HTMC
Hikers' Guide
to Maui

Revised July, 2000
MAUI
- MAUI is the second largest of the Hawaiian islands. Many
folks agree with the old saying "Maui no ka oi" ("Maui is the best").
Day hikes
- Certainly the best known hiking areas are to be found in
Haleakala National Park. If you are in shape, you can do Haleakala
Crater in a day descending from the summit (10,000 ft.) along the
Sliding Sands Trail to the crater floor (6500 ft.), hiking across the
crater and exiting via the Halemauu Trail to the road (8000 ft.). This
is about 12 miles. You may then want to catch a ride to your car which
will be several miles away. An alternative would be to descend part way
down Sliding Sands and return the same way. Views are best in early
morning and late afternoon.
- In the coastal area of the park, beyond Hana, there is a
trail leading from the so-called 'Seven Pools' to Waimoku Falls about 2
miles upstream. Wainapanapa State Park near Hana has cabins, safe
camping, and very interesting 4 mile coastal trail across rough lava.
You can fly into Hana airport and hike to the park along this trail
(about 2 miles). For cabins, reserve well in advance by writing or
calling the Division of State Parks, P.O. Box 1049, State Office Bldg.,
Wailuku, HI 96793 (808-243-7389).
- There is also a cabin, trail shelters and a network of
forest trails at Polipoli State Park (elev. 6000 ft.). The access road
to Polipoli is often in bad condition and may require a 4 wheel drive
vehicle. Polipoli is often socked in by clouds and the forest is
non-native making it perhaps less interesting to the visitor.
- There are beautiful hikes in other areas of Maui,
especially in the West Maui Mountains, but the trails are harder to
find and seldom maintained. A good area to explore would be Iao Valley
State Park which has several short trails that are frequently traveled.
A scenic lookout and native garden enhances the area.
- Waihe'e Ridge features a well maintained State trail ending
at an impressive overlook of deep gorges and massive ridges leading to
Pu'u Kukui, one of the wettest areas on earth. Pu'u Kukui itself, is a
managed area and off-limits to hiking.
Backpacking:
Haleakala National
Park
- There are 30 miles of trails in the crater, two camping
areas, and three cabins. (Inquire about water availability before
starting.) You can easily spend several days here camping (or using the
cabins). There are cinder cones, lava flows, native plants and birds,
and lots of silence.
- If you desire, you can cross the crater and descend through
the Kaupo Gap to the coast (14 miles and hard on the knees). You are
out of the park now but you can camp on the coast near Kaupo Church (a
peaceful and lovely spot but lacking in fresh water). From there follow
the road to the Seven Pools area where you reenter the national park
and can camp again. At some point, however, you will probably want to
arrange for a ride back to Hana or Wailuku.
- To reserve cabins you must enter a lottery 3-4 months in
advance, i.e. the drawing held June 1st is for dates in August. Send
your name and the preferred dates and locations (Holua Cabin for
Halemauu exit, Paliku Cabin for Kaupo Gap exit, Kapalaoa Cabin for
center of the crater) to Superintendent, Haleakala National Park, P.O.
Box 537, Makawao, HI 96768 (808-572-4400). Cabins have bunks,
woodstove, and fuel.
- The campgrounds in the crater are seldom filled and one can
generally sign up at Park Headquarters upon arrival.
- There is also a campground in Hosmer Grove near the Park
Headquarters.
- The only other area for backpacking on Maui that does not
involve special permission and some local expertise is Polipoli State
Park. The Skyline Trail descends from the Haleakala summit to Polipoli
(8 miles) and there are other, shorter trails in the area. Again you
would have to arrange for a ride from Polipoli to Wailuku or wherever
you wanted to end up.

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