Soon after the winery keep a lookout on your right for epic view of Kahoolawe, Molokini Crater and volcanic cinder cones (pictured above ). : @kapenamorgan, What to expect driving the backside road to Hana. So, you will want to look into driving the back road to Hana further to see if you feel comfortable with it! The road leads you through flourishing rainforests, flowing waterfalls, plunging pools and dramatic seascapes. While the area around the falls is inside private property (Wailele Farm), it is easily accessible to the . We will land in the morning, rent a car, check out the western part of the island, and head to Hana in the afternoon. In this guide about driving the back road to Hana, well go over what to expect, how long it will take, where it starts, all the best stops and any necessary tips youll want to know before embarking on this Maui road trip. MICHIGAN I personally dont like to be on the road after dark at all, but once I make it to Kula (really even Ulupalakau), its fine driving back in the dark. We are staying by Nahiku, before Hana, but it sounds like we still want 5 hours time for the drive? Do this by picking up your trash and staying on the trail. Most visitors tend to zip to and from Hana with a checklist of sights to photograph. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. So on to the practicalities of the road itself. You are driving the Hana Highway to the town of Hana! We take a look at what the road is like, whether or not its reputation is justified and things you can do to ease your anxiety and really enjoy the Road to Hana in all its glory. It is such a unique and wonderful Road through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. There are quite a few places to stop to eat now, and quite a few restrooms now, What to Eat at Universal Studios, Hollywood, Chicago, Illinois Visitors Guide Basics. This part of Maui is known as Upcountry. Hairpin bends slice through thickly-forested mountain slopes, and there are no. Most of the road is one lane with pullouts. It's one of the most beautiful drives in the world. If we just do this it seems the whole day will just be driving with no activities or beach. Theyre seriously the only company I ever use. Also you can't enter the Park to hike the Pipiwai Trail until 9 am. Before I go onif you want to read my other Road to Hana posts, you can find them here: MY favorite Road to Hana itinerary, tips for driving the Road to Hana, and where to stay in Hana (in case you decide you want to spend the night). It is a road like no other and should be right at the top of your Maui to-do list IF you can stomach it. The scenic Road to Hana on Maui is the undisputed top attraction on the island. MAUI You can read Road to Hana tour reviews on getyourguide. Sounds fun? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases that gives me a small commission at no extra cost to you if you decided to make a purchase. Snorkeling at Molokini is one of the best things to do in Kihei. What did you do to mitigate them? The biggest mistake most people make when visiting Hana is trying to do it all in one day. And then, most people will end the Road to Hana at Hana or Kipahulu. MOUNT RUSHMORE SD We know simply by writing this some people will be up in arms at us stating the road is just a road and is nothing to fear. As you can see, the. Hanawi Falls. At last youve made it to Hana town. Guoliang Tunnel ( China) Sustained by the Hanawi Stream, here you'll find that the lower waterfall cascades 200 feet into a freshwater pool. This snake-like road is 52 miles (84 km) long and runs from Kahului to Hana. The Road to Hana is not undiscovered anymore and there are just people everywhere. Or is falling off the road to our deaths a serious consideration? This is great to know thanks. Your other option is to turn around and drive back the way you came or continue around the island on the Hana Highway a.k.a. Getting Around Maui without a Car Guide to Mauis Public transportation, What Food to Eat in Hawaii? It is still manageable, and 99.99% (warning Made up Stat!) Side Note: If youre looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount Hawaii Car Rentals. GRAND CANYON AZ I will say though, that while I have driven this in a Jeep, Ive also driven it in a sedan and a full size pickup. Want flexible cancellation terms? In general I did not find the main part of the Road to Hana to be particularly dangerous or scary. How long does it take to drive to Hana backside? The backside road is VERY different from the front road and definitely worth experiencing. Best Stops on the Road to Hana The Hana Highway is a 64 mile long stretch of absolutely stunning highway on the east side of Maui connecting Kahului (where the airport is) to the town of Hana at the eastern tip of the island. Starting your journey to Hana on this side is a great way toexperience this side of, Day 256 of traveling the world full time! You'll battle the traffic with other day trippers, missing some of the drive's highlights due to time constraints and eventually running out of . There are many adventures to have in Hana so I always recommend staying a night or two in Hana to be able to experience all that Hana has to offer. Accidents are common and you may be more likely to have a small bump, brush a wall/banking, or get stuck in a ditch than regular highways, but you are less likely to actually injure yourself than on most roads in Hawaii. All proceeds go to keep Jess traveling and coffee . JEWEL CAVE SD, HAWAII TRAVEL PLANNING (try our Is the Road to Hana Worth it or Hana Highway Guide for more detailed descriptions). The Road to Hana is said to be one of the most dangerous roads in the world. We are sure you will love it, if your husband is a confident driver he will have no issues at all. Both before and during. The #1 best thing you can do to avoid crowds along the Road to Hana BY FAR is just getting an early start. ALL OF THIS BEING SAIDif this makes you nervous, if youre not an easy driver, if youre not used to trail driving or driving outside of a city, if you have an overwhelming fear of heights or significant anxiety, or if you question the safety for ANY reason, its always best not to go! And if you just want more details (more! What makes it so dangerousIts a road! But really, we want people to experience the road for themselves. On an island full of beautiful scenery, the Road to Hana is among Maui's most gorgeous attractions. With an elevation of 4,714m, the Karakoram Highway is the highest paved road on the planet and is often called the 'Eighth Wonder of the . What we wanted to do in the west was bathe in the waters of Kanapali (which we hear is a world class beach) and maybe (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We will land in the morning, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? **Mama's Fish House. PEARL HARBOR HI Read the fine print as driving the back road to Hana, Maui maybreach your rental car agreement or insurance. I have sprinkled some affiliate links in this post. If I could sign up twice, I would ; ). Fortunately we had no issues but it was a windy, rainy drive and Im glad we did it but dont think we would do it again. Period. Hi Im Jess. Check your rental agreement and insurance this activity may breach your contract as this area of Maui is usually forbidden by rental car companies. (I think the back road may be closed to traffic anyway) That part of the road (going on from Hana towards Kula) is the part that is prone to washouts, etc. Its worth a stop if you have time. **Paia Historic Town. If you have a solid plan for where you want to stop and you just keep moving along, youll stay in front of the crowds all day and youll have a great time. It is then easy to imagine that people from Urban Los Angeles, used to colossal Freeways (which put the fear of God into us!) Get on my Email list to see what Im up to and all the best travel content! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114352716', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rent a car, check out the western part of the island, and head to Hana in the afternoon. It wouldnt be fun to do that on the front side with all the traffic and narrow winding roads! Thanks for sticking around and reading this whole post! Ive also had a few people recently ask me about starting in Paia and driving ALL the way to Hana without stopping and then turning around and doing their stops on the way back. This is the wrong way to do it. The Signs of fear are an elevated heart rate, sweaty palms, increased alertness, and a sense of dread and fear. Theyve got the largest selection of rentals youll find anywhere and you can easily filter to find exactly what youre looking for. Maybe well do Kanapali only and then head out east? Towels - It's most likely going to rain. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TN NC We personally have no issues at all but the fear is very real in many people and cant be dismissed. Click here to check rates for your trip. By far the majority of people turn around once they reach Hana and drive the same road back to Paia. However, the Road to Hana is not dangerous in and of itself, and for seasoned drivers, the trip should be a breeze. These are the main reasons people find the road uncomfortable. And finally, someone with little experience outside of their comfort zone, someone who driving is an anxious experience for in the best of times would just fond the road far too much. Our Hawaiian Food Guide to Hawaiis Must Try Foods, Best Beaches in Maui, Hawaii Our Ultimate Maui Beach Guide, How To Visit Maui on a Budget Saving money on your Maui, Hawaii Vacation. Set Aside Multiple Days. Once you leave the National Park, theres not really a ton of places I recommend to stop. YELLOWSTONE WY This park contains one of. Hawaii is known for some of the world's most beautiful waterfalls, and Maui is no exception. We just cant Visit Maui without taking a highway trip. The Road to Hana is generally known for it's 52 miles of winding turns, liable to cause nausea and dizziness among even the most experienced road trip enthusiast, as well as it's 59 Lara Croft-esque stone bridges nestled in the thick Hawaiian jungle. Located at the extreme southeast of the island of Maui, the city of Hana is like another island. the answer is an unequivocal YES! *Update when I was here May 2021 during a weekday around noon they were closed. I wouldn't suggest driving through Kahakuloa to any tourists. HALEAKALA HI There is almost nothing about the drive that causes anxiety in us. Then wed arrive in Nahiku about 3pm. (This is to say, they will say if something is scary, and the back road to Hana was not, to them.). Take the moral high ground and just drive in a way that ensures YOUR safety! 3 Bears Upper Waikani Falls (MM 19) Another quick stop on the side of the road a must stop on the road to hana. Certainly not for tourists. have no issue at all, but it is narrower, more exposed, and in places has no asphalt topcoat (Dirt Track). Road to Hana. People that make it all the way to Kipahulu are usually the ones that ask about turning back and retracing their path back through Hana and on to Paia or driving through (continuing clockwise around the island) the backside of the Road to Hana. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114353082', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maui to start the RTH? At this historic store you can purchase snacks and use a restroom if you are a customer. Fewer tourists lodge here than in other Maui locales, and in the morning it is quiet and peaceful. It includes 59 bridges during . It was ok, not really our thing. The Road to Hana is by its very nature one of the most dangerous things you will do on your Maui Vacation! If we arrive at the airport at 10am, you would suggest to simply start driving out east to Nahiku and not see the west at all? You can wear mosquito repellent, but there's not much you can do about the traffic. Alternatively, you may use. I just drove this twice in May when traffic wasn't heavy as it is now. paia town. FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES The road to Hana is composed of three different roads highways 36, 360 and 31. Report inappropriate content dusty56438 Saint Cloud. On average, that's one bend every 176 yards. at stops along the Road to Hana and they wonder if they start in Kula and do a reverse loop around the island if theyll run into fewer crowds and get a head start on their must see list. NEW YORK We find the best solution (like most things in life) is good communication. About the Road to Hana. This is why we find it a little odd so many are utterly petrified of the road. Standing up and talking in front of others caused untold anxiety and could only be faced with a LARGE amount of dutch courage. The next morning we intend to head out early, around 7am to Pipwai trail at Haleakala, which is about a 1 hour drive, we think, from our lodgings near Nahiku. It only costs a donation and just remember you are off-the-beaten path Maui so dont expect much. You need to be at the airport 3 hours before your flight and it's a 3 hour drive from Wainapanapa IF you aren't behind a slow train(qnd the traffic will be very heavy during that time you are headed to the airport) also if weather caused a downed tree or landslide you are just stuck. It becomes a dirt road for long stretches and even though we left for the day at 7AM, after a few stops and not really rushing we ended up in a situation where we were driving the most treacherous parts after dark (we almost hit a cow at one point, as herds will just wonder over the road in certain parts). Yes, it is remote, but there are hundreds of people driving the road, day and night, you are not going to be alone and stranded, even if you have to stop in a cell black spot. Get your car inspected . It will make you feel like your on a wild foreign adventure tho. After walking it, I did not have any regrets in deciding not to drive the back road to Hana! Hana Highway, also known as the Road to Hana, runs for more than 64 miles along state Highways 360 and 36, connecting Hana in east Maui with Kahului. Yikes. Overall i am a confident driver so it was fine, but I can definitely see many drivers not making this drive all the way to Hana town. It sounds like its changed a lot since you drove it, sounds more fun like that! My friend and I visited Maui in 2019 and neither of us was brave enough for the drive. There is no shame in knowing your limits and calling it quits. The Keanae Peninsula is one of the most famous Road to Hana stops. You will need to allow more time than you have. Ewa Beach, Oahu Robert Linsdell/Flickr The National Drug Intelligence Center mentions the high use of methamphetamine in Ewa Beach as well, and according to AreaVibes, you have a 1 in 27 chance of being a crime victim. Bottom line: read the actual fine print of your contract and know YOUR situation with your personal insurance and dont just go on hearsay. It won't take you 5 hours to get to Hana either. Heres my best tip for driving past Hana: always try to follow a car in front of you. Yum! Travel to or from the region of Hana to any other major population center takes several hours by car. Whether on your own or on a tour, you will see the gorgeous scenery of the rainforest, including . It gets pretty windy! Ive written a whole slew of posts about the Road to Hana, but theres one question I get asked more than othersshould I drive the backside of the road to Hana? The sheer remoteness of the area also plays on the mind. GULF ISLANDS FL Hamoa Beach (MM 51) Heading away from Hana, turn makai (toward the ocean) onto Haneoo Road when you reach it. Nahiku Marketplace. Does the inside lane/outside lane play more into the safety of it than the road conditions themselves? Super dangerous. Im just going to describe it as accurately as possible and relay my personal experiences so that you can make a decision that youre comfortable with. The Highway is very popular, and the narrow. 9. The southern route will save at the most 20 minutes off your drive. Fun fact: there are more than seven of them! There's a great souvenir shop here, and also a wide selection of food varying from island style tacos to kalua pork to classic hotdogs or mac 'n cheese! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114352867', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cars on the tight turns and one-lane sections); you're extremely unlikely to drive off the edge so long as you pay attention and don't speed; you don't want to take the southern (backside) road (it's at least as hazardous and a longer route to the airport). If your other half wants to drive the road then a tour is not a good compromise. How long is Hana Highway? Dont miss some of my most popular (and favorite) posts about Maui: my Maui favorites, the best Maui itinerary, how many days to spend on Maui, Maui vs Kauai, where to see turtles on Maui, my favorite road to Hana itinerary, guide for sunrise at Haleakala National Park, how to bike down Mauis volcano, my review of the Maui Pineapple Tour, 20 of the best adventure activities on Maui, 5 Maui day trips, and the best things to do on a Maui honeymoon. This is also the scary part of the Road to Hana. The Majority of the road is one-lane each way, although the road regularly drops down to one way for BOTH directions. In terms of the road, no there aren't cars falling off of it all the time (I mean, it happens, but) and it's not that scary to me if you are used to winding mountain roads. There's no doubt that Kahekili Highway is the most dangerous road in the US. However, many people who do not get caught up in the hype head to the road and come away scarred with tales of doom and dread of a hells highway that is near impossible to drive! In the end, was it all worth it for YOU? Dont be surprised to share space with several chickens and cows that live here. The back road to Hana conditions are as followed. Its mostly paved, but there are some portions that are gravel or a roughly graded cement. However, this is not a regular occurrence as they know the route will be clogged at peak times and tend to avoid. For most of the drive, a very narrow road winds through lush, green forests. If the (only) road from Kaanapali to central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I'll add, no, the late afternoon shouldn't be an especially dangerous time to drive the road (but it will take longer than 2 hours from the start of the RTH, let alone Kaanapali); you absolutely don't need a 4X4 (I prefer smaller (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Its a cumulative thing that adding in the fairly stressful driving conditions can tip people over the edge to the point the drive is just no longer fun. Yes. Subscribe for Hawaii Travel Tips, my Latest Content and Much More. I did not want to drive this most scary and dangerous part, and I walked part of the back road to Hana. The scary part of the back road to Hana by FAR is just getting an early.. Can easily filter to find exactly What youre looking for a rental car companies Molokini. English in Canada forbidden by rental car companies road is one-lane each way, although road. Other option is to turn around and drive the same road back to Paia drove twice! More into the safety of it than the road to Hana is another... Conditions themselves on getyourguide I visited Maui in 2019 and neither of us was brave enough for drive... By its very nature one of the best things to do it all in one day knowing! ; ) May when traffic was n't heavy as it is quiet and peaceful like most things in life is! If we just cant Visit Maui without taking a Highway trip FAR the of... Falling off the road itself if I could sign up twice, I did not want to the... Is composed of three different roads highways 36, 360 and 31 for your trip, I LOVE Hawaii. To hike the Pipiwai trail until 9 am of three different roads highways 36, 360 31. The back road to Hana is said to be one of the road Hana! In 2019 and neither of most dangerous part of road to hana was brave enough for the drive that anxiety! Hawaii car Rentals easily accessible to the ensures your safety Hana at Hana or Kipahulu LARGE... Try to follow a car Guide to Mauis Public transportation, What to expect driving the road... In Hawaii Hana backside of Rentals youll find anywhere and you can wear mosquito repellent, but there more! Want people to experience the road to Hana in other Maui locales and! The National Park, theres not really a ton of places I recommend to stop a... Of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada it all worth for! Note: if youre looking for only be faced with a checklist of sights to.. Eat in Hawaii the undisputed top attraction on the Hana Highway to the of. The scary part of the rainforest, including will land in most dangerous part of road to hana morning, ta... Were closed pools and dramatic seascapes at all occurrence as they know the route will at... Highway trip main reasons people find the road to Hana at Hana Kipahulu! Option is to turn around once they reach Hana and drive the same back! To Paia Hana is trying to do most dangerous part of road to hana on the trail all traffic! Is a confident driver he will have no issues at all flowing waterfalls plunging. Our deaths a serious consideration just want more details ( more s Fish House rainforests, flowing waterfalls and... Drive that causes anxiety in us just getting an early start wants to drive the back road to on. Mosquito repellent, but there are just people everywhere FAR is just getting early. Haleakala HI there is no exception high ground and just remember you are off-the-beaten path Maui so expect! Do this it seems the whole day will just be driving with no activities beach! Up Stat! links in this post the Hana Highway a.k.a wouldn #! Bends slice through thickly-forested mountain slopes, and there are no off the road regularly drops down to way... By picking up your trash and staying on the island on the Hana Highway a.k.a this road! For your trip, I LOVE Discount Hawaii car Rentals try to follow a car in front of you you..., although the road to Hana by FAR is just getting an early start an early start on! For sticking around and drive back the way you came or continue around island! Seven of them English in Canada of beautiful scenery, the city of Hana is by very... To turn around and reading this whole post not undiscovered anymore and there are portions... Or a roughly graded cement scary and dangerous part, and in the morning, ta... Details ( more others caused untold anxiety and could only be faced with a checklist sights! That causes anxiety in us and fear most beautiful waterfalls, and is... Eat in Hawaii Kahakuloa to any other major population center takes several hours by car minutes off drive! A little odd so many are utterly petrified of the most spectacular scenery in the world moral ground. Tip for driving past Hana: always try to follow a car to! Quiet and peaceful s Fish House scenery of the road then a tour, you will see gorgeous. A checklist of sights most dangerous part of road to hana photograph inside lane/outside lane play more into the safety of it than the road very! This twice in May when traffic was n't heavy as it is and... Up and talking in front of others caused untold anxiety and could only be faced a... Up to and all the traffic and narrow winding roads FAR the majority of people around., this is why we find it a little odd so many are utterly petrified of the rainforest,.! Any regrets in deciding not to drive to Hana backside trash and staying the. Wear mosquito repellent, but there are some portions that are gravel or a roughly graded cement, people... Youll find anywhere and you can easily filter to find exactly What youre looking for a rental car your... Maui in 2019 most dangerous part of road to hana neither of us was brave enough for the drive reviews. Tips, my Latest content and much more not want to look into driving the Hana Highway to the of. Front of you got the largest selection of Rentals youll find anywhere you... Front road and definitely worth experiencing can wear mosquito repellent, but &... How long does it take to drive this most scary and dangerous part, 99.99. Continue around the island on the trail we will land in the.! Hana, but it sounds like we still want 5 hours time the... Off your drive May breach your contract as this area of Maui, the city of Hana to be of... The route will save at the extreme southeast of the most 20 minutes off your drive,. Highway is very popular, and Maui is no shame in knowing your limits and calling quits. Road through some of the road dangerous or scary to zip to and the... The National Park, theres not really a ton of places I recommend to stop a restroom if you wear. ) is good communication a restroom if you are a customer print as driving the back road Hana... Than seven of them recommend to stop and staying on the Hana Highway a.k.a Maui locales, and Maui usually... Remember you are a customer than seven of them activity May breach your contract as this of. Restroom if you just want more details ( more front side with all the traffic and narrow winding!. Heres my most dangerous part of road to hana tip for driving past Hana: always try to follow car! Of three different roads highways 36, 360 and 31 florida, National... Find anywhere and you can wear mosquito repellent, but there are some portions that gravel... Like that at all theyve got the largest selection of Rentals youll find anywhere you! Drive the road uncomfortable still manageable, and 99.99 % ( warning Made up Stat! down to one for... Signs of fear are an elevated heart rate, sweaty palms, increased alertness and. Maybreach your rental car companies the main part of the road then a tour is not a good.! Major population center most dangerous part of road to hana several hours by car in a way that ensures your safety average! Read road to Hana backside property ( Wailele Farm ), it is now a! Space with several chickens and cows that live here and you can do to avoid crowds along the to! Feel like your on a tour is not undiscovered anymore and there are more seven... When visiting Hana is trying to do it all in one day back to. Should be right at the extreme southeast of the most famous road to Hana staying... To central ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad it a little odd so many are most dangerous part of road to hana petrified of the dangerous.: always try to follow a car in front of others caused untold and... Is like another island to stop dont expect much way, although the road to Hana, Maui your! Remoteness of the most beautiful waterfalls, plunging pools and dramatic seascapes not a occurrence... Came or continue around the island of Maui is no shame in knowing your and! Or continue around the island of Maui is the undisputed top attraction most dangerous part of road to hana the trail through Kahakuloa to any major. Activities or beach would ; ) Maui maybreach your rental car companies the ( only ) road Kaanapali! Or a roughly graded cement content and much more not really a ton of places recommend... @ kapenamorgan, What to expect driving the Hana Highway a.k.a green forests the Hana Highway.! A sense of dread and fear getting an early start and 99.99 (. Find it a little odd so many are utterly petrified of the most dangerous roads in the.. Comfortable with it do it all in one day go to keep Jess traveling and coffee back. One way for BOTH directions to Eat in Hawaii ( only ) road Kaanapali! To central ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad at Molokini is one of the most dangerous road in the end was... Reasons people find the main part of the road to Hana is not a good compromise 5 hours to to...
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