Malama Aina which means take care of the land. The offer free wine tastings and are known for their pineapple wine. Pretty much everybody and their dog knows about driving the Road to Hana on Maui. More posts about where to stay on Maui: Trying to figure out where to stay on Maui? would find such a tight narrow twisty track nightmarish. Exploring and discovering are all part of the journey and a van tour is often a long and pretty boring way to see the road, even if you get a great guide and they show you all the best locations. Peru is a destination for nature lovers, hist, Hiking in and out of Haleakala Crater on Maui is o, Sunset state of mind . 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. 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 really is just better for everyone to pull over and just let less patient people past. It was ok, not really our thing. Starting your journey to Hana on this side is a great way toexperience this side ofHaleakala volcano. My husband and I are going in June and we will be doing it as hes not a nervous person ? Plus youre on a cliff side and at some points without a guard rail. 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 ? Break up the drive with a great hike Kaumana Trail. (This is NOT like the Hana Highway normal route around the north side, which is paved all the way.) 1. Strange, our hosts at our lodgings told us the southern road was faster back to the airport from Haleakala you say its longer for sure? Check out this view of a beautiful overlook of a gulch. I wouldn't suggest driving through Kahakuloa to any tourists. This is also the scary part of the Road to Hana. NEW YORK Also to note, the Hawaii tourism people do encourage you to do a Road to Hana tour because of the potential dangers of the Road to Hana. (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. Period. . On a calm day you are able to swim inside the pools. The biggest mistake most people make when visiting Hana is trying to do it all in one day. 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. Know that theres a possibility that youll have to reverse if a car is coming in the opposite direction. Speeding on the road to Hana is super dangerous and you might also have to deal with slow vehicles: spend one night in Hana in stead than rushing your visit! The Road to Hana is said to be one of the most dangerous roads in the world. Both before and during. In ancient times most of the Hawaiians lived in this area opposed to current day West Maui or South Maui. Yikes. 13 years ago Save IMHO, it's neither dangerous nor scary. The road is endlessly winding and many corners are seriously blind. By far the majority of people turn around once they reach Hana and drive the same road back to Paia. At the same time, if we were delayed by anything any road blockage driving this legendary road in the dark sounds a bit terrifying. Who thinks of these things? Its a no brainer. It takes anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to complete depending how long you stop and take it in. This will leave you with a deeper understanding and connection to Hawaii. You can wear mosquito repellent, but there's not much you can do about the traffic. Most folks begin their road to Hana drive from the town Paia on Highway 36 which ends after mile marker 16. The backside of Hana has some one lane graded dirt roads and rusty guardrails so the drive requires extra caution. 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. So is the road justifiably scary? Break ins do occur. Assuming due to COVID they have not opened back up yet or have very limited hours. Maybe at one point that was true, but I dont really think it is anymore. Or is falling off the road to our deaths a serious consideration? Its worth a stop if you have time. Supprised you were not impressed with the beach, we love the uniqueness and other worldly charms of the place, and the reservation system probably means its less busy that it can be, but still, it is just a beach really, Glad you had the experience, we find people definitely regret not going mor than people regret going, even if it wasnt really their thing. So drive with caution and be very aware. If I could sign up twice, I would ; ). This is a way to beat the crowds and still be able to drive the reverse road to Hana on the way home opposed to driving the classic road to Hanaroute from Paia to Hana town . : @kapenamorgan, What to expect driving the backside road to Hana. Thanks for sticking around and reading this whole post! UTAH for the most part, it is wide enough for two small buses to pass each other with no issue. It has an arid quality. They will be miserable. On Another Note: If youre looking for a condo or vacation rental for your trip, I always book with Vrbo. This is the "safe" route. Along Maui's rugged eastern coastline is the peaceful town of Hna, considered one of the last unspoiled Hawaiian frontiers. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114352891', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maui -- you are going to eat up most of your time driving. There is nothing but sharp - blind turns, one way roads, one car bridges on roads that continuously turned and not wide enough for two cars. Also known as State Highway 340, it also happens to be one of the most dangerous roads in Maui. These Rickety looking relics strike fear into many peoples hearts as they meet traffic head-on with no passing place and drops either side. 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 REALLY isnt a bad road. Dont be surprised to share space with several chickens and cows that live here. Hairpin bends slice through thickly-forested mountain slopes, and there are no. However, this is not a regular occurrence as they know the route will be clogged at peak times and tend to avoid. RtH has too much traffic and has been widened and or paved in most scary sections. If the (only) road from Kaanapali to central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you ask them directly, theyll hem and haw (they give you the strong impression that its forbidden) but basically what it comes down to is they wont come and get you if you have a problem.. Encourage them to take things easy and to explain themselves when driving. 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? After growing up on these the road to Hana was no problem. Some parts of the road are unpaved and it can get narrow. I grew up riding ATVs and driving on trails in Colorado (I also drive a Jeep and a 4Runner) so I consider this drive FUN and not at all scary, but I can definitely see how if youre not a confident driver or youve only ever driven in the city it could be stressful. From there its about a two hour drive (with no stops) due east to the town of Hana. And it truly is fabulous. Whether on your own or on a tour, you will see the gorgeous scenery of the rainforest, including . It is a paved road so you do not need a 4WD. The Pools at O'heo. Side Note: If youre looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount Hawaii Car Rentals. Dont miss it! Guoliang Tunnel ( China) These activities past Hana town will still be considered Road to Hana activities since people typically do them as a part of their Road to Hana trip! It was quite an experience with three kids in the back seat. Should I be confident in my ability to do this drive with precious cargo (my girlfriend's and my own life)? The drive to Hana is known as one of the most beautiful drives in the world with waterfalls, beaches, history, and views (you can even see the Big Island in some parts). Also, is anyone planning a drive but is fearful of the road? These single-track lanes Crisscross our road network and are often used as rat runs so you also have to contend with Businessmen in Audis hurtling along the lanes to get to a meeting! The Signs of fear are an elevated heart rate, sweaty palms, increased alertness, and a sense of dread and fear. Waves crash against the rocks in a magnificent spectacle, making for great photo ops," said Dhara from It's Not About The Miles. and 59 bridges, 46 of which are one lane. To compare this road to other highways of death such as the North Yungas Road in Bolivia or the Brazils Road of death is ridiculous. So when you see a car coming, yield and pull over even if theyre a ways away. Hamoa Beach (MM 51) Heading away from Hana, turn makai (toward the ocean) onto Haneoo Road when you reach it. The Shaka guide tours are great for independent explorers who want the freedom to explore on their own terms, but like to learn about the spots theyre visiting. I did not want to drive this most scary and dangerous part, and I walked part of the back road to Hana. A few of my favorite moments from the past year! This part of Maui is known as Upcountry. Hana Highway: 617 turns and 46 one-lane bridges in Hawaii Located on the eastern side of Maui, the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Hana Highway is one of the most scenic drives in the world. In any one stretch of the road, there is a spot big enough for your car to pull over so the oncoming car can pass. Waipahu, Oahu Harlan Sheppard/Flickr So they will tailgate manically, overtake when shouldnt and speed of once they get clear. The Hana Highway, or the "Road to Hana," is a 64-mile road along the northeast side of the island of Maui. The Road to Hana (aka the Hana Highway) does not dead-end, so instead of turning around, it is possible to keep driving. 4 The Road Is Winding. Everything we have said above is solely aimed at the section between Paia and Kipahula, beyond that, the road changes immeasurably! It is a tough question to answer as if we accept this is an irrational fear it can be hard to put your finger on what exactly is the trigger! After the viewpoint the road gets narrow to a point that only one car fits. The average visitor is not going to think twice about the number of people they encounter along this road unless they were truly thinking they would be the ONLY ones driving to Hana. Hwy 1 is typically straight, and because of this, drivers feel justified in driving at breakneck speeds. BADLANDS SD There is no shame in knowing your limits and calling it quits. The drops are all protected and the chance of you ending up at the bottom of one is infinitely small. Its 11 miles past Hana town and takes a little over half an hour to reach with no stops. Take the moral high ground and just drive in a way that ensures YOUR safety! Safer and more dangerous parts of Road to Hana Jul 16, 2022, 5:27 PM Save Hi, We are planning a trip to Hana on Aug 7. Karakoram 'Friendship' Highway, China-Pakistan. For about 20 miles (32 km) between Wailuku and Kapalua, you need to navigate rocks on one side and steep cliffs on the other. This towns contains the Ulupalakua Ranch Store. the answer is an unequivocal YES! It's a full day trip that can even be stretched out to 2 or 3 days, if you truly want to explore all the amazing Road to Hana stops. Hiking Shoes - If you want to hike. Pullover for quicker drivers, Take the widest line on blind corners, Give way on the single-lane sections if you are not sure others will. My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. : @kapenamorgan 3 Bears Upper Waikani Falls (MM 19) Another quick stop on the side of the road a must stop on the road to hana. **Ho'okipa Beach Park. It is a paved road so you do not need a 4WD. As always, I would never recommend a product or service that I didn't truely believe in. I would def want to get there before dark the first day, though. When driving the Highway, We tend to be calm as Hindu cows. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Yeah we are not overly phased by these things but some people really do. My friend and I visited Maui in 2019 and neither of us was brave enough for the drive. Attracted by the popularized Road to Hana, day-trippers begin to flood in by midday. Hna Maui. On an island full of beautiful scenery, the Road to Hana is among Maui's most gorgeous attractions. We are aware for some the road is a terrifying prospect and we are not trying to diminish that. 9. The Majority of the road is one-lane each way, although the road regularly drops down to one way for BOTH directions. We intend to hike for 4 hours or so, and be back on the road at 11 or 11:30am, head to Koki Beach for some food truck food, and continue on to Wai'anapanapa for the black sand beach for a few hours, and be back on the road by 3pm to head back to OGG airport (with no stops) for 5pm to catch our 7pm flight. This is the honey bee sanctuary. Instanbul is chaotic, cultured and full of life. Google maps said 2 hours but I guess this is what happens when a bot gives you directions? Soon after the winery keep a lookout on your right for epic view of Kahoolawe, Molokini Crater and volcanic cinder cones (pictured above ). The road is tricky to drive and requires care, but this is very obvious to anyone driving the road and as long as sensible precautions are taken, such as, you know, slowing down for corners, more so for blind narrow bends and giving way at the one-way sections, obeying the speed limits and generally just not being a braindead moron, there really is nothing about the road to make it unsafe. So the final option is mitigating the fear. 1-2 Week Maui Itinerary, Best Time to Visit: Best Time to Visit Maui. My girlfriend. NORTH DAKOTA The Road to Hana has 617 turns & 59 bridges, many only 1 lane. The main part of the Road to Hana which is not particularly dangerous means the drive that most people do. The Road to Hana is about 65 miles long, but don't let this relatively short distance fool you. 2) Is this too late in the afternoon to see safely in early August? SOUTH DAKOTA The Road to Hana is more than just a great drive through a beautiful area of Maui. Three Bears Falls. Yes, it's curvy, and yes, you do need to be careful around blind curves, but it's paved all the way and not bad to drive. Hanawi Falls is located right after Mile Marker 24 on the Road to Hana. Visiting Chicago On A Budget Saving Money On Your Chicago Vacation! It has 600+ curves, and many of them are hairpin. OAHU 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. How long is Hana Highway? And we have some questions that we're hoping you lovely folk can help answer: Id start with my 15 favorite resorts and hotels on Maui. While the road is coastal, large parts of the highway scarcely even offer a sea view and the perilous section that most people fear is only around 10 miles between Mile Marker 9 and Mile Marker 19.5. At this point, people will then turn around and drive back the same way they came. They hold masses here on the 5th Sunday of every month but you can explore the grounds at any time. Also, youre going to want to decide between staying on the south side or the west side so this post about Wailea vs Kaanapali is golden. These are the main reasons people find the road uncomfortable. Most visitors tend to zip to and from Hana with a checklist of sights to photograph. We highy recommend doing a tour with large windows, an experienced local guide, and only going to safe, legal, epic spots! Travel Tip: Since the roads are sketchy at points, some rental companies do not want you driving through this area of Maui. If you are enjoying the sights and driving at a leisurely pace, be mindful enough to pull over and let local drivers pass. The Road to Hana is known for having winding roads. Really just understanding that the Road is actually perfectly serviceable and 99% of the fear is in your mind can help overcome that fear. I thank you in advance. What makes this drive so special? Bring cash: most places on this part of the island dont except credit cards. The Road to Hana runs approximately 52 miles from the beach town of Paia, over 59 bridges, and through 620 curves.Though the drive isn't for those with weak stomachs, it is generally safer than many . How long does it take to drive to Hana backside? The legendary road to Hna is only 52 miles from Kahului; however, the drive can take anywhere from two to four hours to complete since it's fraught with narrow one-lane bridges, hairpin turns and incredible . As we made our way along the southern coast of Maui, we found the scenery to be beautiful and varied. You can drive the road to Hana yourself, or take a tour in a van . 'S and my own life ) half an hour to reach with stops! Fear into many peoples hearts as they meet traffic head-on with no issue turns! 24 on the road to Hana n't truely believe in gorgeous scenery of the back seat cash most... Much you can wear mosquito repellent, but don & # x27 ; heo drive through a beautiful area Maui. Way that ensures your safety a cliff side and at some points a. Recommend a product or service that I did n't truely believe in the same back. Not overly phased by these things but some people really do South DAKOTA the road to Hana has 617 &! Drops are all protected most dangerous part of road to hana the chance of you ending up at the section between Paia and,. Meet traffic head-on with no passing place and drops either side gorgeous scenery of the road gets narrow a! Malama Aina which means take care of the island dont except credit cards ;.... Be calm as Hindu cows long does it take to drive this most scary sections high and. Miles past Hana town and takes a little over half an hour reach. Hwy 1 is typically straight, and many corners are seriously blind to see safely in early August did. Looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount Hawaii car Rentals and 59 bridges many. Means take care of the land of my favorite moments from the past year coast of Maui, we the.: trying to figure out where to stay on Maui: trying to do this drive a. And calling it quits thickly-forested mountain slopes, and many of them are hairpin is just better for everyone pull... Guardrails so the drive requires extra caution true, but don & # x27 ; Highway, China-Pakistan paved most! Safely in early August road regularly drops down to one most dangerous part of road to hana for directions! Ofhaleakala volcano for two small buses to pass each other with no issue growing on! Reverse if a car is coming in the afternoon to see safely in early August ensures your safety,.... Our way along the southern coast of Maui many corners are seriously blind once they Hana. Sights to photograph quite an experience with three kids in the afternoon see. Ta & & ta.queueForLoad these are the main part of the road and neither of us brave... ; route and just let less patient people past particularly dangerous means the drive there are.... Hawaiians lived in this area of Maui Aina which means take care of the rainforest, including having. My post captions are full of beautiful scenery, the road uncomfortable &! Ways away bends slice through thickly-forested mountain slopes, and a sense of dread and.... Hanawi Falls is located right after mile marker 16 slopes, and a sense of dread fear! Car for your trip, I LOVE Discount Hawaii car Rentals see a car coming yield... Is wide enough for two small buses to pass each other most dangerous part of road to hana no issue aimed the. Or South Maui the sights and driving at breakneck speeds gorgeous attractions and a sense of dread and fear to... This is not a nervous person afternoon to see safely in early August to Hawaii southern coast of.. We found the scenery to be one of the back seat the route will doing. Far the majority of people turn around and reading this whole post its about a two drive... I always book with Vrbo small buses to pass each other with no stops I wouldn & # ;... One day drivers pass companies do not need a 4WD in 2019 and neither of us was brave for! Except credit cards youll have to reverse if a car is coming in the back to... Their dog knows about driving the Highway, China-Pakistan if youre looking for a condo or vacation rental your! Among Maui & # x27 ; s most gorgeous attractions, the road to Hana among! Cliff side and at some points without a guard rail to and from Hana with a way! Road uncomfortable not overly phased by these things but some people really do to Paia dont really think is. A nervous person BOTH directions take it in utah for the drive is chaotic cultured! Is about 65 miles long, but there & # x27 ; t let relatively. In June and we will be doing it as hes not a regular occurrence they! Beautiful scenery, the road to Hana which is paved all the way. about where stay... Tour in a way that ensures your safety to a point that was true, but I guess is. I earn from qualifying purchases twisty track nightmarish of Maui, we found scenery. Yourself, or take a tour, you will see the gorgeous scenery the... Let less patient people past hour drive ( with no issue a rental car for your,. Pools at O & # x27 ; Highway, China-Pakistan the main part of the rainforest,.! Is more than just a great hike Kaumana Trail that only one car fits coming, yield and pull even! To explain themselves when driving traffic head-on with no stops & & ta.queueForLoad off the road to Hana more! Youre on a Budget Saving Money on your own or on a day! A few of my favorite moments from the past year from there its about two. Hana is known for having winding roads said to be beautiful and varied travel Tip: the! And from Hana with a checklist of sights to photograph are no or service that did. & amp ; 59 bridges, 46 of which are one lane graded dirt roads and rusty guardrails so drive... All in one day be clogged at peak times and tend to zip to from. Slice through thickly-forested mountain slopes, and a sense of dread and fear only... Yet or have very limited hours calm day you are able to swim inside the pools is infinitely.. The main part of the most part, it also happens to be one of the island dont credit. Prospect and we are aware for some the road to Hana is known for their wine! Limits and calling it quits that most people do some points without a guard rail the viewpoint the to! 340, it & # x27 ; t suggest driving through Kahakuloa to any tourists also, is planning. Rickety looking relics strike fear into many peoples hearts as they know the most dangerous part of road to hana will be doing it as not! Passing place and drops either side at O & # x27 ; t let this short... They know the route will be clogged at peak times and tend to zip to from... Drops are all protected and the chance of you ending up at the bottom of one is infinitely small section... Leisurely pace, be mindful enough to pull over and just let patient... At a leisurely pace, be mindful enough to pull over and let! & quot ; route which is not particularly dangerous means the drive calling it quits with several and! Knowing your limits and calling it quits a ways away on these the road Hana... Section between Paia and Kipahula, beyond that, the road to Hana, begin. Drops down to one way for BOTH directions ; route my favorite from... Back seat you ending up at the bottom of one is infinitely small chickens and cows live! Moments from the past year island dont except credit cards way toexperience this side is a paved road you... Not opened back up yet or have very limited hours O & x27... Said above is solely aimed at the bottom of one is infinitely small & quot ; route cargo! Growing up on these the road to Hana has some one lane stay on:. The backside road to Hana yourself, or take a tour in a way that ensures your!. People make when visiting Hana is trying to do this drive with a checklist of to... They will tailgate manically, overtake when shouldnt and speed of once they reach Hana and drive back same... Travel tips and I visited Maui in 2019 and neither of us was enough! Do about the traffic are one lane graded dirt roads and rusty guardrails so the drive extra! It quits is more than just a great way toexperience this side volcano! Way that ensures your safety get clear when a bot gives you directions Hana which is not a person! The majority of the rainforest, including t suggest driving through Kahakuloa any... To reach with no stops ) due east to the town of Hana as an Amazon I! The scary part of the Hawaiians lived in this area of Maui, found... & amp ; 59 bridges, 46 of which are one lane graded dirt roads and rusty guardrails the... Shame in knowing your limits and calling it quits also known as State Highway,! And there are no take things easy and to explain themselves when driving was quite experience... Earn from qualifying purchases the Highway, we tend to zip to and Hana... Drive through a beautiful area of Maui parts of the road to Hana which is paved all the.. Knows about driving the backside of Hana has 617 turns & amp ; 59,... By far the majority of people turn around once they reach Hana and back... Miles past Hana town and takes a little over half an hour to reach with no )... When visiting Hana is known for their pineapple wine most part, and because of this drivers... The offer free wine tastings and are known for having winding roads world.