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Is the Road to Hana worth it?
Let me just state my point of view upfront: just do it! It is part of the Maui experience. There’s a cliché saying, “Hana is about the journey, not the destination,” and that’s very true.
Hana itself is a sleepy little town, so it’s more about the experiences surrounding the trek. From a photographic emphasis, I think they should call it the road to O’heo Gulch (more on that location later), which I believe is most tourists’ end destination.
The Road to Hana is a 65-mile highway that connects Hana in east Maui to Kahului. This road is famous for having over 600 turns and 59 bridges. It will take an entire day of your vacation itinerary, but you will be rewarded with amazing vistas, waterfalls, bamboo forests, beaches, and of course, the experience.
Planning Your Trip
I highly recommend having your own rental car. Personally, I couldn’t imagine doing this in the back of a tourist van, especially if you get car sick. Suffice it to say, if you’re not the one driving and are prone to car sickness, be prepared—there are hundreds of turns! My kids got car sick in the back of a sedan. Your own vehicle will give you the most flexibility for timing and seeing the sights you personally prioritize. For example, if you wanted to spend time hiking Waimakou Falls or relaxing on Red Sand Beach.
You will want to start out very early. Get on the road not long after sunrise if you can. This is a popular tourist trek, and you are on a highway where you cannot safely pass. You’ll likely find locals driving faster and passing, but be respectful—they are likely on this road every day dealing with tourists.
Gas up before you leave; you will be driving the majority of the day!
I’ve done the trek three times and recommend having a big breakfast to start, packing a lunch, snacks, and water so you are not spending time shopping for food or eating in a restaurant in Hana. There are fruit stands along the drive where you can treat yourself to a snack.
Which Way Should You Drive It?
Interestingly, I have not seen too many people talk about this in their blogs or guides online. I have traveled both clockwise and counterclockwise on the trip.
Warning : Driving the full south side of the island will void some rental car insurance contracts. You should also be aware of any road-closures before setting out.
That being said, I have completed this trek three times, and each time driving through the south of the island on the Piilani Hwy west of O’heo Gulch. My rental car contract did say this was a no-no, and of course there were no closures. If you use your common sense, adjust your speeds, and can drive on a gravel road in a sedan you are likely ok. You don’t need a 4×4 and certainly not doing a class 3 off-roading, my rented sedan was just fine for navigating the unpaved sections. Its been a couple of years since my last drive, but unless things have changed, I did not find it an issue.
I believe most people drive clockwise toward Hana, then to O’heo Gulch, and then turn around, retracing their steps. And that is just fine if your preference and what you are comfortable with. You won’t miss any of the photo spots I mention below.
Which way you decide to do it will depend on where you want to spend most of your time. For example, if you want to experience the hike to Waimakou Falls (which I recommend), then my advice would be to go counterclockwise.
O’heo Gulch can get busy, and if you target it first, you will beat the crowds. This spot is, in my opinion, the crown jewel of the trek, and your experience will be enhanced without the crowds. If you don’t want to do that hike and maybe spend more time in Paia in the morning, which, by the way, is a lovely little town and highly recommended too, go clockwise.
Recommended 9 Photo locations Along the Road to Hana.
Note : While I will list my recommended stops in sequence if traveling clockwise to O’heo Gulch, my recommendation for driving is actually counter-clockwise.
Paia
Paia is a charming little town and the last one before you start your journey on the road to Hana. It has some nice restaurants as well as shops and art galleries you can explore.
I’ve actually come here on separate trips when Hookipa was our primary destination, especially if the surf was up. Not far along the road, you can find the quintessential Hawaiian surfboard shot like above.
Ho’okipa Beach
Ho’okipa Beach is just east of Paia. Depending on the surf conditions, which are dependent on the time of year, wind, and tide, this can be a must-see location! Check the surf reports.
The waves won’t be as massive as you may have seen at Oahu North Shore or Jaws (further east on North Maui), but it is a world-renowned wind-surfing destination.
There is a parking lot with a lookout where you can gaze at the surfers and windsurfers alike braving 15′ surf.
As an added bonus, I’ve seen many sea turtles come right up to shore here, somehow navigating the waves.
Upper Waikani Falls (The Three Bears)
Just past mile marker 19 and right beside the road is a very photogenic triple waterfall.
It is a popular waterfall, so don’t stop in the middle of the road and jump out right at the bridge. If you want to explore, there are some areas to pull out just further down the road and walk back.
You can get a nice composition directly from the bridge and road area or hike down to the bottom if you want to dedicate some extra time to get that Instagram-worthy shot.
The amount of waterflow can vary greatly depending on rainfall.
Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach
Red Sand Beach is a beautiful hidden cove in Hana.
Warning: it’s a short hike and a bit of an adventure, and you need to be a bit careful navigating some cliff edges with loose rock. I visited there some time ago, so I’m not sure if the trail has further deteriorated. Some of the quotes online may scare you off from this gem of an experience, but it’s not climbing rocks at Yosemite difficulty. Its been a couple years since I visited this spot at the time of this writing so do check if local conditions have changed. That being said, probably not the best with flip-flops either—use your common sense.
The reward will be that you are immersed with stark red cliffs on one side and the cove protected on the ocean side by lava rock. It really is a unique beach experience. The water was calm as I recall due to the breakwater, but did get deep fairly quickly.
Note: As an added bonus, you might get treated to some nudity as this beach is known for nudes.
Wailua Falls
Wailua Falls is yet another very photogenic waterfall visible from the road at mile marker 45.
It’s very accessible, so well worth a brief stop to take your prized photo. It’s a majestic 80ft cascading falls in an ideal setting.
While most will be satisfied with the view from the road area, there is a trail that can take you to the pool. Just be careful.
Ohe’o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools)
The Seven Sacred Pools are part of Haleakala National Park, and in my opinion, the best that the road to Hana has to offer.
While there are more than seven pools, it’s the amazingly photogenic double cascading waterfall pictured above that always won me over.
If you are adventurous, I’ve seen many people cliff jumping into the pools at the base of the falls.
There is decent parking, but this area can get busy, which is why getting here earlier in the day would most definitely help your experience. As mentioned before, this is why our last trip we took the trek counterclockwise, making this our first primary stop and then having an evening dinner in Paia.
If you have a tripod to support a lower shutter speed and medium focal length, you can definitely capture that Instagram-worthy photo.
Waimakou Falls
Waimakou Falls, as well as the hike itself, is highly recommended.
It takes a bigger commitment than the other waterfalls on this list. But trust me, it’s worth it if you are okay with a bit of a hike. I have done that hike with two young children under the age of 10. If they can do it, so can you.
The falls trailhead, Pipiwai Trail, is just down the road from Ohe’o Gulch Trail and is an approximately 2-mile hike to the falls.
Waimakou Falls is an amazing 400 ft waterfall cascading down a sheer cliff of rock covered in green flora. My photos honestly cannot do the scene justice. You can literally walk right up to this waterfall, but don’t walk under should a rock come over! Overall, an amazing experience.
While the falls are the destination, you are also treated to some great sights along this trek. There is an amazing Banyan Tree along the way that is begging to be photographed.
The icing on the cake for me was the amazing bamboo forest that you will walk through, which I had never experienced prior. All in all, this is a relatively short but beautiful hike.
In summary, this 4-mile round trip hike delivers a lot and, in my opinion, is worth the time. It took us about 2 hours to complete it all, and that was with a 9 and 7-year-old along for the walk.
Final Thoughts
There are dozens if not more absolutely beautiful locations along this drive. The entire drive is sublime in my opinion. I have stopped and photographed many more beautiful locations on my several trips; Blue Pools is a good example. The above is an attempt to distill it down to a very manageable list you can achieve in a day.
Embarking on the Road to Hana is more than just a drive; it’s an amazing adventure through Maui’s breathtaking landscapes and hidden gems. By taking the time to explore this iconic route, you’ll uncover a tapestry of scenic vistas, majestic waterfalls, and unique beach experiences that will stay with you long after your vacation ends.
Remember, it’s not just about reaching Hana—it’s about savoring each moment along the way.
So, rent that car, pack those snacks, and set off at sunrise for an adventure that epitomizes the spirit of Maui. Safe travels, and mahalo for joining me on this journey!
