The best hikes in Maui are ALL of the hikes if you love being immersed in nature, in the middle of the jungle, with tall cliffs on one side of you and sheer drop offs on the other side. No seriously – it’s true! And yes, everyone wants to see a Waterfall but let me tell you we saw some of the most amazing views among other things on our hikes and I can not put into words how incredible every hike was and much I loved it.
We had a BLAST when we went to Hawaii last year. It was amazing and magical and ALL THE THINGS we could have ever wished for. But we only went on a couple of hikes. Every day was full and when I researched the best hikes in Maui I was in a rush and really didnt have time to look into them all. So I decided to put together this list…for any future hikers going to Hawaii and for us so when we go back (and we will!) we can reference this list!
My List of the 7 Best Hikes in Maui
Maui is a hiking paradise, with trails that offer breathtaking views of lush valleys, cascading waterfalls, and the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a casual stroll, there’s a trail that’s perfect for you. Here are some of the best hiking trails in Maui – a few I have been to and a few I WANT to go to!
- The Pipiwai Trail is a must-do hike for anyone visiting Maui. This 4-mile round trip hike takes you through a lush rainforest, past cascading waterfalls, and to the base of the 400-foot Makahiku Falls. The trail is well-maintained and offers plenty of opportunities for swimming and picnicking along the way.
- The Waimoku Falls Trail is another great option for waterfall enthusiasts. This 4-mile round trip hike via the Pipiwai Trail takes you through a bamboo forest and to the base of the 400-foot Waimoku Falls. Along the way, you’ll also pass by the Pu’u Kukui Lookout, which offers panoramic views of the island. You could even hike the Pipiwai AND Waimoku in the same day! It’s like the top 2 hikes in Maui combined into one!
- The Kapalua Coastal Trail is a great choice for those looking for a more leisurely hike. This 2-mile trail takes you along the coast, offering stunning views of the ocean and the island’s rugged coastline. The trail is also great for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
- The Haleakala Crater Loop is a challenging hike that takes you to the summit of Maui’s 10,023-foot volcano. The trail is 8.5 miles round trip and takes you through a variety of different ecosystems, from lush rainforest to barren desert. The summit offers panoramic views of the island and the surrounding Pacific Ocean. In fact, you should check out all of the Haleakala Summit Trails is you really want to go on some fun & really interesting hikes with some amazing views!
- Iao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop is a great hike for those who want to explore Maui’s rich cultural and historical heritage. The park features several trails, including the 2-mile Iao Needle Lookout Trail, which takes you to the top of the 1,200-foot Iao Needle for panoramic views of the valley and the surrounding rainforest. If you’re really feeling froggy you could also check out Iao’s “Secret Trail” aka Sao Tableland Trail. It was closed as of the time we posted this blog but it could be open by the time you read it!
- The Road to Hana has a bunch of trails as well! We went on the Waikamoi Nature Trail which was a relatively easy hike with a waterfall at the end that we swam in.
- We also went to the Seven Sacred Pools at ‘Ohe’o Gulch and hiked out to see the 7 Sacred Pools and the black sand beach which was GORGEOUS and so worth it! The Black Sand Beach was closed but the view was spectacular and my hubby climbed all over the rocks (which is dangerous kids, don’t do that) and I got some great pics of him.
6 Tips I wish I had known before our Hike
- Wear good shoes! I wore my Earthrunners Circadian Adventure Sandals and my husband wore his super expensive water shoes with toes that shall not be named when we visited the Maunawili Falls via Pali Highway on Oahu. He was so concerned they would not be good enough but at the end of a HARD 9 mile hike, my feet hurt just a little and his literally had the bottom fall off of one. *snicker*
- Bring water. In fact bring a backpack and put extra water in it, a towel, a first aid kit, gum, snacks and a phone charger because you are going to wear out your battery taking pics and videos if you are anything like me. But mot important is Water. Yes this is the one that bit me in the rear. I literally forgot mine on Maunawili and we ended up going 9 miles without water. Not fun.
- Check the weather. No seriously – check it. Maui weather is different in each season but it can be cold in the jungle even when its 80! Check the weather and bring appropriate clothing.
- Never go alone! MANY of these trails will be in the jungle and you will NOT have cell service. Make sure someone knows where you are!
- Make sure you know when sunset is and approximately how long the hike will take and make SURE you head back in time to reach your car before it gets dark! We made it back to our car barely in time. I shudder to think what it would have been like trying to navigate those trails in the dark with a dead cell phone and no flash light.
- Get the AllTrails app and download the hike map in advance. This way when you are on your hike and you are wondering how long until you get to that waterfall, you will know exactly where you are because the maps work on GPS! It also is a lifesaver if you come to a split and you have no idea which trail to take. Trust me on this.
No matter which trail you choose, you are going to have some of the most EPIC hikes in your life on Maui. And don’t forget your camera – these trails offer some of the most beautiful views in all of Hawaii.
Here are some photos of our hikes in Maui. I truly can not wait to go back!
I plan on writing a bunch of posts about our Trip to Hawaii with all of our best spots we visited, tips I wish I had known and cool places to visit and things to do so make sure you bookmark my site and please help a small business out and share this on Facebook or Instagram or wherever you post! Whats next? Watch out for my next blog post on the Road to Hana & Best Hikes in Oahu!
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