Halemau'u Haleakala Overlook Trail is a 7.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Kula, Maui, Hawaii that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and running and is accessible year-round.
Note: The National Park Service recommends confirming trails are open on their website, due to changing weather conditions and COVID-19. https://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm
Haleakala National Park PO Box 369 Makawao HI 96768 For general park information, call (808) 572-4400. Recorded message is available 24-hours a day and will likely contain an answer to your question. To speak to a park representative, call the same number and press 0 during office hours of 8:00 am - 3:45 pm HST. Kipahulu (Coastal Area) For information specific to the Kipahulu area of the park, call the Kipahulu Visitor Center at (808) 248-7375 during office hours of 9am-5pm
January 14, 2021There was a family of Nene in the parking lot in the afternoon! Beautiful views at about 1.4 km in. We didn't do the whole trail as we arrived quite late in the day but look forward to trying again in the future. Path can be quite rocky and uneven in the first kilometre, so good hiking boots and hiking poles would probably be beneficial if doing the entire trail. The switchbacks down (or up, if coming from Sliding Sands) were visible, and it looks like they're open and fully exposed to the sun all day, although I can't say for certain. Sunscreen, water, and snacks would all be good essentials to have based on what was visible from the top.
January 1, 2021December 28, 2020Beautiful, expansive view of the crater. The trail is rocky so you need to watch your step. We went 4 miles/ halfway down the crater expecting the hike back to be tough. It was much easier than we expected. If you hike any hills or mountains regularly you shouldn’t have trouble hiking back to the car.
December 15, 2020only went about 1.5 miles in. spectacular overlooks of the crater. can be easily obscured by clouds, so be ready.
December 2, 2020Hiked 2/2020. Did first 2 miles out and back. Great views. Variable weather - we had sunshine, clouds and misting rain - dress in layers and wear sunscreen. If not doing the full loop remember what you go down you will have to go back up!
November 6, 2020November 1, 2020Loved this trail. Great overlooks and you're literally in the clouds. The rainbow bridge section was awesome. You look like you're so far up, but we got down and back up pretty quickly. Didn't hike all the way to the cabin, but did see some Nene at the bottom. Did this last Saturday, 10/24.
March 14, 2020Seemed like a great trail from what we were able to do - heavy fog and some light rain so we went in ~1.5 miles. Well marked, rocks helped with traction.
February 28, 20205 hours out and back today. Got lots of rain, wind and some sun too. Clouds cleared for us once we were close to the bottom of the crater. Big rocks. Challenging trail for sure.
January 24, 2020Good sunrise trail. Although it is an out and back, it feels like a new hike on the way back. No bugs. a little windy. If you take this, it is worth it to go further south to the cinder cones. The "unmaintainted trail" is okay too.
January 23, 2020January 19, 2020January 18, 2020Trail eating of hard is accurate. Rocky and steady staircase incline coming back out. I only did a little less than 1 miles in and back to parking lot. Beautiful view of coastline and crater before I turned around.
December 31, 2019December 27, 2019Lots of loose rocks and bees! View is breathtaking, of course, but speaking of breath, make sure your lungs are adjusted to the 8000' altitude. I live near Crater Road so it wasn't a huge change for my lungs, but I did see other tourists struggling. $25 for entrance into Haleakalā National Park, but is good for 3 days with receipt! Since it's all downhill to the crater then uphill to come back, going as early as you can in the morning is better so it isn't too hot on the way up. Get that booty workout.
December 5, 2019September 30, 2019August 4, 20191.1 mile hike on rocky path to a crater view point. 2.2 round trip. We encountered the crater fogged in so no spectacular views.
June 4, 2019May 22, 2019We made about half way to the crater floor and still really enjoyed this hike. Sun protection and sufficient water is strongly advised. The view are remarkable!
