Best trails in Haleakalā National Park
Explore cinder cones and old lava flows from within Haleakala, possibly the largest dormant volcano on the planet. Formed by erosion rather than volcanic activity, the valley at the summit of Haleakala boasts much to marvel at and the packed cinder and soil underfoot makes for a relatively easy hike. Here you'll find the silversword, an endangered plant found nowhere else on Earth with an alien appearance that compounds the other-worldly appearance of this remote location. Ascending and looping up the mountain, the road to Haleakala National Park is equally spectacular, climbing through the clouds to the summit. Watch out for tour groups of cyclists on this road who freewheel down the mountain. These popular tours begin in the early hours of the morning so they can witness the sunrise over the island from the summit before they begin their two-wheeled kamikaze return back down the volcano.
Top trails
- (9351)•Moderate•3.4 mi•Est. 2–2.5 hrWaimoku Falls via Pipiwai Trail is a unique and very special waterfall hike in Haleakala National Park where your adventures begin even before you reach the trailhead. Maui’s Hana Highway is sixty miles of scenic but curvy coastal road, reportedly featuring 620 curves and 59 bridges, most of which are single-lane bridges. If you relish your driving experiences then the Road to Hana alone is a "must-do". The round trip to the falls and back takes in several great waterfalls before reaching the...
- (1811)•Easy•0.6 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrSeven Sacred Pools Oheo Gulch, also known as the Kuloa Point Trail, features beautiful ocean views, lush vegetation, pools and a waterfall. It leaves from the Kipahulu Visitor Center and continues past a Hawaiian cultural demonstration area to Kuloa Point at the mouth of 'Ohe'o Gulch (take the right fork downhill and hike the loop counter-clockwise). The ocean can surprise you with rogue waves and can be very rough. Next hike the south side of the gulch area up along the beautiful pools and...
- (1606)•Hard•7.3 mi•Est. 4.5–5 hrHikes will start at the Halemauu Trailhead and descend down the mountain to the lush valley below. The trail here leads to Holua Campground. The campsite has a pit toilet and non-potable water, so be sure to filter the water before drinking. The sites must be reserved through the National Park Service in advance.
- (1452)•Hard•10.9 miThe Sliding Sands Halemau'u combo is a semi-loop C-shaped trail into and out of the most picturesque portions of the Haleakala crater in Maui, Hawaii. The first part of the trail is the largely downhill but spectacular Sliding Sands trail leading into the crater that features unique silverswords and sweeping extra-terrestrial landscapes. The trail merges into the Halemau'u trail around a central cinder cone intersection and transitions into a greener landscape with grasslands and wildflowers,...
- (786)•Hard•18.0 miThe Sliding Sands trail features some of the most picturesque views of the Haleakala crater in Maui, Hawaii. The first part of the trail is the largely downhill but spectacular Sliding Sands trail leading into the crater, which features unique silverswords and sweeping extraterrestrial landscapes. The trail is rated as difficult and is only recommended for experienced explorers. The trail ends at the Paliku Campground where you can backpack in and spend the night.
- (966)•Moderate•0.5 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThe summit area is open for sunrise viewing and must be reserved on Recreation.gov. Reservations allow access to the Summit District of the park from 3:00am to 7:00am. Please visit https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/index.htm for more information. Starting from the visitors center, you walk around the base of the cone, then up the side through a rocky path that overlooks the Haleakala Valley. The view from the top is surreal. Highly recommend this as a short and good reward for your...
- (1296)•Hard•11.4 mi•Est. 6.5–7 hrThis trail offers unique and spectacular views throughout, but this challenging hike is not for the faint of heart. The drive to the top is paved but winding, and should be taken slowly. The trail appears easy at first, starting in a down grade, but walking back to the top is more difficult, particularly in warmer temperatures with the elevation. You should bring appropriate shoes, water, food, and sunscreen. You can also go out 1-2 miles for a more challenging hike with the same views.
- (956)•Moderate•0.5 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrHike along a native shrubland and alien-like landscape. This area has been shaped by tree harvesting and ranching in the 1800s which can be seen even to this day. The landscape you see today is a great example of the early days of farming practices. One of the farmers and researchers was Ralph Hosmer who this area is named after today.
- (660)•Moderate•0.3 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThis trail is a short hike to an overlook that provides beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and ocean. The parking area is along Crater Road which leads to the summit. Be sure to bring a jacket along, the weather can change very quickly. One moment you can be in the sun and a moment later in a cloud.
- (392)•Easy•0.2 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThis is a short path to an overlook with beautiful views of Maui. This overlook is located along Crater Road between the Visitor Center and the observatory. Often the view from the top is above the cloud line so you will be looking out over a seemingly never-ending blanket of clouds over the island.
Visitor info
A reservation is required for each vehicle entering the park from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. You may book a reservation up to 60 days in advance and 2 days in advance of the start date.
Valid for three days. Admits a private, non-commercial motorcycle to Haleakalā National Park including both the Summit and Kīpahulu Districts.
Admits one individual with no car to Haleakalā National Park including both the Summit and Kīpahulu Areas. Youth 15 and under are admitted free.
Valid for three days. Admits private, non-commercial vehicle (14 max capacity or less) and all occupants to Haleakalā National Park including both the Summit and Kīpahulu Districts.
Valid for 12 months from purchase date. Admits the pass holders and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle (14 max capacity or less) to Haleakalā National Park, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Puʻuhonua ʻO Hōnaunau National Historical Park. All other National Park sites in the state of Hawaiʻi do not charge an entrance fee.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
No entrance pass required on these days:
Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The Headquarters Visitor Center, Haleakalā Visitor Center, and Kīpahulu Visitor Center are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. A transcript is available for the orientation films.
A Braille park brochure is available at the Headquarters Visitor Center.
Additional information about accessibility at Haleakalā National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The Headquarters Visitor Center, Haleakalā Visitor Center, and Kīpahulu Visitor Center are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. A transcript is available for the orientation films.
The Hosmer Grove Picnic Area is wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces and accessible restrooms.
There are accessible restrooms at the following trailhead: Kalahaku Overlook.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
