Maui's Road to Hana is one of the most famous (or infamous) drives in the world and in my opinion is the #1 don't miss thing to do on Maui. Does this add a lot to the drive, having the top down? The most dangerous part of the Road to Hana is the back road to Hana because this is where you will find one-lane roads with no shoulders and a cliff that drops off right alongside the road. The average visitor is not going to think twice about the number of people they encounter along this road unless they were truly thinking they would be the ONLY ones driving to Hana. This is the honey bee sanctuary. Most folks begin their road to Hana drive from the town Paia on Highway 36 which ends after mile marker 16. 22 Best Road to Hana stops Twin & Caveman Falls Huelo Lookout Road to Hana Rainbow eucalyptus trees Waikamoi Ridge Trail Ka Haku smoke shack Garden of Eden arboretum Haipua'ena Falls Honoman Bay lookout Ke'anae Arboretum Aunty Sandy's Wailua Valley State Wayside Park Upper Waikani Falls Upper Hanawi Falls Pi'ilanihale Heiau Road to Hana lava tubes Driving the stretch takes more than two and a half hours, even with no stops, because of the narrow, winding road and nearly 60 bridges with 46 that are one lane only. The scenic Road to Hana on Maui is the undisputed top attraction on the island. Take the moral high ground and just drive in a way that ensures YOUR safety! So the final option is mitigating the fear. Heres the thingthis isnt Disney World. For most of the drive, a very narrow road winds through lush, green forests. They will be miserable. Honestly, the 380 or 311 to the Airport are far more dangerous roads than the Hana highway and most accidents attributed to the Road to Hana are actually on the more densely populated Route 36 BEFORE the road to Hana starts properly. But, there are plenty of people who think the back Road to Hana isnt really a big deal. Peru is a destination for nature lovers, hist, Hiking in and out of Haleakala Crater on Maui is o, Sunset state of mind . Hna Maui. The first is one we dont advise. And yes, I have driven the Road to Hana in reverse, but really only because I used to live upcountry in Kula and it was the quicker way to get to Hana from my house. Be prepared. If the Road the Hana is proving scary, that Back route will scare the Bejebous out of you! Fatalities are rare and accidents often very minor. 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. The rainforest trail starts near the National park visitors center and takes you past 2 waterfall outlooks, an ancient banyan tree, through a magical bamboo forest and eventually to the awe inspiring 400 foot Waimoku Falls. The southern part of the highway connects Miami with the Florida Keys by miles of bridges. (And maybe beyond!). Serious accidents involving tourists on the Highway are rare, compared to the rest of the islands where tourists accidental deaths are higher than average! There are twice as many awesome things to do on the road to Hana as there are on the back side to Hana so again that will also be an all day excursion hence why I recommend staying a few nights in Hana. There are large cliffs in places but they are all protected by guard rails. So if you're interested in the Road to Hana, then you may also be interested in these top things around Maui: Waianapanapa State Park Nakalele Blowhole Lahaina Banyan Court Hookipa Beach Maui Ocean Center (Aquarium of Hawaii) Iao Valley State Monument Haleakala National Park : @kapenamorgan, What to expect driving the backside road to Hana. paia town. We did the Road many years ago when it was more of a cow path. Just three of the many many reasons to love the Road to Hana. This park contains one of. It's a well paved road, but you do need to keep your wits about you when you drive it because of the many sharp curves and one-lane bridges. The Numbers really do not match the roads reputation. It's windy contains 65 hairpin switchbacks, 600 sharp turns, and 59 one-lane bridges. On a calm day you are able to swim inside the pools. Its mostly paved, but there are some portions that are gravel or a roughly graded cement. Hi Im Jess. I just drove this twice in May when traffic wasn't heavy as it is now. That said, of course DO take care while you are driving the Road to Hana! Supprised you were not impressed with the beach, we love the uniqueness and other worldly charms of the place, and the reservation system probably means its less busy that it can be, but still, it is just a beach really, Glad you had the experience, we find people definitely regret not going mor than people regret going, even if it wasnt really their thing. FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES If the (only) road from Kaanapali to central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The steep valleys encrusted in the jungle start off the imagination and you half expect to bump into a Dinosaur. Driving the Road to Hana means that you will be driving the Hana Highway. The road to Hana is composed of three different roads highways 36, 360 and 31. GRAND CANYON AZ Ive also had a few people recently ask me about starting in Paia and driving ALL the way to Hana without stopping and then turning around and doing their stops on the way back. 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. 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. We go into detail in the linked article, but, Spoiler alert! 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 ; ). Your support really helps me keep this blog running! 4) I'm imagining that not too many cars fall right off the road so the outside lane consideration may not really be that important - am I right? We will land in the morning, rent a car, check out the western part of the island, and head to Hana in the afternoon. So just drive the route thats going to give you the best overall experience and dont be worried about trying to be too strategic. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114352891', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maui -- you are going to eat up most of your time driving. Am I missing something youre trying to tell me? Is it dangerous? The Road often apps up in worlds most dangerous roads lists, along with other such shock journalism. Know that theres a possibility that youll have to reverse if a car is coming in the opposite direction. The Scariest thing I have ever had to confront in my lifeMy wedding speech! This is a tough and fairly common problem. Thi, Sometimes you just gotta stop and smell thesunf, The Acropolis of Pergamon are well preserved ruins, Happy Sunday . 6) I am not a daredevil but I'm a careful driver who has never been in an accident in 32 yrs of driving due to being defensive and aware on the road. It was the perfect solution. As you can see, the. 5) Is there any general safety advice you guys would give? 3 hrs from the airport. A lot of locals go off the road in there even and die. HAWAII EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS Is this even possible? When driving the Highway, We tend to be calm as Hindu cows. You dont really need a touring plan for the order of how to hit all your must see spots. Visiting Chicago On A Budget Saving Money On Your Chicago Vacation! While most of the road has been repaved in the last twenty years, Hawaii Route 200 still has a dangerous reputation. If you only have one day, theres still a lot to see, so snap a picture and be on your way. However, the Road to Hana is not dangerous in and of itself, and for seasoned drivers, the trip should be a breeze. MAUI The 3-5 miles just past Kipahulu (the National Park, AKA Seven Sacred Pools) are the worst, but its not unlike the last few miles leading up to Kipahulu on the other side (past Hana coming into the National Park). You want to go back the way you came, most likely, rather than going around the back way. This being said, travel at your own risk. And if you just want more details (more! 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?. I will say though, that while I have driven this in a Jeep, Ive also driven it in a sedan and a full size pickup. Glad you braved it! The back road to Hana is not like this the whole way, or even most of the way, but it is there! We are sure you will love it, if your husband is a confident driver he will have no issues at all. Also you can't enter the Park to hike the Pipiwai Trail until 9 am. How long is Hana Highway? Driving the backside road to Hana or the other road to Hana is the perfect way to get off-the-beaten path when exploring Maui. What we wanted to do in the west was bathe in the waters of Kanapali (which we hear is a world class beach) and maybe (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You just have to keep your sight lines open and watch for cars coming in the other direction. 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. In general I did not find the main part of the Road to Hana to be particularly dangerous or scary. It's a full day trip that can even be stretched out to 2 or 3 days, if you truly want to explore all the amazing Road to Hana stops. 1. Top Pick! Okay, once you pass this portion (the first 3-5 miles past Kipahulu), the road clears up nicely into a wide open terrain. 8) We've read that we should take a 4x4 but we've also read we would be better off in a smaller vehicle. One of the best places to view Hanawi Falls is from the Hanawi Falls Bridge. The backside road is VERY different from the front road and definitely worth experiencing. 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. Hairpin bends slice through thickly-forested mountain slopes, and there are no. You really should be more fearful driving to the airport or shipping in Walmart, are you going to buy an I Survived Wallmart Kahului?. There's a great souvenir shop here, and also a wide selection of food varying from island style tacos to kalua pork to classic hotdogs or mac 'n cheese! Joining a tour will eliminate stress for the driver and passengers, allowing for a more enjoyable experience and guides provide valuable insights about the surrounding area and its cultural history. 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. Malama Aina which means take care of the land. This three-part waterfall is often called the Three Bear Falls for the Papa Bear-, Mamma Bear-, and Baby Bear-size cascades of water. Ive written a whole slew of posts about the Road to Hana, but theres one question I get asked more than othersshould I drive the backside of the road to Hana? Thanks for sticking around and reading this whole post! Hamoa Beach (MM 51) Heading away from Hana, turn makai (toward the ocean) onto Haneoo Road when you reach it. 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. 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. This is a great place to stop to fuel up with gas, grab a coffee or a hot meal. It is just not inside their comfort zone. Heres my best tip for driving past Hana: always try to follow a car in front of you. We respect your privacy. Sounds fun? 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. Quite a few people continue on past Hana to the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park where you'll find the Oheo Gulch (aka Seven Sacred Pools) and the Pipiwai Trailhead. Parking can be bad later in the day, but this stop is worth it. It only costs a donation and just remember you are off-the-beaten path Maui so dont expect much. If you're leaving from Kaanapali and planning on a one-hour stop en route, yes, 5 hours to Hana. There is no beach, but the rocky coastline is spectacular as far as scenery goes. Bring cash: most places on this part of the island dont except credit cards. Was it worse or better than your fears? 808/572-1693), a good stop for drinks or snacks for the ride. The last gas station until you get to Hana is right next to Grandmas Coffee House which is one of the best breakfast spots on Maui. Yes. Below you'll find detailed information about the road to Hana, local tips, video, photos, & the latest updates. Read the fine print as driving the back road to Hana, Maui maybreach your rental car agreement or insurance. Maybe at one point that was true, but I dont really think it is anymore. You land in the morningcoming from mainland or another island? 9. There are no straight sections to this drivethe curves are constant. Most of the road is one lane with pullouts. Plus youre on a cliff side and at some points without a guard rail. Overall i am a confident driver so it was fine, but I can definitely see many drivers not making this drive all the way to Hana town. The Road to Hana is more than just a great drive through a beautiful area of Maui. Some parts are of the road are unpaved and it gets narrow and twisty. 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 . The Surface is pretty well maintained but is often wet, slippery, and covered in jungle debris. The second most dangerous road in the country, along with 17 others on the 100 Deadliest Roads in America list, is in Florida. 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). (Highlighted above is the most dangerous stretch of the Kahekili Highway - 4.5 miles of what amounts to barely more than a golf cart-sized lane etched into the side of a cliff) So the idea started in the old capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, Lahaina, otherwise known as a cozy little tourist town along the western shore of Maui. Check your rental agreement and insurance this activity may breach your contract as this area of Maui is usually forbidden by rental car companies. Ahhh, the backwards Road to Hana. **Baldwin Beach Park. And most of all, for the most part, speeds, are LOW! I did not want to drive this most scary and dangerous part, and I walked part of the back road to Hana. WYOMING Hana, the quaint little backwater town has just the one road leading in or our and this is the drive of a lifetime! The road is such a stunning journey through the most amazing landscape we just want everyone to experience it. 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