Getting caught in restricted areas could result in hefty fines or a court date. Katherine is a freelance writer who covers Hawaii and California travel for Tripsavvy. On way back. On the way back a lot of traffic going the other way, with several drivers with a death wish Then, after lunch, we went to the black sand beach very very late for our reservation, and after that just went back, everybody was wiped out. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. If you have any questions about how to hike the Ppwai Trail, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below. Are there benches anywhere? How much time will it take me to hike up to the 400 foot or last waterfall on the trail. The Ppwai Trail is a relatively short hike that is located in Haleakala National Park on the Road to Hana. Hi would i want to plan a separate trip to hike this or can i do it on the same day as my road to Hana drive? Once out of the pool, if youre an off-trail kind of hiker who hasnt had enough off-trail, you can continue your side-trip upstream along the streambed (be ready to do some swimming and climbing) and check out some more worthy pools and waterfalls. The Pipiwai Trail is truly one of a kind as it takes you through a bamboo forest that ends spectacularly at the 400-foot Waimoku Falls. The hike brings you to Waimoku Falls, a breathtaking 400-foot waterfall then you turn around and return to the start. 2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. Im staying in Lahaina. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. The seven sacred pools are 20 minutes in the opposite direction- but that is just tourist bs- this hike is the real deal. Hitting the trail is the perfect way to explore; in fact, it just might be our favorite! You may want to have a poncho, umbrella, hat, and/or a backpack to protect your camera if it rains. BADLANDS SD At over 10,000 feet above sea level, the views . You will hike in and out of the trees and walk over lots of tree roots. It takes about 1h00-1h30 on the way up. Lahaina is a town located on the western coast of the island and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Maui. Called the Kpahulu district, this section of the park is lush, green, and filled with waterfalls, plant life, and beautiful coastal scenery. Get here no later than 3 pm, so you have enough time to finish the hike before the gates close. As always, we also discourage visitors from swimming beneath the falls. All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. At the entrance booth you will pay the park entrance fee. Hike the Pipiwai Trail. This is valid for 3 days and it includes both the Kpahulu District and the Haleakala crater. The paddleboarders said the shark broke their paddle and punctured the board, but they managed to stay on and escape. Also located in the Kpahulu District is a walking trail that leads to the Seven Sacred Pools at Oheo. One of the easiest ways to access the pools is via the Pipiwai Trail. Its a great hike. Some people decide to swim on their way, either in rivers or at the very end under the fall. Flash-flooding, rock falls and cliff/bridge jumping have taken several lives, and many natural dangers occur suddenly without warning. That said, being cited and fined are unlikely, but youd certainly better be sure that you fully understand your abilities, the physical risks and the current conditions. Subscribe to receive discounts, updates and other news! Even though most of the photos youll see from this trail show wooden walkways within the bamboo forest, dont let that fool you! If you get to the Pipiwai trail hike too late to do it, I imagine you will have had a very satisfying day and wont be sorry! This NPS Map more accurately shows the trail and streams. There are restrooms at the Visitor Center but none along the trail. Also stopped at an arboretum (about 30 minutes) and a few stops for lunch and smoothies (maybe another 1.5 hours.) Is this hike super hard? The east side of Maui is lush and green because it rains frequently. Unless you rented a truck or jeep this route is very hard to navigate and a little scary at times. Good for anyone relatively active and healthy. So, you can also choose to make the Pipiwai Trail a part of your Road to Hana day trip. The Waimoku Falls hike passes the 185-footMakahiku Fallswhich is also beautiful. This trail is part of the Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve. Kahekili Highway. Check out our full guide to hiking the Pipiwai Trail below. (It is actually past Hana town though technicalities!). If youre a tree climber (or you have some in-tow like I usually do) youll be spending more than a couple minutes here. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88162532', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Pipiwai trail from Kihei? Witness a breathtaking bamboo jungle and dramatic cliffs. The town has a rich history, dating back to ancient times when it was a center for Hawaiian royalty. Read all of our articles about the United States in our United States Travel Guide. Most people are familiar with the summit section where you can watch the sunrise from above the clouds, but theres a coastal section of the park in a town called Kipahulu, about 12 miles from Hana town. Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. This is an absolutely beautiful falls and well worth the hike to access. For the next half mile, you walk through this mystical bamboo forest. Before or after the hike (if theres time) do the half-mile loop to Oheo Gulch from the visitors center to view the Seven Sacred Pools. With some precautionary measures, your hike will be both safe and fun. Aloha Iris It is shallow enough to cross without swimming, however the stream bed is boulders and rocks, is quite slippery and footing may be difficult for your older companions depending on their agility. Take a look at our calendar and join us for a ranger program. I was in no rush. Your shoes WILL get dirty!! In 2021, an individual pass costs $30 per vehicle. Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. It takes 2 1/2 - 5 hours to hike, depending on how much nature loving you do. Because of the marshy ground, wooden boardwalks have been built to make hiking easier. There is also a national park campground in the Kipahulu district. Is it worth the 2 hour trip out? If youre a nature lover, please plan out your drive to give yourself enough time to get here and hike this trail. Thanks so much for sharing this info! If youre not fit enough to continue another mile (the hike back is all downhill, so we wont count that!) Taking into account the easy accessibility, the Pipiwai Trail offers, hands-down, the all-around best of East Maui's most dramatic stream and waterfall hikes. Go much later and your trip will probably take longer. The Pipiwai Trail is one of the great stops along the Hana Highway, and it is a part of the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park. Enjoy the Hana drive. Various implementations of stone steps, all appearing to date from different periods in ancient pre-history, augment the scene to where running across some Sleestacks hunting dinosaur eggs wouldnt look out of place in the least. The most common suggestions are Twin Falls, Haleakala Crater, or Iao Valley but, not many folks hear about the great hiking trails in Poli Poli Spring State Recreation Area. That said, an 8-year-old girl was tragically killed on this trail from a falling rock while we were hiking it in 2011. Just a bit further and some rock-hopping over a usually tame stream, and this scenery-packed hike culminates at the base of sheer 400 cliffs, with spectacular Waimoku Falls quite literally falling to Earth right in front of you. Google maps would be helpful to ease your mind so youll know when youre getting closer. Water. NEW YORK Are there any points in the trail that have a narrow point and dangerously close to edges. . Hiking is an awesome way to enjoy the beauty of Maui for free or very little. Otherwise, it may route you on the back road to Hana. We had similar results, left (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The hike starts at the park staging area ($10 per vehicle to get in.) ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88173006', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Hana anyway, the Pipiwai trail is one of the best and moderate hikes on Maui. Maui's Hana Highway is sixty miles of scenic but curvy coastal road, reportedly featuring 620 curves and 59 bridges, most of which are single-lane bridges. What time does the park open to start hiking the Pipiwai Trail? Do you have any pictures of the cave/pool/waterfall? These 2 districts are not connected by road. GPS Coordinates: 20.661458,-156.045299 And in this part of Maui, it rains quite frequently. We did this and its a beautiful drive. Observe the streams from the Ppwai trail and see if you can spot the freshwater shrimp and rock-climbing goby. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. Do you have to make reservations for this park? I don't rec you take the "backside" from Kaupo to Ulupalakua, BTW. It is a well maintained trail with two shallow stream crossings at the very end (after the bamboo.) The Hanna airport is the closest, but getting a commercial flight there is probably going to be difficult. Mahalo! Getting to the Trail Getting to the Trail The Pipiwai Trail is in the Kipahulu district of Haleakal National Park. Answer 1 of 9: I was wondering how to get from Pipiwai trail from Kihei? Can you tell me how far the steepest elevation change is and what degree of incline that part of the trail would be? Please do not wear flip-flops. Once the bamboo begins to thin out, youll pass some mountain apple trees and a small stream before emerging from the trees into a crescent-shaped rock wall in full view of Waimoku Falls. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Assume that you will be walking through mud, so wear a pair of shoes that you dont mind getting dirty. The trail and the waterfalls were very nice, but I have to say the 9 miles from Hana are in bad shape, potholes abound. You can go to Pipiwai Trail and the Kipahulu district as a part of the popular Road to Hana drive. Driving directly from Wailea to Pipiwai Trail might be a little under 3 hours with minimal traffic, by way of Paia. Im going back this May for my honeymoon and would love to explore the side trails this time! Alternatively, you may use. The park service has been known to close down the Pipiwai Trail during particularly wet periods since the hike is in a high-risk flood area. So you have to drive the RTH to reach it. Dont let them wander. HAWAII VOLCANOES HI The powerful waterfall flows from 400 feet up, spraying cool mist from yards away. How long do you think it will take to get there from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? But if youre capable, we want you to know better: this is just an appetizer to ready you for the much more impressive journey to come. From the somewhat challenging summit of the Haleakala volcano to the awe-inspiring views along the Pipiwai Trail, Maui offers hikers of all levels something to enjoy. Difficulty: The Pipiwai Trail is rated moderate due to the often muddy and uneven terrain. Gilligans' Island Luau is an intimate luau experience and is the only luau in Kihei on Maui. So really, about the same time hiking (I take just over two hours on the Pipiwai for the return trip), but the drive to Waihe'e Ridge is easier. Love hiking the bamboo in a fine mist. Eat at Thai by Pranee in Hana after the hike. Is getting to the pipiwai trial from the west doable ? Here are driving distances and times from other locations in Maui, via the Road to Hana (these times do not take in account any additional time for stops along the way): As you can see, staying in Hana is ideal. So youre off to hike the Pipiwai Trailthat is one of the best hikes on Maui! IDAHO . Visitor Info: $10 for parking, swimmable but with caution. Rocks frequently fall over this cliff face and the fall distance would make even a small pebble an unpleasant experience. What locations on the way to Pipiwai are good for bathrooms that early. In fact, when youve reached the end, youre smack at the base of the falls, and can walk right up and stand under them. Its located at the end of the Road to Hana, and the last point where people would typically turn around and drive the Road to Hana as an out-and-back if they choose to go this far. Parking is $10 per vehicle and is valid for 3 days at any of the Haleakala National Park areas, so save your receipt if youve already gone up to the crater or plan to. Thank yoU! However, if you want to see the sunrise on Haleakala, you need to get a reservation in advance. Once released from the bamboo, youre dropped at the very base of a towering sheer-cliff waterfall worthy of a slow-motion Imax fly-by. If you can find someone taking the southern route, youve got it made. All Rights Reserved. At the trail junction, go left to start the Ppwai Trail. Banyans originate in India, and first came to the islands as gifts to Hawaiian royalty from Indian royalty. Just looking for a rough estimate, thanks. This road is also referred to as the Back Road to Hana or the Backside of Haleakala. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. The other side is one lane for miles (with plenty of two way traffic), it is not well maintained and very very bumpy, it is prone to issues with debris in the road and washed out bridges which require a smidge of offroading. Ive been reading that its now closed, though, but I see this page was last updated just a few weeks ago, so Im hoping its current. Photo Credit: Sue Salisbury Maui Hawaii. The trail can be slippery at certain areas due to the on and off rain, so make sure you bring proper hiking shoes, or shoes that have some decent traction. HAWAII EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS Pipiwai Trail is 4 miles roundtrip, gaining 650-feet in elevation. This 400 foot waterfall is one of the tallest in Maui. Many visitors ask us about where to go hiking on Maui. The 2-mile Pipiwai Trail inside the park is perfect if you want to go on a hike and see more of the stunning wonders around you. GRAND CANYON AZ This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. What to . Im in Hana now. I am not a hiker but I think I should be able to handle this trail. Stop at Honolulu Coffee in Paia go restroom and breakfast . It can be accessed by driving 12 miles past the town of Hna, on the famous Hna Highway that circumscribes the northeast coast of the island of Maui. This website's use is your expressly conditioned acceptance of the terms, conditions, and disclaimers found within our Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability page without any modifications. Sound-bite: [insert hollow percussive sounds of bamboo striking one another]. Phone: 808-572-4400 These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. Otherwise, you can take the Northern route and simply get out when most people turn around. Thanks! That's being a little generous to allow for road work and traffic delays. WATCH THE SUNRISE AT HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK. There are two parking lots: an upper lot and a lower lot. Continuing along the trail youll notice the scenery changing to bamboo. (This is also where the boardwalk comes in and save you from having your shoes sucked off by thick mud.) It traverses the youngest lava flow on Maui, and rewards with ancient cultural sites and great pools for snorkeling and fishing. Parking is $10 per vehicle and is valid for 3 days at any of the Haleakala National Park areas, so save your receipt if you've already gone up to the crater or plan to. Do NOT cross if the water is high or moving too swiftly. Throughout the hike youll spot several warning signs; take them seriously. Alternatively, you may use. Just beyond the Makahiku Falls Viewpoint, you reach a giant Banyan tree. Many rental car companies use to prohibit traveling on that road. The pools were closed. We recommend wearing shoes with good grip that you dont mind getting wet as there is a stream section you will have to cross to get a closer view of the waterfall. For more things to do in Haleakala National Park, with recommendations on how to plan your time, read our Guide to Haleakala National Park. WYOMING Continue on the path (and up more stairs before the terrain levels out) to immerse yourself in the bamboo forest. It's about 4 miles RT. The Road to Hana runs along the east coast of Maui. Re: Distance from Kihei to Pipiwai Trail? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88162835', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car insurance if you do, and it doesn't save you any time. A lot of people choose to drive straight through to Oheo Gulch, do the hike, and then drive back the way you came, making extra stops along the way. Jen. Mountain apples are oddly attached to the trees on which they grow. What you might not know that there is a smaller section of Haleakala National Park on the southern coast of Maui. When is the best month to hike the trail and what airport is closest? Side Trip: Infinity Pool This narrow stretch of road on the northwest side of Maui is for the experienced driver, but a great alternative to Road to Hana. There is a lot to see on the RTH, before you get to Oheo Gulch, where the trailhead is located for the Pipiwai. This trail does have some shade but there are sections where you will be exposed to the sun. Tip: Take all warning signs seriously. This will get you a 3 day Haleakala pass, and you can use it to visit both the Kipahulu side and the summit side of the national park. Bring more water than you think youll need. The Ppwai Trail is located in the Kpahulu District of Haleakala National Park in Maui. Bamboo Forest ~ Pipiwai Trail If you are going to drive to Hana, the Bamboo forest is a trail worth taking. From inside the pool you will observe why the guidebook name makes sense views from the pool emulate that of a resort-style Infinity pool and are jaw-dropping (to say the least) as the deep blue of the ocean appears to meet the edge of the pool. That probably took close to 30 min. I am wondering if you know of any public access areas that would be available for use if we brought our own equipment. Most Internet sources say it takes 2 1/2 . Pipiwai Trail bamboo forest boardwalk. Bamboo Forest Maui Guide: Fun Hike to the Massive 400 Foot Waterfall can we swim in the pools at the base of the falls? PRO HIKING TIP: This trail can be extremely muddy if it has recently rained. YELLOWSTONE WY My wife and I will be in Maui Summer 2016 (without the kids!) Over years, a banyans aerial prop roots form into new trunks of their own, expanding continually outward. And don't forget a selfie stick to get amazing pics of your Valley Isle getaway! For more things to do in Haleakala National Park, with recommendations on how to plan your time, read our, Read all of our articles about the United States in our. Really want to do this hike but concerned about my level of fitness for incline hiking. Have fun! You will probably have to cross the stream in two places before you can get right up under the falls. The park opens officially at 9 but they were letting people in early when we arrived. This gets you here quicker, but it is a more rugged, remote road than Highway 360 (the Hana Highway). Pipiwai Trail is part of Haleakala National Park and is located above Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools). If youre interested in Pipiwai Trail, then you may also be interested in these top activities on Maui: ROAD TRIP AMERICA This means that its really not difficult to find the Pipiwai trailhead. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. You cross two bridges over the Ppwai Stream, climb some rock steps, and entire the cool, moist air of the bamboo forest. Our luau is less than one quarter the size of the average luau in Hawaii. If you get here too late in the day, not only will large crowds which make parking challenge, but the park may not even be open. While the regular road to Hana is crowded, it is scenic and full of interesting things to see. That would be 2 long car days. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Past Hana. There are no benches. The trailhead for the Ppwai Trail is located to the left of the Visitor Center. Stop at the visitors center to get more information about the trail conditions for the day, check out some maps, and learn more about the area. If you drive straight to the trail your be missing so much. Both my husband and I are quite fit and are interested in doing one hike while we are here. If you relish your driving experiences then the Road to Hana alone is . 3750 Wailea Alanui * Kihei, HI 96753. I have googled it but have heard to not trust the google maps drive times when it comes to RTH! youll probably be satisfied with these falls as your end-point. Arrived at the park around 8:45. The Kpahulu District is open from 9 am to 5 pm. Just did this today - left northernmost (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I was wondering how to get from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Instead of being on a stem that terminates from a minor branch, like most fruit, mountain apples grow on a small stem directly out of the main branches (and even the trunk) of the `ohi`a `ai tree. Then 45 mins way back. There are many that are pretty much right along the Hana Highway. Twin Falls is another waterfall along the Road to Hana drive in the jungle of East Maui. So you have to pay 25.00 admission . This idyllic 1.8 mile trail unfolds alongside a string of (many more than seven) pools and waterfalls framed by the lush green diversity of the lush tropical rainforest. The first part of the trail is covered in roots. Is it advisable to take the road back thru Kahului and down as opposed to taking the rough road outlined on the western side of the island that goes thru Keokea. Thank you! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. There was nothing different that day than any other day, a rock fell, as they do from time to time, and struck a child. If you're visiting during the rainy season, call ahead to the visitors center to make sure that the trail is still open. Spend some time in the mysterious, zen-like oasis before continuing out of the forest and towards Waimoku Falls.
