8. I have sprinkled some affiliate links in this post. Click here to search for Maui vacation rentals for your trip. In about the same amount of time as it would take you to go back the way you came, you can see a side of Maui many miss. : @kapenamorgan, What to expect driving the backside road to Hana. Its worth a stop if you have time. So if the Road is not particularly dangerous, or even that scary why does it have such a fearsome reputation, and why are so many terrified of the road? Okay, once you pass this portion (the first 3-5 miles past Kipahulu), the road clears up nicely into a wide open terrain. . Its a must do! Important Note* The first one and a half hour stretch of the back road to Hana is usually forbidden by rental car companies and is stated in the rental car agreements. There is nothing but sharp - blind turns, one way roads, one car bridges on roads that continuously turned and not wide enough for two cars. Distraction is a great way to keep the fear at bay. The main thing that makes people fear the road is reputation! Period. One of the leading causes of accidental deaths anywhere in the world is Road Traffic Accidents. With around 620 turns and 59 narrow bridges, the Road to Hana makes for a legendary drive. If your other half wants to drive the road then a tour is not a good compromise. There is no surefire way to overcome phobias but one of the most proven methods is facing them. for the most part, it is wide enough for two small buses to pass each other with no issue. Yes this is going to be a long day but I promise its worth it! You have the option of walking down to get much closer to the falls, but with the car situation not preferable, we chose not to. This is a great place to use the restroom and grab snacks/food for a picnic somewhere on the road. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. have no issue at all, but it is narrower, more exposed, and in places has no asphalt topcoat (Dirt Track). Locals can be a problem as they are generally a lot more confident on the road and view the tourist as a major inconvenience. You suggest skipping Kanapali altogether. We highy recommend doing a tour with large windows, an experienced local guide, and only going to safe, legal, epic spots! It only costs a donation and just remember you are off-the-beaten path Maui so dont expect much. Drive Defensively, there may be idiots on the road but pre-empting them and driving n a defensive manner ensures you are less likely to get into trouble. The drive time from Kula town to Kahului is about 4 hours, but with all the fun things to do and see this is a whole day excursion lets say 10-12 hours. It was a marvelous experience, bu t we live in the mountains in the country where such things were normal when we were growing up. These Rickety looking relics strike fear into many peoples hearts as they meet traffic head-on with no passing place and drops either side. Serious accidents involving tourists on the Highway are rare, compared to the rest of the islands where tourists accidental deaths are higher than average! After walking it, I did not have any regrets in deciding not to drive the back road to Hana! Also through yourself into the Navigation. Narrowed it down to a certain location? If youve just started your Hana research, heres how it works: the Road to Hana is considered to start in Paia on the north shore of Maui. So on to the practicalities of the road itself. Also, youre going to want to decide between staying on the south side or the west side so this post about Wailea vs Kaanapali is golden. As you can see, the. Set Aside Multiple Days. The road is tricky to drive and requires care, but this is very obvious to anyone driving the road and as long as sensible precautions are taken, such as, you know, slowing down for corners, more so for blind narrow bends and giving way at the one-way sections, obeying the speed limits and generally just not being a braindead moron, there really is nothing about the road to make it unsafe. There is no shame in knowing your limits and calling it quits. A few of my favorite moments from the past year! Most of the photos courtesy of Natalie Brown Photography. If you are still undecided about whether or not you want to drive the Road to Hana on your own, there are Road to Hana tours. Whether on your own or on a tour, you will see the gorgeous scenery of the rainforest, including . You can't miss Nahiku Marketplace, just before mile marker 29 on the road to Hana, Maui. Or is falling off the road to our deaths a serious consideration? Maybe explore the south? Okay, so lets get on with the questions, Theres a lot of hype about how bad the backside of the Road to Hana is. The Road to Hana is one of the best things to do in Maui! The Jungle Canopy envelopes the road leading to mild claustrophobia and an uncomfortable sense of being consumed. This is a tough and fairly common problem. If youve narrowed down the area of the island you want to stay, but need help picking a specific hotel, read these posts about where to stay in Wailea, Kihei, Kaanapali, Lahaina and Kapalua, and Hana. Travel to or from the region of Hana to any other major population center takes several hours by car. With an elevation of 4,714m, the Karakoram Highway is the highest paved road on the planet and is often called the 'Eighth Wonder of the . As always, I would never recommend a product or service that I didn't truely believe in. Well over 50 in total and most of the single lane for both directions. It has 13 hairpins that will have you climbing from 5,617 feet above sea level to 6,677 feet above sea level in just three. What did you do to mitigate them? (Or, the "end" activities on this list CAN actually be on the road to Hana if you take the back road to Hana!) There are beaches in the Hana area. ZION UT That is such a shame for you both, but it is understandable, and probably the right decision. The back road to Hana starts in Kula town about 15 minutes past Makawao, one of Mauis most charming towns. If driving the reverse loop all the way around back to Kahului make a reservation in advance for Waianapanapa State Park. It sounds a little more intense than it is. Fortunately we had no issues but it was a windy, rainy drive and Im glad we did it but dont think we would do it again. MAUI Google says its 47 mins but Im getting the idea google doesnt know how long these roads really take? Your other option is to turn around and drive back the way you came or continue around the island on the Hana Highway a.k.a. And finally, someone with little experience outside of their comfort zone, someone who driving is an anxious experience for in the best of times would just fond the road far too much. A lot of locals go off the road in there even and die. Need to stay under a fixed budget? Next youll see a rainbow colored sign, thats the Kaupo store. Check out our favorite Tours here. 5. Initially, we just thought it was just nervous drivers or drivers with little experience of this type of road. Road To Hana (Maui) - Toughest Section DrMKC 739 subscribers 56K views 7 years ago This is the dashcam video of the toughest 30 minutes on the famous Road to Hana in Maui. Yes, if you drive straight from Paia to Hana, you might see less people at the spots near Hana, but by the time you start working your way back to Paia those spots are still going to crowded. So many people dont really plan their trip to Hana and end up starting out late in the day and just stopping wherever they see cars so those stops along the north shore are still going to have visitors all day long. We personally have no issues at all but the fear is very real in many people and cant be dismissed. Other parts get windy and are on a side of a cliff. I would def want to get there before dark the first day, though. Pretty much everybody and their dog knows about driving the Road to Hana on Maui. By taking a Tour the pressure and risk are on someone else and you can take comfort in the fact this person does it daily and as they are still around, and not on the bottom of a sea cliff, they must be doing something right. The Majority of the road is one-lane each way, although the road regularly drops down to one way for BOTH directions. More posts about where to stay on Maui: Trying to figure out where to stay on Maui? So if you REALLY know its just going to be too much and even the thought of it is keeping you up at night, Its time to let the pros do the driving. If you're leaving from Kaanapali and planning on a one-hour stop en route, yes, 5 hours to Hana. You really should be more fearful driving to the airport or shipping in Walmart, are you going to buy an I Survived Wallmart Kahului?. at stops along the Road to Hana and they wonder if they start in Kula and do a reverse loop around the island if theyll run into fewer crowds and get a head start on their must see list. The back road to Hana conditions are as followed. If you pay for your monthly expenses on the card and are responsible about paying it off every month, the points add up really fast. But still, people fear the road and take the I survived the Road To Hana T-Shirts Seriously. 13 years ago Save IMHO, it's neither dangerous nor scary. We did have some locals honking at other cars, we made it a habit to just pull over and let others by which made it a better experience. But in general, I did not think the Road to Hana was dangerous or scary. If you ask them directly, theyll hem and haw (they give you the strong impression that its forbidden) but basically what it comes down to is they wont come and get you if you have a problem.. If you are enjoying the sights and driving at a leisurely pace, be mindful enough to pull over and let local drivers pass. The Road to Hana starts in Kahului and ends in Hana. We are planning a trip to Hana on Aug 7. The Surface is pretty well maintained but is often wet, slippery, and covered in jungle debris. Please keep in mind that youll encounter challenging turns and narrow bridges along the way, so its important to exercise caution and take your time. Google maps said 2 hours but I guess this is what happens when a bot gives you directions? My go-to airline is Southwest (seriously, I ONLY fly Southwest) so I use this Southwest Rapid Rewards card to rack up points every time I fly. The rainforest trail starts near the National park visitors center and takes you past 2 waterfall outlooks, an ancient banyan tree, through a magical bamboo forest and eventually to the awe inspiring 400 foot Waimoku Falls. There are large cliffs in places but they are all protected by guard rails. The scenic Road to Hana on Maui is the undisputed top attraction on the island. PICTURED ROCKS MI And most of all, for the most part, speeds, are LOW! We will land in the morning, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Bring cash: most places on this part of the island dont except credit cards. Finally, the highlight of the back road to Hana is the Kipahulu entrance to Haleakala National Park. And please share my account with your friends that are headed to Hawaii! Hearing the driver explain they understand this bend is tight and blind so they are taking it slow and wide helps you understand they are not recklessly hooning around the blind bend! One of the leading causes of accidental deaths anywhere in the world is Road Traffic Accidents. Hiking Shoes - If you want to hike. As you continue driving down the Piilani Highway youll come up on some old homes and a bunch of run down old cars. Leave the driving to someone else and enjoy the ride with your family. What makes this drive so special? Waipahu, Oahu Harlan Sheppard/Flickr We did the Road many years ago when it was more of a cow path. The backside of Hana has some one lane graded dirt roads and rusty guardrails so the drive requires extra caution. Visiting Chicago On A Budget Saving Money On Your Chicago Vacation! The backside road is VERY different from the front road and definitely worth experiencing. WHAT TO WEAR SNORKELING FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES The tarmac is smooth and well maintained. Since you are voiding your contract the rental agency will not come to help. The Oheo Poolsare a tier of waterfalls that flow into pools and eventually into the ocean. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases that gives me a small commission at no extra cost to you if you decided to make a purchase. After growing up on these the road to Hana was no problem. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. This is one of the most dangerous places in Hawaii. 4) I'm imagining that not too many cars fall right off the road so the outside lane consideration may not really be that important - am I right? I know it may sound tempting but swimming under the falls is dangerous as rocks get unlodged and fall from the top of falls which can knock you in the head. Break ins do occur. The Road to Hana is a 64 mile stretch of road that starts in Kahului and ends at Kpahulu. It connects the town of Hana with the city of Kahului. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114353051', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rental car companies. And it truly is fabulous. How long does it take to drive to Hana backside? The Road to Hana is generally known for it's 52 miles of winding turns, liable to cause nausea and dizziness among even the most experienced road trip enthusiast, as well as it's 59 Lara Croft-esque stone bridges nestled in the thick Hawaiian jungle. Need a specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms? From there its about a two hour drive (with no stops) due east to the town of Hana. Glad you braved it! And this is the part of the Road to Hana that I DO think is scary! If we arrive at the airport at 10am, you would suggest to simply start driving out east to Nahiku and not see the west at all? People that make it all the way to Kipahulu are usually the ones that ask about turning back and retracing their path back through Hana and on to Paia or driving through (continuing clockwise around the island) the backside of the Road to Hana. A very anxious and scared driver is a dangerous one. (This is to say, they will say if something is scary, and the back road to Hana was not, to them.). Read about my favorite luxury resorts, boutique hotels, honeymoon resorts, family friendly resorts, and condos (many under $100/night!). Overall i am a confident driver so it was fine, but I can definitely see many drivers not making this drive all the way to Hana town. There are closer beaches to the airport like in Kihei which is considered south Maui. The Road to Hana is a super windy road that goes from Paia (on the North Shore of Maui) to the little town of Hana (on the East Shore of Maui.) So glad you are going to get back and finally see it, Finally getting to drive the road after missing out will probably make the journey all the more special! You can wear mosquito repellent, but there's not much you can do about the traffic. The Signs of fear are an elevated heart rate, sweaty palms, increased alertness, and a sense of dread and fear. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114353132', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maui backs up, as it often does, it could well be longer. The bridge was completed in 1926 and is one of the 80 Hana . Ahhh, the backwards Road to Hana. Parking can be bad later in the day, but this stop is worth it. Snorkeling at Molokini is one of the best things to do in Kihei. PEARL HARBOR HI Thanks Konagirl to be clear, if we go west to Kanapali from the airport it will eat up a lot of time driving? Dont be surprised to share space with several chickens and cows that live here. Thanks for sticking around and reading this whole post! It is a paved road so you do not need a 4WD. The first is one we dont advise. would find such a tight narrow twisty track nightmarish. I certainly wouldn't go all the way to Kaanapali then drive to Hana. Driving a car is dangerous. And should you consider avoiding it for legitimate safety concerns? In this article, we take a look at what causes the Roads Fearsome reputation, and ask honestly How Scary is the Road to Hana Really?. Also you can't enter the Park to hike the Pipiwai Trail until 9 am. We are sure you will love it, if your husband is a confident driver he will have no issues at all. 9) Is there anything I'm not considering that I should be considering? The most iconic part of Bayburt-of Road is called Dereba Turns. The tours use GPS to offer turn-by-turn directions and audio narration with stories and music. The road is narrow (a generous one lane road with plenty of spots to pull over and let someone pass) and winding and there are quite a few blind corners, but generally speaking, the road also isnt very high up in these portions as it is on the front side. In short the Road is is a narrow 1 lane road that carves its way around the backside of Haleakala into some of the most pristine and picturesque rainforests on the island. Towels - It's most likely going to rain. HAWAII EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS I guess depending on what youre most interested in seeing/doing you could try this, but here are my thoughts: I strongly recommend driving the Road to Hana the right way or clockwise from Paia for a couple of reasons: 1) youll be on the inside lane the whole way around (no hugging the tight shoulder where theres a 200 foot drop off mere feet away from your tire) which is a bigger deal when youre driving on the road past Hana. These falls are some of the best waterfalls that Maui has to offer. This is the wrong way to do it. For about 20 miles (32 km) between Wailuku and Kapalua, you need to navigate rocks on one side and steep cliffs on the other. Ive also had a few people recently ask me about starting in Paia and driving ALL the way to Hana without stopping and then turning around and doing their stops on the way back. This three-part waterfall is often called the Three Bear Falls for the Papa Bear-, Mamma Bear-, and Baby Bear-size cascades of water. Well, you get the picture. If you have serious doubts over whether or not the road is for you, or you are pretty convinced this type of driving is not your style then you have three options. What are you wanting to do west? You want to go back the way you came, most likely, rather than going around the back way. When the drop off is only 5-10 feet below, its nowhere near as intense feeling as when its several hundred feet along the north shore (even though its two lanes). It really is just better for everyone to pull over and just let less patient people past. You need to be at the airport 3 hours before your flight and it's a 3 hour drive from Wainapanapa IF you aren't behind a slow train(qnd the traffic will be very heavy during that time you are headed to the airport) also if weather caused a downed tree or landslide you are just stuck. Is 3pm too late in the day to head out from Kanapali to Hana? The Road to Hana is high up on many peoples Must-Do Maui itineraries. There are plenty of tasty restuarants in Paia to choose from. Malama Aina which means take care of the land. Yes, it is remote, but there are hundreds of people driving the road, day and night, you are not going to be alone and stranded, even if you have to stop in a cell black spot. If you need road assistance it's cash costing $800-1200 if and when a tow truck comes. One of the best places to view Hanawi Falls is from the Hanawi Falls Bridge. 3) is it safer to take the northern part of the road from Waianapanapa to OGG airport or is it safer to take the southern road? Also to note, the Hawaii tourism people do encourage you to do a Road to Hana tour because of the potential dangers of the Road to Hana. This means you are taking all the risk when driving the reverse road to Hana. 1. If you have ANY questions about planning your trip to Hawaii, you can join my free Facebook group here. My husband and I are going in June and we will be doing it as hes not a nervous person ? The Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park is past Hana town and well worth the additional drive. Heres my best tip for driving past Hana: always try to follow a car in front of you. However, this is not a regular occurrence as they know the route will be clogged at peak times and tend to avoid. Four wheel drive is 100% NOT necessary for driving the backside of Hana. You are able to drive down the road to see the church up close or there is a viewpoint that overlooks the church on the bay after the bend in the road. And so, it just depends on the kind of driver you are! Ive written a whole slew of posts about the Road to Hana, but theres one question I get asked more than othersshould I drive the backside of the road to Hana? I carry AAA independently (plus my auto insurance and credit card cover this) so I always decline all extra insurance. Should I be confident in my ability to do this drive with precious cargo (my girlfriend's and my own life)? You can drive the road to Hana yourself, or take a tour in a van . P.S. Who thinks of these things? About 40 minutes into your drive youll spot the Kihikinui wind turbines. Skip it. Lets support local and sustainability. Its 60ish miles of continuously bending tarmac slice right through some unbelievable scenery, with countless waterfalls, dense jungle foliage, and plunging seacliffs allowing sweeping vistas down the coast. * *The final 5 stops are on the natural route along the Hana Hwy, but come prior to Mile Marker 0 *. Risks include tow trucks that take a long time and costs lots of money. 9. This will leave you with a deeper understanding and connection to Hawaii. ARIZONA Maybe at one point that was true, but I dont really think it is anymore. In some ways, winding roads are beautiful and make for a peaceful drive while road tripping. My friend and I visited Maui in 2019 and neither of us was brave enough for the drive. Grab a cup of coffee and try it with their lavender honey. Finally Know your limits. So drive with caution and be very aware. Maui Tourism Guide Our Guide to Travel and Tourism on Maui Hawaii, Maui, Hawaii Attractions All the Best Things to do in Maui, Hawaii, Best Place to Stay on Maui, Hawaii Our Guide on Where to Stay in Maui, Hawaii. The Road to Hana travels along the edge of many sheer cliffs. It wouldnt be fun to do that on the front side with all the traffic and narrow winding roads! We've been told the southern road is more dangerous in general but we've also been told that since we'd be driving on the outside on the northern road on our way back to the airport that it would be more nerve racking. That's 2 extra hours after how many hours on the plane? If you couldnt look out and see the ocean, youd probably think you were in parts of Texas or another western state. The first of many Road to Hana stops, the Twin Falls is situated in the Ho'olawa Valley. You can read Road to Hana tour reviews on getyourguide. These activities past Hana town will still be considered Road to Hana activities since people typically do them as a part of their Road to Hana trip! The Road to Hana is an absolutely stunning road trip to take on any Maui vacation, and is 100% a must-do. I did not want to drive this most scary and dangerous part, and I walked part of the back road to Hana. What are your fears and doubts? We would love to hear from those who braved the road though. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Side Note: If youre looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount Hawaii Car Rentals. I have regretted not trying since we arrived home. It is not hard to see why either, this stunning highway runs through pristine rainforest, past numerous world-class waterfalls, and has more jaw-dropping vistas per mile than any other piece of tarmac in the world. Hanawi Falls. The best stops along the backside road to Hana, Tips for driving the Reverse road to Hana, Alelele Falls which you can find on google maps here, Everything you Need to Know about Haleakala National Park, 10 Tips to Know Before you Travel to Maui, 21 Mistakes to Avoid on your First Trip to Hawaii, If youde like to see a video of driving the back way to Hana check out this. . Alelele Falls is a short hike that takes 15-20 minutes to reach. The offer free wine tastings and are known for their pineapple wine. Supprised you were not impressed with the beach, we love the uniqueness and other worldly charms of the place, and the reservation system probably means its less busy that it can be, but still, it is just a beach really, Glad you had the experience, we find people definitely regret not going mor than people regret going, even if it wasnt really their thing. Its a no brainer. For comparison, there was a mom and daughter duo that I met at the Maui hostel that I was staying at who did the back road to Hana, and they thought it was fine. Itll avoid the uncomfortable situation of figuring out how youre going to squeeze past (or backing up) once youre on them. The road is such a stunning journey through the most amazing landscape we just want everyone to experience it. This view may be one of my favorite views on Maui. Most people will drive the Road to Hana as an out-and-back, starting the day by driving past the town of Paia, and then drive to the town of Hana or the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park. Avengers Campus Disney California Adventure- Ultimate Guide, 10 Best Things To Do In Chicago, Illinois Our Guide to the Top Attractions in Chicago, Illinois. And yes, I have driven the Road to Hana in reverse, but really only because I used to live upcountry in Kula and it was the quicker way to get to Hana from my house. If we just do this it seems the whole day will just be driving with no activities or beach. Attracted by the popularized Road to Hana, day-trippers begin to flood in by midday. Some more reasoned, I imagine people living in the Serengeti are very justifiably fearful of lions, and Bull elephants, Soldiers have a real and healthy fear of the enemy! While most of the road has been repaved in the last twenty years, Hawaii Route 200 still has a dangerous reputation. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114353082', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maui to start the RTH?
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