Top Trails: Maui: Must-Do Hikes for Everyone

by Sara Benson

Overview

Maui is indeed a hiker's paradise. An impressive network of trails crisscross the second-largest Hawaiian island, from meditative beach walks to heady treks high atop a volcano. Hidden in cloud forest, more trails lead to tumbling waterfalls, hidden springs and groves of bamboo. Back down on the coast, treks lead to natural lava-rock blowholes and sea arches, past ocean pools, and deserted beaches. Wander across lava flows that feel primeval, examine ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs up close, or follow the King's Highway that Hawaiian royalty once trod. All this and more awaits on Maui's hiking trails, most of which are easily accessible day trips. From any point on the island, any of the dozens of trailheads pinpointed in this book is at most a couple of hours' drive away, and often far closer than that.

Top Trails Maui presents 37 premier day hiking and overnight camping and backpacking trips suited to all levels of ability and interests. The book is divided into four major geographical areas: West Maui, Central/South Maui, East Maui/Upcountry, and Haleakala National Park. All of the trails offer scenic beauty and ease of access for hikers. Together, these trails represent the island's incredible diversity of ecological systems and environments, from lava flows and multi-colored cinder cones to cloud forests filled with native bird song and hidden waterfalls. Some of the hiking trails described here are popular with both locals and visitors, while others are virtually a local secret.

With the Top Trails winning formula of easy-to-follow maps for every hike, trail-feature charts, feature icons, "don't get lost" trail milestones, and GPS waypoints, readers can easily identify the right trail for their interests, abilities, and available time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780899976266
Publisher:	Wilderness Press
Publication date:	01/15/2011
Series:	Top Trails
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	14 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Sara Benson is an award-winning travel journalist and photographer living in coastal California. She has written more than 35 travel guides and non-fiction books. Her writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines from coast to coast, such as the Los Angeles Times and National Geographic Adventure. Her recently published books include Great Destinations: The Four Corners Region (Countryman Press), Compass Guide: Yosemite&Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks (Fodor's), and Coastal California and California Trips (Lonely Planet Publications).

She has lived on Maui, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Oahu. Her first backpacking experience in Hawaii was at Haleakala National Park on Maui, to which she has returned countless times over the last 15 years. Sara has worked as a national park ranger and is an avid hiker everywhere she travels. For this guide, she re-hiked every trail on Maui described in this book, racking up well over 100 miles on all types of terrain, from jagged lava flows and cinder deserts to misty cloud forests and muddy waterfall paths.

Read an Excerpt

Trail 4: West Maui
Kapalua Village Trails

Trail Use: Dayhike, run, dogs allowed, permit required
Length: 3.9 miles, 1¾-21/2 hours
Vertical Feet: ±1900
Difficulty: 3
Trail Type: Semiloop
Surface Type: Paved, dirt
Start & End: N 20.99767° W 156.65327°
Features: Pond, birds, great views, steep
Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, phone, water

Home to West Maui’s most exclusive luxury resort hotels, Kapalua also has some of the island’s best-maintained paved recreational paths. Built atop a former golf course that’s slowly being returned to its natural state, these walking and running loop trails climb the hillsides for uplifting ocean views.

Best Time

The Kapalua Village Trails are open on an intermittent basis; they may be closed without notice at any time. To check if the trails are still accessible by the public, call the Kapalua Adventure Center at [phone] or check www.kapalua.com. Normally, these trails are open year-round from 7 am to sunset daily. Avoid the worst midday heat by hiking in the early morning. Visitors must check in first and sign a liability waiver inside the Kapalua Adventure Center (open 7 am to 5 pm daily) on Office Road.

Finding the Trail

From central Lahaina, drive north along the Honoapiilani Highway (Hwy. 30) for approximately 9 miles, passing Kaanapali, Honokowai, and Kahana. North of mile marker (MM) 30, turn left at the main signs into the Kapalua Resort. Follow Office Road downhill for a short distance, keeping the driving range, putting green, and golf course on your right. Turn right into the signed Kapalua Adventure Center parking lot.

Trail Description

Inside the Kapalua Adventure Center, you’ll find ice cold drinking fountains, restrooms, a cafe, and a small shop selling snacks and drinks. You must stop by the hikers’ check-in desk to sign a liability waiver (retain the yellow copy as your permit). Also pick up a free copy of Kapalua’s full-color hiking guide booklet, which contains sketch maps and descriptions of the resort’s trails. Laminate signboards are posted at major junctions along the trails. Note that this hike follows the Master Loop, which is a little more than 3 miles long, adding a detour of less than a mile around the Lake Loop.

From the back porch of the Kapalua Adventure Center, [1] which overlooks a busy golf course, walk downhill beside the driving range. The paved path, which is almost fully exposed to the sun, curves downhill around a disc golf course, and then passes through a pair of concrete tunnels [2] about 0.2 mile from your starting point. On the far side of the tunnels, veer right and start following the red arrows pointing out the Master Loop. You’ll begin climbing uphill, although not too steeply at first.

The trail’s first views of the ocean and the island of Lanai, formerly a pineapple plantation owned by the Dole Food Company, appear about 0.5 mile from your starting point. Butterflies float by in the sunshine, while birdsong can be heard coming from the shady pine trees. Don’t be surprised to find wildlife thriving here, since the Kapalua resort’s golf courses are certified as Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries.

As the paved path steepens, continue following the red arrows and keep right at all major trail junctions to stay on the Master Loop. About 0.7 mile from your starting point, you pass a mailbox and a locked gate [3] off the Honoapiilani Highway. The trail begins to ascend even more steeply, with only a little shade. The last stretch to the crest of the hill is a rather stiff climb. You may be glad to sit among the hilltop’s shady trees and rest while making the ascent.

Detour right and start following the light blue arrows around the Lake Loop, [4] about 0.7 mile long. This artificial pond, once a water hazard on the resort’s former golf course, is now home to ducks. Once you’ve completed the lollipop loop around the pond, rejoin the main trail [5] by veering right to stay on the Master Loop, marked with red arrows. As you head steeply downhill, pause every so often both to catch your breath and to soak up the panoramic ocean views, with Lanai again visible in the distance. Don’t expect much shade on this final downhill stretch, however.

Near the bottom of the hill, turn right and walk back through the concrete tunnels. Then retrace your steps beside the golf course and driving range uphill along the curving paved path that leads back to the refreshingly air-conditioned Kapalua Adventure Center. [6]

Milestones

• 1. 0.0 Start from Kapalua Adventure Center [N 20.99767°, W 156.65327°]
• 2. 0.2 Veer right after passing through concrete tunnels
• 3. 0.7 Continue past mailbox and off-highway gate [N 20.99238°, W 156.65280°]
• 4. 2.0 Detour right onto the Lake Loop
• 5. 2.6 Rejoin main trail and veer right to head downhill
• 6 3.9 Return to Kapalua Adventure Center [N 20.99767°, W 156.65327°]

Table of Contents

Maui Regional Map
Maui Trails Table

Using Top Trails
Organization of Top Trails
Choosing a Trail

Introduction to Maui
Geography
Geology
Flora
Fauna
When to Go
Trail Selection
Features & Facilities
Multiple Uses
Trail Safety
Camping, Cabins & Permits
Note from the Author

On the Trail
Have a Plan
Carry the Essentials
Useful but Less than Essential Items
Trail Etiquette

Chapter 1: West Maui
1. Olowalu Petrogyphs
2. Kaanapali Beach Walk
3. Kapalua Coastal Trail
4. Kapalua Village Trails
5. Maunalei Arboretum & Honolua Ridge
6. Mahana Ridge
7. Nakalele Blowhole
8. Ohai Trail
9. Kahekili Highway Ocean Baths
10. Waihee Ridge
11. Waihee Valley
12. Lahaina Pali

Chapter 2: Central & South Maui
13. Iao Valley
14. Kealia Pond
15. Kihei Coastal Trail
16. Wailea Beach Walk
17. Hoapili Trail

Chapter 3: East Maui & Upcountry
18. Waihou Spring
19. Twin Falls
20. Keanae Arboretum
21. Waianapanapa Coast & Caves
22. King’s Highway North
23. King’s Highway South

Chapter 4: Haleakala National Park
24. Hosmer Grove
25. Halemauu Trail to Holua
26. Halemauu Trail & Silversword Loop
27. Halemauu Trail to Paliku
28. Sliding Sands Trail to Ka Luu o ka Oo
29. Sliding Sands Trail to Kapalaoa
30. Sliding Sands Trail & Cinder Desert Loop
31. Sliding Sands Trail to Paliku
32. Sliding Sands & Halemauu Trails
33. Haleakala Grand Loop
34. Kaupo Gap
35. Skyline Trail
36. Kuloa Point Trail
37. Pipiwai Trail

Appendix 1: Top-Rated Trails
Appendix 2: Major Public Agencies & Nonprofit Organizations
Appendix 3: Maps, Books & Internet Resources
Appendix 4: Local Guides, Tour Operators & Hiking Clubs
Appendix 5: Outdoor Gear, Supplies & Food
Index
Author

Editorial Reviews

"There are loads of helpful details for hiking in Maui, all of which are well organized and easy to find!" —Paradise-Found-in-Maui.com, February 2011

From the Publisher