The Most Popular Trails on Maui, According to Hikers
Put these five hikes on your itinerary for your next trip to the Valley Isle.
It’s always a good idea to head outdoors in Hawaiʻi—and Maui has dozens of reasons to lace up and hit the trails.
The Valley Isle boasts a variety of hikes, from grueling ridge treks to leisurely strolls through native rainforests. If you’re planning to explore Maui’s hiking trails on your next visit—or maybe you need a fun way to burn the calories from eating one too many guri guri (which we highly recommend)—here are the Top 5 trails on Maui, per users of the AllTrails fitness app.
Remember: Always hike in sturdy shoes and pack water, snacks, rain gear and a charged cell phone.
1. Waiheʻe Ridge Trail, 4.2 miles, hard
The view from Waiheʻe Ridge on Maui.
Photo: Getty Images/7Michael
One of the more difficult—and popular—hikes on Maui, the Waiheʻe Ridge Trail is a 4.2-mile hike that ascends about 1,400 feet to the summit of Puʻu Kukui with panoramic views of Wailuku and Central Maui. The trail meanders through a Cook pine forest and along a ridgeline with views of Maui’s coastline. Parking is the first challenge, as the main parking lot fills up quickly, especially on weekends.
2. Waimoku Falls via Pīpīwai Trail, 3.4 miles, moderate
Photo: Getty Images
If you’re planning to make the 52-mile drive along the Road to Hāna, you’ll want to add this hike to your itinerary. The start of the Pīpīwai Trail is located in Haleakalā National Park, which charges a fee to enter. The 3.4-mile roundtrip hike takes you through a magical bamboo forest to the spectacular 400-foot Waimoku Falls.
3. Kapalua Coastal Trail, 2.5 miles, easy
The stairs leading down to the Kapalua Coastal Trail on Maui.
Photo: Getty Images/kujawski
Stretching along the Kapalua Coast, the Kapalua Coastal Trail is an easy, 2.5-mile stroll on a flat path with beautiful ocean views. During winter months, hikers may catch glimpses of koholā, or North Pacific humpback whales that frolic in warm Hawaiian waters.. While the hike isn’t strenuous, the 3-mile out-and-back trail does weave through varying terrain including lava fields, grassland and even a boardwalk. It’s kid-friendly, too.
4. Sliding Sands (Keonehe‘ehe‘e), 11 miles, hard
The view inside Haleakalā from the Sliding Sands Trail.
Photo: Getty Images/Pierre Leclerc Photography
The 11-mile Sliding Sands Trail in Haleakalā National Park is one of the most challenging on the island—and it’s not for beginners. This day hike starts at the Keonehe‘ehe‘e trail head, crosses the valley floor and ends at the Halemauʻu overlook. Along the way you’ll see Maui’s unique silverswords and the otherworldly landscapes distinct to Haleakalā.
5. Hoapili Trail to Hanamanioa Point Lighthouse, 3.5 miles, moderate
Hoapili Trail on Maui.
Photo: Getty Images/jferrer
The 3.5-mile roundtrip trail to Hanamanioa Point Lighthouse—and we use the word lightly here—starts at La Pérouse Bay and takes about an hour. The first part of the hike offers gorgeous ocean views; the second part leads to the lighthouse, which is more of a light tower than a traditional lighthouse. Parts of the trail traverses jagged lava and there’s hardly any shade along the way, so bring lots of water and sun protection.
