Its possible that some companies offer roadside assistance coverage that you can purchase additionally and maybe this portion of the road isnt included in that. Just three of the many many reasons to love the Road to Hana. They have a small shop with local,handmade Hive to Home and Bees to Body products. It's windy contains 65 hairpin switchbacks, 600 sharp turns, and 59 one-lane bridges. The most dangerous part of the Road to Hana is the back road to Hana because this is where you will find one-lane roads with no shoulders and a cliff that drops off right alongside the road. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114352867', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cars on the tight turns and one-lane sections); you're extremely unlikely to drive off the edge so long as you pay attention and don't speed; you don't want to take the southern (backside) road (it's at least as hazardous and a longer route to the airport). It has 13 hairpins that will have you climbing from 5,617 feet above sea level to 6,677 feet above sea level in just three. So they will tailgate manically, overtake when shouldnt and speed of once they get clear. Yes, if you drive straight from Paia to Hana, you might see less people at the spots near Hana, but by the time you start working your way back to Paia those spots are still going to crowded. So many people dont really plan their trip to Hana and end up starting out late in the day and just stopping wherever they see cars so those stops along the north shore are still going to have visitors all day long. Report inappropriate content dusty56438 Saint Cloud. The Road to Hana travels along the edge of many sheer cliffs. I have regretted not trying since we arrived home. There are literally signs posted telling you to honk as you go around the blind corners. It was a marvelous experience, bu t we live in the mountains in the country where such things were normal when we were growing up. Its a cumulative thing that adding in the fairly stressful driving conditions can tip people over the edge to the point the drive is just no longer fun. As you can see, the. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Also, is anyone planning a drive but is fearful of the road? 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! There's a great souvenir shop here, and also a wide selection of food varying from island style tacos to kalua pork to classic hotdogs or mac 'n cheese! But there is more to it than that the enduring reputation that this is a dangerous road manifests itself in your mind. If we just do this it seems the whole day will just be driving with no activities or beach. The Road often apps up in worlds most dangerous roads lists, along with other such shock journalism. 3 hrs from the airport. However, the Road to Hana is not dangerous in and of itself, and for seasoned drivers, the trip should be a breeze. This is terribly unfortunate, The highway is really a real jewel in the already stunning Crown of Mauis natural beauty. Assuming due to COVID they have not opened back up yet or have very limited hours. BADLANDS SD Make sure your partner is aware of your fears and explain they may not be entirely rational but still real. The back road to Hana starts in Kula town about 15 minutes past Makawao, one of Maui's most charming towns. I personally dont like to be on the road after dark at all, but once I make it to Kula (really even Ulupalakau), its fine driving back in the dark. Fatalities are rare and accidents often very minor. The Road to Hana is one of the best things to do in Maui! have no issue at all, but it is narrower, more exposed, and in places has no asphalt topcoat (Dirt Track). If you're leaving from Kaanapali and planning on a one-hour stop en route, yes, 5 hours to Hana. I would def want to get there before dark the first day, though. Avengers Campus Disney California Adventure- Ultimate Guide, 10 Best Things To Do In Chicago, Illinois Our Guide to the Top Attractions in Chicago, Illinois. Quite a few people continue on past Hana to the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park where youll find the Oheo Gulch (aka Seven Sacred Pools) and the Pipiwai Trailhead. 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. You land in the morningcoming from mainland or another island? Im just going to describe it as accurately as possible and relay my personal experiences so that you can make a decision that youre comfortable with. Along this road, there are 620 curves (who counted all of those?) What are your fears and doubts? And should you consider avoiding it for legitimate safety concerns? And so, it just depends on the kind of driver you are! I carry AAA independently (plus my auto insurance and credit card cover this) so I always decline all extra insurance. There are closer beaches to the airport like in Kihei which is considered south Maui. Ive written a ton of posts that will help. 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! Take a van or coach tour Having an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver/guide is really the best way to see Hana. Narrowed it down to a certain location? And please share my account with your friends that are headed to Hawaii! 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. 2) Is this too late in the afternoon to see safely in early August? **Ho'okipa Beach Park. The Road to Hana is also called the "Divorce Highway". Besides the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, this really is the crown jewel of the Road to Hana. 9. The Road to Hana is known for having winding roads. Break up the drive with a great hike Kaumana Trail. This is a great place to stop to fuel up with gas, grab a coffee or a hot meal. The Keanae Peninsula is one of the most famous Road to Hana stops. Really just understanding that the Road is actually perfectly serviceable and 99% of the fear is in your mind can help overcome that fear. 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. So if you have no problem with the highway spouting off you dont see the big issue isnt particularly helpful to those that do fear it! 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. Unsubscribe at any time. 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. What did you do to mitigate them? Is this even possible? There is almost nothing about the drive that causes anxiety in us. The second English expressway on our list, this scenic road was recognized by the United Kingdom's Road Safety Foundation as one of country's most dangerous roads in 2010. We all have different phobias and they can not be dismissed just because we do not suffer from them. Well, you get the picture. And this is the part of the Road to Hana that I DO think is scary! **Paia Historic Town. At this historic store you can purchase snacks and use a restroom if you are a customer. While a lot of the guides/apps say to try to be the first car in a line while driving through the frontside so you dont have to watch their brake lights too closely while youre looking around, I think the opposite is true when youre driving past Hana. Is the Road to Hana Worth it? While the area around the falls is inside private property (Wailele Farm), it is easily accessible to the . Yes. BRYCE CANYON UT If you have serious doubts over whether or not the road is for you, or you are pretty convinced this type of driving is not your style then you have three options. paia town. As always, I would never recommend a product or service that I didn't truely believe in. Along the way youll see various farm animals, views of Kahoolawe and Molokini the horse shoe shaped atoll. This is the wrong way to do it. The back road to Hana conditions are as followed. PEARL HARBOR HI Inside this entrance is the Oheo Gulch aka seven sacred pools and one of Mauis most iconic hikes, the Pipiwai Trail. We are staying by Nahiku, before Hana, but it sounds like we still want 5 hours time for the drive? Google maps said 2 hours but I guess this is what happens when a bot gives you directions? Malama Aina which means take care of the land. We find the best solution (like most things in life) is good communication. Well over 50 in total and most of the single lane for both directions. . Hiking Shoes - If you want to hike. Next youll see a rainbow colored sign, thats the Kaupo store. The area we grew up in, the rural High Peak District of the UK has hundreds of roads tighter, narrower, with more turns, more blind bends, bigger, more exposed drops, and are one lane for both directions for hundreds of miles. Even though it's only 64.4 miles long it takes the average tourists 2-3 hours to drive. This is great to know thanks. 10) Lastly, is it wiser to hire a local driver to pick us up and drop us off at each location? Theyre seriously the only company I ever use. You can read Road to Hana tour reviews on getyourguide. MAUI We intend to stop only at Hanawi Falls briefly (1 hour), and we understand that it is otherwise a 2 hour drive. The scenic Road to Hana on Maui is the undisputed top attraction on the island. 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. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114352891', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maui -- you are going to eat up most of your time driving. Full Gas Tank - You most likely won't need a whole tank, but just in case. We've been told the southern road is more dangerous in general but we've also been told that since we'd be driving on the outside on the northern road on our way back to the airport that it would be more nerve racking. The Road to Hana is by its very nature one of the most dangerous things you will do on your Maui Vacation! Hi Im Jess. Click here to check rates for your trip. There are no straight sections to this drivethe curves are constant. And then, most people will end the Road to Hana at Hana or Kipahulu. Its so incredible itll change your life! Need a coffee or fresh fruit after your refreshing waterfall plunge? But this doesn't stop many adrenaline junkies from taking on the route which separates Bolivia's capital, La Paz, and Coroico in the Yungas region. In some ways, winding roads are beautiful and make for a peaceful drive while road tripping. Once you leave the National Park, theres not really a ton of places I recommend to stop. If you only have one day, theres still a lot to see, so snap a picture and be on your way. What about a convertible? Peru is a destination for nature lovers, hist, Hiking in and out of Haleakala Crater on Maui is o, Sunset state of mind . Pretty much everybody and their dog knows about driving the Road to Hana on Maui. #travelp. The road leads you through flourishing rainforests, flowing waterfalls, plunging pools and dramatic seascapes. The average visitor is not going to think twice about the number of people they encounter along this road unless they were truly thinking they would be the ONLY ones driving to Hana. They will be miserable. And heres my disclaimer: I am neither encouraging or discouraging you to make this drive. The Road to Hana is about 65 miles long, but don't let this relatively short distance fool you. Before you embark on your adventure, you want to make sure you have a full tank of gas. GRAND CANYON AZ In terms of the road, no there aren't cars falling off of it all the time (I mean, it happens, but) and it's not that scary to me if you are used to winding mountain roads. for the most part, it is wide enough for two small buses to pass each other with no issue. Other people revel in that sort of environment. Located at the extreme southeast of the island of Maui, the city of Hana is like another island. 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. This three-part waterfall is often called the Three Bear Falls for the Papa Bear-, Mamma Bear-, and Baby Bear-size cascades of water. Just indicate into one of the MANY pull-outs and let them by. Try to leave Paia by 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. and plan on being back in Paia before dark. There's no doubt that Kahekili Highway is the most dangerous road in the US. It REALLY isnt a bad road. The trailhead is located after the bridge on your left. The Shaka guide tours are great for independent explorers who want the freedom to explore on their own terms, but like to learn about the spots theyre visiting. 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. 808/572-1693), a good stop for drinks or snacks for the ride. Drive with caution and be very aware at all times. (This is to say, they will say if something is scary, and the back road to Hana was not, to them.). 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. The best stops along the backside road to Hana, Tips for driving the Reverse road to Hana, Alelele Falls which you can find on google maps here, Everything you Need to Know about Haleakala National Park, 10 Tips to Know Before you Travel to Maui, 21 Mistakes to Avoid on your First Trip to Hawaii, If youde like to see a video of driving the back way to Hana check out this. And should you consider avoiding it for legitimate safety concerns at this historic store you can purchase and. Did n't truely believe in ; s windy contains 65 hairpin switchbacks, sharp! Hive to Home and Bees to Body products we arrived Home Nahiku, Hana! When a bot gives you directions up and drop us off at each location called the three falls. Manifests itself in your mind dark the first day, theres still a lot to see so! Rational but still real local, handmade Hive to Home and Bees Body. You 're leaving from Kaanapali and planning on a one-hour stop en route, yes 5... 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