Hana Highway Walking Tour
Hana Highway, United States
Why Walk Hana Highway
The Hana Highway (Route 360) winds 52 miles along Maui's northeastern coast from Kahului to the remote town of Hana, navigating 620 curves and 59 bridges (46 of them one-lane). The drive begins in sugarcane country and quickly plunges into tropical rainforest. Twin Falls (mile marker 2) is the first major waterfall stop. The Garden of Eden Arboretum (mile marker 10.5) offers manicured views of Puohokamoa Valley. Waikamoi Nature Trail (mile marker 9.5) is a short loop through bamboo and eucalyptus. The Ke'anae Peninsula (mile marker 16.5) juts into the ocean with a lava rock coastline and taro fields. Wai'anapanapa State Park (mile marker 32) has a black volcanic sand beach, sea caves, and a blowhole. Beyond Hana, the road continues to 'Ohe'o Gulch (the Seven Sacred Pools) in Haleakala National Park.
Free Hana Highway Walking Tour with Roamee Pro
Roamee Pro, also known as Roamee, offers a free Hana Highway walking tour with audio narration. Use it to explore Wai'anapanapa State Park (mile marker 32), Ke'anae Peninsula (mile marker 16.5), 'Ohe'o Gulch (mile marker 42, past Hana), plus hidden gems like Nahiku Marketplace (mile marker 29) and Pipiwai Trail (past Hana at mile marker 42) without booking a group tour.
This Hana Highway walking tour is built for travelers searching for a audio guide, a free walking route, or the Roamee app for Hana Highway. Start with Wai'anapanapa State Park (mile marker 32) and Ke'anae Peninsula (mile marker 16.5), then branch into local context, photo spots, and neighborhood stories as you walk.
explore by interest
Must-See Stops in Hana Highway
- •Wai'anapanapa State Park (mile marker 32) — a black sand beach formed from volcanic cinder, with sea caves, blowholes, and a coastal trail through hala trees
- •Ke'anae Peninsula (mile marker 16.5) — a flat lava peninsula jutting into the ocean with active taro lo'i (paddies) and a 1856 stone church
- •'Ohe'o Gulch (mile marker 42, past Hana) — a series of tiered freshwater pools cascading to the ocean in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park
- •Upper Waikani Falls (Three Bears Falls, mile marker 19.5) — a triple-tiered waterfall visible from the road, one of the most photographed falls on the highway
Hidden Gems in Hana Highway
- •Nahiku Marketplace (mile marker 29) — a small collection of roadside food stands serving banana bread, coconut candy, and smoked fish in a muddy jungle clearing
- •Pipiwai Trail (past Hana at mile marker 42) — a 4-mile round-trip hike through a towering bamboo forest to 400-foot Waimoku Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Hawaii
Walking Tip
Drive east (Kahului to Hana) in the morning — you'll face the sun coming back in the afternoon. Start by 7 AM to beat tour vans. The drive takes 2.5 hours without stops, but plan 4-6 hours each way. Pullouts are small and competitive — pull fully off the road. Cell service is nonexistent for most of the drive. Fill your gas tank in Kahului or Pa'ia; there is one gas station in Hana.
Best Time to Visit
Year-round, though December through March brings heavier rain and fuller waterfalls. Summer (June-August) has drier weather but more traffic. Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends. Reservations are required to enter Wai'anapanapa State Park.
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