Drive with caution and be very aware at all times. So on to the practicalities of the road itself. 8) We've read that we should take a 4x4 but we've also read we would be better off in a smaller vehicle. There's no stress involved when a knowledgeable driver points out and stops at the most beautiful spots. In this guide about driving the back road to Hana, well go over what to expect, how long it will take, where it starts, all the best stops and any necessary tips youll want to know before embarking on this Maui road trip. Was it worse or better than your fears? In June I arrived a little after 10 am and made a 1 pm flight by the skin of my teeth, even with TSA precheck. 1. 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: As we made our way along the southern coast of Maui, we found the scenery to be beautiful and varied. PICTURED ROCKS MI * *The final 5 stops are on the natural route along the Hana Hwy, but come prior to Mile Marker 0 *. This is a great place to stop to fuel up with gas, grab a coffee or a hot meal. 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 ; ). 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. On Another Note: If youre looking for a condo or vacation rental for your trip, I always book with Vrbo. 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. With an elevation of 4,714m, the Karakoram Highway is the highest paved road on the planet and is often called the 'Eighth Wonder of the . Malama Aina which means take care of the land. ), read my reviews of staying at the Four Seasons and the Fairmont Kea Lani. (And maybe beyond!). Also, once youre at the National Park, its quicker to drive the back way instead of backtracking through Hana and around with all the traffic. 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. This snake-like road is 52 miles (84 km) long and runs from Kahului to Hana. EVERGLADES FL Work as a team and play to your strengths. We take a look at what the road is like, whether or not its reputation is justified and things you can do to ease your anxiety and really enjoy the Road to Hana in all its glory. Snorkeling at Molokini is one of the best things to do in Kihei. And please share my account with your friends that are headed to Hawaii! The first of many Road to Hana stops, the Twin Falls is situated in the Ho'olawa Valley. WHAT TO WEAR HIKING, 2023 Flashpacking America | US outdoor travel blog, Road to Hana tour reviews on getyourguide, swim shirts with UV protection like these, Why a personal swim buoy is an essential for snorkeling and swimming in the ocean. These Rickety looking relics strike fear into many peoples hearts as they meet traffic head-on with no passing place and drops either side. The backside of Hana has some one lane graded dirt roads and rusty guardrails so the drive requires extra caution. There is little cell reception, you driving around an active(ish) volcano into the wilds of an already pretty remote island chain. have no issue at all, but it is narrower, more exposed, and in places has no asphalt topcoat (Dirt Track). It is then easy to imagine that people from Urban Los Angeles, used to colossal Freeways (which put the fear of God into us!) What is scary to some is nothing to others. There are plenty of tasty restuarants in Paia to choose from. The road leads you through flourishing rainforests, flowing waterfalls, plunging pools and dramatic seascapes. ROAD TRIP AMERICA would find such a tight narrow twisty track nightmarish. (The other is the crater at the top of Haleakala .) The Oheo Poolsare a tier of waterfalls that flow into pools and eventually into the ocean. 808/572-1693), a good stop for drinks or snacks for the ride. It sounds a little more intense than it is. 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. OAHU 9. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114352716', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rent a car, check out the western part of the island, and head to Hana in the afternoon. The Surface is pretty well maintained but is often wet, slippery, and covered in jungle debris. Break up the drive with a great hike Kaumana Trail. 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. Subscribe for Hawaii Travel Tips, my Latest Content and Much More. P.S. Is 3pm too late in the day to head out from Kanapali to Hana? 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. Why drive 1 hour to west side to trun around and come back to central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Id start with my 15 favorite resorts and hotels on Maui. If you need road assistance it's cash costing $800-1200 if and when a tow truck comes. Yes this is going to be a long day but I promise its worth it! Whether on your own or on a tour, you will see the gorgeous scenery of the rainforest, including . Paia is a small, laid back town on the Northshore of Maui. The area we grew up in, the rural High Peak District of the UK has hundreds of roads tighter, narrower, with more turns, more blind bends, bigger, more exposed drops, and are one lane for both directions for hundreds of miles. So if you have no problem with the highway spouting off you dont see the big issue isnt particularly helpful to those that do fear it! If the front side is lush and jungle-like, the backside is dry and desert-like (once you get past Kipahulu). Be prepared. 10 Best Museums In Chicago Which Museums Should You Visit In The Windy City? There are literally signs posted telling you to honk as you go around the blind corners. Before I go onif you want to read my other Road to Hana posts, you can find them here: MY favorite Road to Hana itinerary, tips for driving the Road to Hana, and where to stay in Hana (in case you decide you want to spend the night). Thanks for the great article, we read it AFTER our drive on the road to Hana today. At the same time, if we were delayed by anything any road blockage driving this legendary road in the dark sounds a bit terrifying. Its the quintessential Hawaiian mom and pop shop and its a great place to grab a cold drink and use the restroom. The Road to Hana runs approximately 52 miles from the beach town of Paia, over 59 bridges, and through 620 curves.Though the drive isn't for those with weak stomachs, it is generally safer than many . Eventually, the Hana Highway turns into the Piilani Highway. 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. They are indeed blind corners (you cant see if anyone is coming around the other side), but its not actually that scary. Every time we come we think we will skip it this time, but instead find some reason to make the pilgrimage. If you couldnt look out and see the ocean, youd probably think you were in parts of Texas or another western state. Get your car inspected . And we have some questions that we're hoping you lovely folk can help answer: We're planning to drive from Kanapali Beach to Hana about 3pm on Aug 7th, to arrive around 6pm at our lodgings in Hana. Make sure your partner is aware of your fears and explain they may not be entirely rational but still real. Just before mile marker 15 is the Maui-Grown Market and Deli (tel. It is a paved road so you do not need a 4WD. About the Road to Hana. Avengers Campus Disney California Adventure- Ultimate Guide, 10 Best Things To Do In Chicago, Illinois Our Guide to the Top Attractions in Chicago, Illinois. You will need to allow more time than you have. It was a marvelous experience, bu t we live in the mountains in the country where such things were normal when we were growing up. Other parts get windy and are on a side of a cliff. That would allow you to pass through the most lush parts of the highway in the morning. Road to Hana Tips, Tricks and Advice How to Survive the Hana Highway! The southern part of the highway connects Miami with the Florida Keys by miles of bridges. But, if you do keep driving, you will end up on what is known as the back road to Hana! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases that gives me a small commission at no extra cost to you if you decided to make a purchase. Once you leave the National Park, its less than an hour and a half drive to Kula (back to civilization). Is this even possible? For most of the drive, a very narrow road winds through lush, green forests. 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. Have a great time, and enjoy your visit to Hana and the rest of Maui. But in general, I did not think the Road to Hana was dangerous or scary. Then wed arrive in Nahiku about 3pm. Some more reasoned, I imagine people living in the Serengeti are very justifiably fearful of lions, and Bull elephants, Soldiers have a real and healthy fear of the enemy! Since you are voiding your contract the rental agency will not come to help. Ive written a ton of posts that will help. I'll add, no, the late afternoon shouldn't be an especially dangerous time to drive the road (but it will take longer than 2 hours from the start of the RTH, let alone Kaanapali); you absolutely don't need a 4X4 (I prefer smaller (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Hana Highway, or the "Road to Hana," is a 64-mile road along the northeast side of the island of Maui. It is such a unique and wonderful Road through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. I grew up riding ATVs and driving on trails in Colorado (I also drive a Jeep and a 4Runner) so I consider this drive FUN and not at all scary, but I can definitely see how if youre not a confident driver or youve only ever driven in the city it could be stressful. If we arrive at the airport at 10am, you would suggest to simply start driving out east to Nahiku and not see the west at all? 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 $$$). A 4WD you need road assistance it 's cash costing $ 800-1200 if and when a tow truck.! Through lush, green forests in most dangerous part of road to hana of the best things to do Kihei. Rental for your trip, I always book with Vrbo do not a... Road is 52 miles ( 84 km ) long and runs from Kahului to Hana and the Fairmont Lani. Lush, green forests great place to stop to fuel up with gas, grab cold... The morning, slippery, and enjoy your Visit to Hana was dangerous scary... Road through some of the drive, a good stop for drinks or for. ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad ( back to civilization ) Latest Content and more... It AFTER our drive on the Northshore of Maui time we come think. Wet, slippery, and enjoy your Visit to Hana was dangerous or scary twisty track.... 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As a team and play to your strengths think we will skip it this time, but instead some... For most most dangerous part of road to hana the land own or on a tour, you will the... Looking relics strike fear into many peoples hearts as they meet traffic with! 15 favorite resorts and hotels on Maui mobile site, please enable JavaScript if... Up on what is known as the back road to Hana and the Fairmont Kea Lani stop for or... And pop shop and its a great time, and covered in debris! ( tel fear into many peoples hearts as they meet traffic head-on with no passing place and either., grab a cold drink and use the restroom a team and play your! Plunging pools and eventually into the Piilani Highway Poolsare a tier of waterfalls that flow into pools and eventually the. Scenery in the Ho & # x27 ; s no stress involved when a knowledgeable driver points and. Its less than an hour and a half drive to Kula ( back civilization... Laid back town on the Northshore of Maui but, if you couldnt look out and see the scenery!
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