Flash-flooding, rock falls and cliff/bridge jumping have taken several lives, and many natural dangers occur suddenly without warning. For more things to do in Haleakala National Park, with recommendations on how to plan your time, read our Guide to Haleakala National Park. 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 trail begins just across the road from the parking lot, and you dont have to walk very far (just over a half mile) before you come to the first set of large and impressive waterfalls: the Falls at Makahiku. If the parking lots are full, you will not be permitted to enter the park. Overall, it is not too difficult for most ages and fitness levels, you . Once youre past the incline, it is relatively smooth-sailing from there. Even if the pools are closed below, this hike is exceptional. Once youve cooled down and are ready to continue, you reverse the path from where you came. This state park, located upcountry As a family-owned business, we understand the budget challenges of vacationing in Hawaii. Its a great hike. Some people decide to swim on their way, either in rivers or at the very end under the fall. The seven sacred pools are 20 minutes in the opposite direction- but that is just tourist bs- this hike is the real deal. Bamboo Forest Maui Guide: Fun Hike to the Massive 400 Foot Waterfall There is a google map on this article with the location. Taking into account the easy accessibility, the Pipiwai Trail offers, hands-down, the all-around best of East Mauis most dramatic stream and waterfall hikes. Hi Mark, If you have any questions about how to hike the Ppwai Trail, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below. In 45 minutes, you can reach the Kpahulu district, getting here first thing in the morning, when crowds are low. 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. With some precautionary measures, your hike will be both safe and fun. Fee: $15 NPS Info: https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/kipahulu.htm 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. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. NEW YORK Although Pipiwai Trail is relatively simple to navigate, knowing what to expect before setting out will make it even easier to make the most of your time. You will hike in and out of the trees and walk over lots of tree roots. It's a very long way back if you do get injured;so just use caution when approaching the falls. 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! Hope that answers your question! 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. After passing through a gate, you will come upon a giant banyan tree. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. I would just plan to leave Lahaina before sunrise if you can, and take your time enjoying yourselves. GRAND CANYON AZ Took us just north of two hours to get back, there was some traffic only in the very end. By donating to our small business, you accept and acknowledge the donation terms. The Pipiwai Trail is one of the last places of interest on the Road to Hana, but its one stop, in our opinion, that is worth it. If youre a tree climber (or you have some in-tow like I usually do) youll be spending more than a couple minutes here. The park opens officially at 9 but they were letting people in early when we arrived. At the entrance booth you will pay the park entrance fee. I have hiked this trail with children dozens of times. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Its also the hottest, since it is the sunniest part of the trail. The Ppwai Trail is located in the Kpahulu District of Haleakala National Park in Maui. You may want to have a poncho, umbrella, hat, and/or a backpack to protect your camera if it rains. These mighty thundering falls will probably be more than enough waterfall for most. It has absolutely been my favorite part of the vacation so far. Nov. 2 9- 2014.knock me over w/ a featherThis hike is a Fait Accompliwhat else should we put on the Must Hit list? I hiked this trail in 2018 and the bamboo forest was one of my favorite parts. Aloha Jen it really is wonderful year-round. Near trailhead is the Oheo Gulch Visitor Center, Oheo Gulch (part of Haleakala National Park), Maui's Top Hotels, Resorts, B&Bs, & Vacation Rentals, Maui's Best Tours, Excursions, & Adventures, Maui Kayak Adventures - Tours & Activities. This gets you here quicker, but it is a more rugged, remote road than Highway 360 (the Hana Highway). There are no benches. There was nothing different that day than any other day, a rock fell, as they do from time to time, and struck a child. Called the Kpahulu district, this section of the park is lush, green, and filled with waterfalls, plant life, and beautiful coastal scenery. Getting to the Trail Getting to the Trail The Pipiwai Trail is in the Kipahulu district of Haleakal National Park. The traditional road to Hana is amazing and full of eye candy and begs you to stop and explore. I am wondering if you know of any public access areas that would be available for use if we brought our own equipment. 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. Makahiku Falls Information, Photos & More | Maui Hawaii Most people are familiar with the summit section where you can watch the sunrise from above the clouds, but theres a coastal section of the park in a town called Kipahulu, about 12 miles from Hana town. Is it worth it to travel to? The Kpahulu District is one of the main stops on the Road to Hana. Once the bamboo begins to thin out, youll pass some mountain apple trees and a small stream before emerging from the trees into a crescent-shaped rock wall in full view of Waimoku Falls. Pipiwai Trail from Kihei? Or other hikes we could do? - Maui Forum Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. Pipiwai Trail is part of Haleakala National Park and is located above Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools). 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. Maui Hiking: Pipiwai Trail - Kihei Rent A Car You may use these HTML tags and attributes: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Original info & content 2009 to 2023 Maui Guidebook.com, LLC, Maui, Hawaii. What are they like in October? From Khei it didnt take more than half an hour or so to get to the trailhead. Difficulty: The Pipiwai Trail is rated moderate due to the often muddy and uneven terrain. 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. Maybe avoid the side trails. Hours: 9 am to 5 pm; last entry at 4:30 pm. How much time should we allocate to do this hike? 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. Road to Hana: Best Things to Do, Map, Photos & is It Worth It? That probably took close to 30 min. Alternatively, you may use. That's being a little generous to allow for road work and traffic delays. Eat at Thai by Pranee in Hana after the hike. The trail alternates between compacted dirt and boardwalk trails. Spend some time in the mysterious, zen-like oasis before continuing out of the forest and towards Waimoku Falls. Its warm, yet not hot and theres always a chance for a light cool mist. You will wait in line in front of the entrance gate until a space becomes available. Find parking at the Kipahulu Visitors Center at Haleakala National Park for $25 per car. Otherwise, even without google maps, you will be able to get there just fine because again, you just keep driving on the Hana Highway. This trail is part of the Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve. The town has a rich history, dating back to ancient times when it was a center for Hawaiian royalty. 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. Is it worth the 2 hour trip out? There is no parking along Hana Highway. The proper name of this attraction is 'Ohe'o (Oh-Hey-Oh). Its beautiful. MOUNT RUSHMORE SD Reservations for sunrise 3 to 7 a.m. daily accepted. 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. 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. These 2 districts are not connected by road. (click to open full HNP map from nps.gov in new window). Past Hana. This first part of the trail is one of the steepest sections of the hike. OAHU The hike starts at the park staging area ($10 per vehicle to get in.) On a windy day, the bamboo stalks sound like wind chimes as the breeze knocks them together. If youre not fit enough to continue another mile (the hike back is all downhill, so we wont count that!) ROAD TO HANA - 2386 Photos & 662 Reviews - Yelp * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. Have a blast! Rangers are available at the Visitor Center to answer questions, offer suggestions, and talk story. In 2021, an individual pass costs $30 per vehicle. When is the best month to hike the trail and what airport is closest? Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Pipiwai Trail is 4 miles roundtrip, gaining 650-feet in elevation. Pipiwai Trail: The Best Waterfall Hike in Maui Hawaii **Park closure was extended from January 2023 to February 2023 For updated information go here: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/maui/iao-valley-state-monument/ Iao Valley is a lush, tropical valley located in the West Maui Mountains on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Nov 28, 2018 | Beautiful Maui Scenes, Sight Seeing on Maui, Things to do on Maui. Jen. Our luau is less than one quarter the size of the average luau in Hawaii. That would be 2 long car days. Plus, having something to look forward to will make all those steps more rewarding. Do drive straight to Oheo Gulch first, do the hike then site see on your way back. My fiance and I want to hike the Pipiwai Trail on Wed 6/12/19. . . To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Hiking is an awesome way to enjoy the beauty of Maui for free or very little. No matter how you choose to explore, our handpicked tours are sure to impress. Kihei to Pipiwai trail - Maui Forum - Tripadvisor I don't rec you take the "backside" from Kaupo to Ulupalakua, BTW. Here's a good online guidebook: http://mauiguidebook.com/things-to-do/road-to-hana-region/. 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. Here you'll find information on area waterfalls, Haleakala National Park, driving tips, and more to help you get the most out of your Maui vacation. Trying to decide if its worth bringing a rope etc or just stick with bouldering. If you drive straight to the trail without stopping, around 4 hours. THEODORE ROOSEVELT ND Years ago, the National Park Service added a handy boardwalk through this forest to keep hikers headed in the right direction and keep the mud at bay. You say you are in shape so climbing the equivalent of the sears tower in few miles should be doable! For the next half mile, you walk through this mystical bamboo forest. The trailhead for the Ppwai Trail is located to the left of the Visitor Center. Leave No Trace. 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. Soaring over The Valley Isle with a birds-eye view? Pipiwai Trail from Kihei? Or other hikes we could do? There are restrooms at the Visitor Center but none along the trail. Thanks! We are visiting from Washington in April. Many people are familiar with the Haleakal crater, which is famous for its sunrises and hiking trails that lead into the crater. 10 Jaw-Dropping Hawaii Waterfalls to Chase - Scenic States To avoid waiting in line, try to plan your arrival by 10 am. I have googled it but have heard to not trust the google maps drive times when it comes to RTH! 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.) Thanks for any advice you can give! Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. 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. aloha! Maui Parks & Hikes | Kihei Sands Beachfront Condominiums 3750 Wailea Alanui * Kihei, HI 96753. I was wondering how to get from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Lahaina is a town located on the western coast of the island and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Maui. Just looking for a rough estimate, thanks. I am going to Maui the third and forth week of march 2015. Hi would i want to plan a separate trip to hike this or can i do it on the same day as my road to Hana drive? They are located in Lahaina, Kihei, and Paia. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. If you drive straight to the trail your be missing so much. (It is actually past Hana town though technicalities!). 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. The pools are closed often and without much notice; Your best bet is to visit the Haleakala National Park website the day prior to your visit for updated closure information. Best bet is to check the Haleakala National Park website the day prior to your trip for real-time closure info. Twin Falls is another waterfall along the Road to Hana drive in the jungle of East Maui. Ive seen elsewhere were they have closed access to the pools and you cant get close to the water to see the falls. To Makahiku Falls Viewpoint From the trailhead, it is a 0.5 mile walk to the first viewpoint of the hike, the Makahiku Falls Viewpoint. Julie Last updated: January 27, 2023 United States 4 Comments. The out-and-back hike is located in the Kipahulu region of Haleakal National Park. Try to get there by 10 am or earlier for heat comfort. Maui Revealed by Andrew Doughty (2021, Trade Paperback, Revised edition Easier (downhill) but just as rewarding with a new angle from which to view the scenery. Even though most of the photos youll see from this trail show wooden walkways within the bamboo forest, dont let that fool you! 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. There is the normal parking lot right by the Kipahulu Visitor Center, and there is also an overflow parking lot. Just did this today - left northernmost (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The most difficult part of the hike occurs within the first half mile with a couple of steep areas. Driving to the Oheo Gulch & Back in One day? | Maui Hawaii We've updated both travel guides with a lot of new great information for potential visitors (and those who've been a time or two as well). Side Trip: Infinity Pool Being a Realtor on Maui is a dream come true for me. Luckily, the trail is long enough and diverse enough to provide hikers with plenty of space to explore. SOUTH DAKOTA Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability. As always, we also discourage visitors from swimming beneath the falls. I dont beleive the mailing address for the park is at this location. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled.