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Haleakalā National Park

Best Hiking Trails in Haleakalā National Park

32 reviews


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Overview

Vacationers to Maui seriously miss the memo if they skip out on Haleakalā National Park. This Hawaiian volcano wows visitors with its stark moon-like crater and sub-tropical forests. With an elevation of 10,023 feet plummeting all the way to sea-level, it's incredibly diverse, with as many ecological zones as a road trip across North America. It's also home to more endangered species than any other U.S. national park site. In short — don't miss it! And even if you're not already in Hawaii, Haleakalā alone is worth the trip.

Getting Started

If you're already in Maui, consider renting a car to get to the summit of Haleakalā as there is no public transportation at time of writing.

Don't miss exploring the summit area of Haleakalā, and find information, suggestions and activities here. Sunrise is beautiful, but limited spaces are available, so book here up to two months in advance. There are also great hiking opportunities, and we suggest trekking across the crater. There are a couple first-come, first-served camping options for backpackers, and even three wilderness cabins. Just make sure to reserve well in advance. For car campers, enjoy one of the first-come, first-served spots at the Kīpahulu or Hosmer Grove campgrounds.

Cycling down Haleakalā is a blast, and can be done by yourself or through a guided tour. Just make sure to have good brakes for all those hair-pin turns.

If you're doing a through-hike down the backside of Haleakala, make sure to arrange a shuttle with a friend, or try your luck at hitchhiking back to civilization. Just use extra caution, as this area is far less trafficked and can be difficult to access in the case of an emergency.

When to Go

Visit Haleakala year-round. Find hours of operation, here.

Permits

Like most national parks, permits are required and can be purchased at the park.

Dog Info

Dogs are only permitted on a leash within campgrounds and parking lots, but not on any trails.


  • Hiking Trails (16)
  • Reviews (32)
  1. 1
    Haleakalā (Puʻu ʻUlaʻula) via Sliding Sands Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 5.7 mi
  2. 2
    Haleakalā (Puʻu ʻUlaʻula) via Halemau'u Trail and Sliding Sands Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 11.1 mi
  3. 3
    ʻŌʻilipuʻu Loop via Sliding Sands Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 15.7 mi
  4. 4
    Hōlua Cabin via Halemau'u Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 3.7 mi
  5. 5
    Palikū Cabin via Halemauu Trail and Sliding Sands Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 9.1 mi
  6. 6
    Haleakalā (Puʻu ʻUlaʻula) via Sliding Sands Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 7.7 mi
  7. 7
    Halemauu Trailhead Loop via Crater Road
    ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 25.4 mi
  8. 8
    Palikū Cabin via Halemau'u Trail
    ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 10.0 mi
  9. 9
    Kapalaoa Cabin via Sliding Sands Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 5.8 mi
  10. 10
    Sliding Sands Trailhead via Kaupo Trail and Sliding Sands Trail
    ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 14.5 mi
    user_profile
    Jake 2 years, 5 months ago
    Haleakalā (Puʻu ʻUlaʻula) via Halemau'u Trail and Sliding Sands Trail
    Wow
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    mail4barry 3 years, 2 months ago
    Wonderful Maui hike, even in the rain. I would rate it as moderate difficulty, as the trail becomes muddy and slick when wet, and rain is common here. Highlights for me were the bamboo forest and the final falls, although worthwhile views were numerous.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    sunandansaha 3 years, 5 months ago
    An easy to moderate trail depending on your conditioning. Some short sections are fairly steep but with well defined paths. Humidity can be a factor. Carry enough water. The bamboo forest and the Waimoku Falls are the two highlights. There's also a large old banyan tree on this trail that's really majestic. Spend some time in the bamboo forest so that you can hear the the spooky sound of the bamboo trees rustling against each other.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    chris 4 months, 1 week ago
    Haleakalā (Puʻu ʻUlaʻula) via Sliding Sands Trail
    ★

    user_profile
    bgmeyers 5 months ago
    Track (12/26/21, 1:11:39PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    hafrica13 5 months, 1 week ago
    Sliding sands
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Mike Arndt 6 months, 1 week ago
    Haleakalā (Puʻu ʻUlaʻula) via Sliding Sands Trail
    ★

    user_profile
    bermuda314 6 months, 2 weeks ago
    Haleakalā (Puʻu ʻUlaʻula) via Halemau'u Trail and Sliding Sands Trail
    ★

    user_profile
    gpend 6 months, 4 weeks ago
    Haleakalā (Puʻu ʻUlaʻula) via Halemau'u Trail and Sliding Sands Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    MrWetsnow 7 months, 2 weeks ago
    Haleakala
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    rama.j.lata 8 months, 2 weeks ago
    Track (9/7/21, 2:20:46PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    novakovicster 8 months, 4 weeks ago
    Halakeala Crater
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    daniellaotalora 11 months, 1 week ago
    Haleakalā (Puʻu ʻUlaʻula) via Sliding Sands Trail
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    californiajbbrown 11 months, 3 weeks ago
    Haleakala Crater Floor
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Eric 12 months ago
    Haleakala Summit > Halemau’u Trail > Hosmer Supply Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    igorbe88 1 year ago
    Sliding Sands Trail (5/15/21, 1:37:46PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    akihiro61 1 year ago
    Track (5/7/21, 10:22:26AM)Halemauu Haleakala
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    hoffmcam 1 year ago
    Haleakalā Crater
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    quintinbray 1 year ago
    Halemauu Trail to Halemanu'u Trailhead, Maui County, HI, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    lewis.orchard 1 year, 2 months ago
    Holua to Haleakala
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    ts.aubert 1 year, 5 months ago
    Keonehe'ehe'e Tralihead to Magnetic Peak, Maui County, HI, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    mkkubojiri 2 years ago
    Track (3/11/20, 09:00:36)
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    mkkubojiri 2 years ago
    Track (3/11/20, 09:00:36)
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    mkkubojiri 2 years, 2 months ago
    Track (3/11/20, 09:00:36)
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    jamisonm883 2 years, 3 months ago
    Haleakalā (Puʻu ʻUlaʻula) via Halemau'u Trail and Sliding Sands Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    AKAustin 2 years, 4 months ago
    Haleakala day 1
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Natalia 2 years, 7 months ago
    Haleakalā (Puʻu ʻUlaʻula) via Sliding Sands Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    nczanchi 2 years, 8 months ago
    Track (9/8/19, 8:03:14AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    cschwapp 2 years, 10 months ago
    Haleakala
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    colbymorrison 2 years, 11 months ago
    Haleakalā Crater
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    mokikawa 2 years, 11 months ago
    Hōlua Cabin to Halemau'u Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    bensallen 3 years, 2 months ago
    ★

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