5. TRAVEL TIP: If you would prefer to follow along to an audio tour I recommend the Shaka Guide! The Signs of fear are an elevated heart rate, sweaty palms, increased alertness, and a sense of dread and fear. The Road to Hana is a 64 mile stretch of road that starts in Kahului and ends at Kpahulu. Theyll give you the very best prices, you dont have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. That said, of course DO take care while you are driving the Road to Hana! The Oheo Poolsare a tier of waterfalls that flow into pools and eventually into the ocean. One of the leading causes of accidental deaths anywhere in the world is Road Traffic Accidents. Heres the thingthis isnt Disney World. MAUI It's a well paved road, but you do need to keep your wits about you when you drive it because of the many sharp curves and one-lane bridges. Starting your journey to Hana on this side is a great way toexperience this side ofHaleakala volcano. We will land in the morning, rent a car, check out the western part of the island, and head to Hana in the afternoon. And we have some questions that we're hoping you lovely folk can help answer: The Jungle Canopy envelopes the road leading to mild claustrophobia and an uncomfortable sense of being consumed. WYOMING Whatever you have to say just drop us a comment below. On average, that's one bend every 176 yards. The Single file traffic is easily regulated with simple give way systems and you just wait your turn at the give says one each side of the bridge until it is your turn to cross. Well sure, there was that one time where I encountered a truck on a more narrow and winding part of the Hana Highway that made my heart skip a beat. But still, people fear the road and take the I survived the Road To Hana T-Shirts Seriously. Take a van or coach tour Having an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver/guide is really the best way to see Hana. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. But heres the thingits still not really unpleasant unless you know what it used to be like before there was the surge in tourists. If youve narrowed down the area of the island you want to stay, but need help picking a specific hotel, read these posts about where to stay in Wailea, Kihei, Kaanapali, Lahaina and Kapalua, and Hana. Also, if you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). Other parts get windy and are on a side of a cliff. So if the Road is not particularly dangerous, or even that scary why does it have such a fearsome reputation, and why are so many terrified of the road? I carry AAA independently (plus my auto insurance and credit card cover this) so I always decline all extra insurance. The Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park is past Hana town and well worth the additional drive. Anytime you start toward Hana after lunch you will start meet cars headed toward you and that will slow you down on the 59 one way bridges. It is such a unique and wonderful Road through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. The Numbers really do not match the roads reputation. It was ok, not really our thing. Bug Spray - Mosquitos love Hana tourists. Know that theres a possibility that youll have to reverse if a car is coming in the opposite direction. A lot of locals go off the road in there even and die. Need to stay under a fixed budget? Expect scenic views, volcanic structures and the sweet taste of freedom. Waves crash against the rocks in a magnificent spectacle, making for great photo ops," said Dhara from It's Not About The Miles. What did you do to mitigate them? GRAND TETON WY Try to leave Paia by 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. and plan on being back in Paia before dark. If you need proof, the best stops on the Road to Hana, which include vibrant beaches, lush rain forests, and cascading waterfalls, attract about 400,000 visitors each year. Snorkeling at Molokini is one of the best things to do in Kihei. Everything You Need to Know About Dining in San Diego. Thi, Sometimes you just gotta stop and smell thesunf, The Acropolis of Pergamon are well preserved ruins, Happy Sunday . 3 Bears Upper Waikani Falls (MM 19) Another quick stop on the side of the road a must stop on the road to hana. The Road to Hana is by its very nature one of the most dangerous things you will do on your Maui Vacation! The offer free wine tastings and are known for their pineapple wine. If we arrive at the airport at 10am, you would suggest to simply start driving out east to Nahiku and not see the west at all? Locals can be a problem as they are generally a lot more confident on the road and view the tourist as a major inconvenience. 808/572-1693), a good stop for drinks or snacks for the ride. The Road to Hana (aka the Hana Highway) does not dead-end, so instead of turning around, it is possible to keep driving. The most iconic part of Bayburt-of Road is called Dereba Turns. There is almost nothing about the drive that causes anxiety in us. It won't take you 5 hours to get to Hana either. Next on the left side of the road perched on a hill, youll see a little shop with several potted plants and such. more! Click here to search for Maui vacation rentals for your trip. Yum! While most of the road has been repaved in the last twenty years, Hawaii Route 200 still has a dangerous reputation. It takes anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to complete depending how long you stop and take it in. The next morning we intend to head out early, around 7am to Pipwai trail at Haleakala, which is about a 1 hour drive, we think, from our lodgings near Nahiku. Make sure your partner is aware of your fears and explain they may not be entirely rational but still real. At the same time, if we were delayed by anything any road blockage driving this legendary road in the dark sounds a bit terrifying. Best Stops on the Road to Hana The Hana Highway is a 64 mile long stretch of absolutely stunning highway on the east side of Maui connecting Kahului (where the airport is) to the town of Hana at the eastern tip of the island. As always, I would never recommend a product or service that I didn't truely believe in. 6) I am not a daredevil but I'm a careful driver who has never been in an accident in 32 yrs of driving due to being defensive and aware on the road. We would love to hear from those who braved the road though. . The main part of the Road to Hana which is not particularly dangerous means the drive that most people do. ARIZONA Mostly this stems from rumors (I like to call it an urban legend, hmm maybe Ill call it a jungle legend lol) about it being illegal to take rental cars back this way. If you get above 30 mph you are doing well! You really should be more fearful driving to the airport or shipping in Walmart, are you going to buy an I Survived Wallmart Kahului?. 'Death Road', Bolivia Officially known as North Yungas Road, this route usually goes by its more ominous moniker. A very anxious and scared driver is a dangerous one. Most folks begin their road to Hana drive from the town Paia on Highway 36 which ends after mile marker 16. We personally have no issues at all but the fear is very real in many people and cant be dismissed. 10) Lastly, is it wiser to hire a local driver to pick us up and drop us off at each location? Pretty much everybody and their dog knows about driving the Road to Hana on Maui. If you take the road past Oheo Gulch (Seven Pools) and past Lindbergh's grave and continue around the south side of Maui to go all the way around, you will have to drive on about 5 miles of unpaved dirt and gravel road. Also through yourself into the Navigation. Maybe at one point that was true, but I dont really think it is anymore. If your other half wants to drive the road then a tour is not a good compromise. You want to go back the way you came, most likely, rather than going around the back way. Four wheel drive is 100% NOT necessary for driving the backside of Hana. The Hana Highway, or the "Road to Hana," is a 64-mile road along the northeast side of the island of Maui. #travelp. Okay, once you pass this portion (the first 3-5 miles past Kipahulu), the road clears up nicely into a wide open terrain. The southern route will save at the most 20 minutes off your drive. We did the Road many years ago when it was more of a cow path. If you leave Paia by 8AM (and hey earlier is even better), I promise you that youll be ahead of 90% of the people planning to drive to Hana that day. It's one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Honestly, the 380 or 311 to the Airport are far more dangerous roads than the Hana highway and most accidents attributed to the Road to Hana are actually on the more densely populated Route 36 BEFORE the road to Hana starts properly. Eventually, the Hana Highway turns into the Piilani Highway. Pullover for quicker drivers, Take the widest line on blind corners, Give way on the single-lane sections if you are not sure others will. Is the Road to Hana Worth it? Heres my best tip for driving past Hana: always try to follow a car in front of you. Re: Road to Hana - ACTUALLY dangerous or just kind of scary? In some ways, winding roads are beautiful and make for a peaceful drive while road tripping. Speeding on the road to Hana is super dangerous and you might also have to deal with slow vehicles: spend one night in Hana in stead than rushing your visit! You are able to drive down the road to see the church up close or there is a viewpoint that overlooks the church on the bay after the bend in the road. If you're leaving from Kaanapali and planning on a one-hour stop en route, yes, 5 hours to Hana. BADLANDS SD The Road to Hana actually goes beyond the town of Hana, all the way to Haleakala National Park. And if youre driving clockwise around the island, you will need to yield to them since theyre on the outside lane (which means you have the inside lane and it feels MUCH safer). Your support really helps me keep this blog running! And to finish with my most solid argumentif a big tour bus can drive the backroad to Hana, so can you ; ). Hwy 1 is typically straight, and because of this, drivers feel justified in driving at breakneck speeds. The southern part of the highway connects Miami with the Florida Keys by miles of bridges. How necessary is it to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle for this drive? . If the Road the Hana is proving scary, that Back route will scare the Bejebous out of you! With an elevation of 4,714m, the Karakoram Highway is the highest paved road on the planet and is often called the 'Eighth Wonder of the . As always, I would never recommend a product or service that I didn't truely believe in. These activities past Hana town will still be considered Road to Hana activities since people typically do them as a part of their Road to Hana trip! The bridge was completed in 1926 and is one of the 80 Hana . I probably would not go to West (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? As we made our way along the southern coast of Maui, we found the scenery to be beautiful and varied. Also to note, the Hawaii tourism people do encourage you to do a Road to Hana tour because of the potential dangers of the Road to Hana. The Road to Hana is said to be one of the most dangerous roads in the world. And yes, I have driven the Road to Hana in reverse, but really only because I used to live upcountry in Kula and it was the quicker way to get to Hana from my house. The Shaka guide tours are great for independent explorers who want the freedom to explore on their own terms, but like to learn about the spots theyre visiting. It's very isolated, no cell service and prohibited by all the major (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? And please share my account with your friends that are headed to Hawaii! Is safety as big a concern as some say or is it mostly just up to how nervous or confident a driver is? You have tried and that is all anyone can ask, but if its too much head back. Road to Hana. This part of Maui is known as Upcountry. Finally, the highlight of the back road to Hana is the Kipahulu entrance to Haleakala National Park. Distraction is a great way to keep the fear at bay. Any single track bridges or narrow one-car sections are marked with Give-way signs and road marking. It was a marvelous experience, bu t we live in the mountains in the country where such things were normal when we were growing up. Hiking Shoes - If you want to hike. It's windy contains 65 hairpin switchbacks, 600 sharp turns, and 59 one-lane bridges. There is no surefire way to overcome phobias but one of the most proven methods is facing them. Paia is a small, laid back town on the Northshore of Maui. We know simply by writing this some people will be up in arms at us stating the road is just a road and is nothing to fear. Every time we come we think we will skip it this time, but instead find some reason to make the pilgrimage. SNORKELING SHIRTS The road to Hana is composed of three different roads highways 36, 360 and 31. And it truly is fabulous. It wouldnt be fun to do that on the front side with all the traffic and narrow winding roads! paia town. Quite a few people continue on past Hana to the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park where youll find the Oheo Gulch (aka Seven Sacred Pools) and the Pipiwai Trailhead. This is one of the best things to do in Maui on a budget. I say if youre brave enough to get to Hana and Kipahulu, you might as well go the whole way around! For about 20 miles (32 km) between Wailuku and Kapalua, you need to navigate rocks on one side and steep cliffs on the other. Dont miss some of my most popular (and favorite) posts about Maui: my Maui favorites, the best Maui itinerary, how many days to spend on Maui, Maui vs Kauai, where to see turtles on Maui, my favorite road to Hana itinerary, guide for sunrise at Haleakala National Park, how to bike down Mauis volcano, my review of the Maui Pineapple Tour, 20 of the best adventure activities on Maui, 5 Maui day trips, and the best things to do on a Maui honeymoon. There is no beach, but the rocky coastline is spectacular as far as scenery goes. (This is to say, they will say if something is scary, and the back road to Hana was not, to them.). The next and last stop until you get to Ulupalakua (Maui Wine and the Ranch Store) is the Kaupo Store. Hanawi Falls is located right after Mile Marker 24 on the Road to Hana. This is great to know thanks. WIND CAVE SD Also you can't enter the Park to hike the Pipiwai Trail until 9 am. ANSWER. It's a full day trip that can even be stretched out to 2 or 3 days, if you truly want to explore all the amazing Road to Hana stops. Am I missing something youre trying to tell me? Travel to or from the region of Hana to any other major population center takes several hours by car. Here they sell fresh fruits, smoothies and coffees all grown locally on their farm. Maui Tourism Guide Our Guide to Travel and Tourism on Maui Hawaii, Maui, Hawaii Attractions All the Best Things to do in Maui, Hawaii, Best Place to Stay on Maui, Hawaii Our Guide on Where to Stay in Maui, Hawaii. Preparation is an important part of safety, so make sure to plan your Road to Hana tour ahead of time. But it comes with risks and possibly some stress. Besides the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, this really is the crown jewel of the Road to Hana. When driving the Highway, We tend to be calm as Hindu cows. These Rickety looking relics strike fear into many peoples hearts as they meet traffic head-on with no passing place and drops either side. For most of the drive, a very narrow road winds through lush, green forests. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114352716', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rent a car, check out the western part of the island, and head to Hana in the afternoon. THEODORE ROOSEVELT ND Mmmmkay, If you think any rental car company is going to come get you if you have a problem ANYWHERE, you have more faith in them than me. Dont miss it! Bring ones you don't mind getting muddy. This part of Maui is known as Upcountry. What is it about the road that strikes terror into your heart? UTAH How long does it take to drive to Hana backside? Minuses: The road becomes rough for portions and rental car companies say "you're on your . One of the best places to view Hanawi Falls is from the Hanawi Falls Bridge. HALEAKALA HI When the drop off is only 5-10 feet below, its nowhere near as intense feeling as when its several hundred feet along the north shore (even though its two lanes). **Paia Historic Town. Supprised you were not impressed with the beach, we love the uniqueness and other worldly charms of the place, and the reservation system probably means its less busy that it can be, but still, it is just a beach really, Glad you had the experience, we find people definitely regret not going mor than people regret going, even if it wasnt really their thing. The sheer remoteness of the area also plays on the mind. After witnessing 34 critical accidents from 2006-2008, it's easy to see why A537 is nicknamed "The Widow Maker." But having an accident and being stuck out in the jungle is a real Vacation Wrecker! **Ho'okipa Beach Park. Peru is a destination for nature lovers, hist, Hiking in and out of Haleakala Crater on Maui is o, Sunset state of mind . . While to fully overcome the fear requires repeated exposure we find with the right attitude, a good amount of care and respect for the road, and a little can-do attitude many people find the Road FAR less intimidating than they originally feared. As you continue driving down the Piilani Highway youll come up on some old homes and a bunch of run down old cars. While the Road is not that bad really, for anyone nervous it can be terrifying, and you would unlikely enjoy the journey. They are indeed blind corners (you cant see if anyone is coming around the other side), but its not actually that scary. 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