The Road to Hana is one of Maui’s most scenic drives and an extremely popular road trip with travellers to Maui. If you tell anyone in Hawaii you’re going to Maui, they’ll tell you “You gotta do the Road to Hana!”. And that’s for good reason too, we’ve done tons of scenic drives throughout North America, and while I love driving through the Rocky Mountains in Alberta and British Columbia, or driving on the seven mile bridge over the ocean on the way to Key West, this was something special.
The Road to Hana showcases Hawaii’s lush greenery, many waterfalls, and incredible coastline. There’s tons of rich cultural significance that is super interesting to learn about. If you’re planning on taking the Road to Hana (which you should!) it’s super important to be respectful. I’ll touch more on that later. I’ll also be talking about my favourite stops, including the breathtaking Waiʻānapanapa State Park’s Black Sand Beach, Wailua Falls, and the Pipiwal Trail!
Prepping for the Road to Hana
The Road to Hana is a bit of a tougher drive with 64 miles of winding roads, over 600 curves, and 59 one-lane bridges. If you’re not comfortable driving on possibly wet mountain roads with tons of cars around, you may want to skip this scenic drive or hire a local tour guide. As long as you pay attention to the road and the other cars on it, you shouldn’t have a problem. I recommend watching videos of the drive and deciding on if it’s something you can handle driving!
Tips for the Journey:
Start early to beat the crowds
Pack snacks and water (there will be PLENTY of locally owned fresh fruit and banana bread stands along the way which I highly recommend purchasing from)
Bring cash for the local stands along the way!
Wear comfortable shoes (especially if you plan on hiking)
Download maps offline (cell service is limited)
Respect local speed limits and be mindful of other drivers
Respecting Local Culture & Environment
Respect kapu (forbidden areas) and signs indicating private land.
Don’t leave trash; bring it with you to dispose of properly.
Don’t block entrances
Support local businesses along the way. There are tons of fresh fruit and banana bread stands along the Road to Hana that would love your support!
Get your own Personal Tour Guide
I highly recommend purchasing a guided tour using your phone, we used the tour from GuideAlong and it made our experience 100 times better. It’s an app that connects to your GPS and will tell you interesting facts about each stop, it will also point out each stop and whether you can just look at it while you drive by, or if it’s worth it to get out and look. It cost us around $20 which we were unsure about at first but once the tour got going we both agreed it was definitely worth it. Our guide told us interesting and comedic commentary along the way and interesting stories about Hawaiian history. GuideAlong has other tours at other scenic roads around North America and Australia and we plan on using them again next time we do a scenic drive!
The other popular guided online tour is with Shaka Guide, while we didn’t use this, I’ve heard other people have good opinions of this app too. But whichever app you decide to use, I think it will make your experience a lot better! It really helped us stay present and fully engaged in the moment, and we got to learn so much about Hawaiian culture and history!
Must See Stops:
Twin Falls – A family-friendly waterfall with accessible pools for a quick swim and a nearby farm stand offering fresh local produce.
Waikamoi Ridge Trail – A short loop hike through lush rainforest with scenic views of the ocean and native birdwatching opportunities.
Garden of Eden Arboretum – A beautifully maintained garden with panoramic ocean views, tropical plants, and access to a waterfall overlook.
Ke’anae Peninsula – A rugged volcanic coastline with taro fields and an opportunity to grab famous banana bread at Aunty Sandy’s.
Ching’s Pond – A serene spot with emerald-colored pools and waterfalls, often a local swimming hole.
Halfway to Hana Stand – A popular pit stop known for its delicious banana bread, snacks, and refreshments to refuel along the way.
Upper Waikani Falls (Three Bears Falls) – A stunning trio of waterfalls cascading down into a pool below, perfect for photos from the roadside.
Pua’a Ka’a State Park – A park with small waterfalls and pools where you can take a short hike and enjoy a refreshing dip.
Wai’anapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach) – Famous for its unique black sand beach, sea caves, and lava tubes, offering dramatic coastal views.
Hana Town – A peaceful Hawaiian town with a laid-back vibe, local shops, and access to the nearby Hamoa Beach and Red Sand Beach.
Hana Lava Tube – A fascinating underground lava tube where you can take a self-guided tour to explore ancient volcanic formations.
Wailua Falls – A towering 80-foot waterfall near Hana that can be seen from the roadside, often described as one of the most picturesque in Maui.
Pipiwai Trail & Waimoku Falls – A scenic 4-mile round-trip hike through a bamboo forest leading to the breathtaking 400-foot Waimoku Falls.
My Favourite Stops:
Waiʻānapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach)
Known for its unique black sand beach, Waiʻānapanapa State Park is a stunning paradise and a sacred area for the Hawaiian people. You must reserve a time at least a day in advance.
What to do:
Walk along the black sand beach and take in the contrasting colours of the lava rocks and ocean
Explore the nearby lava tubes and blowholes
Swim only if conditions are safe—watch for strong currents
Reserve your spot in advance
This area is deeply tied to ancient Hawaiian legends, treat the land with respect.
Wailua Falls
A stunning multi-tiered waterfall with lush greenery surrounding it, one of the most iconic spots along Road to Hana. You can view this from the road or hike down to the pool at the bottom!
What to Do:
Stop for a quick swim in the refreshing pool beneath the falls if conditions are safe
Capture some breathtaking photos from a safe distance– slippery rocks can be dangerous
Enjoy the view and sounds of nature
Don’t attempt to climb the falls or venture into restricted areas. Heed posted signs for safety
Pipiwai Trail (Bamboo Forest and Waimoku Falls)
A 4-mile round trip hike that takes you through a magical bamboo forest, leading to the magnificent 400 foot tall Waimoku Falls.
What to Do:
Take your time hiking through the bamboo forest, listening to the peaceful sounds of the bamboo stalks swaying in the wind.
Snap photos of the giant banyan tree along the trail.
The reward at the end of the hike is a stunning view of the Waimoku Falls
General Road to Hana Etiquette & Responsible Travel Tips
- Pack in, pack out: Always take your trash with you, including food waste.
- Stay on marked paths: Help protect the environment and avoid sacred areas.
- Support Local: Buy from local food stands, cafes, or artisans you encounter along the way.
- Patience is key: The roads are narrow and popular, you may get stuck in slow traffic a lot, just enjoy the view
- Let locals pass: Remember to let the locals pass you, they know these roads better than you and aren’t there to take in the scenery, they have somewhere to be!
- Check your rearview mirror often, I highly recommend if you see cars stuck behind you, let them pass!
- Don’t rush the journey: The Road to Hana is about the experience, not the destination—take it slow, enjoy each stop, and soak in the beauty of Maui.
Road to Hana is more than just a scenic drive, it’s a great opportunity to connect with the natural beauty and culture of Hawaii. Please visit with care and respect to help preserve this paradise for future generations. Have fun, stay respectful and enjoy every moment of Road to Hana!
Reminder: book reservations for Waiʻānapanapa State Park in advance, and always check weather and trail conditions before heading out! Flash flooding is a risk, so stay aware of the weather especially when heading out on trails, and pay attention to signs of flash flooding!
Have you driven on the Road to Hana? If you have any memories you’d like to share or have your own must-see stops you’d like to share, please do in the comments!
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Oh this is great – and just in time too! I’m headed to Maui in 3 weeks! I’m hoping I’m able to score reservations to Waiʻānapanapa State Park, I just gotta decide on what day to go haha
Oh wow, Hawai’i is so beautiful! How long would you recommend for someone who is visiting for the first time? I’ve been to Kauai once just for a wedding and haven’t really seen much else.
Love this! The Road to Hana is at the top of my bucket list. Thank you for the reminder to reserve a spot for Waiʻānapanapa State Park!
This looks like a gorgeous drive! I have not been to Hawaii yet but this certainly makes me want to go. I had no idea that there was a bamboo forest, I never would have guessed!