Summary:
Explore the massive basin at Haleakala’s summit, an eerie volcanic landscape of colorful cinder cones.

Descend from the rim along the sand-like cinders of Sliding Sands Trail, passing the side trail to Ka Lu’u o ka O’o cinder cone after 2 miles/3.2 km. There are several connecting trails from Sliding Sands to Halemau’u – you reach the first at about 3.8 miles/6 km. Bear left onto it and head north-east towards a large cone called Ka Moa o Pele. [If you have the time and energy, you can choose to stay on Sliding Sands for a couple more miles to Kapalaoa Cabin, where you take a connecter to join Halemau'u to the right of a cinder cone called Pu'u Naue. This route will increase the overall hike distance to 13.8 miles/22 km].

The connector trail climbs the flank of Ka Moa o Pele and turns east to a junction at Halali’i cinder cone. The shortest route to Halemau’u is to turn left here – but it is well worth taking the trail that encircles the cone counter-clockwise for a closer look at some of the geological features on the crater floor. As you round the cone’s eastern flank, Pu’u Naue stands to your right. Soon you join Halemau’u Trail, and ahead you will see Kawilinau, the Bottomless Pit (actually 65 ft deep). Turn left, and as you pass the northern flank of Halali’i, the area of brightly colored cinders to your right is known as Pele’s Paint Pot. Ahead, the massive red-faced cone of Pu’u o Maui rises 1,000 ft from the crater floor.

Halemau’u Trail veers right and heads north-west towards Holua Cabin. In about 1 mile/1.6 km, take the short Silversword Loop that circles away from the main path through native silversword, one of the rarest plants in the world. If you happen to be here when they are in bloom, count your blessings – they can take up to 50 years to flower.

Back on the main trail and continuing north-west, Holua Cabin is only another mile away. It is a good place to stop and admire Haleakala’s majestic scenery: The cliffs directly to the west rising up to 2,000 ft; the massive break in the crater wall of Ko’olau Gap and beyond to the east 8,907-ft Hanakauhi; and, to the south, Sliding Sands Trail winding its way towards the cinder cones on the basin floor.

It is 3.8 miles/6 km from Holua to the trail-end on Crater Rd – and an ascent of over 1,000 ft. For the first mile, the trail winds north through a lava field and scrub to the base of the north-west wall. Now the switchbacks begin – a tough climb but not excessively steep. You will be tempted to stop often to admire the increasingly spectacular views, across a barren volcanic world of browns, grays and reds, and down Ko’olau Gap to the ocean.

Eventually you reach the rim. Pause to enjoy the view once more before moving away on the final mile of the trail, through scrub vegetation to the road.

Directions: From Kahului, take Hwy 36 to the 37 and 377 (Haleakala Hwy), which leads inland into Maui’s Upcountry region. About 0.5 mile beyond Kula Lodge, turn right onto the winding 378 (Haleakala Crater Rd) to the Park entrance. Beyond Park headquarters, Crater Rd switchbacks up the volcano (passing Halemau’u Trailhead after 3 miles) to Haleakala visitor center, just below the 10,023-ft summit.

Trailhead: Haleakala visitor center. The hike ends at Halemau’u Trailhead. You will need to arrange transport between these two points, or face a 6 mile and 1,750 ft slog up Crater Rd back to your car. One option is to park at Halemau’u and try to find someone there to give you a lift up to the visitor center – we understand that hitchhiking on the road itself is not allowed.

Length: 11.7 miles / 18.7 km

Trail Type: One way

Elevation Change: -1,750 ft / -534 m
Down 2,800 ft/854 m, up 1,050 ft/320 m

Duration: 6.5 hours

Trail Condition: Clear and maintained (Sliding Sands consists of tiny, loose cinders).

Features: Stark volcanic basin, cinder cones, rare silversword plants.

Climate: Changeable at the summit – be prepared for extremes of bitterly cold, wet and windy weather, and hot, intense sun.

Accommodation: Hosmer Grove campground, off Crater Rd just before Park HQ, has free tent and RV sites on a first-come, first-served basis (no permit required). Lodging close to the Park is limited – Kula Lodge is the nearest, and there are a few B&Bs around Kula and Pukalani.

Trail Notes: Further information available at Park HQ or Haleakala visitor center. Be aware of high altitude and take sunscreen and plenty of water (there is water along the trail at Holua Cabin but it must be treated). Keep to the trail to avoid damage to vegetation.

Summary:
Climb from a rugged volcanic shoreline through lush, tropical rainforest to two majestic waterfalls.

The lower part of the valley, however, can be visited on foot along the Pipiwai Trail, which climbs from the ocean through ‘Ohe’o Gulch to two majestic waterfalls. As a further incentive to head out on foot, the trail avoids the busiest part of the gorge – the popular pools and waterfalls of the lower stream below the highway bridge – and takes you upstream to more tranquil places. The higher you climb, the quieter it becomes.

Take the short footpath from the visitor center towards Kuloa Point Loop and turn left to the highway. Cross the road about 200 yards south of the bridge. The trail follows the stream as it climbs through ‘Ohe’o Gulch. The first 0.5 mile/0.8 km heads up gently sloping meadows to an overlook of 184-ft Makahiku Falls. In another 0.5 mile you enter woodland of mixed ohi’a and koa, typical of these lower elevations.

Cross the stream and continue for around 1 mile through lush tropical forests of introduced bamboo, mango and guava to the base of 400-ft Waimoku Falls. Beyond this waterfall, Kipahulu Valley is closed to entry and you must retrace your steps back to the ocean. On your return, there are lovely views of the Big Island from the meadows below Makahiku Falls.

Directions: From Kahului, take Hwy 36/360 to Hana, a slow, tortuous road along the stunning east coast. Beyond Hana, continue along the coast on Hwy 31 for around 7 miles to the parking area at Kipahulu.

Trailhead: Kipahulu visitor center.

Length: 4 miles / 6.4 km

Trail Type: Out and back

Elevation Change: 800 ft / 244 m

Duration: 2 hours

Trail Condition: Maintained, but can be muddy and slippery.

Features: Gorge, tropical forests, waterfalls, swimming holes, ocean views.

Climate: Subtropical – warm to hot temperatures, humid with rain at any time of year.

Accommodation: Kipahulu campground has free tent and RV sites on a first-come, first-served basis (no permit required, no water). Access to the trail is via the short coastal Kahakai Trail and Kuloa Point Loop. Outside the Park, the nearest accommodation is in Hana.

Trail Notes: Bring insect repellent, sunscreen and water -there is no drinking water in this area. Heed warnings of flash flooding after heavy rain.

Summary:
A half-day hike into the alien volcanic landscape of Haleakala’s giant summit depression.

To reach the start of the trail, backtrack along the visitor center access road for about 0.1 mile. The trail quickly approaches the edge of the Crater and the descent begins on long, easy switchbacks (easy going down that is – the sand-like cinders make the climb back to the trailhead more strenuous, made worse in the heat of mid-day). The open views of the vast, stark volcanic landscape are magnificent.

After around a mile, you can make a short detour to the left to the base of a cinder mound. Here you may find a little solitude away from the popular trail, a quiet place to sit and admire this unearthly place.

Continue into the Crater along Sliding Sands to a junction at 2 miles/3.2 km. Here you bear left onto a 0.5 mile/0.8 km side trail that dead-ends at the cinder cone of Ka Lu’u o ka O’o (“the dip of the digging stick”). Retrace your steps to Sliding Sands Trail and bear right to start the long slog back up to the rim.

For a full-day hiking option, Sliding Sands Trail continues east (left) across the floor of the Crater, with several connections to Halemau’u Trail.

Directions: From Kahului, take Hwy 36 to the 37 and 377 (Haleakala Hwy), which leads inland into Maui’s Upcountry region. About 0.5 mile beyond Kula Lodge, turn right onto the winding 378 (Haleakala Crater Rd) to the Park entrance. Beyond Park headquarters, Crater Rd switch-backs up the volcano to Haleakala visitor center.

Trailhead: Haleakala visitor center (elevation 9,740 ft).

Length: 5 miles / 8.0 km

Trail Type: Out and back

Elevation Change: N/A

Duration: 3 hours

Trail Condition: Clear trail over tiny, loose cinders.

Features: Stark, colorful volcanic basin; cinder cone.

Climate: Changeable at the summit – be prepared for extremes of bitterly cold, wet and windy weather, and hot, intense sun.

Accommodation: Hosmer Grove campground, off Crater Rd just before Park HQ, has free tent and RV sites on a first-come, first-served basis (no permit required). Lodging close to the Park is limited – Kula Lodge is the nearest, and there are a few B&Bs around Kula and Pukalani.

Trail Notes: Further information available at Park HQ or Haleakala visitor center. Be aware of high altitude and take sunscreen and plenty of water. Keep to the trail to avoid damage to shallow-rooted plants.