is one of the tallest in Maui. Driving directly from Wailea to Pipiwai Trail might be a little under 3 hours with minimal traffic, by way of Paia. SNORKELING SHIRTS Can anyone tell me about how long it will take us to drive from the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Learn about the best time to visit Maui . Once you cross the bridge, youll enter the Bamboo Forest, which starts with a stone pathway and quickly becomes a nice boardwalk. The seven sacred pools are 20 minutes in the opposite direction- but that is just tourist bs- this hike is the real deal. On the summit side is where you will find the Haleakala summit (of course) and the famous Haleakala crater hike. Riper (to the point where the skin begins to crack and become damaged) is better. 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. Kahekili Highway. HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK: Get a list of the best things to do in Haleakala National Parkand how to hike the amazing Sliding Sands Trail and Halemauu Loop. What are they like in October? This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Water. The 1.8-mile trail is easy, pet-friendly and only has elevation gain of 350 feet. Otherwise, it may route you on the back road to Hana. I highly recommend wearing hiking shoes or a pair of shoes that you dont mind getting muddy. I saw that your post was just in August 2020 and wondering if they have the 7 scared pools open at the time. That probably took close to 30 min. Thanks for any advice you can give! Aloha Darren I just hiked it yesterday love this trail, if you are 20 and active, youre all good You dont need a guide, just give yourself plenty of time to enjoy! I recommend parking on the upper loop of the parking lot as it's closer to the Pipiwai Trailhead. Jan 13, 2023 | Sight Seeing on Maui, Things to do on Maui. There are a TON of stops along the Hana Highway you can make along the way to Pipiwai Trail. Have fun! The hike brings you to Waimoku Falls, a breathtaking 400-foot waterfall then you turn around and return to the start. Thank you! As the trail continues winding, if you pay careful attention the bamboo will begin to thin and trees will start coming back. Call ahead. Mountain apples are oddly attached to the trees on which they grow. In 2021, an individual pass costs $30 per vehicle. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88162562', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Hana.