Thing To Do In Upcountry Maui

by Maui Sunriders | Dec 18, 2014 | Blog

Most people just think of Maui as miles of golden beaches filled with palm trees, surfers, and beach bums basking in the sun, and that would be a correct snapshot of the Valley Isle, but there is another totally different, but equally as beautiful side of the island – Upcountry Maui. Here, on the slopes of the Haleakalā volcano is a gorgeous countryside of rolling hills, crisp clean air, beautiful scenic views, and interesting communities brimming with character. As for things to do, there are plenty of activities for the Maui vacationer to try . . .

Paia Fish Market

Paia Town

Most would say the drive into Upcountry generally begins in the small town of Paia on the North Shore of Maui. In our quaint little town, there’s still plenty to do, especially for the avid shopper. In Paia, there are a number of little shops, boutiques, art galleries, and great restaurants in this former Hawaiian plantation village. Nearby are some awesome beaches, including the “windsurfing capital of the world,” Ho’okipa Beach. Maui’s little Paia is also where you can rent bikes to ride for the day or take a bike tour of Haleakalā volcano.

Haleakalā Sunrise Bike Tour.

Haleakalā Crater

A favorite Maui activity for many visitors is the Haleakalā sunrise bike tour. Although you don’t have to go at sunrise, most would say it’s definitely worth getting up early for and one of the most amazing sights they’ve ever seen. On our self-paced Haleakalā sunrise bike tours, guests are driven up to the summit of Haleakalā (at 10,023-ft) to watch this incredible sunrise above the clouds and see the spectacular cinder landscape that is Haleakalā Crater. Then guests are taken to the staging area at 6,500 feet where they get ready to bike down the volcano! Because our Haleakalā bike rides are self-paced, guests have the freedom to stop along the way back down at the many towns, restaurants, scenic areas, shops, and farms on the route all the way to Paia. So really, our Haleakalā bike tours allow guests to enjoy, not just one, but numerous Maui activities, all in one day – all at your own pace.

Kula Lodge & Restaurant

Kula Lodge & Restaurant

For instance, on the Haleakalā sunrise bike tour, you could stop to have lunch at the Kula Lodge. This “romantic hideaway” is the perfect spot to have gourmet pizza from their wood-burning pizza oven or take a picture amid a backdrop of blossoming protea, carnations, and other tropical flora as well as gorgeous views of the West Maui Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

Makawao – Paniolo Country, Ziplines & Pineapple Tours

Another little town you’ll visit along the Haleakalā sunrise bike tour is Makawao in what’s known here as Paniolo Country. Paniolo is the term for the “Hawaiian cowboy” and Makawao is a town where the cowboys still herd cattle on ranches and compete in real rodeos. But Makawao is also filled with interesting boutiques and is a top art destination with numerous local artists and art galleries. In Makawao, there are also zipline tours available at the Piiholo Ranch or you can take a guided Maui Pineapple Tour at the Hali’imaile Pineapple Plantation.

Ali’I Kula Lavender Farm

Kula Botanical Gardens

If you’re staying in Upcountry after your Haleakalā bike tour or want to see more in Upcountry, you might head back up to Kula for a visit to the beautiful and fragrant Ali’I Kula Lavender Farm. You can take a guided tour of the lavender farm, have a gourmet picnic, or purchase some lavender bath and body products in their shop.

Kula Botanical Garden

If you would like to see more of the tropical flora found on this dormant volcano, check out the botanical garden in Kula. You can take a self-guided tour or a guided group tour of this beautiful tropical oasis.

Maui Wine

Maui Wine & Ulupalakua Ranch

Nestled on the slopes of Haleakalā in an area known as Ulupalakua is Maui Wine, the only commercial winery on the island. On the historic site of the celebrated Rose Ranch, you can enjoy a tour and tasting of this beautiful estate and vineyard. Try some of their unique, flavorful pineapple wines like Hula O’Maui, made from locally grown Maui pineapples, as well as their grape and sparkling wines. Then, you can grab a bite to eat at the Ulupalakua Ranch Store that features fresh Maui Cattle Company beef and Ulupalakua elk burgers.

There’s so much to see and do in Upcountry that you may want to stay a few days enjoying the fresh mountain air and the variety of exciting Maui activities available here in beautiful Upcountry Maui.

Camping In Haleakala National Park

by Maui Sunriders | Dec 11, 2014 | Blog

Our self-paced Maui volcano tours offer an exceptional chance to see the summit of Haleakalā and the beauty of Upcountry Maui. If you crave even more adventure though after your Maui bike tour, then why not stay in this amazing countryside? There are a number of great camping spots in the Haleakalā National Park area. Some of these camping areas you can drive to and others require a bit of a hike. Several cabins are available for reservation and there are areas where you can camp in a tent. So if you’re wanting to explore more of the Haleakalā Crater after your Maui volcano tour, here’s some information about the campsites to help plan your stay.

MAUI Camping in Haleakala National Park

In Haleakalā National Park, there are two car accessible campgrounds. Hosmer Grove is in the summit area just below the 7,000-foot level in the cloud belt. There is a self-guided nature trail that begins and ends at the campground if you want to venture further into this beautiful landscape. As the National Park Service (NPS) notes, the weather can be cold and rainy here, even dropping to near freezing at night and get to around 50-65 degrees during the day. Hosmer Grove only has picnic tables, barbecue grills, pit toilets, and drinking water. Kīpahulu campground is closer to Hana about 1/8 mile south of the Kīpahulu Visitor Center and just a short walk from ʻOheʻo Gulch on the east side of the island. This campground overlooks ocean cliffs. Although the campground has picnic tables, grills, and pit toilets, there is no water available here. The NPS has drinking water available at the Kīpahulu Visitor Center.

StarGaze When Camping In Maui

Although you may have seen the incredible sunrise of Haleakalā on your bike tour, camping out in the summit district of Haleakalā National Park will give you the opportunity to also see the amazing night sky atop this volcano. The summit of Haleakalā is known as one of the best places in the world for stargazing.

In addition to biking, many who take the Maui volcano tour also love to hike. So, for those who enjoy backpacking and really want to explore the various volcanic landscapes of Haleakalā up close, there are cabins and campsites that require a hike through the Wilderness Area of Haleakalā. Three cabins are available in the Haleakalā Wilderness – Hōlua, Kapalaoa, and Palikū. The closest of the three, Hōlua Cabin, is accessed by a 3.7 mile hike on the Halemauʻu Trail. These quaint historic cabins have limited amenities like a propane stove, dishes, 12 padded bunks, pit toilets, and water that requires filtering before use, but no electricity. These cabins do go fast, so you will need to make a reservation, possibly a few months in advance. At Hōlua and Palikū, there are also campsites available. As the NPS noted, the Wilderness Area has unpredictable weather, at times steep hiking trails, and loose cinder or rock terrain, so caution and experience is needed when hiking or staying in these areas. Please see the NPS website for more information about the cabins and campsites and any permit requirements.

Camp Grounds Or Cabins In Maui

The Hawaii State Parks association also offers two camping and cabin areas on Maui. On the slopes of Haleakalā, Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area is home to a single cabin available for rent as well as tent camping sites. Polipoli Spring is about 10 miles upland from Kula on Waipoli Road. (A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for getting here.) This camping area is in the “fog belt” of the Kula Forest Reserve at an elevation of 6,200 feet with views of Central and West Maui, Kaho’olawe, Moloka’i and Lana’i in clear weather. There are restrooms and trash cans at the campsite, but no drinking water or campground showers. Along the “volcanic coastline” of Hana, the Wai‘anapanapa State Park offers camping and cabin lodging with outdoor showers, drinking water, trash receptacles, and restrooms. Visit the Hawaii State Parks website for more information about these camping areas.

So what do you think? Are you up for a little more adventure, off the beaten path? If you love the outdoors and want to experience even more of Haleakalā’s wilderness after your Maui volcano tour, these great camping and lodging areas can give you, as Hawaii State Parks noted, “solitude and respite from urban life.”

(First photo “Stars Above Haleakalā” Photo by thedaintyheart via Flickr)

(Cabin photos via NPS)