A Road to Hana tour is the most legendary Maui bucket list adventure. This road trip was supposed to be one of the highlights of our visit to Maui with kids and of our adventurous island-hopping Hawaii vacation altogether. We were all set to marvel at the wonderful Road to Hana stops we had selected. But what started out as a gorgeous day in our West Maui hotel actually turned out to be a horrible day on the east coast for us.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, we’ll happily share the Road to Hana stops we had planned during this 53-mile road trip in Maui. For your convenience, we’ve even created a custom Road to Hana map with stops that are mentioned in this article. We’ve also included some valuable tips so that you’re all set to tackle this legendary road and make the Road to Hana the highlight of your Hawaii trip.
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22 Best Road to Hana stops
Here’s a list of the stops we had planned during our road trip on the Hana highway by mile marker. You’ll find the map of the Road to Hana in the next paragraph.
Twin & Caveman Falls
These falls are located in the Ho’olawa Valley. The Twin Falls are the lower falls, easily accessible from the parking lot and the Twin Falls farm stand. The upper falls are the Caveman Falls and require a short hike up a gravel road. Flash floods occur so make sure to check out the latest conditions before taking a dip. Check out this Maui hikes article for more details.
Huelo Lookout
A gorgeous little resting stop. The views from this former sugar plantation community may not be spectacular but the smoothies from the Instagram-worthy farm stand are.
Road to Hana Rainbow eucalyptus trees
Blink it and you’ll miss it. This Road to Hana stop is nothing more than just a small pullout but the colorful trees make it worth your time.
Waikamoi Ridge Trail
This trailhead for this hike lies right next to the Hana Highway, at a broad shoulder that doubles as a parking lot. The loop trail is less than a mile long and can be quite muddy so this stop is only recommended when it hasn’t rained too much in previous days. The dense vegetation includes some of the oldest trees on the island, from ‘ohia to heliconia and from kukui nut to tropical ginger.
Ka Haku smoke shack
We loved the BBQ chicken with grilled bananas, rice, and green salad. This food shack is open on weekdays only, until early afternoon. Plenty of parking spaces are available.
Garden of Eden arboretum
The views from the Garden of Eden Arboretum are renowned. Plus, you’ll find rainbow eucalyptus trees here. If you missed the ones along the road (where there’s just a small turnout to leave the car), you can check them out here. Admission costs $15 per adult and $5 per child.
Psst… there’s actually an excellent alternative that doesn’t cost anything. Keep reading to find out more.
Haipua’ena Falls
Park at the small pullout on the far side of the bridge and look for an opening in the foliage. The trail is unsigned and can be muddy but you’ll reach the waterfall in 2 minutes. Haipua’ena Falls is not that tall, just about 25 ft, but the pool is calm and inviting. Most of the crowds skip this Road to Hana stops, so it’s usually a pretty authentic experience.
Honomanū Bay lookout
Prepare for some dramatic views of the coastline at this beautiful Road to Hana lookout point.
Ke’anae Arboretum
This is a great, free alternative to the Garden of Eden Arboretum, offering some wonderful panoramas and rainbow eucalyptus trees. There’s a walkway from where you can admire many tropical plants and flowers. It’s right in between this mile marker and the next.
Aunty Sandy’s
I’ve done plenty of research on Maui’s banana bread and almost all sources mention this as the best on offer. It goes without saying that this makes it one of the best Road to Hana stops. To reach the stand, turn off towards Ke’anae Landing. Oh, and congrats, if you’ve come this far then you’re halfway to Hana.
Wailua Valley State Wayside Park
Climb the set of steps to the viewpoint and enjoy the sweeping views over Wailua with its taro fields, the Ke‘anae Valley, and Ko‘olau gap at the rim of the Haleakala volcano.
Upper Waikani Falls
Also referred to as Three Bears because of the three parallel streams, this impressive waterfall is located very close to the road. The only downside is that there’s no actual parking lot, only a small turnout.
Upper Hanawi Falls
Upper Hanawi Falls can easily be spotted from the Hana Highway. It’s a waterfall that flows even in the dry season, albeit a bit diminished. The falls split around the rocks, making this Road to Hana stop even more enchanting.
The lower Hanawi Falls is located on private land and therefore off-limits.
Pi’ilanihale Heiau
This temple, located in Kahanu Garden, part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden is the largest Polynesian place of worship and the best-preserved ancient temple in the Hawaiian Islands. It was built in several stages over a period of over 300 years.
Road to Hana lava tubes
Just past mile marker 31, located off of Ulaino Road, you can admire the lavascape of the Hana Lava Tubes. Pick up a flashlight at the entrance and take the short self-guided tour to explore this unique tunnel where the Haleakala lava once flowed through.
Wai’anapanapa State Park and Honokalani Black Sand Beach Maui
Wai’anapanapa State Park is one of the most popular Road to Hana stops, in particular thanks to the unique Honokalani beach, hidden behind the palms in a picturesque bay. In addition to this black sand beach on Maui, you can visit 2 caves with fresh water floating above the salty ocean water.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: You need to reserve your entry to Waianapanapa State Park in advance now.
Hana town
The turning point for most, since there’s not that much to see in Hana. For the real adventurers, the fun shouldn’t end at Hana. There’s more to discover past this point too, in the Kipahulu section which is actually part of the Haleakala National Park.
By the way, did you know that Haleakala is the largest dormant volcano in the world? No? Then check out these surprising facts about Hawaii to find out more.
You’ll notice that the mile markers will go down from here on.
Kaihalulu or Red Sand Beach
This Road to Hana stop is located in a volcanic cinder. The iron in the lava gives the sand its deep red color. Ironwood trees and wild waves complete the picture. Reaching this beach is treacherous as the trail that’s located on the side of the hill is steep and slippery. It may just be a short hike but don’t underestimate the danger: visitors have sustained injuries here before.
Note: The miles past Hana are indicated by markers that start counting down.
Hamoa beach
A gorgeous and secluded salt and pepper beach, lined with lava rock cliffs of lava rock. Hamoa Beach is 1,000 ft long and crescent-shaped. This is the perfect place to enjoy that sumptuous banana bread and sweet coconut candy.
Wailua Falls
A very popular waterfall, just a 20-minute drive from Hana and with ample parking, for a change. Because of that, it can get crowded so if the best time to enjoy Wailua Falls is earlier or later in the day.
Pipiwai Trail
This is known to be one of the most epic hikes in all of Maui. A 4-mile loop trail leads hikers passed the 185-foot Makahiku Falls, a massive banyan tree, three bamboo forests, and the stunning 400-foot Waimoku Falls. Along the trail, which gains 650 ft (200 m) of elevation, there’s ample signage.
Pools of ‘Ohe’o
The ‘Ohe’o Gulch, also known as Seven Sacred Pools, is a series of pools (more than seven in fact) and waterfalls that empty into the Pacific. It’s a magical place to swim. This area has actually been closed for almost 2 years (from January 2017 until December 2018) because of a rock slide. Much to the delight of visitors, it has been reopened to the public. There’s even an on-site campground should you have a hard time leaving.
Bonus stop when returning home from Hana
Ho’okipa Beach Park
Close to where you began your legendary Road to Hana road trip, is Ho’okipa Beach Park. Insiders told us that it’s the perfect place to enjoy a spectacular sunset in the company of honu (Hawaiian name for the green sea turtle). As an added bonus, you’ll find the iconic Mauian restaurant Mama’s Fish House just around the corner.
Road to Hana map
This Road to Hana map indicates the Road to Hana stops that we planned on taking, plus some optional post-Hana stops for the hard-core road trippers. Oh, and from a practical point of view, we’ve also marked some lunch options and restroom stops.
Feel free to use this Road to Hana map with mile markers and build on it when you’re planning a trip to Maui.
Our Road to Hana nightmare
After reading about all these fantastic Road to Hana stops, you picture this idyllic road trip that was nothing short of perfect, right? Well, think again. Let us tell you how NOT to do the Road to Hana. Trust us, we’re experts.
Of all the days we could have picked to drive this (in)famous road, this was probably the worst one in terms of weather. Sure, we expected some rain on this part of the island but we weren’t prepared for this. It was raining pretty bad when we passed Paia in the morning and the further we drove, the more pouring it got. At least we could enjoy the breathtaking views of the coastline, right? Think again, there was so much fog that we couldn’t even catch a glimpse of the ocean. We passed the first Road to Hana stops on our list, hoping that the weather would turn.
The Hana highway is known to be dangerous because of its 620 curves, of which many hairpins, and 59 one-lane bridges. Add the terrible weather to the mix and you get a dangerous road trip cocktail. Too dangerous to continue, in our opinion. To add to the fun, the girls got car sick… for the first time ever. Since opening our Wrangler’s soft top or pulling over when you need wasn’t exactly an option, things got pretty messy.
Road to Hana tips
Should you decide to go for it anyway, then make sure to leave prepared.
Download the GuideAlong app (formerly Gypsy app) so you won’t miss any stops. Some Road to Hana mile markers is easy to miss.
Fuel up the car before you leave or do so in Paia. There aren’t any gas stations along the highway.
Leave early to avoid the crowds.
Join the Road to Hana, Maui Facebook group
Make a video of your epic adventure. This GoPro car mount is the perfect accessory to film your Road to Hana road trip.
Add these items to your vacation packing list: hiking shoes, cash, water, more water, plenty of light snacks, a picnic blanket, swimwear, towels, and GoPro. Motion sickness related: Dramamine and some plastic bags, just in case.
Try the delicious street food. You will find some quaint food stands along the Hana highway but the offer tends to be very limited (don’t expect to find water bottles at every stand). Then again, each has its finger-licking specialty.
Ignore that FOMO because comfort should be your number one priority. Whether you’ll make it to Hana all the way or halfway, you can take credit for having driven the Hana highway.
Give the driver a break by either staying in a gorgeous tropical retreat close to the first Road to Hana stop so you can start your trip really early or by making it a 2-day trip and spending the night at the Hana Maui Resort by Hyatt Residence (formerly known as the Travaasa luxury hotel). You’ll be much more relaxed when you know you have plenty of time to complete this challenging drive. Note that there are no other hotels along the Hana Highway. But there are some amazing Hana vacation rentals! Check out these suggestions:
1 bedroom – sleeps 2
3 bedrooms – sleeps 8
Alternatively, you could rent a luxury camper van, such as this one, and explore the Road to Hana at your own pace.
Don’t count on making random pitstops. “Make sure to make frequent stops”. That was the advice I came across more than once when I was doing research. What a joke! When you’ve been on the Road to Hana, then you know how unrealistic this is. The Hana highway is dangerous and simply doesn’t allow for random pit stops.
Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. Don’t make the same mistake we did, interpreting rain as nothing more than an occasional shower. That might be true, on some days, but clearly not every day. The East Maui weather is highly unpredictable.
Reasons to reconsider and recommendations
If you have young kids.
Maui is the most popular Hawaiian island for family vacations. We’re usually the family that will insist that you can take your kids on pretty much any journey but this one was a failure. You will remember the magic of a road trip of this caliber, however, chances are your kids won’t. Our girls, 8 and 6 years old and both seasoned travelers, were clearly bored. Yes, the rain prevented us from making stops and yes, they got sick. But on some days, that’s part of the experience. Consider that when adding this Maui activity to your schedule. There are plenty of other things to do on Maui with kids that don’t require such an intensive journey.
If you suffer from motion sickness.
That’s an obvious one. On the other hand, there’s a first time for everything. Our kids never got car sick before this trip, like never ever. But their stomach was no match for this road.
If you’re a nervous driver.
The Hana Highway will put your patience and driving skills to the test. Minimizing the time spent in the car is not an option, you have to go with the flow.
If you hate the outlook of having to do this challenging drive a second time.
The excitement of hitting the road will be long gone by the time you’ll be returning. Plus, you’ll be tired from the activities that day and the focus it took to complete the drive the first time.
Our recommendation would be to focus on the first few Road to Hana stops and take it from there. Don’t pressure yourself to drive it out, just keep it enjoyable.
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Some of these issues might be resolved by taking a full-day tour. An added benefit is that most adventure tour company excursions are guided, so you’ll learn all about the surrounding nature. I wouldn’t travel in a large group, though, because some fellow travelers will likely get sick. If you want to travel in comfort, book a small-group tour or a private tour. It’ll be worth the extra cost. Oh, and try to reserve seats on the driver’s side of the van or you’ll miss the views in between the Road to Hana stops.
Best Road to Hana alternatives
Go on a helicopter tour
I still wonder why I didn’t think of it while we were actually there. If we make it to Maui again, then this will be the way to go for us. Imagine seeing the many curves and hairpins from the air without compromising on the views. Sure, you’ll miss the Road to Hana stops but you’ll get more panorama and comfort in return. Check out this spectacular helicopter tour.
Visit the Big Island
As it appears to me, the Road to Hana is so popular because it gives visitors a taste of ‘the real Hawaii’. They look for an authentic feel, breaking away from the touristic, resort-like west coast. Well, if that’s what you’re looking for too, then you might as well head to the Big Island of Hawaii.
There are plenty of adventurous things to do near Hilo, some of which are true authentic gems. There’s more distance to cover but the different best Big Island attractions are way more easy to reach (no hairpins). Some of the best hikes in Hawaii, spectacular waterfalls, black sand beaches, an intriguing green sand beach, lava tubes, a botanical garden, tropical farm stands, and panoramas alike. Just check out this picture we took of Rainbow Falls. Hard to compete with Big Island Hawaii! Check out our article on where to stay on the Big Island to find your perfect spot.
FAQ about the Road to Hana tour
We’ve dedicated an entire website on the best places to stay in Maui, complete with driving times to and from the most popular resorts.
Well, that depends on how many Hana Highway stops you plan on taking. If you were to just drive from Paia to Hana, it would take you just over 2 hours. One way, that is. So, you could get that first leg over with and then leisurely enjoy the full experience on your way back.
Again, it depends on your plan for the road trip. If you plan on discovering the stops beyond Hana, then we would strongly recommend it. Also, since it’s a pretty intensive drive, splitting up the journey would allow the driver more time to relax.
Avoid the weekends and keep an eye on the weather, that’s all you can do. Local traffic makes up just a small part of the Hana highway traffic, after all. When you travel to Maui during peak season, it’ll most probably be peak season on the Road to Hana as well.
On a busy day, there’ll be no escaping the crowds. Even on that rainy day when we started our road trip, the parking lot at Twin Falls – the first Road to Hana stop – was full and we saw cars parked at the side of the road. Your best bet is to leave either really early or in the early afternoon (and then spend the night in Hana).
No, you don’t. We’d even suggest picking out a small car since the Hana highway has some very narrow, one-way episodes.
Booking your Maui rental car in advance is crucial because supply is limited. Your best bet is to book it right after confirming your flights.
We got our car at Discount Hawaii Car Rental, where you can find a selection of cars from all popular vacation rental companies at competitive prices, and found a great deal. The best thing is that they don’t even require a credit card for guarantee or prepayment, so consider it a no-strings-attached car rental booking.
The options are limited, the town’s pretty small after all. There’s one hotel that keeps getting glowing reviews and that’s the Hana Maui Resort by Hyatt Residence (formerly known as the Travaasa Hana Hotel). We haven’t made it that far ourselves but it sure looks heavenly.
We listed the best vacation rentals in Hana on our dedicated Maui accommodation site. Here are some examples of amazing rentals that offer the most stunning views:
1 bedrooms – sleeps 2
3 bedrooms – sleeps 8
We love the many unique rentals that dot the islands. Check out our personal selection of dreamy Airbnbs in Hawaii and you’ll know what we mean.
Which Road to Hana stops are on your list?
Our honest Hana highway article is not your typical story to say the least. I realize how much it conflicts with the glowing reviews you might have heard or read before. The terrible weather was our main source of disappointment. Still, we just can’t see the fun in being stuck in the car all day, on a dangerous road, not being able to pull over where we want. That’s just the opposite of what we think a road trip is all about: the freedom. 🙂 But that doesn’t mean we might not give this legendary road a second chance the next time we go island hopping in Hawaii.
Now we want to hear from you! Have you had the time of your life on this curvy highway and lots of other Road to Hana stops to recommend? Let us know! Should we have handled this trip differently? Enlighten us! Would you have continued driving in our rainy, messy situation? Yeah, right! Do you have a Road to Hana experience that’s similar to ours? Start commenting!
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Those kind of exotic places make you somehow moivated to see the whole world <3 I love it!
I’m amazed by how much you saw, what a thorough post! I just came back from Hawaii and loved it, can’t wait to go back and adding these to my list!
Same here, we can’t wait to return! There’s so much we still want to see and experience. It’s the kind of place you just can’t get enough from…
Wow! This is an exceptional road trip destination, Sarah. Plus, those stops are mesmerizing. How many days would be enough to explore the whole Road to Hana?
Hi Lydia! Happy to read you enjoyed the article. Most visitors plan all Road to Hana stops in one day. But from what we’ve experienced, I wouldn’t rush it like that. The trip is so intensive that I’d recommend 2 days with an overnight stay in Hana. Planning some stops in each direction will allow you to enjoy the sights much more. You won’t find any hotels along the Hana highway so taking a break in Hana is the only option. If you’d like to add the post-Hana stops as well, like the KÄ«pahulu District, then you could add a 3rd day. In this case, make sure to check the latest conditions since land slides can lead to temporary closures. Happy travels!