TRIP HIGHLIGHT - THE ROAD TO HANA
I enjoyed every 1 of my 21 days on MAUI, but collectively the best were the 3 dissimilar days I institute myself on the route TO or AT the neat W coast town of HANA.
-The outset twenty-four threescore minutes menses was on BANANA BUNGALOW HOSTEL'S costless tour to HANA.
- The 2d nigh a calendar week later on was on ALOHA SURF HOSTEL'S costless WATERFALL TRIP.
- The 3rd a few days later on was via RENTAL CAR to choose handle of places I'd missed (yes folks - at that spot is such a wealth of interesting stops along hither that it would receive got a MONTH of move to banking concern check all. Indeed at the halt of my 3rd trip at that spot were STILL places I fancied a aspect at).
1 - BANANA BUNGALOW'S FREE** TOUR TO HANA
This is a goodness 1 taking inwards quite a few attractions (but non all - it would last impossible to consider everything) ALONG THE ROAD as well as AT Hana inwards 1 day. We did half-dozen stops inwards all:
Note that ALOHA SURF HOSTEL at PAI'A also does a costless HANA TOUR.
** FREE? Well the guides are BANANA/ALOHA employees who exercise it for tips. Guests are encouraged to tip inwards $5-10-20, which even thus makes this tour way less expensive than the $100+ commercial tours.
STOP 1 - NA'ILI'ILI-HAELE STREAM AND WATERFALL
Soon after the to a higher house shot steady pelting laid inwards (this purpose of MAUI has mercurual weather) making the trek to the 2d falls, which required a scramble upward a slippery slope to the left of the to a higher house cascade, a chip diffcult.
The 2d falls had a much bigger puddle which was goodness for a quick swim. I didn't realise, but at that spot is also a rope-swing/jump at left. Guides Nick as well as Drew didn't dot it out - inwards the slippery conditions access may receive got been hard plus I recollect nosotros were behind schedule already.
Apparently at that spot are several to a greater extent than higher falls, reached after successively to a greater extent than hard treks. Having much to a greater extent than to consider on the road, nosotros didn't bother.
STOP 2 - WAIKAMOI FALLS
About 3 miles/5 km farther east at mileage maker 10 nosotros stopped as well as hiked a much shorter distance (a few mins vs 40) to the to a higher house puddle as well as falls.
This surface area had a genuinely neat cliff jump. I'm a seriouslly former geezer but I only had to give this a go. Several times.
CAVEAT: EMI (EAST MAUI IRRIGATION CO.)
Both of the to a higher house falls (and many others along the HANA RD) receive got H2O controlled yesteryear the EAST MAUI IRRIGATION COMPANY. This outfit is known to sometimes plow off render inwards a watercourse pregnant y'all could go far at a dry out falls (which is also possible after a dry out pelting menses - equally a affair of fact this is when EMI is most probable to divert flow to storage etc. The goodness intelligence is that their diversions are to a greater extent than probable to lessen the severity of FLASH FLOODS after heavy rainfall. Nevertheless e'er last aware that this could occur on whatever mount current inwards MAUI).
The other aspect of EMI is that they are inclined to stick upward a bunch of NO ACCESS signs - whether this is legally enforceable is debatable: locals tend to ignore such signs as well as proceed on along the trails. However it would last a goodness thought non to abuse whatever EMI infrastructure such equally viaducts, storage pond walls etc.
I must acknowledge I saw no EMI signs at these 2 falls.
STOP 3 - KEANAE RD
STOPS 4 as well as five - HANA
STOP 4 - RED SAND BEACH HANA
I receive got a heap of information as well as pix on what I approximate THE BEACH WITH THE MOST SPECTACULAR SETTING nigh 80% downward the MAUI'S BEST BEACHES page.
STOP five - HANA RANCH STORE
STOP half-dozen - ?? LAVA TUBES
Okay it was good over 2 hours to retrace our steps from the LAVA TUBE to the hostel inwards WAILUKU. Below is a route map (WAILUKU is out of icon to left). In all, a really goodness trip - but it left SO MANY unseen places I knew I'd receive got to exercise the route again.
2 - ALOHA SURF HOSTEL'S FREE WATERFALL TOUR
This PAI'A hostel also does a costless tour of the HANA ROAD, but with ONE smaller van (12 seats) I figured this was exclusively for people who hadn't seen it. But following twenty-four threescore minutes menses they had a WATERFALL TOUR which included some places along/near the HANA ROAD I hadn't seen. Plenty of vacancies thus I signed on.
STOP 1 - HOOKIPA BEACH
Lots to a greater extent than HOOKIPA materials nigh 35% down-page on MAUI'S BEST BEACHES
Thing is I was kinda impressed with this beach, thus I made a dot of walking upward to revisit it later on inwards the week.
STOP 2 - NA'ILI'ILI-HAELE STREAM AND WATERFALL
Yeah, I know - already been at that spot with BANANA. Actually ALOHA'S itinerary said nosotros were going to the (considerably closer to PAI'A) TWIN FALLS but when nosotros passed its parking areas it was packed - the trek as well as pools may receive got been a chip overcrowded. So nosotros pushed on to NA'ILI'ILI-HAELE.
But it was non wasted fourth dimension - for a start it was a much nicer twenty-four threescore minutes menses with no pelting as well as additionally nosotros had way to a greater extent than fourth dimension to spend, especially at the 2d falls with its dainty pool.
Considerably less mud underfoot inwards the bamboo forest.
Second falls: the dry out conditions meant the climb upward to the rope-swing was relatively safe. Naturally I had to give this several goes. My pix of people on the rope didn't plow out.
The French-Canadian girls from the hostel cheese it up.
Ladders (upper left) Pb towards several to a greater extent than upstream falls. But tour leader MATTHEW declined to receive got us at that spot - manifestly some of the way is rather dodgy safety-wise.
STOP 3 - HAIKU
HAIKU is a pocket-sized town inwards the foothills of HALEAKALA volcano reached yesteryear turning left off the HANA HWY a few kms due east of HOOKIPA as well as travelling less than 3km/2mi along HAIKU RD.
I recollect increasing rents inwards trendy PAI'A receive got forced a lot of the alternative life-stylers to relocate to smaller places similar this inwards the nearby hinterland - I saw 1 hippy over my calendar week inwards PAI'A but several inwards the threescore minutes or thus I spent at HAIKU.
Above is 1 of the several nutrient stalls/food trucks inwards the spacious marketplace parking lot - MATTHEW recommended the fish tacos hither for a slow luncheon but I thought they were a chip underwhelming given the cost.
Route of the trip.
3 - RENTAL CAR TOUR (UNFINISHED BUSINESS)
There were many to a greater extent than interesting places prior interrogation had indicated were worth a aspect - thus a few days later on I grabbed a rental auto as well as took off to consider equally many equally possible.
RENTAL CAR ROUTE
With the rental auto I decided to consider the OTHER route to HANA as well as thus started with the SOUTHERN route after which I returned via the northern side already traveled inwards BANANA'S van. This way I did an anti-clockwise circumnavigation of the eastern one-half of MAUI which is to a greater extent than or less the purpose of HALEAKALA volcano's cone (above sea bird - at that spot is thus much submarine HALEAKALA that this is the 2d highest mount inwards the world from base of operations to peak).
My southern route to HANA was 1 route but went nether 3 numbers/4 names - Hwy37/HALEAKALA HWY from only due south of the aerodrome to PUKALANI (light blue); even thus Hwy37/KULA Hwy to the south-west corner (yellow); Hwy31/PILANI Hwy to KALEPA GULCH a small distance W of OHEO GULCH inwards the south-east (white route); as well as and thus Hwy330/HANA Hwy to HANA TOWN (lime dark-green route).
The northern render along Hwys 330/360/36 (all purpose of the HANA Hwy) is supposed to last marked inwards nighttime blueish but when I sharpened this icon from the modified Google Earth, it lightened somewhat to close that of the western 37/HALEAKALA Hwy. Sorry nigh that.
The house markers with calorie-free blueish impress are the novel places I managed to see this trip. They may last to a greater extent than clear if y'all click-expand image.
There was much to a greater extent than to consider along the way inwards add-on to the blueish markers - for instance yellowish 37/KULA gets quite high along the western side of HALEAKALA (up to 900m/3000ft) as well as at that spot are some fantastic views out over the beaches of central-south MAUI. Unfortunately at that spot were few places to force over which were non already taken yesteryear a vehicle or 2 along hither thus I didn't teach pix.
So I had to pinch this 1 from the interweb - http://www.hawaiihighways.com - it shows offshore KAHO'OLAWE - that snall vocanic cone mid-pix is the loma only correct of mainland MAUI'S best beach - BIG BEACH.
The white route 31/PILANI is even thus quite high on the south-west corner as well as y'all teach some panoramic views of MAUI'S due south W coast.
This surface area is inwards the rainshadow of the volcano as well as the vegetatation is kinda stunted compared to TROPICAL RAINFOREST on the windward northern as well as eastern sides.
Typical PILANI Hwy inwards the drier south-west of my circuit. This icon comes from http://www.alamy.com/ who I'm certain volition last chasing me for a fee. Bad luck kemosabes - this site is non-commercial - go chase GOOGLE BLOGGER who brand a few bucks from their ads. (I'm certain that volition last successful).
About one-half way along it had dropped to unopen to sea bird giving some dainty close-ups of the sea as well as rocky shore.
Overall the distance to HANA via the southern route is nigh the same (but y'all tin give notice brand amend fourth dimension mainly due to less traffic as well as slightly fewer 1 lane sections as well as hairpins) as well as is worth doing because it offers novel vistas as well as locations.
Several small sections of the PILAI are unsealed - non auto breakers fortunately - but when combined with a 1 lane department with sharp, blind corners equally above, they tin give notice hold y'all focused.
STOP 1 - OHE'O GULCH
This stop-off has a lot of attractions - the SEVEN SACRED POOLS, PIPIWAI TRAIL to WAIMUKU FALLS, KAHAKAI/KULOA COASTAL TRAIL, BAMBOO FOREST, BANYAN TREE, a NATIONAL PARK INFORMATION CENTER yada.
I spent nigh 3 hours wandering around here. The surface area was okay but couldn't jibe the HYPE guide-books as well as isle websites come about about. On reflection I was a chip underwhelmed as well as I'm non certain it was worth the $US15 entry feee (this is purpose of the HAKEAKALA NATIONAL PARK - certain y'all tin give notice hold the 3 twenty-four threescore minutes menses top as well as access the summit as well as crater but I'd already done this good over a calendar week before).
THE SEVEN SACRED POOLS
I'm certain these would receive got been totally splendid inwards the yesteryear when visitors could dip a toe, paddle, swim or at to the lowest degree teach a close-up. But inwards recent years they receive got been closed to world access with heaps of DO NOT ENTER! UNSAFE!! $100 FINES APPLY!!! signage. USA's litigation civilization had a lot to respond for but my cynical side thinks NATIONAL PARK STAFF is may last complicit: it doesn't especially welcome calls for rescue, outset aid, CPR etc - would rather sit down inwards the entrance booth collecting $15 or inwards the VISITOR CENTER selling overpriced TAIWANESE MADE baseball game caps with SEVEN SACRED POOLS - MAUI logos.
One of dozens - at that spot are to a greater extent than than vii pools as well as similar signs applied to waterfalls, coastal areas (don't recollect nigh swimming kemodabes!) as well as more.
This is the best overview I got of the pools - all distant as well as interrupted (here vegetation was cutting the lower thought of the bottom pool). Sure would receive got been dainty if I'd been able to teach downward at that spot for a close-up.
THE BAMBOO FOREST
Not bad but no amend than several other to a greater extent than accessible ones around MAUI, including the 1 at NA'ILI'ILI-HAELE STREAM AND WATERFALL (see upward page) which had costless access as well as is less than 50m from the parking surface area (v 2km for the above).
THE BANYAN TREE
Once over again non bad, but inwards this instance MARKEDLY INFERIOR to MAUI'S best only inland of LAHAINA'S sweetness picayune harboour as well as side yesteryear side key master copy street. You may last thinking some people volition miss LAHAINA, but inwards fact it is a SHOULD DO - most MAUI visitors banking concern check out this nifty W coast town.
WAIMOKU FALLS
Partial thought of the highest (400ft/122m) falls on MAUI - that's all y'all volition legally get.
This is equally unopen equally the nanny nation volition allow y'all to get. Same with all the pools as well as the coastal shoreline.
THE PIPIWAI TRAIL
The to a higher house attractions (pools, banyan tree, bamboo wood as well as falls) are all spaced along this 2mi/3.3km (one way) trail except the falls which is only yesteryear the upper end. This powerfulness last a goodness icon to click-expand.
This is non a bad walk with gradients varying betwixt gentle as well as moderate but never steep (but it keeps on keeping on as well as would last a challenge to fitness/mobility impaired as well as many older people). At the same fourth dimension keen trekkers would honour it a chip undemanding equally a goodness challenging workout.
Overall I was disappointed - I'm a keen trekker as well as got picayune satisfaction from that dot of view: plus I considered the 2 hours I spent on the rail disappointing from the full general tourist aspect given the blocked-access or unexceptional attractions along the way.
OTHER GULCH FEATURES
THE COASTAL WALKING TRACKS
The coastal tracks (KAHAKAI as well as KULOA POINT trails lower 30% above) are considerably shorter at less than a mile/a picayune over a km if y'all walk every inch, as well as seemed way to a greater extent than pop with all the senior citizens I saw getting off a bunch of day-trip shuttles - equally a affair of fact I noticed none of these folk on the PIPIWAI.
The tracks give views of the rugged volcanic coast but theses are no amend than several close Hana locations (not to advert other places on the island) - all of which receive got the payoff of NO $15 ENTRY FEE. Not unexpectedly at that spot were heaps of KEEP OUT signs inwards the to a higher house OHEO GULCH area.
THE VISITORS' CENTER
This had a goodness alternative of maps, visual displays as well as information boards nigh the GULCH'S features - inwards the former days this would last nifty inwards saving fourth dimension visiting libraries etc: but of course of pedagogy all this as well as to a greater extent than is similar a shot available online. There were also the common t-shirts, caps as well as touristy trinkets for sale. Note NO FOOD is sold inwards the National Park. There were nearby residue rooms.
THE CAMP GROUND
The campground (lower left as well as center) is a plus - spacious with sea views as well as audio it is FREE in 1 lawsuit the $15 commons entrance fee is paid. It is available on a outset come, outset served reason as well as has 100 available spaces. No H2O but the residue rooms at the visitors' oculus has taps. Pit toilets. This would last ideal for people wanting cheap accommodation inwards the HANA surface area for a multi-day see (and multi days are needed to consider everything). HANA TOWN itself had really express tourist accommodation as well as none is inexpensive.
SUM UP OF OHE'O GULCH
I was underwhelmed - this is an surface area that gets raves from the guide-books as well as online move sites but doesn't consider the hype. It is fourth dimension consuming to reach, expensive to enter, time consuming to consider (I spent over 3 hours there) - all for express rewards: no access to many features as well as others which are no amend than inwards other parts of MAUI.
At the halt of the twenty-four threescore minutes menses I kinda resented the fourth dimension spent at OHEO GULCH - I institute I was rushing subsequent call-ins to the dot where I had to miss some as well as curtail fourth dimension at the totally splendid WAINAPANAPA STATE PARK (see downward page) a few km northward of HANA TOWN.
My advice to DAY-TRIPPERS - at that spot is thus much to consider on the route to as well as at HANA TOWN that y'all must PRIORITISE call-ins. OHE'O GULCH is 1 I'd PRIORITISE OUT.
For people on MULTI-DAY visits, especially campers it's some other matter. Probably worth the time.
NO STOP - WAILUA FALLS
This is 1 shortage of fourth dimension forced me to give a miss. It's less than 3mi/5km northward of OHEO GULCH, is side yesteryear side the route as well as is reportedly the most photographed waterfall inwards MAUI.
Having no photograph of my ain I had to plow to GOOGLE IMAGES who threw upward this goodness 1 originally from http://roadtohana.com, The driblet is 80ft into a swimmible pool.
The goodness intelligence is my interrogation indicates at that spot are no restrictive signs or expensive entry fees as well as existence virtually roadside, no long trek to access. On reflection if I did the southern route to HANA over again I'd halt inwards hither inwards preference to OHEO GULCH.
STOP 2 - HANEOO ROAD
I did the small HANEOO RD LOOP (starting a picayune over 4mi/6.5km northward of WAILUA FALLS) because 2 beaches along at that spot read upward inwards the guide books as well as online move sites are some of the best on MAUI.
I was underwhelmed - the outset beach from the south, HAMEO, was non all that attractive, had hard access as well as restricted parking. The following along, KOKI BEACH was non that much better. You tin give notice consider my KOKI motion painting on this page nether MOST DISAPPOINTING BEACH abt 90% downward page.
STOPS 3 AND 4 - HANA TOWN
HANA TOWN is exclusively a few miles northward of HANEEO RD. Time was express which restricted me to 2 stops hither - those shown inwards blueish to a higher house which I hadn't had a take away chances to banking concern check on BAMBOO BUNGALOW'S before trip.
STOP 3 - FAGIN'S CROSS HANA TOWN
This is a relatively small walk upward to a hilltop behind town where it is possible to teach a goodness overview of the area. However at the master copy route halt a large sign with the common DO NOT ENTER plus PRIVATE PROPERTY: FINES APPLY gave me pause. Usually I'd ignore this (seems lots of other dudes go upward there) but with the twenty-four threescore minutes menses slipping away I thought the forty minutes it would receive got to exercise the 'round trek would last amend spent elsewhere where at that spot was no worry nigh possible confrontation with landowners.
With no pix to present y'all in 1 lawsuit over again I had to resort to Google Images - this 1 is from fineartamerica
STOP 4 - HANA BAY BEACH
Once over again I was a chip underwhelmed - the common sources brand this beach read similar something nifty whereas I thought it was a chip ordinary. Maybe it was a tad slow inwards the twenty-four threescore minutes menses to fully appreciate. Probably dainty with the Sun out as well as to a greater extent than people around.
Lovely RED SAND BEACH is on the contrary side of that loma (actually a pocket-sized cinder cone) but fourth dimension was thus pressing I didn't receive got a take away chances to revisit what I consider the BEACH WITH THE MOST SPECTACULAR SETTING ON MAUI. See up-page for a motion painting as well as link.
STOP five - WAI'ANAPANAPA STATE PARK
This fabulous surface area is accessed via a side route which leaves 330 a few miles northward of HANA TOWN. With dusk rapidly approaching I spent the express fourth dimension checking fabulous BLACK SAND BEACH, other rugged coastal landscape features including 1 of the blowholes + natural arches, as well as the rather dainty campground. I receive got to a greater extent than information as well as pix on this page under MAUI'S BEST CAMPING BEACH, nigh 2/3 downward the page.
Another motion painting of BLACK SAND BEACH
Unfortunately I ran out of daylight as well as had to abandon my plans of checking the area's other master copy attractions: the FRESH WATER CAVES as well as the 3mi/5km long WAI'ANAPANAPA COASTAL WALKING TRACK.
So it was dorsum on the route for all those hairpins as well as 1 lane sections inwards the nighttime - luckily I roughshod inwards behind some other vehicles as well as allow them exercise all the worrying nigh high/low beams, giving way to oncoming traffic etc - as well as at that later on threescore minutes at that spot was less traffic too. 2 hours later on I was dorsum inwards WAILUKU.
HANA ROAD STRATEGIES
- at that spot is thus much to consider ALONG the route as well as AT Hana itself that unless y'all receive got a multi-day see y'all must PRIORITISE your call-ins. The less time, the to a greater extent than y'all must prioritise. The best would last a multi-day visit, staying AT or close HANA TOWN.
- if all y'all receive got is ONE DAY, it is a no-brainer to START EARLY. If y'all already receive got a rental car, 0600 would non last also early. I wasted also much valuable fourth dimension collecting my rental at the aerodrome on the same twenty-four threescore minutes menses - as well as I missed the early on motorbus to the aerodrome (DUH!)
- is a COMMERCIAL DAY TOUR a goodness idea? Well inwards its favour is that the guides are skillful (good commentary as well as they waste product no fourth dimension finding places) as well as exercise the prioritising for you. Against that is the cost (all look good northward of $100), loss of independence inwards that y'all go with the herd, as well as that herd tin give notice occupation upward a hell of a lot of precious fourth dimension only getting into as well as out of the transport, inwards residue rooms as well as existence collected/dropped off at their accommodation. And some places may last short-cutted eg I saw no twenty-four threescore minutes menses trip coach people on the PIPIWAI TRAIL at OHE'O GULCH.
Natural arch - WAI'ANAPANAPA STATE PARK
IF YOU SEE MISTAKES OR HAVE EXTRA INFORMATION, PLEASE POST BELOW.
HOWEVER IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK THEM ON THE FORUM PAGE WHICH I TRY TO CHECK MOST DAYS WHEN NOT TRAVELING - WHEREAS I REVISIT INDIVIDUAL LOCATION PAGES LIKE THIS ONE ONLY OCCASIONALLY
STOP 2 - NA'ILI'ILI-HAELE STREAM AND WATERFALL
Yeah, I know - already been at that spot with BANANA. Actually ALOHA'S itinerary said nosotros were going to the (considerably closer to PAI'A) TWIN FALLS but when nosotros passed its parking areas it was packed - the trek as well as pools may receive got been a chip overcrowded. So nosotros pushed on to NA'ILI'ILI-HAELE.
But it was non wasted fourth dimension - for a start it was a much nicer twenty-four threescore minutes menses with no pelting as well as additionally nosotros had way to a greater extent than fourth dimension to spend, especially at the 2d falls with its dainty pool.
STOP 3 - HAIKU
I recollect increasing rents inwards trendy PAI'A receive got forced a lot of the alternative life-stylers to relocate to smaller places similar this inwards the nearby hinterland - I saw 1 hippy over my calendar week inwards PAI'A but several inwards the threescore minutes or thus I spent at HAIKU.
Above is 1 of the several nutrient stalls/food trucks inwards the spacious marketplace parking lot - MATTHEW recommended the fish tacos hither for a slow luncheon but I thought they were a chip underwhelming given the cost.
3 - RENTAL CAR TOUR (UNFINISHED BUSINESS)
There were many to a greater extent than interesting places prior interrogation had indicated were worth a aspect - thus a few days later on I grabbed a rental auto as well as took off to consider equally many equally possible.
RENTAL CAR ROUTE
My southern route to HANA was 1 route but went nether 3 numbers/4 names - Hwy37/HALEAKALA HWY from only due south of the aerodrome to PUKALANI (light blue); even thus Hwy37/KULA Hwy to the south-west corner (yellow); Hwy31/PILANI Hwy to KALEPA GULCH a small distance W of OHEO GULCH inwards the south-east (white route); as well as and thus Hwy330/HANA Hwy to HANA TOWN (lime dark-green route).
The northern render along Hwys 330/360/36 (all purpose of the HANA Hwy) is supposed to last marked inwards nighttime blueish but when I sharpened this icon from the modified Google Earth, it lightened somewhat to close that of the western 37/HALEAKALA Hwy. Sorry nigh that.
The house markers with calorie-free blueish impress are the novel places I managed to see this trip. They may last to a greater extent than clear if y'all click-expand image.
There was much to a greater extent than to consider along the way inwards add-on to the blueish markers - for instance yellowish 37/KULA gets quite high along the western side of HALEAKALA (up to 900m/3000ft) as well as at that spot are some fantastic views out over the beaches of central-south MAUI. Unfortunately at that spot were few places to force over which were non already taken yesteryear a vehicle or 2 along hither thus I didn't teach pix.
The white route 31/PILANI is even thus quite high on the south-west corner as well as y'all teach some panoramic views of MAUI'S due south W coast.
This surface area is inwards the rainshadow of the volcano as well as the vegetatation is kinda stunted compared to TROPICAL RAINFOREST on the windward northern as well as eastern sides.
About one-half way along it had dropped to unopen to sea bird giving some dainty close-ups of the sea as well as rocky shore.
Overall the distance to HANA via the southern route is nigh the same (but y'all tin give notice brand amend fourth dimension mainly due to less traffic as well as slightly fewer 1 lane sections as well as hairpins) as well as is worth doing because it offers novel vistas as well as locations.
STOP 1 - OHE'O GULCH
I spent nigh 3 hours wandering around here. The surface area was okay but couldn't jibe the HYPE guide-books as well as isle websites come about about. On reflection I was a chip underwhelmed as well as I'm non certain it was worth the $US15 entry feee (this is purpose of the HAKEAKALA NATIONAL PARK - certain y'all tin give notice hold the 3 twenty-four threescore minutes menses top as well as access the summit as well as crater but I'd already done this good over a calendar week before).
THE SEVEN SACRED POOLS
I'm certain these would receive got been totally splendid inwards the yesteryear when visitors could dip a toe, paddle, swim or at to the lowest degree teach a close-up. But inwards recent years they receive got been closed to world access with heaps of DO NOT ENTER! UNSAFE!! $100 FINES APPLY!!! signage. USA's litigation civilization had a lot to respond for but my cynical side thinks NATIONAL PARK STAFF is may last complicit: it doesn't especially welcome calls for rescue, outset aid, CPR etc - would rather sit down inwards the entrance booth collecting $15 or inwards the VISITOR CENTER selling overpriced TAIWANESE MADE baseball game caps with SEVEN SACRED POOLS - MAUI logos.
THE BAMBOO FOREST
THE BANYAN TREE
WAIMOKU FALLS
THE PIPIWAI TRAIL
OTHER GULCH FEATURES
THE COASTAL WALKING TRACKS
THE VISITORS' CENTER
THE CAMP GROUND
SUM UP OF OHE'O GULCH
I was underwhelmed - this is an surface area that gets raves from the guide-books as well as online move sites but doesn't consider the hype. It is fourth dimension consuming to reach, expensive to enter, time consuming to consider (I spent over 3 hours there) - all for express rewards: no access to many features as well as others which are no amend than inwards other parts of MAUI.
At the halt of the twenty-four threescore minutes menses I kinda resented the fourth dimension spent at OHEO GULCH - I institute I was rushing subsequent call-ins to the dot where I had to miss some as well as curtail fourth dimension at the totally splendid WAINAPANAPA STATE PARK (see downward page) a few km northward of HANA TOWN.
My advice to DAY-TRIPPERS - at that spot is thus much to consider on the route to as well as at HANA TOWN that y'all must PRIORITISE call-ins. OHE'O GULCH is 1 I'd PRIORITISE OUT.
For people on MULTI-DAY visits, especially campers it's some other matter. Probably worth the time.
NO STOP - WAILUA FALLS
This is 1 shortage of fourth dimension forced me to give a miss. It's less than 3mi/5km northward of OHEO GULCH, is side yesteryear side the route as well as is reportedly the most photographed waterfall inwards MAUI.
The goodness intelligence is my interrogation indicates at that spot are no restrictive signs or expensive entry fees as well as existence virtually roadside, no long trek to access. On reflection if I did the southern route to HANA over again I'd halt inwards hither inwards preference to OHEO GULCH.
STOP 2 - HANEOO ROAD
STOPS 3 AND 4 - HANA TOWN
STOP 3 - FAGIN'S CROSS HANA TOWN
This is a relatively small walk upward to a hilltop behind town where it is possible to teach a goodness overview of the area. However at the master copy route halt a large sign with the common DO NOT ENTER plus PRIVATE PROPERTY: FINES APPLY gave me pause. Usually I'd ignore this (seems lots of other dudes go upward there) but with the twenty-four threescore minutes menses slipping away I thought the forty minutes it would receive got to exercise the 'round trek would last amend spent elsewhere where at that spot was no worry nigh possible confrontation with landowners.
STOP 4 - HANA BAY BEACH
Lovely RED SAND BEACH is on the contrary side of that loma (actually a pocket-sized cinder cone) but fourth dimension was thus pressing I didn't receive got a take away chances to revisit what I consider the BEACH WITH THE MOST SPECTACULAR SETTING ON MAUI. See up-page for a motion painting as well as link.
STOP five - WAI'ANAPANAPA STATE PARK
This fabulous surface area is accessed via a side route which leaves 330 a few miles northward of HANA TOWN. With dusk rapidly approaching I spent the express fourth dimension checking fabulous BLACK SAND BEACH, other rugged coastal landscape features including 1 of the blowholes + natural arches, as well as the rather dainty campground. I receive got to a greater extent than information as well as pix on this page under MAUI'S BEST CAMPING BEACH, nigh 2/3 downward the page.
Unfortunately I ran out of daylight as well as had to abandon my plans of checking the area's other master copy attractions: the FRESH WATER CAVES as well as the 3mi/5km long WAI'ANAPANAPA COASTAL WALKING TRACK.
So it was dorsum on the route for all those hairpins as well as 1 lane sections inwards the nighttime - luckily I roughshod inwards behind some other vehicles as well as allow them exercise all the worrying nigh high/low beams, giving way to oncoming traffic etc - as well as at that later on threescore minutes at that spot was less traffic too. 2 hours later on I was dorsum inwards WAILUKU.
HANA ROAD STRATEGIES
- at that spot is thus much to consider ALONG the route as well as AT Hana itself that unless y'all receive got a multi-day see y'all must PRIORITISE your call-ins. The less time, the to a greater extent than y'all must prioritise. The best would last a multi-day visit, staying AT or close HANA TOWN.
- if all y'all receive got is ONE DAY, it is a no-brainer to START EARLY. If y'all already receive got a rental car, 0600 would non last also early. I wasted also much valuable fourth dimension collecting my rental at the aerodrome on the same twenty-four threescore minutes menses - as well as I missed the early on motorbus to the aerodrome (DUH!)
- is a COMMERCIAL DAY TOUR a goodness idea? Well inwards its favour is that the guides are skillful (good commentary as well as they waste product no fourth dimension finding places) as well as exercise the prioritising for you. Against that is the cost (all look good northward of $100), loss of independence inwards that y'all go with the herd, as well as that herd tin give notice occupation upward a hell of a lot of precious fourth dimension only getting into as well as out of the transport, inwards residue rooms as well as existence collected/dropped off at their accommodation. And some places may last short-cutted eg I saw no twenty-four threescore minutes menses trip coach people on the PIPIWAI TRAIL at OHE'O GULCH.
IF YOU SEE MISTAKES OR HAVE EXTRA INFORMATION, PLEASE POST BELOW.
HOWEVER IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK THEM ON THE FORUM PAGE WHICH I TRY TO CHECK MOST DAYS WHEN NOT TRAVELING - WHEREAS I REVISIT INDIVIDUAL LOCATION PAGES LIKE THIS ONE ONLY OCCASIONALLY
Sumber http://tezza-thailandbeachesandislands.blogspot.com/