808/572-1693), a good stop for drinks or snacks for the ride. Besides that, I just dont think youre going to make that much of a difference on the crowd levels at each stop by doing it in reverse. Take a van or coach tour Having an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver/guide is really the best way to see Hana. The Road to Hana is an absolutely stunning road trip to take on any Maui vacation, and is 100% a must-do. **Paia Historic Town. The only sketchy part is if you're driving along the cliffs edge backwards into Hana on the waters edge. The backside road is VERY different from the front road and definitely worth experiencing. Okay, once you pass this portion (the first 3-5 miles past Kipahulu), the road clears up nicely into a wide open terrain. This is a great place to stop to fuel up with gas, grab a coffee or a hot meal. We are aware for some the road is a terrifying prospect and we are not trying to diminish that. road to Hana. Here the road is exposed to some fairly large drops, however, these are all behind Armco rails and there are no large unprotected drops. Also, if you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). Maybe explore the south? My husband and I are going in June and we will be doing it as hes not a nervous person ? Need to stay under a fixed budget? The Shaka guide tours are great for independent explorers who want the freedom to explore on their own terms, but like to learn about the spots theyre visiting. Check out our favorite Tours here. Its a no brainer. **Ho'okipa Beach Park. Google maps said 2 hours but I guess this is what happens when a bot gives you directions? It is a paved road so you do not need a 4WD. Mile Marker 2 Hana Highway (360) Twin Falls. Even though the road covers a relatively short distance, the turns and low speed limits . In some ways, winding roads are beautiful and make for a peaceful drive while road tripping. The first being Alelele Falls which you can find on google maps here. . The Road to Hana is a 64 mile stretch of road that starts in Kahului and ends at Kpahulu. The first is one we dont advise. What are your fears and doubts? It has 600+ curves, and many of them are hairpin. For about 20 miles (32 km) between Wailuku and Kapalua, you need to navigate rocks on one side and steep cliffs on the other. More! Some parts of the road are unpaved and it can get narrow. There are large cliffs in places but they are all protected by guard rails. Hna Maui. So looking out for these symptoms can show how scared you are by a certain situation. OAHU Should I be confident in my ability to do this drive with precious cargo (my girlfriend's and my own life)? It wouldnt be fun to do that on the front side with all the traffic and narrow winding roads! Read about my favorite luxury resorts, boutique hotels, honeymoon resorts, family friendly resorts, and condos (many under $100/night!). If theyre open ; ) Ill note here that the National Park does NOT have water or snacks for sale so since the Kaupo Store is undependable, make sure you have everything you need once you leave Hana. This is why we find it a little odd so many are utterly petrified of the road. : @kapenamorgan There are literally signs posted telling you to honk as you go around the blind corners. But in general, I did not think the Road to Hana was dangerous or scary. 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 Oheo Poolsare a tier of waterfalls that flow into pools and eventually into the ocean. (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. For full transparency,I have sprinkled some affiliate links in this post. The Road to Hana, also known as the Hana highway, is a 64.4 mile-long stretch of Hawaii routes 36 and 360 with connects Kahului with the town of Hana in east Maui. But it comes with risks and possibly some stress. If you pay for your monthly expenses on the card and are responsible about paying it off every month, the points add up really fast. While a lot of the guides/apps say to try to be the first car in a line while driving through the frontside so you dont have to watch their brake lights too closely while youre looking around, I think the opposite is true when youre driving past Hana. for the most part, it is wide enough for two small buses to pass each other with no issue. Yes, it is remote, but there are hundreds of people driving the road, day and night, you are not going to be alone and stranded, even if you have to stop in a cell black spot. It connects the town of Hana with the city of Kahului. 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. 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 . It becomes a dirt road for long stretches and even though we left for the day at 7AM, after a few stops and not really rushing we ended up in a situation where we were driving the most treacherous parts after dark (we almost hit a cow at one point, as herds will just wonder over the road in certain parts). 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). Carretera a los Yungas ( Bolivia) Locally known as the 'route of death', this Bolivian road is 80 km long and considered by many as the world's most dangerous road. This trip takes approximately 7.0 hours to complete and the Road to Hana is considered the 5th most dangerous road in the world. The road is very comfortable for one car to drive on, the problem comes when you pass another car. If you havent already, you will soon understand why thisis a perfect spot for them. 4 The Road Is Winding. Check your rental agreement and insurance this activity may breach your contract as this area of Maui is usually forbidden by rental car companies. Certainly not for tourists. They will be miserable. How long does it take to drive to Hana backside? The other feature of the highway is the endless bridges. We find the best solution (like most things in life) is good communication. These falls are some of the best waterfalls that Maui has to offer. I guess the Internet has opened up so much more information and opinions (hello blog!) Pretty much everybody and their dog knows about driving the Road to Hana on Maui. In general I did not find the main part of the Road to Hana to be particularly dangerous or scary. The Road to Hana travels along the edge of many sheer cliffs. Once you leave the National Park, its less than an hour and a half drive to Kula (back to civilization). 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. The Road to Hana is one of the best things to do in Maui! Located at the extreme southeast of the island of Maui, the city of Hana is like another island. I will say, the paved road is still pretty narrow and even though theres no drop off on either side, if you see a local (anyone really) coming to meet you, pull over as far as you can and stop where theres a good place because they will come BLAZING through. Here they sell fresh fruits, smoothies and coffees all grown locally on their farm. Despite what the name suggests, the town of Hana is not the destination; it's the drive itself. You cant enjoy the drive with a angry local right up your back side, let them be on their way and you can relax! HAWAII EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS This is the "safe" route. I would def want to get there before dark the first day, though. Along this coastal drive, you'll find a number of hikes, waterfalls, rainforests, and gorgeous beaches. 3 hrs from the airport. 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. Hanawi Falls. 10 Best USA Road Trips Drive These Before you DIE. Nahiku Marketplace. Plus youre on a cliff side and at some points without a guard rail. Oh, and 5 pm is really pushing it for a 7 pm (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This being said, travel at your own risk. Parkings a bit tough, but arguably the best waterfalls on the Road to Hana. Driving a car is dangerous. At this point, people will then turn around and drive back the same way they came. There's no doubt that Kahekili Highway is the most dangerous road in the US. And so, it just depends on the kind of driver you are! paia town. 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. This park contains one of. What is the Weather Like in Chicago, Illinois? Avengers Campus Disney California Adventure- Ultimate Guide, 10 Best Things To Do In Chicago, Illinois Our Guide to the Top Attractions in Chicago, Illinois. My favorite travel hack is cashing in points to score free flights to Hawaii. Hearing the driver explain they understand this bend is tight and blind so they are taking it slow and wide helps you understand they are not recklessly hooning around the blind bend! Hwy 1 is typically straight, and because of this, drivers feel justified in driving at breakneck speeds. The Road to Hana is also called the "Divorce Highway". Hi Im Jess. It is also known for having a lot of one-lane bridges that only allow cars to drive through in one direction at a time. Since you are voiding your contract the rental agency will not come to help. *Update when I was here May 2021 during a weekday around noon they were closed. The Pipiwai Trailis a moderate hike that is 4 miles out and back. Ive yet to see a current rental car contract that even mentions where you can or cant take the car on Maui (and I always read the fine print!). Plus, there are 59 bridges, the majority of which are only wide enough for 1 car at a time. 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. 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. We will land in the morning, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Next youll see a rainbow colored sign, thats the Kaupo store. Just curious why do you feel this to be a better choice than enjoying a couple hours at the beach first? 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. The Road to Hana is high up on many peoples Must-Do Maui itineraries. While to fully overcome the fear requires repeated exposure we find with the right attitude, a good amount of care and respect for the road, and a little can-do attitude many people find the Road FAR less intimidating than they originally feared. The road to Hana is composed of three different roads highways 36, 360 and 31. Most of the photos courtesy of Natalie Brown Photography. Accidents are common and you may be more likely to have a small bump, brush a wall/banking, or get stuck in a ditch than regular highways, but you are less likely to actually injure yourself than on most roads in Hawaii. In the end, was it all worth it for YOU? This is one of the most dangerous places in Hawaii. If you go, (just like anything you do), you do so at your own risk. 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. ***Want to get FREE flights to Hawaii? 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! This road is also part of the daily commute for Maui's residents, so drive with aloha to avoid any frustration. ), this will be on your mind all day ruining the trip. Hazards aside, you're not giving yourself nearly enough time in either direction. They hold masses here on the 5th Sunday of every month but you can explore the grounds at any time. Once you leave the National Park, theres not really a ton of places I recommend to stop. Maui Tourism Guide Our Guide to Travel and Tourism on Maui Hawaii, Maui, Hawaii Attractions All the Best Things to do in Maui, Hawaii, Best Place to Stay on Maui, Hawaii Our Guide on Where to Stay in Maui, Hawaii. Theyre seriously the only company I ever use. Finally Know your limits. If you get above 30 mph you are doing well! 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