Maui
Signature day hikes include the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls through bamboo forest, and Sliding Sands or Halemauʻu routes inside Haleakalā's crater. Summit sunrise viewing is a separate timed reservation from many day-hike plans.
Signature day hikes include the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls through bamboo forest, and Sliding Sands or Halemauʻu routes inside Haleakalā's crater. Summit sunrise viewing is a separate timed reservation from many day-hike plans.
About 4 miles round trip through bamboo to Waimoku Falls; muddy, rooty and spectacular after rain.
Sliding Sands drops into the alpine color landscape; start early, carry water and sun protection at altitude.
Shorter options near Kapalua and Iao need less commitment but still demand good shoes.
Haleakalā National Park charges entrance fees and may require sunrise or other timed reservations—check nps.gov/hale. Stay on marked trails; volcanic rock and cliff edges are unforgiving. Confirm Road to Hana driving time before stacking Pipiwai on a rushed day.
Hana and Haleakalā summit are different climates and long drives apart.
Obey posted kapu/closures; do not enter unstable cliff or waterfall swim spots that are signed off-limits.
Summit can be cold and windy while Hana is hot and humid the same afternoon.
Do I need a permit for Pipiwai?
You need park entry for Kipahulu; no special lottery like Angels Landing, but hours and fees apply.
Is sunrise the same as hiking the crater?
No. Sunrise reservations are for viewing areas; crater day hikes are a different plan and timing.
How hard is Pipiwai?
Moderate length with roots, bridges and mud—manageable for fit beginners with proper shoes.
Can I hike to waterfalls safely?
Stay behind barriers. Flash floods and rockfall kill people who leave the trail.
Maui's trails cross Hawaiʻi Volcanoes' older cousin landscape—Haleakalā's shield—and windward rainforest fed by trade-wind rain.
Haleakalā National Park manages the summit and Kipahulu districts. State and private lands host many other paths with their own rules.
This page is an independent guide for visitors, covering the National Park Service and the State of Hawaiʻi.
