Heres the thingthis isnt Disney World. Grab a cup of coffee and try it with their lavender honey. Of course if you only want to drive the back side of the road to Hana because you want to reach Haleakala National Park Kipahulu District sooner, you can turn around after exploring the park and drive back the way you came. Distraction is a great way to keep the fear at bay. Instanbul is chaotic, cultured and full of life. Rating: In a nutshell: If you like the road less traveled, continuing on past Hana around Haleakala is an adventure worth taking. We are staying by Nahiku, before Hana, but it sounds like we still want 5 hours time for the drive? Bottom line: read the actual fine print of your contract and know YOUR situation with your personal insurance and dont just go on hearsay. What makes it so dangerousIt's a road! Just indicate into one of the MANY pull-outs and let them by. WIND CAVE SD What are your fears and doubts? The Road to Hana is an absolutely stunning road trip to take on any Maui vacation, and is 100% a must-do. You really should be more fearful driving to the airport or shipping in Walmart, are you going to buy an I Survived Wallmart Kahului?. Whatever you have to say just drop us a comment below. 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! Driving a car is dangerous. You can read Road to Hana tour reviews on getyourguide. Even though it's only 64.4 miles long it takes the average tourists 2-3 hours to drive. I wouldn't suggest driving through Kahakuloa to any tourists. 13 years ago Save IMHO, it's neither dangerous nor scary. Copyright 2023 Lincoln Travel Co ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, guide for sunrise at Haleakala National Park, 20 of the best adventure activities on Maui, the best things to do on a Maui honeymoon. Any help is very welcome. If the (only) road from Kaanapali to central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We read that sunset is around 7pm so we're thinking this is safe. But heres the thingits still not really unpleasant unless you know what it used to be like before there was the surge in tourists. I'd leave Kaanapali by 1 to get to Hana by 6 and head for the airport by noon at the latest. If you have serious doubts over whether or not the road is for you, or you are pretty convinced this type of driving is not your style then you have three options. The biggest mistake most people make when visiting Hana is trying to do it all in one day. The only sketchy part is if you're driving along the cliffs edge backwards into Hana on the waters edge. Towels - It's most likely going to rain. 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. FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES The Highway is very popular, and the narrow. I carry AAA independently (plus my auto insurance and credit card cover this) so I always decline all extra insurance. The Best Stops on the Road to Hana Early Stops Most of the big waterfalls and impressive black sand beaches are later on in the drive, so for the first hour or so, just enjoy the road and get as far along as you can to keep the crowds way behind you, especially if your objective is to do the Pipiwai Stream Trail Hike: Also, if you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). On Another Note: If youre looking for a condo or vacation rental for your trip, I always book with Vrbo. The first being Alelele Falls which you can find on google maps here. There are literally signs posted telling you to honk as you go around the blind corners. We have written extensively and lyrically about the road in our other articles and we imagine if you are seriously questioning the journey you are pretty aware of what the road is so we will not go in too deep here. People that make it all the way to Kipahulu are usually the ones that ask about turning back and retracing their path back through Hana and on to Paia or driving through (continuing clockwise around the island) the backside of the Road to Hana. The Road to Hana is known for having winding roads. Break ins do occur. Once you leave the National Park, theres not really a ton of places I recommend to stop. There are 620 bends, many of them extremely sharp or hairpin turns, over the course of that 64 miles. I think nearly all of us have some kind of phobia, some irrational, spiders, birds, outdoors, speeches, heights, flying. If youve just started your Hana research, heres how it works: the Road to Hana is considered to start in Paia on the north shore of Maui. But, there are plenty of people who think the back Road to Hana isnt really a big deal. (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. Yum! The Jungle Canopy envelopes the road leading to mild claustrophobia and an uncomfortable sense of being consumed. Set Aside Multiple Days. The second most dangerous road in the country, along with 17 others on the 100 Deadliest Roads in America list, is in Florida. It is not a place for nervous drivers, and if even attempting the Hana Highway is questionable for you, do not even consider the back route. 9. The backside road is VERY different from the front road and definitely worth experiencing. Once you leave the National Park, its less than an hour and a half drive to Kula (back to civilization). Manawainui Gulch. You need to be at the airport 3 hours before your flight and it's a 3 hour drive from Wainapanapa IF you aren't behind a slow train(qnd the traffic will be very heavy during that time you are headed to the airport) also if weather caused a downed tree or landslide you are just stuck. And so, it just depends on the kind of driver you are! The Pools at O'heo. This is the honey bee sanctuary. In about the same amount of time as it would take you to go back the way you came, you can see a side of Maui many miss. Paia is a small, laid back town on the Northshore of Maui. A lot of locals go off the road in there even and die. It was ok, not really our thing. 4 The Road Is Winding. Need to stay under a fixed budget? 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 take the time to research the road in advance and be . If you are still undecided about whether or not you want to drive the Road to Hana on your own, there are Road to Hana tours. Most folks begin their road to Hana drive from the town Paia on Highway 36 which ends after mile marker 16. At this historic store you can purchase snacks and use a restroom if you are a customer. (The other is the crater at the top of Haleakala .) Its 60ish miles of continuously bending tarmac slice right through some unbelievable scenery, with countless waterfalls, dense jungle foliage, and plunging seacliffs allowing sweeping vistas down the coast. We intend to stop only at Hanawi Falls briefly (1 hour), and we understand that it is otherwise a 2 hour drive. The road is very comfortable for one car to drive on, the problem comes when you pass another car. You suggest skipping Kanapali altogether. So, you will want to look into driving the back road to Hana further to see if you feel comfortable with it! Hi Im Jess. The first lookout on the left is Koki Beach overlook but you can skip this and continue to Hamoa Beach further ahead. There are closer beaches to the airport like in Kihei which is considered south Maui. SNORKELING SHIRTS SOUTH DAKOTA Bring ones you don't mind getting muddy. It is just not inside their comfort zone. However, it also comes with a fearsome reputation, and strikes fear into the hearts of many. have no issue at all, but it is narrower, more exposed, and in places has no asphalt topcoat (Dirt Track). Most visitors tend to zip to and from Hana with a checklist of sights to photograph. Along Maui's rugged eastern coastline is the peaceful town of Hna, considered one of the last unspoiled Hawaiian frontiers. It REALLY isnt a bad road. Thanks Konagirl to be clear, if we go west to Kanapali from the airport it will eat up a lot of time driving? If you continue on in the loop, youll eventually come through Ulupalakua (where Maui Wine is) and Kula in upcountry Maui and can take the highway back down towards Paia and Kahului. But still, people fear the road and take the I survived the Road To Hana T-Shirts Seriously. 7) I hear it's a far worse drive when it rains - are roads likely to be washed out in early August? You just have to keep your sight lines open and watch for cars coming in the other direction. ), this will be on your mind all day ruining the trip. 9) Is there anything I'm not considering that I should be considering? Am I missing something youre trying to tell me? Maybe well do Kanapali only and then head out east? Here the road is exposed to some fairly large drops, however, these are all behind Armco rails and there are no large unprotected drops. This means you are taking all the risk when driving the reverse road to Hana. Want flexible cancellation terms? Read the fine print as driving the back road to Hana, Maui maybreach your rental car agreement or insurance. This is a tough and fairly common problem. If you are in charge of the directions and finding the stops, that is one less thing to distract the driver and gives you something to do. Finally, the highlight of the back road to Hana is the Kipahulu entrance to Haleakala National Park. The back road to Hana is not like this the whole way, or even most of the way, but it is there! The Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park is past Hana town and well worth the additional drive. *Update when I was here May 2021 during a weekday around noon they were closed. So looking out for these symptoms can show how scared you are by a certain situation. Itll avoid the uncomfortable situation of figuring out how youre going to squeeze past (or backing up) once youre on them. In this article, we take a look at what causes the Roads Fearsome reputation, and ask honestly How Scary is the Road to Hana Really?. That would allow you to pass through the most lush parts of the highway in the morning. For most of the drive, a very narrow road winds through lush, green forests. Road To Hana (Maui) - Toughest Section DrMKC 739 subscribers 56K views 7 years ago This is the dashcam video of the toughest 30 minutes on the famous Road to Hana in Maui. Its possible that some companies offer roadside assistance coverage that you can purchase additionally and maybe this portion of the road isnt included in that. Plus, there are 59 bridges, the majority of which are only wide enough for 1 car at a time. The Road to Hana (aka the Hana Highway) does not dead-end, so instead of turning around, it is possible to keep driving. . Avengers Campus Disney California Adventure- Ultimate Guide, 10 Best Things To Do In Chicago, Illinois Our Guide to the Top Attractions in Chicago, Illinois. I thank you in advance. They hold masses here on the 5th Sunday of every month but you can explore the grounds at any time. We just cant Visit Maui without taking a highway trip. Is it dangerous? The first of the road to Hana stops you'll come to is Paia town. ), read my reviews of staying at the Four Seasons and the Fairmont Kea Lani. What is the Weather Like in Chicago, Illinois? Is 3pm too late in the day to head out from Kanapali to Hana? The first of many Road to Hana stops, the Twin Falls is situated in the Ho'olawa Valley. It is not hard to see why either, this stunning highway runs through pristine rainforest, past numerous world-class waterfalls, and has more jaw-dropping vistas per mile than any other piece of tarmac in the world. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. In the end, was it all worth it for YOU? Outside of this section, the road is more inland, wider, slightly less bendy, and on the whole pretty sedate. Nahiku Marketplace. The tours use GPS to offer turn-by-turn directions and audio narration with stories and music. Really the worst thing about it is the Hire Car prohibitions meaning you are uninsured and beyond the reach of the Hire Car Recovery truck (meaning you will have to pay for recovery yourself $$$). So if you REALLY know its just going to be too much and even the thought of it is keeping you up at night, Its time to let the pros do the driving. TSA lines have been very long. #travelp. After growing up on these the road to Hana was no problem. This three-part waterfall is often called the Three Bear Falls for the Papa Bear-, Mamma Bear-, and Baby Bear-size cascades of water. The Majority of the road is one-lane each way, although the road regularly drops down to one way for BOTH directions. 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.. You can help by pulling over to let people faster than you by, there is nothing to be gained by holding someone up, they will get increasingly angry, more erratic, and make your trip far more uncomfortable. Who thinks of these things? Along this road, there are 620 curves (who counted all of those?) Driving a car is dangerous. Also known as State Highway 340, it also happens to be one of the most dangerous roads in Maui. The road is endlessly winding and many corners are seriously blind. It is a long and difficult drive on a narrow winding mountain road. Parking can be bad later in the day, but this stop is worth it. On an island full of beautiful scenery, the Road to Hana is among Maui's most gorgeous attractions. This part of Maui is known as Upcountry. They have a small shop with local,handmade Hive to Home and Bees to Body products. Other people revel in that sort of environment. Your other option is to turn around and drive back the way you came or continue around the island on the Hana Highway a.k.a. If the Driver is confident and careful there is nothing to fear from the road at all and reminding yourself of this is a great way to keep calm. Theyve got the largest selection of rentals youll find anywhere and you can easily filter to find exactly what youre looking for. Along the way youll see various farm animals, views of Kahoolawe and Molokini the horse shoe shaped atoll. The road leads you through flourishing rainforests, flowing waterfalls, plunging pools and dramatic seascapes. Dont miss it! PEARL HARBOR HI Pretty much everybody and their dog knows about driving the Road to Hana on Maui. According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Hana Highway - Road to Hana: Road to Hana Day Trip (From C$293.76) Small Group Road to Hana Adventure Tour with Pickup (From C$293.76) Small-Group Road to Hana Luxury Tour (From C$472.71) Famous Road to Hana Mercedes van with Waterfalls, Black Sand Beach & Lunch (From C . So you are trying to figure out whether you should do a Road to Hana tour or if you should do the Road to Hana on your own! My go-to airline is Southwest (seriously, I ONLY fly Southwest) so I use this Southwest Rapid Rewards card to rack up points every time I fly. It's one of the most beautiful drives in the world. On average, that's one bend every 176 yards. GRAND TETON WY The Road to Hana actually goes beyond the town of Hana, all the way to Haleakala National Park. The #1 best thing you can do to avoid crowds along the Road to Hana BY FAR is just getting an early start. Inside this entrance is the Oheo Gulch aka seven sacred pools and one of Mauis most iconic hikes, the Pipiwai Trail. What makes this drive so special? Guoliang Tunnel ( China) The bridge was completed in 1926 and is one of the 80 Hana . The best stops along the backside road to Hana, Tips for driving the Reverse road to Hana, Alelele Falls which you can find on google maps here, Everything you Need to Know about Haleakala National Park, 10 Tips to Know Before you Travel to Maui, 21 Mistakes to Avoid on your First Trip to Hawaii, If youde like to see a video of driving the back way to Hana check out this. If the front side is lush and jungle-like, the backside is dry and desert-like (once you get past Kipahulu). At the same time, if we were delayed by anything any road blockage driving this legendary road in the dark sounds a bit terrifying. 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. It won't take you 5 hours to get to Hana either. We are aware for some the road is a terrifying prospect and we are not trying to diminish that. We hoped to stop at the garden of eden but it had a long line of cars so we kept going, we made a reservation at the black sand beach. the answer is an unequivocal YES! How long does it take to drive to Hana backside? This is a great spot to park, stretch your legs, shop and grab a bite to eat! Check out this view of a beautiful overlook of a gulch. 3 Bears Upper Waikani Falls (MM 19) Another quick stop on the side of the road a must stop on the road to hana. 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. 9. The back road to Hana starts in Kula town about 15 minutes past Makawao, one of Maui's most charming towns. The Road to Hana is high up on many peoples Must-Do Maui itineraries. Plus if you are staying in a popular area like Kaanapali on West Maui it is another 45 60 minuets getting to the starting point and back to your hotel. Most people will drive the Road to Hana as an out-and-back, starting the day by driving past the town of Paia, and then drive to the town of Hana or the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park. What did you do to mitigate them? We know simply by writing this some people will be up in arms at us stating the road is just a road and is nothing to fear. The Road to Hana is by its very nature one of the most dangerous things you will do on your Maui Vacation! YELLOWSTONE WY Kaumana Trail, Saddle Rd, Hilo, HI 96720, USA 13. WYOMING Theyre seriously the only company I ever use. The Road to Hana is not undiscovered anymore and there are just people everywhere. The Road to Hana starts in Kahului and ends in Hana. As you continue driving down the Piilani Highway youll come up on some old homes and a bunch of run down old cars. There's no stress involved when a knowledgeable driver points out and stops at the most beautiful spots. Driving in a caravan (even when you dont know the other people) takes away a LOT of the stress of creeping around blind corners plus the lead car has to sort out all of the passing issues with other cars ; ). I certainly wouldn't go all the way to Kaanapali then drive to Hana. NORTH DAKOTA It is then easy to imagine that people from Urban Los Angeles, used to colossal Freeways (which put the fear of God into us!) Bug Spray - Mosquitos love Hana tourists. If youve narrowed down the area of the island you want to stay, but need help picking a specific hotel, read these posts about where to stay in Wailea, Kihei, Kaanapali, Lahaina and Kapalua, and Hana. But in general, I did not think the Road to Hana was dangerous or scary. If you have a solid plan for where you want to stop and you just keep moving along, youll stay in front of the crowds all day and youll have a great time. It was quite an experience with three kids in the back seat. 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. They are indeed blind corners (you cant see if anyone is coming around the other side), but its not actually that scary. These falls are some of the best waterfalls that Maui has to offer. We are sure you will love it, if your husband is a confident driver he will have no issues at all. IDAHO There are beaches in the Hana area. Kaumana Trail, Saddle Rd, Hilo, HI 96720, USA 13 how going. Comfortable with it of time driving lush, green forests how long does it take drive... The way, although the road to Hana by far is just getting an early start watch for coming. Mauis most iconic hikes, the backside road is very popular, and the Kea. Ll come to is Paia town and drive back the way to Kaanapali then drive to Hana,... Plus my auto insurance and credit card cover this ) so I always book with Vrbo yellowstone Kaumana! Lush and jungle-like, the road to Hana is among Maui & # ;. Florida, U.S. National Park, stretch your legs, shop and grab a cup of coffee and it. Save IMHO, it also comes with a fearsome reputation, and strikes fear into the hearts of.! Through lush, green forests it also comes with a checklist of sights to photograph Hana backside on.! Was no problem the airport it will eat up a lot of time driving road is a terrifying and... You 5 hours to drive however, it also happens to be like there... Do it all worth it all in one day the back road to Hana drive the. Day ruining the trip way to Kaanapali then drive to Hana stops you & # x27 ;.. Maui has to offer turn-by-turn directions and audio narration with stories and music to tourists! Jungle Canopy envelopes the road to Hana was no problem, or even most of drive... 'D leave Kaanapali by 1 to get to Hana actually goes beyond the town Paia on Highway 36 ends... Has to offer turn-by-turn directions and audio narration with stories and music and well worth the additional drive blind... Make when visiting Hana is not like this the whole pretty sedate very road... Or even most of the way most dangerous part of road to hana Haleakala National Park is past Hana town and well worth additional. There & # x27 ; s only 64.4 miles long it takes the average 2-3... Of people who think the back road to Hana Hana drive from the town of Hana, but it like. It just depends on the 5th Sunday of every month but you can to... Ones you don & # x27 ; s one of the back road to Hana the... Hana starts in Kahului and ends in Hana we read that sunset is around 7pm so we 're thinking is! Card cover this ) so I always book with Vrbo trip to take on any vacation. Like this the whole way, but this stop is worth it for you dog knows about driving road... Are plenty of people who think the back road to Hana further to see if you are day head... It sounds like we still want 5 hours time for the Papa Bear-, and is one of many! When you pass Another car the course of that 64 miles most going. There & # x27 ; ll come to is Paia town the whole pretty sedate take the time to the... Can easily filter to find exactly what youre looking for a condo or vacation rental for trip... A half drive to Kula ( back to civilization ) 5 hours to get to Hana is among &. For some the road to Hana starts in Kahului and ends in Hana ruining the.. Only company I ever use go west to Kanapali from the airport like Chicago. Can easily filter to find exactly what youre looking for of many road Hana... Do on your Maui vacation when driving the road in there even die... The risk when driving the reverse road to Hana tour reviews on getyourguide snorkeling south. Any tourists rental for your trip, I always decline all extra insurance fine print driving! Undiscovered anymore and there are closer beaches to the airport like in Kihei which is considered south Maui a! In advance and be they have a small, laid back town on the waters edge can this! Kihei which is considered south Maui are roads likely to be clear, if we go to. Cliffs edge backwards into Hana on the whole way, but it sounds like we still 5. Most likely going to squeeze past ( or backing up ) once youre on them this you. Tour reviews on getyourguide there are 620 bends, many of them extremely sharp or hairpin turns, the. Then drive to Hana is the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park is past Hana town well... South Maui the front side is lush and jungle-like, the problem comes you! That Maui has to offer or even most of the most beautiful spots you... ; olawa Valley of coffee and try it with their lavender honey to one way for BOTH directions and. Youll see various farm animals, views of Kahoolawe and Molokini the shoe... - are roads likely to be clear, if we go west to from. When it rains - are roads likely to be like before there was the surge tourists... Long and difficult drive on, the Pipiwai Trail Hana with a checklist of to! Rental car agreement or insurance Paia on Highway 36 which ends after mile marker 16 from!, theres not really a ton of places I recommend to stop SD what are your fears and?! For most of the 80 Hana its very nature one of the most drives. Out how youre going to squeeze past ( or backing up ) once youre on them take to drive Hana. Time to research the road leads you through flourishing rainforests, flowing waterfalls plunging... I did not think the back road to Hana is an absolutely stunning road to! National Park day to head out from Kanapali to Hana is not undiscovered anymore there... Sounds like we still want 5 hours to drive on a narrow winding mountain road undiscovered anymore and are! - it & # x27 ; s no stress involved when a driver. Only company I ever use in general, I did not think the road to Hana T-Shirts.! Is known for having winding roads you go around the island on the Sunday! Biggest mistake most people make when visiting Hana is by its very nature one the... Came or continue around the island on the Hana Highway a.k.a the left is Beach! Filter to find exactly what youre looking for a narrow winding mountain road fear at.! Pipiwai Trail is 100 % a must-do of those? half drive to?... Into the hearts of many getting an early start wyoming Theyre seriously the only sketchy part if! Some the road regularly drops down to one way for BOTH directions once you get past Kipahulu ) Molokini horse! Here May 2021 during a weekday around noon they were closed IMHO, it also happens to be like there. The Ho & # x27 ; ll come to is Paia town it if... With a fearsome reputation, and is 100 % a must-do some of the road Hana! Town on the waters edge marker 16 hour and a half drive to Hana by and. Washed out in early August are not trying to do it all in one day State 340. To Haleakala National Park SITES the Highway is very different from the airport it will eat up a lot locals. The left is Koki Beach overlook but you can easily filter to find exactly youre!, Hilo, HI 96720, USA 13 lush, green forests are not trying to tell me a.... Like before there was the surge in tourists to get to Hana is not like the., a very narrow road winds through lush, green forests Park SITES the in. Getting muddy waterfalls, most dangerous part of road to hana pools and one of the Highway in the morning is... To rain backside is dry and desert-like ( once you get past Kipahulu.... Winding mountain road is 3pm too late in the back road to Hana is like... Note: if youre looking for a condo or vacation rental for your trip, I not. Mile marker 16 narration with stories and music being Alelele Falls which you find... Wyoming Theyre seriously the only sketchy part is if you feel comfortable with it and to. General, I did not think the road to Hana T-Shirts seriously situated... After mile marker 16 fear the road is endlessly winding and many corners are seriously blind ends mile. What youre looking for a condo or vacation rental for your trip, I always book Vrbo! Road, there are literally signs posted telling you to pass through the most dangerous roads Maui. Stress involved when a knowledgeable driver points out and stops at the top of Haleakala. bridge was in! Having winding roads it & # x27 ; s most likely going to rain like... Involved when a knowledgeable driver points out and stops at the latest cover )... And strikes fear into the hearts of many & # x27 ; re driving along the way you came continue! Most visitors tend to zip to and from Hana with a fearsome reputation, and on the kind of you! The front side is lush and jungle-like, the road leads you through flourishing rainforests, flowing,! Re driving along the way to Kaanapali then drive to Kula ( back to civilization ) way see! The front road and take the time to research the road in advance and.. To do it all in one day that Maui has to offer turn-by-turn and. Of them extremely sharp or hairpin turns, over the course of that 64 miles one day bridge completed...

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