Exploring the Road to Hana

The number one thing that most Maui guides have in common is a day trip exploring the Road to Hana. This recommendation is number one for a reason! With winding roads with incredible views in every direction, the Road to Hana is one of a kind. Lined with hikes, beautiful waterfalls, black sand beaches, and homemade banana bread, the journey may be the highlight to your Maui vacation.

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When to Go / How Long is the Journey

Plan on making the Road to Hana a full day on your Maui itinerary.

We would recommend the Road to Hana for your first full day on island. Time zones changes are difficult and if you are coming from mainland USA, you will likely be up early anyways. So go ahead and get out of bed, grab your rental car, and start heading to Hana.

You will need a large part of the day for this adventure but it is well worth it. It will likely take you a bit of time to get to your starting point. If you are staying in Wailea, plan on it taking around 30-45 minutes to get to the official Road to Hana starting point, Paia Town.

This journey will not be a short one. Make sure you fill your tank up with gas in Paia before you get going. In addition, grab your first coffee of the day (don’t worry, you can grab your second at Nahiku Marketplace on the road).

Planning Your Adventure

The Road to Hana is lined with an incredible number of breathtaking sights.

There are many maps online (or even possibly provided by your hotel) outlining all of the stops you can explore. If you try to stop at all, you will be on the road for days. I would recommend picking 5 stops that look the most appealing to you.

We hope this guide helps you narrow down the stops you would like to make on this breathtaking journey.

Stops on our Way to Hana / Haleakala

• Twin Falls: This is a common first stop on the Road to Hana. There are short and long hike options that will take you to multiple waterfalls for viewing and swimming.
• Nahiku Marketplace: This is where you should stop for your second cup of coffee. The Nahiku Marketplace has a small coffee shop for your pick me up. The marketplace has wonderful banana bread as well as a small market with local art for purchase.
• Waianapanapa State Park: Home to the most incredible black sand beach, this is one of the most popular spots on the Road to Hana. Note: you will need to make reservations for the park ahead of time.
• Haleakala National Park: During the planning stage, we decided to take our drive past Hana, all the way out to Haleakala National Park. If you are looking for a long hike, this is your stop. Waimoku Falls (a 400-foot waterfall) sits at the end of the main trail at this park. For those who just like short hikes, the Falls of Makahiku (a 185-foot waterfall) can be seen early on the same trail. In addition, this park is home to the beautiful Ohe’o Gulch (also known as the Seven Sacred Pools).

Stops on our Way Back

• Wailea Falls: Located right off of Hana Highway between Haleakala and Hana, you can easily park and visit this beauty.
• Hana Town: Hana Town is the perfect place to stop for a wonderful lunch. There are a handful of food trucks and restaurants to relax to choose from. In addition, this is a great town for a short break before the long trek back to Wailea (or wherever you are staying).
• Baldwin Beach Park: While not technically on the official Road to Hana, we enjoyed a short stop at Baldwin Beach Park. A white sand beach park just outside of Paia.

What to Bring on your Journey

Exploring the Road to Hana is not exactly an easy feat. Make sure you bring the necessities on your journey.

• Phone Charger: Between mapping locations and taking pictures, your phone will need an extra boost on this long day trip.
• Sunscreen: I don’t think I need to explain this one.
• Cash: There are many “honor system” fruit stands along the road. Make sure you have some cash on hand for a fresh fruit treat.
• Hiking Shoes: If you plan on completing any of the hikes on the Road to Hana, we would recommend hiking shoes. We are not avid hikers and do not own hiking shoes but we were comfortable on short hikes. However, if you plan on longer trails, pack hiking shoes.
• Swimsuit: Make sure you have a swimsuit for a nice, refreshing dip in the ocean or a waterfall pool.
• Dry Clothes: Throw an extra set of clothes in your car so you can ride home dry.

Final Thoughts

Exploring the Road to Hana is a long day with winding roads but filled of incredible sights and experiences. In total, from Wailea to Haleakala and back to Wailea, with 7 stops and lunch, the drive took us around 10 hours. This beautiful day trip on Maui is a must no matter how long you plan to stay on the island.

Thinking about a short getaway to Maui? Make sure you check out our Weekend Guide to Maui.