Sunday, January 4, 2015

All the Fun Things You Could Do in Maui (Part 2): The Hiking Edition

I took my first hike of 2015 yesterday.    I went back to one I'd done before here on the west side of Maui, the Ohai Trail.   It's 1.2 miles and not too strenuous.  The drive there is beautiful along the undeveloped coast.  

Views on the Ohai Trail

How do I pick my hikes?   Some are word of mouth when I hike with friends.   I also have two books that I enjoy:  Maui Revealed and Maui Trailblazer.  The latter book focuses on hikes, drives, snorkeling and surfing and provides good detail about the trails/trailheads.    There aren't a lot of roads on Maui, so if you want to see more of the island than what you can see from a scenic pull out, hiking is the way to go.    And the best feeling when hiking in Hawaii?   You're in the tropics and there are NO SNAKES!    

If you're planning to hike, you might want to bring more than your rubber slippahs (flip flops).....just sayin'. Some trails really require hiking boots or sturdy tennis shoes.   For others water shoes with traction (Teva, Keen, etc) are fine.    Don't forget your hat, sunscreen, snacks, water and if you're planning to swim or play in waterfalls, your swimsuit and something waterproof for your keys and phone.        

Hikes to Consider in Maui


West Side of Maui
Ohai Trail
Kapalua Coastal Trail (ok...so this one you could do in your slippahs...walking along the beaches and boardwalks of Kapalua)
Olowalu Valley  (start or finish by having lunch at Leoda's Pie Shop)
Lahaina Pali Trail

Lahaina Pali Trail

Central and Upcountry Maui
Iao Valley State Monument
Sliding Sands  at Haleakala National Park
The hikes at the top of Waipoli Road (past Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm) such as the Waiakoa Trail (before you leave the pavement) or the Boundary Trail (after the gravel road starts)
Waihou Spring Trail
Bamboo Forest (this is a favorite with friends and co-workers since you can swim in, climb up and jump off water falls...it's also unmarked...look for cars parked on the side of the road by mile marker 6.5 on the road to Hana)

Bamboo Forest

Happy Hiking!



Looking for Fun Things Part 1?   Here you go.
Do you have a favorite Maui hike?

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