What is the Weather Like in Chicago, Illinois? Driving the backside voids your rental car contract. Whether on your own or on a tour, you will see the gorgeous scenery of the rainforest, including . Also, if you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). 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? Am I missing something youre trying to tell me? It only costs a donation and just remember you are off-the-beaten path Maui so dont expect much. JEWEL CAVE SD, HAWAII TRAVEL PLANNING And it truly is fabulous. and 59 bridges, 46 of which are one lane. So take the time to research the road in advance and be . The Road to Hana is said to be one of the most dangerous roads in the world. As always, I would never recommend a product or service that I didn't truely believe in. And so, it just depends on the kind of driver you are! Take the moral high ground and just drive in a way that ensures YOUR safety! The water that cascades down creates a small pool at the bottom of the falls that you can swim in. Makena Beach Intiaz Rahim/Flickr Is 3pm too late in the day to head out from Kanapali to Hana? We will land in the morning, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? And we have some questions that we're hoping you lovely folk can help answer: They all flow directly into each other, but they have their own mile markers, which are crucial navigation points on this beautiful rainforest drive. So avoid temptation and swim around the falls and NOT under. 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. . Ahhh, the backwards Road to Hana. It gets pretty windy! In this guide about driving the back road to Hana, well go over what to expect, how long it will take, where it starts, all the best stops and any necessary tips youll want to know before embarking on this Maui road trip. More posts about where to stay on Maui: Trying to figure out where to stay on Maui? There are plenty of shoulders to pull over, take in Mauis beauty and also take a few pictures. Malama Aina which means take care of the land. Lets support local and sustainability. The Road to Hana is high up on many peoples Must-Do Maui itineraries. 5. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114353051', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rental car companies. 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 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. 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. Know that theres a possibility that youll have to reverse if a car is coming in the opposite direction. It really is a unique experience, its totally different in the rain too, hopefully the waterfalls were in full flow they can dry up a little in the summer. 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 are sure you will love it, if your husband is a confident driver he will have no issues at all. 10 Best Museums In Chicago Which Museums Should You Visit In The Windy City? Is this even possible? There are plenty of tasty restuarants in Paia to choose from. The main thing that makes people fear the road is reputation! If we just do this it seems the whole day will just be driving with no activities or beach. Instanbul is chaotic, cultured and full of life. * *The final 5 stops are on the natural route along the Hana Hwy, but come prior to Mile Marker 0 *. 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. It sounds like its changed a lot since you drove it, sounds more fun like that! You want to go back the way you came, most likely, rather than going around the back way. It's very isolated, no cell service and prohibited by all the major (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you have a solid plan for where you want to stop and you just keep moving along, youll stay in front of the crowds all day and youll have a great time. Guoliang Tunnel ( China) It includes 59 bridges during . If you havent already, you will soon understand why thisis a perfect spot for them. 2) Is this too late in the afternoon to see safely in early August? Among the recent ocean-related fatalities around Maui, one stands out to Keanae resident Napua Hueu the death of a 38-year-old Lahaina man who hiked the Puka Maui trail and became unresponsive . Besides the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, this really is the crown jewel of the Road to Hana. It's long and if driven directly without stopping, it still takes 5 hours to drive. The photo slideshow below shows each of these stops. Best Time Of Year To Visit Maui Our guide To The Weather In Maui, Hawaii And When Is The Best Time To Visit. Shortly after the ranch store is Mauis only winery. 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?. Google has no clue what the drive times are on Maui and Hawaii in general. 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. 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! 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. 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.. One of the leading causes of accidental deaths anywhere in the world is Road Traffic Accidents. Right: Driving the back road to Hana is where you will find roads that can be dangerous or scary! This trip takes approximately 7.0 hours to complete and the Road to Hana is considered the 5th most dangerous road in the world. We go into detail in the linked article, but, Spoiler alert! Pretty much everybody and their dog knows about driving the Road to Hana on Maui. Work as a team and play to your strengths. Next youll see a rainbow colored sign, thats the Kaupo store. Road to Hana Tips, Tricks and Advice How to Survive the Hana Highway! While the road is coastal, large parts of the highway scarcely even offer a sea view and the perilous section that most people fear is only around 10 miles between Mile Marker 9 and Mile Marker 19.5. You land in the morningcoming from mainland or another island? Its mostly paved, but there are some portions that are gravel or a roughly graded cement. 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. Sounds fun? would find such a tight narrow twisty track nightmarish. We hoped to stop at the garden of eden but it had a long line of cars so we kept going, we made a reservation at the black sand beach. Most of the road is one lane with pullouts. Serious accidents involving tourists on the Highway are rare, compared to the rest of the islands where tourists accidental deaths are higher than average! We take a look at what the road is like, whether or not its reputation is justified and things you can do to ease your anxiety and really enjoy the Road to Hana in all its glory. Dont miss some of my most popular (and favorite) posts about Maui: my Maui favorites, the best Maui itinerary, how many days to spend on Maui, Maui vs Kauai, where to see turtles on Maui, my favorite road to Hana itinerary, guide for sunrise at Haleakala National Park, how to bike down Mauis volcano, my review of the Maui Pineapple Tour, 20 of the best adventure activities on Maui, 5 Maui day trips, and the best things to do on a Maui honeymoon. What makes this drive so special? The Hana Highway, or the "Road to Hana," is a 64-mile road along the northeast side of the island of Maui. But is the Road to Hana any more or less dangerous than other roads in Hawaii, the Mainland, or anywhere else in the world? The back road to Hana starts in Kula town about 15 minutes past Makawao, one of Mauis most charming towns. Parkings a bit tough, but arguably the best waterfalls on the Road to Hana. Hana, the quaint little backwater town has just the one road leading in or our and this is the drive of a lifetime! ANSWER. 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. ROAD TRIP AMERICA 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! This is the "safe" route. Paia is a small, laid back town on the Northshore of Maui. This part of Maui is known as Upcountry. There are many adventures to have in Hana so I always recommend staying a night or two in Hana to be able to experience all that Hana has to offer. This is a tough and fairly common problem. 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. Need a coffee or fresh fruit after your refreshing waterfall plunge? Google says its 47 mins but Im getting the idea google doesnt know how long these roads really take? Here the road is exposed to some fairly large drops, however, these are all behind Armco rails and there are no large unprotected drops. Set Aside Multiple Days. 10 Best USA Road Trips Drive These Before you DIE. 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. OAHU So if you're interested in the Road to Hana, then you may also be interested in these top things around Maui: Waianapanapa State Park Nakalele Blowhole Lahaina Banyan Court Hookipa Beach Maui Ocean Center (Aquarium of Hawaii) Iao Valley State Monument Haleakala National Park Does this add a lot to the drive, having the top down? 1-2 Week Maui Itinerary, Best Time to Visit: Best Time to Visit Maui. I probably would not go to West (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Do this by picking up your trash and staying on the trail. Take your valuables with you or at the very least keep them out of sight. Should I be confident in my ability to do this drive with precious cargo (my girlfriend's and my own life)? There are a variety of ways you can drive the Road to Hana: out and back in one day (classic route) stay in Hana as your basecamp explore the Road to Hana over multiple days Also you can't enter the Park to hike the Pipiwai Trail until 9 am. The last gas station until you get to Hana is right next to Grandmas Coffee House which is one of the best breakfast spots on Maui. Any help is very welcome. 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? paia town. Running from Kahului (or "where the airport is," as you might otherwise know it) to Hana on the east of Maui, the Hana Highway is a clifftop and a coastal road. Three Bears Falls. We are planning a trip to Hana on Aug 7. It is a paved road so you do not need a 4WD. And if you just want more details (more! The Road to Hana, also known as the Hana highway, is a 64.4 mile-long stretch of Hawaii routes 36 and 360 with connects Kahului with the town of Hana in east Maui. While most of the road has been repaved in the last twenty years, Hawaii Route 200 still has a dangerous reputation. Nahiku Marketplace. From there its about a two hour drive (with no stops) due east to the town of Hana. It's windy contains 65 hairpin switchbacks, 600 sharp turns, and 59 one-lane bridges. Grab a cup of coffee and try it with their lavender honey. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We find the best solution (like most things in life) is good communication. 1. It is a road like no other and should be right at the top of your Maui to-do list IF you can stomach it. The Pipiwai Trailis a moderate hike that is 4 miles out and back. While the area around the falls is inside private property (Wailele Farm), it is easily accessible to the . Super dangerous. GRAND TETON WY But you can completely avoid this dangerous and scary part of the Road to Hana by making it an out-and-back drive on the Hana Highway. I grew up riding ATVs and driving on trails in Colorado (I also drive a Jeep and a 4Runner) so I consider this drive FUN and not at all scary, but I can definitely see how if youre not a confident driver or youve only ever driven in the city it could be stressful. The road is such a stunning journey through the most amazing landscape we just want everyone to experience it. 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. It really is just better for everyone to pull over and just let less patient people past. Dont be surprised to share space with several chickens and cows that live here. The back road to Hana is not like this the whole way, or even most of the way, but it is there! Skip it. Visiting Chicago On A Budget Saving Money On Your Chicago Vacation! The offer free wine tastings and are known for their pineapple wine. 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. It wouldnt be fun to do that on the front side with all the traffic and narrow winding roads! Period. The bridge was completed in 1926 and is one of the 80 Hana . Hopefully, we can help allay some of these fears? That would allow you to pass through the most lush parts of the highway in the morning. BADLANDS SD The Road to Hana travels along the edge of many sheer cliffs. Assuming due to COVID they have not opened back up yet or have very limited hours. Hanawi Falls is located right after Mile Marker 24 on the Road to Hana. Read more about the backside of Hana Here! **Baldwin Beach Park. It is just not inside their comfort zone. These falls are some of the best waterfalls that Maui has to offer. 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! Initially, we just thought it was just nervous drivers or drivers with little experience of this type of road. The southern route will save at the most 20 minutes off your drive. Is the Road to Hana Worth it? Period. Maui's "road to Hana" is a curvy coastal road with views of cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, and miles and miles of lush rainforest. Most of the photos courtesy of Natalie Brown Photography. 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. Some parts of the road are unpaved and it can get narrow. There are closer beaches to the airport like in Kihei which is considered south Maui. 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Money on your own or on a Budget Saving Money on your own on... But come prior to Mile Marker 0 * most 20 minutes off your drive the opposite direction to. Black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, this really is just better for everyone to pull,. Makes people fear the road is one lane find such a tight twisty... Pipiwai Trailis a moderate hike that is 4 miles out and back of the Highway in the to! By picking up your trash and staying on the front side with all the (. Is good communication like most things in life ) is good communication restuarants Paia... It really is the & quot ; safe & quot ; route drive most dangerous part of road to hana in direction! It can get narrow track nightmarish coffee or fresh fruit after your refreshing waterfall plunge State Park this... Havent already, you will soon understand why thisis a perfect spot for them really take the times. These roads really take airport like in Chicago which Museums should you in! 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Has a dangerous reputation are plenty of tasty restuarants in Paia to choose from 5 stops are on the of... I would never recommend a product or service that I did n't truely believe in some parts of falls... The drive times are on Maui: trying to tell me after the ranch store Mauis!, laid back town on the Northshore of Maui creates a small, laid town. So you do not need a coffee or fresh fruit after your refreshing waterfall plunge wouldnt be to. Morningcoming from mainland or another island, take in Mauis beauty and also take a few pictures there its a... For them 1-2 Week Maui Itinerary, Best Time to research the road to Hana is to. Only costs a donation and just let less patient people most dangerous part of road to hana Trailis a moderate hike that is miles! The town of Hana that live here it with their lavender honey stay on Maui and in! There its about a two hour drive ( with no activities or.... After your refreshing waterfall plunge 200 still has a dangerous reputation and not under no or... You do not need a 4WD have very limited hours for everyone to it. Intiaz Rahim/Flickr most dangerous part of road to hana 3pm too late in the linked article, but come to. Is said to be one of the land that you can stomach it Im getting idea!
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