For the next half mile, you walk through this mystical bamboo forest. Lahaina is a town located on the western coast of the island and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Maui. So you have to drive the RTH to reach it. What time does the park open to start hiking the Pipiwai Trail? The pool at the base is shallow people wade in and stand under the falls, though the park service now has a highly ignored sign in the middle of the trail when you approach stating not to pass the sign. Lots of fun waterfalls, the black sand beach, family-owned convenience shops, and fruit stands along the road. No matter how you choose to explore, our handpicked tours are sure to impress. Once you emerge from the bamboo, you are getting close to the end of the trail. The waters from Waimoku Falls flow all the way down the mountain into the ocean here. When is the best month to hike the trail and what airport is closest? The location of the Ppwai Trail and Kpahulu District is important, because this part of the national park has operating hours. Get directions, View Pipiwai Trail & Waimoku Falls in a larger map. 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. Hiking shoes are ideal since they provide a lot of traction but you can also get by with running or walking shoes. and a great banyan tree for climbing right on the trail about 1/3 of the way up. Your email address will not be published. 1 year ago Save Just did this today - left northernmost Kihei at 6:40, got to the Pipiwai at about 10. HAWAII VOLCANOES HI What you might not know that there is a smaller section of Haleakala National Park on the southern coast of Maui. Sound-bite: [insert hollow percussive sounds of bamboo striking one another]. At this point in the hike, you've reached the bamboo forest at the Pipiwai Trail. Cheers, Julie, Hi! You will wait in line in front of the entrance gate until a space becomes available. Cecilia. DETAILS: Are there any points in the trail that have a narrow point and dangerously close to edges. NATIONAL LAKESHORES Just did this today - left northernmost (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Is it worth it to travel to? 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. I was wondering how to get from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Jen. 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. SOUTH DAKOTA (more info: Canoe Plants of Ancient Hawaii). There will be signs pointing you in the correct direction of the trail, which begins just across the street from the parking lot. So you have to pay 25.00 admission . The restrooms at Kamahina State Wayside Park were open at 6 also the RR at Ke'anae will be open around that time too. During normal conditions, the water flows over only the far side; the near side of this pool has taller, thick rock lip that will keep anyone with sense enough to stay on the pool-side from a one-way date with gravity. Beyond the Kpahulu District (to the west), the road becomes rougher and narrower and more remote, which is why many people turn around, rather than driving this section of the road. If you relish your driving experiences then the Road to Hana alone is . To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. As you continue, youll notice a side path with signs and a recently erected fence barring you from heading in that direction. Aloha Holly not sure of the specs how fit are you? There is the normal parking lot right by the Kipahulu Visitor Center, and there is also an overflow parking lot. Once youve cooled down and are ready to continue, you reverse the path from where you came. Love hiking the bamboo in a fine mist. I would like to hike the bamboo Forrest. Pipiwai trail is a moderate, 4 mile (roundtrip), hike located in Kipahulu, that starts at the 'O'heo Gulch and ends at the awe inspiring Waimoku Falls. I am aware there is a guided tour option, are there any tour companies that have his trail part out their day tour? Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails. 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. This is an absolutely beautiful falls and well worth the hike to access. Re: Distance from Kihei to Pipiwai Trail? This is the only tour available that offers a hiking opportunity in the Kipahulu Section of Haleakala National Park. Throughout the hike youll spot several warning signs; take them seriously. You can go to Pipiwai Trail and the Kipahulu district as a part of the popular Road to Hana drive. The opposite road to Hana ( going counter clockwise) is not for the feint of heart. Is this hike super hard? How did your day go- and would you have changed anything? Here are the driving distances and times from other locations in Maui, via Highway 360 (these times do not take in account any additional time for stops along the way): WHAT WE DID: We drove Highway 360 directly to the Kpahulu District, arriving at 9:30 am. The dramatic diversity then suddenly morphs into the zen-oneness of an immense bamboo forest. Driving directly from Wailea to Pipiwai Trail might be a little under 3 hours with minimal traffic, by way of Paia. Can you give me an idea of what kind of physical activities give you difficulty? Answer 1 of 18: I'm planning a 1 full day 10-12 hour trip up the road to Hana and I am interested in your trips there. The Road to Hana runs along the east coast of Maui. If it has recently rained, the trail will be muddy. But you may also consider making the Pipiwai Trail your first major stop, and making the majority of your other big stops on the way back. Do you have any pictures of the cave/pool/waterfall? 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. It gains 650 feet in elevation in just under 4 miles of trail. You can access all kinds of info about Hana by looking at the Top Questions on the right hand side of this page, same for the Hana Forum. There are basically 2 sections to Haleakala National Park. BADLANDS SD The only thing missing from this hike is solitude; because of the easy National Park access, and the half-million visitors per-year to the much more famous pools below, you definitely wont have this one all to yourself. No stops were planned , but had to stop twice - one of the kids was very nauseous. Happy hiking, wherever you choose to go! Learn more about driving the Back Road to Hana, including photos of the road, in our Guide to the Road to Hana. Took us just north of two hours to get back, there was some traffic only in the very end. There are several great waterfalls along the route; thedestination beingWaimoku Falls,which drops400ft. down a sheer lava rock wall shaped like a horseshoe. Highly recommend this hike if you have the time!! Required fields are marked *. The paddleboarders said the shark broke their paddle and punctured the board, but they managed to stay on and escape. Your email address will not be published. As the trail continues winding, if you pay careful attention the bamboo will begin to thin and trees will start coming back. If you are also doing Haleakala when you're here, buy the Tri-Park Pass instead of single admission. You can choose either to navigate you to the start of the Pipiwai Trail. GRAND CANYON AZ Im staying in Lahaina. 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. We are staying at the Grand Wailea resort. On the way back a lot of traffic going the other way, with several drivers with a death wish Then, after lunch, we went to the black sand beach very very late for our reservation, and after that just went back, everybody was wiped out. We left around 7:30, got gas at Costco, and arrived at the Haleakala National Park in Hana around 10:30 (we stopped to take some photos along the way since this was the first time we did this road). The powerful waterfall flows from 400 feet up, spraying cool mist from yards away. You guys brought up a good point that I hadn't considered. Begin the hike by accessing the trailhead across the road from the parking lot, and after about half a mile youll be in sight of Makahiku Falls. The 1.8-mile trail is easy, pet-friendly and only has elevation gain of 350 feet. We overnighted here so wed be able to relax and enjoy the trip. Be sure to take a close look at their roots, which grow from the branches down to the ground and expand outward. Getting There 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. 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! https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/kipahulu.htm, http://mauiguidebook.com/adventures/itinerary-shelbys-kipahulu-day/. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-110507016', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kihei to the park entrance to the trail in just over 3 hours. Its located at the end of the Road to Hana, and the last point where people would typically turn around and drive the Road to Hana as an out-and-back if they choose to go this far. Hi Mark, Hike the Pipiwai Trail. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. From the trailhead, it is a 0.5 mile walk to the first viewpoint of the hike, the Makahiku Falls Viewpoint. My wife and I will be in Maui Summer 2016 (without the kids!) Not to hike the Pipiwai Trail or visit the Kipahulu District, although you should get here early to get a parking space. 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. PICTURED ROCKS MI How would you like to experience this beautiful area of Maui? This is likely not a good hike for the vast majority of octogenarians as it has a steep incline (especially at the start) and also has challenging footing for most older people. You may want to have a poncho, umbrella, hat, and/or a backpack to protect your camera if it rains. The daily ticket is only good for 72 hours--meaning you would end up paying again if you didn't do the two areas back to back. Is this hike super hard? We saw all sorts of natural treasures including guava, coffee trees, mango, lilikoi, and this hibiscus flower. Along the way you'll be able to explore a dense bamboo forest, a grove of ancient banyan trees, and the spectacular 400-foot Waimoku Falls. I saw 2 people who were walking gingerly down the trail in bare feet carrying their flip-flops. There are a few short sections of unpaved road and several sections of extremely rough paved road, but regular cars will do just fine. OAHU: Top experiences on Oahu include a visit to Pearl Harbor and hiking the Diamond Head Summit Trail. (It is actually past Hana town though technicalities!). Answer 1 of 12: Approximately how long might it take to drive from Kihei straight to Pipiwai trail (no stops)? Because of the marshy ground, wooden boardwalks have been built to make hiking easier. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. There is an incline, but it gets less once you pass the banyan (and normally doesnt phase active kidsout of shape adults are another story ). JEWEL CAVE SD, HAWAII TRAVEL PLANNING It's a very long way back if you do get injured;so just use caution when approaching the falls. 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. You will need to use the "full site" if using a mobile device. Spend some time in the mysterious, zen-like oasis before continuing out of the forest and towards Waimoku Falls. Today, Lahaina is known for its beaches, Jan 6, 2023 | Beautiful Maui Scenes, Sight Seeing on Maui. The traditional road to Hana is amazing and full of eye candy and begs you to stop and explore. Driving from Hana to Pipiwai Trail: Hana Highway, less than 5 minutes away from Haleakala National Park Kipahulu area. SNORKELING SHIRTS The first part was under the heat and sun, but when you get deeper into the forest (and especially bamboo forests), then its more comfortable. That said, an 8-year-old girl was tragically killed on this trail from a falling rock while we were hiking it in 2011. Thanks Megan. The NPS has even built a boardwalk to span the muddy sections and have been adding more stone steps in the steeper grade areas in the past couple years oooh the luxury! I was in no rush. 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). Haleakal National Park: The Complete Guide, The 7 Best Hikes in Haleakal National Park, The Complete Guide to Driving Maui's Road to Hana, 12 Best Things to Do With Teenagers on Maui, 17 of the Most Beautiful Places in Hawaii, Joshua Tree National Park: The Complete Guide, The 10 Best Hikes in Smoky Mountains National Park, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park: The Complete Guide, 10 National Parks Tied to Asian/Pacific American History. Practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace. The trail is safe, well maintained, and the steeper grade during the first half mile or so is really the only part that is less than easy if youve not been off the couch in a while. The false looked like Niagara. Have fun! 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. The Pipiwai Trail- with its stunning waterfalls, huge bamboo forest, idyllic stream, and more beauty than you can imagine- is simply one of the best hikes on Maui. From Khei it didnt take more than half an hour or so to get to the trailhead. This narrow stretch of road on the northwest side of Maui is for the experienced driver, but a great alternative to Road to Hana. Its beautiful. How long do you think it will take to get there from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Parking is $10 per vehicle and is valid for 3 days at any of the Haleakala National Park areas, so save your receipt if you've already gone up to the crater or plan to. HAWAII VOLCANOES: In our article Best Things to Do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, we cover the must-have experiences. If you get to the Pipiwai trail hike too late to do it, I imagine you will have had a very satisfying day and wont be sorry! A lot of people choose to drive straight through to Oheo Gulch, do the hike, and then drive back the way you came, making extra stops along the way. FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES Instead of being on a stem that terminates from a minor branch, like most fruit, mountain apples grow on a small stem directly out of the main branches (and even the trunk) of the `ohi`a `ai tree. This is the absolutely stunning precipice of Makahiku waterfall, a sheer lava-rock cliff face that drops almost 200 into the valley below. The most common suggestions are Twin Falls, Haleakala Crater, or Iao Valley but, not many folks hear about the great hiking trails in Poli Poli Spring State Recreation Area. My favorite time to hike the bamboo forest is in February. However, if you want to see the sunrise on Haleakala, you need to get a reservation in advance. Eat at Thai by Pranee in Hana after the hike. On the summit side is where you will find the Haleakala summit (of course) and the famous Haleakala crater hike. 201 reviews of Pipiwai Trail "This is a trail that you can find in the lower section of the Haleakala National Park. Or perhaps you'd rather lace up the hiking boots and hit the trail. 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. LANAI The last entry into the park is at 4:30 pm (get updated hours before you go on the National Park Service website). 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. aloha! How much time should we allocate to do this hike? Length: 5.5 mi. You park at the Haleakala National Park Visitor Center (again this is a different Visitor Center than the one on the way to Haleakala Crater). Even if the pools are closed below, this hike is exceptional. 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. Please use extreme caution when crossing the stream, especially if it's been raining. The trailhead for the Ppwai Trail is located to the left of the Visitor Center. So once you enter the Haleakala National Park Kipahulu area, youll just continue to follow the signs to the parking! And dont miss the Kilauea Iki Trail, one of the best hikes in the park. Bring more water than you think youll need. Is getting to the pipiwai trial from the west doable ? We did it in about 2 hours at a leisurely pace, but avid photographers and those who are less active will need more time. There are a TON of stops along the Hana Highway you can make along the way to Pipiwai Trail. Are there any other hikes that are more recommended we can do? I dont beleive the mailing address for the park is at this location. On google maps, there is Ppwai Trailand the Kipahulu Visitor Center. To finish the hike, retrace your steps to the Visitor Center. were planning to visit the park during Thanksgiving week but with COVID19 restriction, not sure its worth the drive since some of the area will be closed especially the 7 scared pools. It is a pretty quick change, starting around the time you cross two bridges. The park is open 24-hours. Hiking shoes. Are there any other hikes that are more. This site has been very helpful. 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 side trail soon takes you to a view of cave, pool & waterfall combination that my words (or photography) have not yet been able to do justice. This road is also referred to as the Back Road to Hana or the Backside of Haleakala. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TN NC Before or after the hike (if theres time) do the half-mile loop to Oheo Gulch from the visitors center to view the Seven Sacred Pools. (No potable water.) ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88163443', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Hana any justice, you will need 12 hours, including the time for the Pipiwai Trail. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Witness a breathtaking bamboo jungle and dramatic cliffs. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Maybe avoid the side trails. The park service has been known to close down the Pipiwai Trail during particularly wet periods since the hike is in a high-risk flood area. Believe it or not, the same nuts brave folks you saw jumping from the bridge at the highway sometimes come up here to get their adrenaline fix. No--you need to do the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? IDAHO (Again, 5 minutes per destination except the last hike). On a windy day, the bamboo stalks sound like wind chimes as the breeze knocks them together. (This is also where the boardwalk comes in and save you from having your shoes sucked off by thick mud.) I recommend parking on the upper loop of the parking lot as it's closer to the Pipiwai Trailhead. Many people are familiar with the Haleakal crater, which is famous for its sunrises and hiking trails that lead into the crater. $. Aloha Donna the trail does not close, though I would not suggest doing it in the dark! Tip: Take all warning signs seriously. Im in Hana now. Continuing along the trail youll notice the scenery changing to bamboo. Most Internet sources say it takes 2 1/2 . * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. My husband has a bad knee (it hurts to walk), but I can get him to walk around the neighborhood. Subscribe to receive discounts, updates and other news! Transportation At $175 / Small Group (6 & under) 175 $. These 2 districts are not connected by road. You won't be covered by any (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Pipiwai Trail is 4 miles roundtrip, gaining 650-feet in elevation. Side Trip: Infinity Pool Is it worth the 2 hour trip out? See more about driving the Road to Hana in reverse. This trail is part of the Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails. Pipiwai trail is a great adventure if you are willing to brave the possibilities of slick and muddy trails and mosquitoes. Twin Falls is another waterfall along the Road to Hana drive in the jungle of East Maui. ARIZONA Hi Chis I dont know anything about repelling however I do know that many of our cliffs are quite prone to fracturing and breaking apart, so my advice would be not to try this without a guide who is very familiar with Maui. Just a bit further and some rock-hopping over a usually tame stream, and this scenery-packed hike culminates at the base of sheer 400 cliffs, with spectacular Waimoku Falls quite literally falling to Earth right in front of you. If you do choose to return the way you came, driving the Hana Highway at dark isn't something you want to do, trust us. We sincerely want our customers to have a great experience on our island! I am not a hiker but I think I should be able to handle this trail. Observe the streams from the Ppwai trail and see if you can spot the freshwater shrimp and rock-climbing goby. Read all of our articles about the United States in our United States Travel Guide. I have googled it but have heard to not trust the google maps drive times when it comes to RTH! It can be accessed by driving 12 miles past the town of Hna, on the famous Hna Highway that circumscribes the northeast coast of the island of Maui. The pools were closed. Aloha Jen it really is wonderful year-round. Luckily, the trail is long enough and diverse enough to provide hikers with plenty of space to explore. If we leave at 5 in the morning, we are going to need at least one potty stop. (Yeah, you can call it a mountain apple tree!) This first part of the trail is mostly uphill. Can you tell me how far the steepest elevation change is and what degree of incline that part of the trail would be? This first part of the trail is one of the steepest sections of the hike. But if youre capable, we want you to know better: this is just an appetizer to ready you for the much more impressive journey to come. It's at the Kipahulu end of the Road to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We are going with a few older companions who might not be able to hop across rocks and do not know how to swim. The road leading to the entrance of Haleakala National Park is the narrow Hana Highway with pretty much no shoulder space. You'll need about 2-3 hours to hike Pipiwai at a relaxing pace and get back again (or continue around the Pi'ilani Highway, which re-opened October 4, 2008). Your shoes WILL get dirty!! That said, I hope to be able to do it in my 80s and I know a few very fit 80-year old people that can still do these sorts of things! MAMMOTH CAVE KY GRAND TETON WY WHAT TO WEAR SNORKELING There are only a few choice people Id advise to attempt jumping here (and it isnt because theyre skilled jumpers!). The National Park Service has blocked this path as yet another casualty of a popular guidebook that doesnt properly educate visitors as to the dangers in the places it sends them. It depends how long you take to drive the rad to Hana. Gilligans' Island Luau is an intimate luau experience and is the only luau in Kihei on Maui. This iconic hike is one of Mauis idyllic treasures. Pipiwai Trail: THIS is why I blow through a lot of the stops more towards the beginning of the Road to Hanaso I have time to hike the Pipiwai Trail. Im going back this May for my honeymoon and would love to explore the side trails this time! Im looking for about a 2 hour hike somewhere beautiful thats not super hard. BIG ISLAND Kihei Rent A Car uses the information you provide to us to contact you by email about our relevant content and updates. Through storytelling, audience participation and remarkable . My husband and I are over 65, fairly active, and would like to hike this trail this February. Kapalua Coastal Trail; Pipiwai Trail; Waihou Spring Trail . Once you cross the bridge, youll enter the Bamboo Forest, which starts with a stone pathway and quickly becomes a nice boardwalk. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Sitting back and riding in comfort? Pipiwai means "sprinkling water" in hawaiian, and right away you'll understand where the trail gets its name as you walk along the stream past the "Seven Sacred Pools." This author (and a Park Service sign a safe distance from the falls) suggest you seriously consider how all the countless boulders youre standing in front of got there. If the parking lots are full, you will not be permitted to enter the park. im planning a visit to maui in october. Trying to decide if its worth bringing a rope etc or just stick with bouldering. On way back. Kipahului District is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. I was wondering how difficult it is to cross the stream? In 45 minutes, you can reach the Kpahulu district, getting here first thing in the morning, when crowds are low. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Both my husband and I are quite fit and are interested in doing one hike while we are here. If it's been wet in the area recently, you mayfind yourself surrounded by numerous small waterfalls on the surrounding cliff face. There are no benches. So youre off to hike the Pipiwai Trailthat is one of the best hikes on Maui! It is approximately a half-mile from the trailhead. Check out our full guide to hiking the Pipiwai Trail below. Google maps would be helpful to ease your mind so youll know when youre getting closer. Taking into account the easy accessibility, the Pipiwai Trail offers, hands-down, the all-around best of East Maui's most dramatic stream and waterfall hikes. . OAHU :) and its free! Not nearly so hard to get to the hike. One district is the summit side. These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. Thanks! For more things to do in Haleakala National Park, with recommendations on how to plan your time, read our, Read all of our articles about the United States in our. Learn about the best time to visit Maui . Also stopped at an arboretum (about 30 minutes) and a few stops for lunch and smoothies (maybe another 1.5 hours.) Maui Tourism Maui Hotels Is this hike safe enough to carry a toddler in? 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. The trail will cross over the Hana Highway. Difficulty: The Pipiwai Trail is rated moderate due to the often muddy and uneven terrain. There are a few points where you can catch your breath, drink some water, eat some snacks, etc. Sunblock, sunglasses, and a hat. The trailhead for the Ppwai Trail is located to the left of the Visitor Center. Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve. Dont let them wander. Just past the third section of bamboo is the breathtakingly lovely Waimoku Falls with its steep fern-covered walls.