11 of the Best Hiking Trails in Maui You Need to Check Out
The best way to explore Maui’s beautiful nature is to get out on the hiking trails!
In this blog post, I have compiled the best hiking trails in Maui that you need to check out during your trip.
There are hiking options for all skill levels, some hikes taking up an entire day while others being as short as 15 minutes, all offering spectacular views and some even providing areas to swim!
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The Best Hiking Trails in Maui
Below, I have rounded up some of the best hiking trails in Maui that you must add to your itinerary so you can experience the beauty of Maui’s nature!
I’ve organized the hikes from hard to moderate to easy, providing options for all skill levels and time constraints. Some of the harder hikes will take up most of your day and energy, so you can choose the one that best fits your schedule!
Hard Hiking Trails in Maui
1. Kapalaoa Cabin Via Sliding Sands Trail
- Location: Haleakalā National Park ($30 entrance fee – valid for 3 days)
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance: 11.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,821 feet
- Duration: 6 hours
- Route: Out & Back
- No dogs allowed
The Sliding Sands Trail is one of the best hiking trails in Maui located in Haleakalā National Park.
While hiking this trail, you will legitimately feel like you’re on another planet due to its volcanic landscape!
It begins at the Haleakalā Visitor Center at an elevation of around 9,800 feet and descends into the Haleakalā Crater, where you will eventually reach the valley floor.
While the descent into the crater is relatively straightforward, remember that the return trip involves a challenging uphill trek.
It is no joke, especially with the elevation gain and no shade from the sun, so be sure to take your time and take breaks when needed!
Be sure to bring adequate amounts of water, snacks, and sun protection as there is no shade on this trail.
2. Halemau’u Haleakala Overlook Trail
- Location: Haleakalā National Park ($30 entrance fee – valid for 3 days)
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance: 7.3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,247 feet
- Duration: 4 ½ hours
- Route: Out & Back
- No dogs allowed
The Halemau’u Haleakala Overlook Trail in Haleakalā National Park offers stunning views of the park’s volcanic landscape.
The trailhead starts near the Haleakalā Visitor Center at an elevation of around 9,800 feet and leads to the Halemau’u Overlook.
The highlight of the trail is reaching the Halemau’u Overlook, where you are granted breathtaking views of the Halemau’u Crater and surrounding valleys.
You should be prepared for high-altitude conditions, including cooler temperatures and thinner air.
I recommend dressing in layers and bringing plenty of water, sunscreen, and sun protection!
3. Mahana Ridge Trail
- Location: D.T. Flemming Beach Park near Lahaina
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance: 10.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,545 feet
- Duration: 6 hours
- Route: Out & Back
The Mahana Ridge Trail near Lahaina, Maui, offers a scenic hike through the West Maui Mountains.
Beginning from the Kapalua Coastal Trail, the Mahana Ridge Trail brings you through the lush tropical forest and along rugged terrain.
You can expect some steep sections and uneven terrain along the way, so I do recommend wearing a sturdy pair of shoes.
Keep in mind that this is not necessarily a hike for views but more for exploring the forest and various plants.
Moderate Hiking Trails in Maui
4. Waihe’e Ridge Trail
- Location: West Maui Forest Reserve (close to Wailuku, Maui)
- Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
- Distance: 4.0 Miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,443 feet
- Duration: 2 ½ – 3 hours
- Route: Out and Back
- Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash
The Waihe’e Ridge Trail provides stunning panoramic views of valleys and the coastline.
There are a couple parts of the hike that are steep making it a more moderate hike, but I think it is definitely doable for most fitness levels.
The trail can get pretty muddy, so be sure to wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty – I managed fine in tennis shoes instead of hiking boots.
In my opinion, the views were the best leading up to the summit, not at the summit itself. Once we got to the top, it was really foggy so we did not have much of a view unfortunately. Despite this, it did feel quite mystical being surrounded by the fog!
Along the trail, we spotted the Makamaka’ole Falls across the valley which was super cool.
Overall, the Waihe’e Ridge Trail is one of the best hiking trails in Maui in my opinion!
Do be aware that at the beginning of this hike you have to walk up a very steep incline on a cement path.
It is free to park there and I recommend arriving around 7:00 am to guarantee you get a parking spot – especially during the summer.
5. Waimoku Falls via Pipiwai Trail
- Location: Haleakalā National Park ($30 entrance fee – valid for 3 days)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 3.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,017 feet
- Duration: 2 hours
- Route: Out and Back
- No dogs allowed
The Waimoku Falls via Pipiwai Trail brings you through amazing landscapes such as bamboo forests and a huge banyan tree.
The bamboo forest is seriously magical and the trail through that area is on boardwalks.
One of the major highlights of this hike is Waimoku Falls, a 400-foot waterfall.
The trail can get pretty muddy, and there are uneven sections of the trail, so I do recommend wearing a good pair of tennis shoes or hiking boots if you prefer.
6. Twin Falls Trail
- Location: Haiku, Maui (55 parking spots – $10 to park)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 357 feet
- Duration: 1 hour
- Route: Out & Back
- Dogs are allowed (may be off-leash in designated areas)
The Twin Falls Trail in Haiku, Maui, is a relatively easy and family-friendly hike bringing you through lush tropical scenery.
The trail leads to a series of waterfalls that you’re able to swim in if the weather is cooperating. Unfortunately, when we visited, it had been raining heavily the days before causing the water conditions to be too rough to swim.
They did let us know before parking that we were not able to swim that day.
I do recommend getting to Twin Falls before 7:00 am as the parking lot fills up quickly, especially during the summer, as it is a popular stop on the Road to Hana. According to their website, they have 55 parking spots.
7. Hoapili Trail to Hanamanioa Point Lighthouse
- Location: Kihei, Maui
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 3.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 104 feet
- Duration: 1 ½ hours
- Route: Out & Back
The Hoapili Trail to Hanamanioa Point Lighthouse is a rugged coastal hike located on the southern coast of Maui.
This trail offers the opportunity to explore a remote and scenic area of the island!
It brings you through lava fields and rugged coastline, providing stunning ocean views along the way.
The trail is moderately difficult, with uneven terrain and rocky sections, so sturdy shoes are recommended. Especially the last half of the trail where you are walking over lava rocks for most of the trail.
The highlight of this hike is reaching Hanamanioa Point Lighthouse, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the coastline and possibly spot marine wildlife such as whales or dolphins.
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8. Makamakaole Stream: 13 Crossings
- Location: Wailuku, Maui
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 495 feet
- Duration: 1 hour
- Route: Out & Back
- No dogs allowed
The Makamakaole Stream 13 Crossings trail is a moderately challenging hiking trail in Maui, Hawaii.
The trail features several stream crossings, hence the name “13 Crossings,” which can vary in difficulty depending on water levels and weather conditions.
You should be prepared to get your feet wet and navigate slippery rocks along the way, so be sure to wear proper footwear.
Do not wear sandals or flip flops since you have to walk over slippery sand and rocky sections.
The trailhead is located off Kahekili Highway and is accessible by a short drive from Wailuku or Kahului.
At the first waterfall, you can pull yourself up the steep trail via the ropes provided there and gain access to more waterfalls and pools to swim in!
Easy Hiking Trails in Maui
9. Iao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop
- Location: Iao Valley State Park ($10 to park & $5/person to enter)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 0.6 mile
- Elevation Gain: 101 feet
- Duration: approx 15 minutes
- Route: Loop
- No dogs allowed
The Iao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop is a great short hiking trail in Maui located in Iao Valley State Park.
The trail is short, approximately 0.6 miles round trip, making it accessible for hikers of all skill levels.
It consists of two main sections: the Iao Needle Lookout Trail, which leads to a scenic viewpoint overlooking the iconic Iao Needle rock formation, and the Ethnobotanical Loop, which features informative signs detailing the native plants.
While the trail is relatively easy, it does involve some uneven terrain and stairs, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
Be sure to go up the river on the trail since it provides more swimming spots to enjoy!
Please note that reservations to enter Iao Valley State Park are required if you are an out-of-state resident.
10. Kapalua Coastal Trail
- Location: Lahaina, Maui
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 2.5 miles
- Elevaton Gain: 249 feet
- Duration: 1 hour
- Route: Out & Back
- No dogs allowed
The Kapalua Coastal Trail is a scenic paved trail located along the northwest coast of Maui, stretching from Kapalua Bay to D.T. Fleming Beach Park.
It offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, the black rock coastlines, and fancy resorts.
It is an easy hike suitable for all skill levels since it follows a paved pathway and boardwalk, making it good for hikers, joggers, families with strollers, and wheelchairs.
If you’re visiting Maui during whale watching season (January – April), this trail could be a great spot to potentially see whales! Be sure to check out my blog post all about the best whale watching tours in Maui if you’re visiting during this time.
11. Nakalele Blowhole Trail
- Location: Wailuku, Maui
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 1.0 mile
- Elevation Gain: 295 feet
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Route: Out & Back
- Dogs allowed (may be off leash in designated areas)
The Nakalele Blowhole Trail in Maui offers hikers a unique hiking experience along the rugged coastline.
Starting from the parking area off Highway 30 near the Nakalele Point, the trail leads you through rocky terrain along the coastline.
The highlight of the trail is the Nakalele Blowhole, a natural phenomenon where the ocean waves create a powerful geyser-like spray through a hole in the coastal rocks.
While the trail is relatively short, it can be rough and uneven, requiring sturdy footwear and caution, especially near the blowhole. Therefore, I would not recommend wearing sandals or flip flops for this hike.
Please be mindful of changing weather conditions and high surf, which can impact safety along the coastline.
What to Bring on a Hike in Maui
- Sunscreen (most of these hiking trails provide little to no shade, making protection from the sun an absolute must!)
- Sunglasses
- Hiking boots (my absolute favorite – required no break-in time for me!)
- Snacks (carb heavy snacks are my favorite to eat during hikes providing me with energy on those longer hikes – here are a few of my favorites below)
- Electrolytes to add in your water (my personal favorite & a great way to keep you hydrated)
- Collapsible Water Bottle
- Collapsible Day Backpack (easy to pack in luggage and a great way to store your snacks and other essentials during your hike)
- All Trails App (I highly recommend downloading the All Trails App and saving the hiking trails you want to do in Maui. Then, you can use the app to navigate your way along the trail even if you lose cell service).
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a plethora of hiking trails in Maui worth exploring!
Be sure to not leave Maui without conquering at least one of these hiking trails! They are a great way to explore the more rugged nature of Maui and be awarded with fantastic views.
If you’re looking for more resources to help plan your trip to Maui, check out my other Maui blog posts below!
