No matter your vibe (laid-back coastal or hard-core volcanic) or your preferred difficulty level, Maui has got a hike (or scenic jaunt) for you! Here’s our top picks for the best Maui hikes.
Written by Lauren
From crystal clear sandy beaches to rugged coastal lava cliffs to lush mountain jungles to barren volcanic terrain, it’s hard to believe that so many unique topographies exist on one island.
Between days at the beach and exploring scenic routes, we recommend adding a hike or two to your Maui itinerary. There’s no better way to immerse yourself in and experience a place like lacing up your boots and hitting the trails.
Not a hiker?
Intimidated by the word hike?
Not a problem. Just choose an easy trail with little elevation gain.
And just like that, now you’ve got yourself nothing more than a casual scenic jaunt. Easy-peasy.
Because that’s really all it is.
None of the easy to moderate trails listed here require mountaineering skills (which we ain’t got).
Before you know it, you might even find yourself seeking out longer, more challenging trails, and even calling yourself a hiker. (Warning: hiking, scenic jaunting—whatever you want to call it—is addicting. Once you start, you just might find you can’t stop.)
So whether you’re an avid hiker or someone who just likes to hike from time to time, we’ve got something for you. And if you find yourself completely out of your depth, we got some guided tours to get you out on the trail with the professionals.
Here are the best Maui hikes, starting this list off with our favorite hike we did on the island.
Jump right to it . . .
Coastal trails
1. Kapalua Coastal Trail
2. Ke Ala Loa a Maui/Piilani Trail
Mountain trails
3. Waihe’e Ridge Trail
4. ʻĪao Needle
Jungle trails
5. Waikamoi Nature Trail
6. Pīpīwai Trail
Volcanic trails
7. Pa Ka’oao Trail
8. Halemau’u Trail
9. Keonehe’ehe’e (Sliding Sands) Trail
Recommended reading
Map
Pocket Guide
Tips for the best Maui hikes:
- Use an app like AllTrails to map your route while hiking, so you don’t get lost (happens to the best of us)
- Bring more water than you think you’ll need
- Snacks are good too!
- Other things to bring in your pack: first aid kit, tripod (selfies don’t take themselves), and a flashlight
- Wear proper footwear and attire—layers + sweat-wicking wool socks are your friends
- Don’t start a hike with less than two hours of daylight left (trust us on this one)
- Let someone know where you’re going
Maui Coastal Hikes
1. Kapalua Coastal Trail in Kapalua
(kah – puh – LOO – uh)
This 2.5 mile hike will take you from paved beach sidewalk under swaying palms to rocky terrain over coastal cliffs of lava fields.
Miles: 2.5 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 150-200ft
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Facilities: bathrooms + showers at Kapalua Bay Beach
No dogs allowed
Where to park:
Kapalua Bay Beach parking lot
99 Coconut Grove Ln, Lahaina, HI 96761
(It was full when I came in the late afternoon, so I had to park down Lower Honoapiilani Rd and walk)
Ironwoods Kapalua Free Parking
Free public parking at Dragon’s Teeth trailhead
It is a sometimes rocky trek through a bizarre lava field landscape, so closed-toe shoes are recommended!
Since this walk is very exposed, we recommend doing this in the morning or late afternoon. Bring plenty of water and don’t forget to wear a hat and sunscreen.
Beginning at Kapalua Bay Beach, the hike starts off on a paved sidewalk along the beach and winds through a beautifully manicured lawn under palm trees.
Once you’re past Namalu Bay and Montage Kapalua Bay Hotel, the pavement ends and turns to sand. If you turn left, you can follow this trail out to the cliffy coast for a scenic lookout. This is a dead end, so you will have to turn around.
If you turn right, the trail leads you along the edges of a lava field outcropping. Feel free to get off the beaten path and explore the small peninsula out to the Kapalua Tide pools.
It’s not exactly easy to get lost here, but it did take me a few minutes to find my way back to the path after I wandered off to the coastline. Not a big deal though, just head inland. You will find the trail again.
Follow this along the Ironwood Cliffs to Oneloa Beach (oh – neh – LOH – ah). This was one of my favorite spots to stop and take lots of video and pictures of the waves crashing into the cliffs below.
There’s a boardwalk along Oneloa Beach you can walk or you can take your shoes off and walk along the tide for a well-deserved mid-way break. This beach was a beautiful, low-key find. I stayed for a few minutes, watching a pair of surfers catch some waves.
You can also start at this end.
From here, you can also easily add a hike out to Dragon’s Teeth on Makaluapuna Point.
Post hike, take a dip in the clear waters of Kapalua Bay (also a great spot for snorkeling). Then head to nearby Sea House Restaurant for pau hana (happy hour) and a pupu (snack).
2. Ke Ala Loa a Maui/Piilani Trail at Waiʻānapanapa State Park
(key – a – la – low – ah -ah) / (pee – la – NEE)
A two to three mile, moderate round trip hike that takes you along the rugged coastline over lava fields with fantastic views.
Miles: 2 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 150ft
Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Difficulty: moderate
Facilities: bathrooms + showers
No dogs allowed
Where to park:
Waiʻānapanapa State Park
Don’t forget your QR code
You must book your time slot and parking in advance ($10 per vehicle).
Make sure to open up your reservation QR code on your phone’s browser and screenshot it before you hit the road because chances are good you will not have service to access it when you need it.
Maui Mountain Hikes
3. Waihe’e Ridge Trail in Wailuku
(why – HEH – eh)
A steep climb up a mountain ridge—hot, hard, but great views of the northern Windward coast.
Miles: 4 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 1600ft
Time: 3 hours (if you make it to the top—we didn’t)
Difficulty: hard
Facilities: port-a-potty at trailhead parking lot
Dogs allowed, but must be leashed
Where to park:
Waihe’e Ridge Trailhead parking lot
Turn left off Kahekili Highway onto Maluhia Road, across the street from Mendes Ranch Maui, and drive up until you reach the parking lot.
Since this trek is very exposed, we recommend doing it in the morning or late afternoon. Bring plenty of water and don’t forget to wear a hat and sunscreen.
This hike begins in a dusty parking lot off the windy Kahekili Highway and starts with a steep incline up a paved drive. From there, you enter a small forested stretch of mostly gentle switchbacks. Enjoy the shade while you can!
After you exit the tree line, the narrow, vegetation-lined trail continues its switch backs up the very-exposed ridge.
Along this stretch, you’ll have views looking down into the carved, tree-carpeted valley below on one side, and the Big Blue on the other.
For all our huffing and puffing, we did not make it all the way to the top.
The way back is mercifully downhill.
If you’re lucky, a friendly equine will happily welcome you back from the pasture adjacent to the parking lot (with only minimal side-eye).
Pro Tip
Pack a post-hike lunch and drink
(Maui POG seltzer, I’m looking at you).
Trust us, you’ll want it.
You can thank us later.
4. ʻĪao Needle at ʻĪao State Monument
(EE – ow)
Short, scenic hike on paved walkway through the lush ʻĪao Valley to a viewpoint of Kuka’emoku (the ʻĪao Needle), a 1200 foot peak carved out from erosion. The valley itself was a sacred site to the native Hawaiians. It’s also the site where the Maui army was conquered by Kamehameha I in 1790.
Miles: .5 mile loop
Elevation gain: 130ft
Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: so easy grandma could do it
Facilities: bathroom
Pups have to stay at home
Where to park:
ʻĪao Valley State Monument parking lot
54 S High St, Wailuku, HI 96793
Entrance fee: $10 for non-Hawaii vehicles, free for residents
Looking for more info? Check out Maui Guidebook.
Maui Jungle Hikes
5. Waikamoi Nature Trail on the Road to Hāna
(best bet: why – ka – moy)
This was my second favorite trail and one we didn’t even plan for (the best kind!).
It’s a short, easy jungle hike along the road to Hāna.
Miles: just shy of 1 mile out and back
Elevation gain: 250ft
Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: easy
Facilities: none
Dogs must be leashed
Where to park:
Small lot off Hana highway
Waikamoi Nature Trailhead and Parking Area
HI-360, Haiku, HI 96708
We had this trail to ourselves, and it was exactly what my soul needed on the windy coastal drive—a lush, tropical jungle oasis filled with bird-song, sun streaming in through the canopy above, and trees dripping with vines.
Highly recommend this stop to stretch your legs and breathe in the rich, earthy air.
6. Pīpīwai Trail
(best bet: pee – pee – why)
A forested trail to Waimoku (why – mo – koo) waterfall in the Kīpahulu (kih – pah – HOO – loo) District of Haleakalā National Park, 12 miles past Hana on the Hana Highway.
Miles: 3.8 miles
Elevation gain: 800-900ft
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: moderate
Facilities: bathrooms at Visitor Center
No dogs allowed
Can be muddy, wear hiking shoes/boots!
Where to park:
Kīpahulu Visitor Center
Hana, HI 96713
Closes at 5pm
Entrance fee: $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, $15 on foot or bike (credit card)
Other features:
- ‘Oheo’o Gulch—small waterfall and pools, sometimes called Seven Sacred Pools
- Overlook of Makahiku Falls
- Bamboo forest one mile in
- ends at Waimoku Falls
Maui Volcanic Hikes
Haleakalā National Park
(Hal – lay – AH – kah – la)
Haleakala sunrise by James Wheeler
7. Pa Ka’oao Trail
(best bet: pah – kah – o – ah – o)
A short hike from the visitor center to see the crater of Haleakalā and ancient rock wall shelters.
Miles: .5 mile out and back
Elevation gain: 100ft
Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: easy
Facilities: bathrooms at Visitor Center
No dogs allowed
Where to park:
Haleakalā Visitor Center parking lot
Closes at 4pm
Entrance fee: $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, $15 on foot or bike (credit card)
8. Halemau’u Trail
(best bet: hal – aye – ma – oo – oo)
Miles: 7.6 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 2,400ft
Time: 4.5 – 5 hours
Difficulty: hard
Facilities: none
No dogs allowed
Where to park:
Halemau’u trailhead lot
Entrance fee: $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, $15 on foot or bike (credit card)
9. Keonehe’ehe’e (Sliding Sands) Trail
(best bet: keh – o – nay – hey – e – hee)
Miles: 11.2 miles point to point
Elevation gain: 3,000ft
Time: 6 – 7 hours
Difficulty: hard
Facilities: none
No dogs allowed
Where to park:
Haleakalā Visitor Center parking lot
Closes at 4pm
Entrance fee: $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, $15 on foot or bike (credit card)
Haleakala National Park by James Wheeler
Maui Revealed
This is my go-to resource for Maui and I cannot recommend this book enough!
Andrew is the real deal. He (and now his team) live and breathe Hawaii in a way that seriously makes me jealous, spending two years on the ground researching, exploring, and doing all the things before publishing their blue guidebooks.
All written with a dash of humor and a smattering of sarcasm, it’s the perfect companion for your Maui trip planning.
In Maui Revealed, he covers:
- Maui’s history
- Everything you need to know about Maui
- All 6 areas of the island, plus 3 offshore islands
- Reviews of all beaches
- Activities
- Adventures
- Dining
X marks the spot!
9 Best Maui Hikes
Maui Coastal Hikes
Kapalua Coastal Trail
2.5 miles • 1 hour • Easy
Ke Ala Loa a/Piilani Trail
2-3 miles • 1 hour • Moderate
Maui Mountain Hikes
Waihe’e Ridge Trail
4 miles • 3 hours • Hard
ʻĪao Needle Lookout Trail
.5 miles • 15 minutes • Easy
Maui Jungle Hikes
Waikamoi Nature Trail
.5 miles • 15 minutes • Easy
Pipiwai Trail
3.8 miles • 2 hours • Moderate
Maui Volcanic Hikes
Pa Ka’oao Trail
.5 miles • 15 minutes • Easy
Halemau’u Trail
7.6 miles • 5 hours • Hard
Keonehe’ehe’e Trail
11.2 miles • 8 hours • Hard
No matter your vibe (laid-back coastal or hard-core volcanic) or your preferred difficulty level, Maui has got a hike (or scenic jaunt) for you! Nothing like a little blood, sweat, and tears (we’re kidding—mostly) to make you feel connected to the land, and yourself, again.
And if you can reward yourself with a mid or post-hike waterfall dip or barefoot cool-off—you can’t beat it! That’s what we call livin’.
Now that you’ve got your list of the best Maui hikes, lace up those boots and get out there!
Mahalo!
The Maui Collection
About Lauren
Reader, writer, traveller, itinerary-creator & mapmaker extraordinaire
Detroit-born, Nashville-bent, everywhere-bound, some of her favorite things include drinking coffee, eating in roadside diners frequented by locals and truckers alike, reading entire guidebooks front to back, visiting local bookshops, spirit questing in New Mexico, watching wildlife documentaries, listening to unapologetic amounts of Taylor Swift, and sitting in aisle seats. To name a few.
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