Hiking Haleakala National Park – Discover the Best, Easy Trails

Hiking Haleakala National Park is an exercise in contrasts – tall mountains one day, oceanfront hikes to waterfalls the next.

Here are a few of the best, easy trails to get you started.

Published August 23, 2024…Updated January 9, 2025

Where is Haleakala National Park?

Haleakala is located in the center of the larger portion of Maui. It is the less touristy part of the island, giving it a more rugged appeal.

The map below shows the park’s location relative to the Kahului Airport and to the areas where most visitors tend to lodge—Kaanapali, Kihei, and Wailea.

(Click anywhere on the image below to enlarge it.)

Pro Tips

• Haleakala is pronounced, “hah-lay-ahk-uh-lah.” The third and last syllables get more emphasis.
• The most popular beaches on Maui are on the west side of the island.
• The stars all along the East Coast on the map are sights along The Road to Hana, a “can’t miss” drive.

Hiking Haleakala National Park

Hosmer Grove Trail

I learned about Hosmer Grove Trail from my agent at Budget Car Rental at the Kahului Airport. It turns out we are both interested in birds, and he told me that this trail is a great place to see them. He was partly right.

Hosmer Grove Trail is at the entrance to Haleakala National Park, just past the small visitors center. Years ago, an aspiring businessman planted a large number of trees there, hoping he could eventually harvest them for lumber. The plan failed, but the trees didn’t—they are still there today.

Several unfamiliar species of trees grow along the trail—blue Gum Eucalyptus, Pilo, Black Peppermint Eucalyptus, sugi pine, and Messmate Eucalyptus, to name just a few—as well as more familiar species, like Lodgepole Pine, Norway Spruce, and eastern red cedar.

Earlier I wrote that my rental agent at Budget was partly right – he was right that the trees were full of birds, but wrong that we would see them. We could hear them everywhere, but spotting them proved to be difficult.

The trail itself is short and sweet. The first half is in the shade of the huge trees; the back half is narrower paths out in the open.

The 411…

• Distance – 0.5 mile loop trail
• AllTrails Rating – Moderate, but we believe it’s a little easier than that
• Highlights – Exotic trees; birds singing
• Visitor Center – No, but there is one very close by
• Restrooms – Yes

Pā Ka‘oao Trail

Also known as the White Hill Trail, Pa Ka’oao begins at the Haleakala Visitor Center near the summit of the mountain. Just outside the front door of the visitor center is a viewing area (that’s it at the back of the photo below) – just continue walking onto the trail.

The views here are STUNNING! You will be looking down at the crater formed by Haleakala.

The 411…

• Distance – 0.2 miles
• AllTrails Rating – Moderate; it is short, but there is a bit of a climb
• Highlights – Amazing Views; very cool little visitor center
• Visitor Center – Yes
• Restrooms – Yes

Pro Tip

• There is a very cool little visitor center here with some very cool merch for sale. This is a great place to purchase a tee shirt, a mug, or any other souvenir.

Keonehe‘ehe‘e (Sliding Sands)

Keonehe‘ehe‘e Trail, also known as Sliding Sands Trail, begins at the same place that Pā Ka‘oao Trail begins…sort of. The trailhead for Keonehe‘ehe‘e Trail technically begins up the road a bit. Just walk down the sidewalk by the parking lot, and when it turns left at the road, follow it to the trailhead sign.

Before you get to the trailhead, a short trail leads off to your left, taking you to a viewing platform. From here, you can see the entire crater and the trail through it. If you’re looking for a short, easy-ish hike, stop here, take a lot of photos, and then head back to the parking area. This is the easy portion of the hike.

The actual trailhead for Keonehe‘ehe‘e begins just past the trail to the viewing platform. This is an 11-mile (17.8 km) full-day hike that crosses the valley floor and ends at Halemau’u (7,990 ft elevation). It is a long, narrow trail through a barren landscape, and it is fascinating and beautiful in a rugged sort of way!

The 411…

• Distance – 0.5 miles to the viewing platform
• AllTrails Rating – Moderate; it is short but calls for some climbing
• Highlights – Spectacular views
• Visitor Center – Yes
• Restrooms – Yes

Pro Tips

• The wind can be fierce here! I asked the ranger to check the wind speed with his handheld wind gauge, and it was well over 30 miles/hour. Hold on to your hat…and your kids!
• You are over 10,000′ above sea level here. Be prepared for some shortness of breath.
• At this elevation, take precautions against sunburn. It can happen quickly here.

Red Hill

Time to jump back in your car and head up the hill. You will have probably already seen the observatory at the summit. It’s just a short drive from the parking lot. Drive past it to the parking area at the top.

There is a “viewing house” at the top. It’s octagonal, with windows all around. Great views, and a great place to get out of the wind.

Walk around to the other side of the parking lot and take the short hike up Red Hill. You’ll be above the clouds here, and it is breathtaking – both figuratively and literally.

Look for the Silver Sword plants—there are many of them in this area—they are beautiful. When mature, they send up tall, flowering shoots. However, they can live for decades without flowering.

The 411…

• Distance – 0.2 miles
• AllTrails Rating – Easy
• Highlights – Spectacular views
• Visitor Center – No
• Restrooms – Yes

Pro Tip

• As with the area around the visitor center, the winds here can be fierce! In fact, on the top of Red Hill, we were all holding on to the large rocks to keep from being blown over the edge. HOLD ON TO YOUR KIDS!
• The high elevation may cause some breathing challenges. Walk slowly.
• This is an area where visitors come to watch the sunrise. Reservations are required. Click here to learn more and to make reservations.

Pipiwai Trail

Pipiwei Trail begins at the Visitor Center in the Kipahulu District in the southern part of the park. This area is totally different from the summit area. It borders the ocean, and it is lush and green, with beautiful tropical plants…even waterfalls!

Begin at the Kipahulu Visitor Center. Follow the signs to Pipiwai Trail. The trail begins as a rooty, narrow path cutting through thick foliage. In some places, you are required to climb stone steps.

At 0.5 miles into the hike you will come to the viewing area for Makahiku Falls. Though you are viewing them from a distance, they are still quite impressive.

See if you can spot the white bird flying around the falls in the photo below. There were several of them here.

Keep walking, and you will arrive at this unbelievable tree. Two things are sure: (1) You will be amazed as you examine it, and (2) There will be people here climbing it and taking photos.

Not far past this unusual tree, you’ll cross a bridge, walk up stone steps, step onto a boardwalk…

…and realize you have entered a bamboo forest!

This was our favorite part of the hike. The area was shady and cool, and the breeze blowing through the bamboo made it bump against itself – it sounded like a giant wind bamboo wind chime!

At 1.8 miles the trail ends with this view of Waimoka Falls. It is an impressive sight, falling 400′ to its base.

The 411…

• Distance – 3.4 miles roundtrip
• AllTrails Rating – Moderate
• Highlights – Two waterfalls; giant trees; bamboo forest
• Visitor Center – Yes
• Restrooms – Yes

Pro Tip

• About 100 yards into this hike, you will have to cross a busy road. There is a crosswalk here, but don’t assume that oncoming traffic will see you or stop for you. Stay safe!

Kuloa Point Trail

We loved this hike! It begins at the same spot that Pipiwai Trail begins – just turn left to go to Pipiwai, and turn right to go to Kuloa Point.

It’s impossible to miss the “Hale Halawai”, a traditional Hawaiian house used as a meeting and place.

From here, follow the signs to Kuloa Point. The point juts out into the ocean and is a wonderful spot to sit and watch the waves roll in. It’s also a prime spot for photos.

From Kuloa Point, walk to your left (as you’re facing the ocean), and you will run into O’heo Gulch. It’s a large open area where the ocean waves roll in and out. From here, look inland, and you will see the Seven Sacred Pools.

As the name suggests, the Seven Sacred Pools are made up of seven waterfalls that flow into each other as they descend the gulch before running out into the ocean. At the base of each waterfall is a pool, which then overflows into the next waterfall. Thus the “Seven Pools”.

As far as the “Sacred” designation…the pools have never been considered sacred to the Hawaiian people. A hotelier came up with the idea to boost tourist traffic.

I was a little disappointed when I learned that…

The 411…

• Distance – 0.5 mile loop trail
• AllTrails Rating – Easy
• Highlights – Kuluo Point with ocean views; Seven Sacred Falls
• Visitor Center – Yes
• Restrooms – Yes, at the Visitor Center

Any Questions?

• Can I bring my dog hiking with me on these trails? Nope, sorry. Dogs are not allowed on hiking trails in Haleakala National Park.
• Are these trails safe? Yes! Hikers usually get in trouble when they ignore warning signs or try to hike above their skill or fitness level. Make good choices, and you should be fine.
• Are these trails kid-friendly? Yes, they are. With the exception of Pipiwai Trail, these trails are all 0.2 miles to 0.5 miles long. Pipiwai is longer – 3.4 miles. Use your parental wisdom in deciding if this is doable for your children.
• How should we dress? We always recommend hiking boots to protect your toes and soles. Wear comfortable clothes and a hat—the sun is deceivingly dangerous here. And always bring water with you on a hike!

The Verdict – Hiking Haleakala National Park – Discover the Best, Easy Trails

Hiking in Haleakala National Park is a trip! One day, you’re hiking at 10,000′ above sea level; the wind is brutal, and the landscape is rugged, barren, and brown. The next day you’re hiking at sea level through a bamboo forest to a 400′ waterfall.

It’s the best of both worlds. The hikes you’ve just read about are short and easy and provide a taste of everything Haleakala has to offer. So…

Aloha, and Happy Hiking!

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