When it comes to easily accessible motorcycle adventures, it doesn’t get much better than the Hana Highway in Maui. Located on the island’s northeastern corner, the route hugs some fairly perilous cliffs, but with the reward being expansive views of the Pacific Ocean’s crystal blue waters on one side and stunning rainforest greenery on the other.
The Hana Highway is only 52 miles long and extends from Kahului to the isolated town of Hana on the island’s eastern edge, but takes in 617 hairpin curves, 59 bridges (46 of which are one-lane bridges) and a whole lot of spectacular scenery, so you’ll still want to budget a whole day to take it all in. The road is narrow and slow going, plus you’ll be stopping every few miles to snap a few photos and take in the area’s natural beauty.
Planning Your Ride on the Hana Highway Given how short this ride is, you won’t need to do any extensive planning. There’s some fairly sharp hairpin turns and the road can get slippery during and right after a heavy rain, but for the most part your biggest concern will be keeping eyes on the road when your surrounding by such amazing scenery.
Hana Highway is open all year round but in winter, drivers are advised to take precautions while out on the road as driving can be difficult. Flash flooding can also occur caused by severe weather conditions which may lead to closure on some parts of the road. The months of April,May, September, October and November are the best months to visit the Hana Highway. To avoid traffic and to fully enjoy the views, it is best to go just before sunrise and return after sunset.
Fuel At just 52 miles, you’ll have no trouble making the journey on a single tank. Just be sure to fill up in Kahului before you start and in Hana before making the return trip. There is also fuel in Paia and Hana. There’s not too many places to top up in between.
Accommodation and Food This is Maui, so you can bet there are plenty of choices when it comes to accommodations, it all depends on what you’re willing to spend. A dorm bed in Kahului hostel can be had for under $100 or you can stay in a five start resort for over $500. Budget conscious riders might want to check out the campsites at Wai’anapanapa State Park just outside of Hana, which charge $18 for tent sites and $90 for cabins. Be sure to reserve far in advance though as they will be all booked up during the winter high season.
There’s no shortage of great food along the Hana Highway with many of the best restaurants showcasing Hawaii’s famous BBQ cuisine – heavy on the pork and pineapple. A less well known staple is poi , a thick paste made from taro roots. It’s not for everyone, but certainly worth trying during your adventure along the Hana Highway. Most all of the restaurants are located near the beginning and end of the road, so be sure to pack a few snacks so you don’t get hungry along the way.
Sights The biggest attraction with this ride is obviously the scenery. You can spend all day taking in the waterfalls, exotic flowers, black sand beaches and the sweet smell of the ocean. However, that’s not all that the highway has to offer as there are a number of attractions in the town of Hana. While it is fairly small, the Hana Cultural Center is a must for anyone that’s interested in the island’s Polynesian history. There’s also a replica of a Kauhale village nearby, which can help you to understand the society that existed before European settlers arrived. The Hana Lava Tubes , just a few miles north of town, showcase some of the interested geological features with self guided tours through the caves costing just $12/per person.
Waterfalls are everywhere on the road to Hana, but here are our pick on some ofthe most popular.
Twin Falls – offers a large area to swim
Upper Waikani Falls, also known as Three Bears Waterfalls is a perfect stop as well
Hanawi Waterfalls – Hana’s most cherished and spectacular spot is also a must.
Wailua Falls (80 ft ) – also a beautiful waterfall to see from the Road to Hana.
One of the other highlights of the Hana Highway trip would be exploring Wai’anapanapa State Park, a 122-acre state park in Hana. It is famous for freshwater caves, rugged shoreline, sea arches and black sand beach. Kaumahina State Wayside Park and Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside Park are other state parks worth visiting
Coastal View – Photo Credit: Neil916 / CC BY
A taste of the corners on the Hana Highway – Photo credit: Forest and Kim Starr / CC BY
Waterfall along Hana Highway – Photo Credit: TravellingOtter / CC BY Blank Sand Beach – Photo Credit: Ekrem Canli / CC BY
More coastal views on the Hana Highway – Photo credit: Thomas / CC BY
