(Highlighted above is the most dangerous stretch of the Kahekili Highway - 4.5 miles of what amounts to barely more than a golf cart-sized lane etched into the side of a cliff) So the idea started in the old capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, Lahaina, otherwise known as a cozy little tourist town along the western shore of Maui. Know that theres a possibility that youll have to reverse if a car is coming in the opposite direction. My friend and I visited Maui in 2019 and neither of us was brave enough for the drive. This trip takes approximately 7.0 hours to complete and the Road to Hana is considered the 5th most dangerous road in the world. The Road to Hana is known for having winding roads. There are literally signs posted telling you to honk as you go around the blind corners. The Jungle Canopy envelopes the road leading to mild claustrophobia and an uncomfortable sense of being consumed. 9. Makena Beach Intiaz Rahim/Flickr If the front side is lush and jungle-like, the backside is dry and desert-like (once you get past Kipahulu). Starting your journey to Hana on this side is a great way toexperience this side ofHaleakala volcano. Risks include tow trucks that take a long time and costs lots of money. for the most part, it is wide enough for two small buses to pass each other with no issue. To compare this road to other highways of death such as the North Yungas Road in Bolivia or the Brazils Road of death is ridiculous. Yikes. Who thinks of these things? Hana Highway: 617 turns and 46 one-lane bridges in Hawaii Located on the eastern side of Maui, the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Hana Highway is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Inside this entrance is the Oheo Gulch aka seven sacred pools and one of Mauis most iconic hikes, the Pipiwai Trail. This is a great place to stop to fuel up with gas, grab a coffee or a hot meal. Is this even possible? Im there answering questions every day and there are 7500+ other friends who have a ton of Hawaii information to share! While the frontside is super windy and youre in and out of jungles, the backside is flat, wide open, and you can see for MILES. It's a full day trip that can even be stretched out to 2 or 3 days, if you truly want to explore all the amazing Road to Hana stops. Or is falling off the road to our deaths a serious consideration? 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. After growing up on these the road to Hana was no problem. 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. Once you leave the National Park, theres not really a ton of places I recommend to stop. 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. 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. Plus if you are staying in a popular area like Kaanapali on West Maui it is another 45 60 minuets getting to the starting point and back to your hotel. The offer free wine tastings and are known for their pineapple wine. 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. On an island full of beautiful scenery, the Road to Hana is among Maui's most gorgeous attractions. What are you wanting to do west? It is also known for having a lot of one-lane bridges that only allow cars to drive through in one direction at a time. Most visitors tend to zip to and from Hana with a checklist of sights to photograph. SLEEPING BEAR DUNES MI Besides the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, this really is the crown jewel of the Road to Hana. The Pipiwai Trailis a moderate hike that is 4 miles out and back. For full transparency,I have sprinkled some affiliate links in this post. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114352716', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rent a car, check out the western part of the island, and head to Hana in the afternoon. These Rickety looking relics strike fear into many peoples hearts as they meet traffic head-on with no passing place and drops either side. How necessary is it to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle for this drive? We go into detail in the linked article, but, Spoiler alert! The Road to Hana is more than just a great drive through a beautiful area of Maui. Its so incredible itll change your life! Preparation is an important part of safety, so make sure to plan your Road to Hana tour ahead of time. PEARL HARBOR HI The Surface is pretty well maintained but is often wet, slippery, and covered in jungle debris. 3 Bears Upper Waikani Falls (MM 19) Another quick stop on the side of the road a must stop on the road to hana. We will land in the morning, rent a car, check out the western part of the island, and head to Hana in the afternoon. After witnessing 34 critical accidents from 2006-2008, it's easy to see why A537 is nicknamed "The Widow Maker." One of the best places to view Hanawi Falls is from the Hanawi Falls Bridge. The main thing that makes people fear the road is reputation! Bottom line: read the actual fine print of your contract and know YOUR situation with your personal insurance and dont just go on hearsay. From there its about a two hour drive (with no stops) due east to the town of Hana. . So is the road justifiably scary? The back road to Hana starts in Kula town about 15 minutes past Makawao, one of Mauis most charming towns. **Kaulahao Beach aka Kuau Beach Park. Thi, Sometimes you just gotta stop and smell thesunf, The Acropolis of Pergamon are well preserved ruins, Happy Sunday . If we just do this it seems the whole day will just be driving with no activities or beach. Hopefully, we can help allay some of these fears? What makes it so dangerousIt's a road! **Paia Historic Town. What is it about the road that strikes terror into your heart? P.S. Also, is anyone planning a drive but is fearful of the road? 9. Joining a tour will eliminate stress for the driver and passengers, allowing for a more enjoyable experience and guides provide valuable insights about the surrounding area and its cultural history. . Oh, and 5 pm is really pushing it for a 7 pm (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Even really confident drivers who have rarely experienced this type of road suddenly find their grip tightening and the beads of sweat forming. 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? By far the majority of people turn around once they reach Hana and drive the same road back to Paia. 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? Hairpin bends slice through thickly-forested mountain slopes, and there are no. About the Road to Hana. Driving a car is dangerous. Besides that, I just dont think youre going to make that much of a difference on the crowd levels at each stop by doing it in reverse. What is the Weather Like in Chicago, Illinois? Accidents are common and you may be more likely to have a small bump, brush a wall/banking, or get stuck in a ditch than regular highways, but you are less likely to actually injure yourself than on most roads in Hawaii. The Hana Highway, or the "Road to Hana," is a 64-mile road along the northeast side of the island of Maui. Also you can't enter the Park to hike the Pipiwai Trail until 9 am. Yes, it is long, hard work, challenging, and costs a full day of your vacation along with a precious lie-in, but there is so much beauty and wonder along this little highway it has to be right at the top of your bucket list. We would love to hear from those who braved the road though. That is such a shame for you both, but it is understandable, and probably the right decision. Yes, it would not be fun to break down on the backside of the road to Hana or have a flat tire, but guess what? Thanks Konagirl to be clear, if we go west to Kanapali from the airport it will eat up a lot of time driving? This being said, travel at your own risk. Am I missing something youre trying to tell me? These are the main reasons people find the road uncomfortable. Hwy 1 is typically straight, and because of this, drivers feel justified in driving at breakneck speeds. Report inappropriate content dusty56438 Saint Cloud. Heres the thingthis isnt Disney World. But still, people fear the road and take the I survived the Road To Hana T-Shirts Seriously. I thank you in advance. The Road to Hana is a 64 mile stretch of road that starts in Kahului and ends at Kpahulu. ALL OF THIS BEING SAIDif this makes you nervous, if youre not an easy driver, if youre not used to trail driving or driving outside of a city, if you have an overwhelming fear of heights or significant anxiety, or if you question the safety for ANY reason, its always best not to go! And to finish with my most solid argumentif a big tour bus can drive the backroad to Hana, so can you ; ). An out and back drive if you will. We personally have no issues at all but the fear is very real in many people and cant be dismissed. Peru is a destination for nature lovers, hist, Hiking in and out of Haleakala Crater on Maui is o, Sunset state of mind . GULF ISLANDS FL As always, I would never recommend a product or service that I didn't truely believe in. And it truly is fabulous. Hamoa Beach (MM 51) Heading away from Hana, turn makai (toward the ocean) onto Haneoo Road when you reach it. Encourage them to take things easy and to explain themselves when driving. The problem is we all confront fears in a different way. What is scary to some is nothing to others. There are twice as many awesome things to do on the road to Hana as there are on the back side to Hana so again that will also be an all day excursion hence why I recommend staying a few nights in Hana. The water that cascades down creates a small pool at the bottom of the falls that you can swim in. Road to Hana. Paia is a small, laid back town on the Northshore of Maui. It includes 59 bridges during . Instanbul is chaotic, cultured and full of life. In general I did not find the main part of the Road to Hana to be particularly dangerous or scary. Thanks for sticking around and reading this whole post! The road leads you through flourishing rainforests, flowing waterfalls, plunging pools and dramatic seascapes. You have tried and that is all anyone can ask, but if its too much head back. Karakoram 'Friendship' Highway, China-Pakistan. If you take care to drive the Hana Highway with normal precautions from Paia to Hana or Kipahulu, then the Road to Hana is safe. **Mama's Fish House. The Numbers really do not match the roads reputation. Serious accidents involving tourists on the Highway are rare, compared to the rest of the islands where tourists accidental deaths are higher than average! My husband and I are going in June and we will be doing it as hes not a nervous person ? A very anxious and scared driver is a dangerous one. ROAD TRIP AMERICA Top Pick! Dont be surprised to share space with several chickens and cows that live here. It connects the town of Hana with the city of Kahului. Mmmmkay, If you think any rental car company is going to come get you if you have a problem ANYWHERE, you have more faith in them than me. 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. Fewer tourists lodge here than in other Maui locales, and in the morning it is quiet and peaceful. 6) I am not a daredevil but I'm a careful driver who has never been in an accident in 32 yrs of driving due to being defensive and aware on the road. Most folks begin their road to Hana drive from the town Paia on Highway 36 which ends after mile marker 16. 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. There are closer beaches to the airport like in Kihei which is considered south Maui. Well sure, there was that one time where I encountered a truck on a more narrow and winding part of the Hana Highway that made my heart skip a beat. It is a tough question to answer as if we accept this is an irrational fear it can be hard to put your finger on what exactly is the trigger! It's very isolated, no cell service and prohibited by all the major (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 1. 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. You can drive the road to Hana yourself, or take a tour in a van . Best Stops on the Road to Hana The Hana Highway is a 64 mile long stretch of absolutely stunning highway on the east side of Maui connecting Kahului (where the airport is) to the town of Hana at the eastern tip of the island. Plus youre on a cliff side and at some points without a guard rail. Back on the Hana Highway, as you leave Maliko Gulch, around mile marker 11, you'll pass through the rural area of Haiku, where you'll see banana patches, cane grass blowing in the wind, and forests of guava trees, avocados, kukui trees, palms, and Christmas berry. As you continue driving down the Piilani Highway youll come up on some old homes and a bunch of run down old cars. Is safety as big a concern as some say or is it mostly just up to how nervous or confident a driver is? Really just understanding that the Road is actually perfectly serviceable and 99% of the fear is in your mind can help overcome that fear. I think nearly all of us have some kind of phobia, some irrational, spiders, birds, outdoors, speeches, heights, flying. So drive with caution and be very aware. 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. There is no shame in knowing your limits and calling it quits. What to Eat in Chicago, Illinois? If driving the reverse loop all the way around back to Kahului make a reservation in advance for Waianapanapa State Park. (This is to say, they will say if something is scary, and the back road to Hana was not, to them.). The first being Alelele Falls which you can find on google maps here. We intend to hike for 4 hours or so, and be back on the road at 11 or 11:30am, head to Koki Beach for some food truck food, and continue on to Wai'anapanapa for the black sand beach for a few hours, and be back on the road by 3pm to head back to OGG airport (with no stops) for 5pm to catch our 7pm flight. EVERGLADES FL The tours use GPS to offer turn-by-turn directions and audio narration with stories and music. ), this will be on your mind all day ruining the trip. The popular way is to start the Road to Hana is by passing through the town of Paia. There are plenty of tasty restuarants in Paia to choose from. Some parts are of the road are unpaved and it gets narrow and twisty. 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). (I think the back road may be closed to traffic anyway) That part of the road (going on from Hana towards Kula) is the part that is prone to washouts, etc. TRAVEL TIP: If you would prefer to follow along to an audio tour I recommend the Shaka Guide! Also known as State Highway 340, it also happens to be one of the most dangerous roads in Maui. How long does it take to drive to Hana backside? Hana Highway, also known as the Road to Hana, runs for more than 64 miles along state Highways 360 and 36, connecting Hana in east Maui with Kahului. The first lookout on the left is Koki Beach overlook but you can skip this and continue to Hamoa Beach further ahead. You land in the morningcoming from mainland or another island? So you are trying to figure out whether you should do a Road to Hana tour or if you should do the Road to Hana on your own! NEW YORK This is a tough and fairly common problem. Just my opinion, and I've done it several times. According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Hana Highway - Road to Hana: Road to Hana Day Trip (From C$293.76) Small Group Road to Hana Adventure Tour with Pickup (From C$293.76) Small-Group Road to Hana Luxury Tour (From C$472.71) Famous Road to Hana Mercedes van with Waterfalls, Black Sand Beach & Lunch (From C . Drive with caution and be very aware at all times. More! But, if you do keep driving, you will end up on what is known as the back road to Hana! (Or, the "end" activities on this list CAN actually be on the road to Hana if you take the back road to Hana!) Try to leave Paia by 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. and plan on being back in Paia before dark. Maybe explore the south? On average, that's one bend every 176 yards. After walking it, I did not have any regrets in deciding not to drive the back road to Hana! 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. And if youre driving clockwise around the island, you will need to yield to them since theyre on the outside lane (which means you have the inside lane and it feels MUCH safer). The Majority of the road is one-lane each way, although the road regularly drops down to one way for BOTH directions. Manawainui Gulch. Google has no clue what the drive times are on Maui and Hawaii in general. (This is NOT like the Hana Highway normal route around the north side, which is paved all the way.) There are some spots that are popular with locals for camping and fishing, but I think those are best left unexplored by visitors unless youre taken there as a guest. If you leave Paia by 8AM (and hey earlier is even better), I promise you that youll be ahead of 90% of the people planning to drive to Hana that day. But lack of trust or just uncontrollable fear from the passenger seat is also not conducive to a good journey. And this is the part of the Road to Hana that I DO think is scary! Anytime you start toward Hana after lunch you will start meet cars headed toward you and that will slow you down on the 59 one way bridges. They hold masses here on the 5th Sunday of every month but you can explore the grounds at any time. Thanks for the great article, we read it AFTER our drive on the road to Hana today. The Road often apps up in worlds most dangerous roads lists, along with other such shock journalism. Hawaii is known for some of the world's most beautiful waterfalls, and Maui is no exception. And we have some questions that we're hoping you lovely folk can help answer: There are quite a few places to stop to eat now, and quite a few restrooms now, What to Eat at Universal Studios, Hollywood, Chicago, Illinois Visitors Guide Basics. Skip it. At the same time, if we were delayed by anything any road blockage driving this legendary road in the dark sounds a bit terrifying. Detail in the morningcoming from mainland or another island buses to pass each other no... 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