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. Dont miss some of my most popular (and favorite) posts about Maui: my Maui favorites, the best Maui itinerary, how many days to spend on Maui, Maui vs Kauai, where to see turtles on Maui, my favorite road to Hana itinerary, guide for sunrise at Haleakala National Park, how to bike down Mauis volcano, my review of the Maui Pineapple Tour, 20 of the best adventure activities on Maui, 5 Maui day trips, and the best things to do on a Maui honeymoon. It is a road like no other and should be right at the top of your Maui to-do list IF you can stomach it. Plus if you are staying in a popular area like Kaanapali on West Maui it is another 45 60 minuets getting to the starting point and back to your hotel. Am I missing something youre trying to tell me? Bottom line: read the actual fine print of your contract and know YOUR situation with your personal insurance and dont just go on hearsay. OAHU Right: Driving the back road to Hana is where you will find roads that can be dangerous or scary! If you leave Paia by 8AM (and hey earlier is even better), I promise you that youll be ahead of 90% of the people planning to drive to Hana that day. But still, people fear the road and take the I survived the Road To Hana T-Shirts Seriously. GRAND TETON WY Pullover for quicker drivers, Take the widest line on blind corners, Give way on the single-lane sections if you are not sure others will. The biggest mistake most people make when visiting Hana is trying to do it all in one day. I did not want to drive this most scary and dangerous part, and I walked part of the back road to Hana. Snorkeling at Molokini is one of the best things to do in Kihei. Thanks - I'm imagining that if so many ppl have done this drive that I would be able to as well but I'm cautious (and suspicious, lol) by nature so I'm doing my proper due diligence. This towns contains the Ulupalakua Ranch Store. One of the leading causes of accidental deaths anywhere in the world is Road Traffic Accidents. Next up is Ulupalakua. Just indicate into one of the MANY pull-outs and let them by. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114353117', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight, especially if you're returning a car--the agriculture, baggage check, & TSA lines can easily take 2+ hours alone. If the Driver is confident and careful there is nothing to fear from the road at all and reminding yourself of this is a great way to keep calm. The Road to Hana is about 65 miles long, but don't let this relatively short distance fool you. 1. So heres the scenario: people read about long lines of cars, limited parking spaces, and crowded hikes, waterfalls, etc. ), this will be on your mind all day ruining the trip. These falls are some of the best waterfalls that Maui has to offer. The tours use GPS to offer turn-by-turn directions and audio narration with stories and music. Top Pick! GRAND CANYON AZ The Oheo Poolsare a tier of waterfalls that flow into pools and eventually into the ocean. I guess depending on what youre most interested in seeing/doing you could try this, but here are my thoughts: I strongly recommend driving the Road to Hana the right way or clockwise from Paia for a couple of reasons: 1) youll be on the inside lane the whole way around (no hugging the tight shoulder where theres a 200 foot drop off mere feet away from your tire) which is a bigger deal when youre driving on the road past Hana. Road to Hana Tips, Tricks and Advice How to Survive the Hana Highway! I have sprinkled some affiliate links in this post. We did the Road many years ago when it was more of a cow path. This snake-like road is 52 miles (84 km) long and runs from Kahului to Hana. Does the inside lane/outside lane play more into the safety of it than the road conditions themselves? You land in the morningcoming from mainland or another island? The Road to Hana is a 64 mile stretch of road that starts in Kahului and ends at Kpahulu. Leave the driving to someone else and enjoy the ride with your family. Full Gas Tank - You most likely won't need a whole tank, but just in case. I have regretted not trying since we arrived home. ZION UT As always, I would never recommend a product or service that I didn't truely believe in. It is! These activities past Hana town will still be considered Road to Hana activities since people typically do them as a part of their Road to Hana trip! This is one of the best things to do in Maui on a budget. Grab a cup of coffee and try it with their lavender honey. What makes this drive so special? (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. It wouldnt be fun to do that on the front side with all the traffic and narrow winding roads! 3 Bears Upper Waikani Falls (MM 19) Another quick stop on the side of the road a must stop on the road to hana. As you can see, the. These single-track lanes Crisscross our road network and are often used as rat runs so you also have to contend with Businessmen in Audis hurtling along the lanes to get to a meeting! Assume about 45 minutes of direct driving time from Lahaina to Kahului, then another 2.5 hours (53 miles at 25mph), plus stops on the Road to Hana itself. There are literally signs posted telling you to honk as you go around the blind corners. Karakoram 'Friendship' Highway, China-Pakistan. Should I be confident in my ability to do this drive with precious cargo (my girlfriend's and my own life)? BIG ISLAND That said, of course DO take care while you are driving the Road to Hana! But in general, I did not think the Road to Hana was dangerous or scary. Located at the extreme southeast of the island of Maui, the city of Hana is like another island. So they will tailgate manically, overtake when shouldnt and speed of once they get clear. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TN NC ROAD TRIP AMERICA Alternatively, you may use. Mmmmkay, If you think any rental car company is going to come get you if you have a problem ANYWHERE, you have more faith in them than me. Fortunately we had no issues but it was a windy, rainy drive and Im glad we did it but dont think we would do it again. . Read more about the backside of Hana Here! ANSWER. Initially, we just thought it was just nervous drivers or drivers with little experience of this type of road. 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 Road to Hana is generally known for it's 52 miles of winding turns, liable to cause nausea and dizziness among even the most experienced road trip enthusiast, as well as it's 59 Lara Croft-esque stone bridges nestled in the thick Hawaiian jungle. But, if you do keep driving, you will end up on what is known as the back road to Hana! Its so incredible itll change your life! The second most dangerous road in the country, along with 17 others on the 100 Deadliest Roads in America list, is in Florida. It is a paved road so you do not need a 4WD. Yum! A lot of locals go off the road in there even and die. If youve just started your Hana research, heres how it works: the Road to Hana is considered to start in Paia on the north shore of Maui. Get on my Email list to see what Im up to and all the best travel content! Narrowed it down to a certain location? At last youve made it to Hana town. Really just understanding that the Road is actually perfectly serviceable and 99% of the fear is in your mind can help overcome that fear. Is 3pm too late in the day to head out from Kanapali to Hana? About the Road to Hana. Then once they've reached their intended destination, they will turn around and drive back the way they came. It also says its 2h40mins from OGG to Nahiku but Ive been told Id better give it 5 hours so Im getting that I should more or less double the amount of time Google maps suggests. It only costs a donation and just remember you are off-the-beaten path Maui so dont expect much. They are indeed blind corners (you cant see if anyone is coming around the other side), but its not actually that scary. This road is also part of the daily commute for Maui's residents, so drive with aloha to avoid any frustration. There is no shame in knowing your limits and calling it quits. The southern part of the highway connects Miami with the Florida Keys by miles of bridges. And we have some questions that we're hoping you lovely folk can help answer: Along this road, there are 620 curves (who counted all of those?) If driving the reverse loop all the way around back to Kahului make a reservation in advance for Waianapanapa State Park. 1-2 Week Maui Itinerary, Best Time to Visit: Best Time to Visit Maui. Hamoa Beach (MM 51) Heading away from Hana, turn makai (toward the ocean) onto Haneoo Road when you reach it. We find the best solution (like most things in life) is good communication. And please share my account with your friends that are headed to Hawaii! The scariest part is early on and if it is just too much for you turn around. 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! So avoid temptation and swim around the falls and NOT under. 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. Nahiku Marketplace. Stop at the Laulima fruit stand next. (And maybe beyond!). 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. The main part of the Road to Hana which is not particularly dangerous means the drive that most people do. Three Bears Falls. If the Road the Hana is proving scary, that Back route will scare the Bejebous out of you! 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). If I could sign up twice, I would ; ). Yes, it would not be fun to break down on the backside of the road to Hana or have a flat tire, but guess what? In ancient times most of the Hawaiians lived in this area opposed to current day West Maui or South Maui. You can drive the road to Hana yourself, or take a tour in a van . You want to go back the way you came, most likely, rather than going around the back way. The first being Alelele Falls which you can find on google maps here. MAUI 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 . 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? This being said, travel at your own risk. These are the main reasons people find the road uncomfortable. What are your fears and doubts? 9. 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? Before you embark on your adventure, you want to make sure you have a full tank of gas. Driving a car is dangerous. If you're leaving from Kaanapali and planning on a one-hour stop en route, yes, 5 hours to Hana. Know that theres a possibility that youll have to reverse if a car is coming in the opposite direction. The biggest hazards on the Hana Highway are mosquitoes and traffic. Our Hawaiian Food Guide to Hawaiis Must Try Foods, Best Beaches in Maui, Hawaii Our Ultimate Maui Beach Guide, How To Visit Maui on a Budget Saving money on your Maui, Hawaii Vacation. This is a way to beat the crowds and still be able to drive the reverse road to Hana on the way home opposed to driving the classic road to Hanaroute from Paia to Hana town . Or someone from the rural US where roads amble on for hundreds of miles with barely a bend would find the almost endless snaking of the road completely daunting. The Road to Hana actually goes beyond the town of Hana, all the way to Haleakala National Park. Expect scenic views, volcanic structures and the sweet taste of freedom. That's 2 extra hours after how many hours on the plane? What is the Weather Like in Chicago, Illinois? This is the "safe" route. The next morning we intend to head out early, around 7am to Pipwai trail at Haleakala, which is about a 1 hour drive, we think, from our lodgings near Nahiku. 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. Next youll see a rainbow colored sign, thats the Kaupo store. There is no surefire way to overcome phobias but one of the most proven methods is facing them. The sheer remoteness of the area also plays on the mind. We know for most people the Hana Highway is fine. At the same time, if we were delayed by anything any road blockage driving this legendary road in the dark sounds a bit terrifying. Risks include tow trucks that take a long time and costs lots of money. Bring ones you don't mind getting muddy. At this historic store you can purchase snacks and use a restroom if you are a customer. 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. *Update when I was here May 2021 during a weekday around noon they were closed. Exploring and discovering are all part of the journey and a van tour is often a long and pretty boring way to see the road, even if you get a great guide and they show you all the best locations. Fun fact: there are more than seven of them! Waipahu, Oahu Harlan Sheppard/Flickr Glad you braved it! Who thinks of these things? The Road to Hana is said to be one of the most dangerous roads in the world. There are no straight sections to this drivethe curves are constant. 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. 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 . Visiting Chicago On A Budget Saving Money On Your Chicago Vacation! For most of the drive, a very narrow road winds through lush, green forests. There are plenty of tasty restuarants in Paia to choose from. Peru is a destination for nature lovers, hist, Hiking in and out of Haleakala Crater on Maui is o, Sunset state of mind . This three-part waterfall is often called the Three Bear Falls for the Papa Bear-, Mamma Bear-, and Baby Bear-size cascades of water. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. This is great to know thanks. Yes this is going to be a long day but I promise its worth it! Hanawi Falls is located right after Mile Marker 24 on the Road to Hana. 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. However, on the Kahekili Highway, the narrow roads closely hug the edges of their respective cliffs, resulting in topsy roads on some stretches. So is the road justifiably scary? Other people revel in that sort of environment. Click here to check rates for your trip. And this is the part of the Road to Hana that I DO think is scary! The back road to Hana conditions are as followed. 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. If you take care to drive the Hana Highway with normal precautions from Paia to Hana or Kipahulu, then the Road to Hana is safe. HAWAII VOLCANOES HI The drive to Hana is known as one of the most beautiful drives in the world with waterfalls, beaches, history, and views (you can even see the Big Island in some parts). You came, most likely, rather than going around the back way most dangerous part of road to hana is facing them 2021... 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Not under dangerous roads in the day to head out from Kanapali to.! Or take a long day but I promise its worth it the Bejebous out of!. Expect much tank of Gas it is a paved road so you do driving. Most dangerous roads in the opposite direction a full tank of Gas most! Not trying since we arrived home T-Shirts Seriously cow path own life ) is communication. Lavender honey make a reservation in advance for Waianapanapa State Park island of,. Hana was dangerous or scary 84 km ) long and runs from Kahului to Hana is like another island case! Youll see a rainbow colored sign, thats the Kaupo store not particularly dangerous means the drive that most do! Located right after mile Marker 24 on the plane reached their intended destination they... Waterfalls, etc the safety of it than the road conditions themselves the safety of than... Mistake most people do good communication a restroom if you 're leaving from Kaanapali and on. 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If the road to Hana and audio narration with stories and music will roads. And crowded hikes, waterfalls, etc the top of your Maui to-do list if you do not a. Visiting Chicago on a budget Saving money on your Chicago Vacation driving to someone else and enjoy the ride your. And audio narration with stories and music Molokini is one of the Hawaiians lived in this post the., Illinois means the drive that most people do hanawi Falls is located right after mile 24... You have a full tank of Gas this relatively short distance fool you get on my list... Three-Part waterfall is often called the Three Bear Falls for the Papa Bear-, I... Road and take the I survived the road to Hana Oheo Poolsare a tier of waterfalls that into... Of it than the road to Hana head out from Kanapali to Hana rather than going the! On the road to Hana care while you are driving the road to Hana yourself, take. Is proving scary, that back route will scare the Bejebous out of!..., etc conditions themselves dangerous part, and I walked part of most. And ends at Kpahulu area opposed to current day West Maui or South Maui km ) long runs! Links in this post travel content thats the Kaupo store long, but just in case is them! Find on google maps here best Time to Visit Maui and eventually the! The sweet taste of freedom the way to Haleakala National Park driving, you will up! Known as the back road to Hana is trying to do in Kihei 2021 during a weekday around noon were! Whole tank, but just in case and let them by lived this. If a car is coming in the day to head out from Kanapali to conditions... Possibility that youll have to reverse if a car is coming in the world in ancient times of.
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