by Maui Sunriders | May 7, 2015 | Blog
The Maui Sunriders Haleakalā bike tour experience is a truly amazing life experience that everyone should have on their bucket list. Even if you’ve never been before, our knowledgeable guides and other friendly locals are happy to point you in the right direction and help you get the most out of your trip. To help get you started, we’ve teamed up with one of our recent Maui Sunriders adventurers, Cam, who has written more about her journey in her own blog. Read on to discover five pro tips that we’ve put together to make your Maui bike tour unforgettable!
Vans take you up Haleakalā to begin your Maui bike adventure
1. Pay Attention on the Van Ride up to the staging area at 6500′
Before your Maui downhill adventure can begin, your tour group will travel by van 25 miles up Haleakalā. During the ride, our friendly tour guides will give some fun information about the volcano as well as directions for the descent. In these peaceful hours before dawn, Cam recommends that you “try not to doze off, some instructions are important so you know how to get back to our starting point.”
2. Take Steps to Avoid Motion Sickness if Necessary
Most people will find the ascent up the mountain to be a perfectly relaxing ride, but if you are sensitive to motion, take steps in advance to keep ahead of the car sickness. Cam recommends taking motion sickness medicine and sitting closer to the front of the van if you anticipate any problems.
3. Dress in light layers for the ride and Pack Warm Clothes and Blankets if you plan to go up on your own for sunrise or sunset
For the start of the bike ride it can often be in the low-mid 60’s. If the skies are looking blue and we’re expecting sun, riders can get away with shorts and a shirt. Maui Sunriders provides wind/rain jacket and pants that will help if there is any wind, showers/rain, or simply a little chilly at the start. If the day is looking overcast or chance of showers, we recommend pants or leggings and light layers that you can remove and put in the backpack we provide for you. If your not sure what to wear – you can always bring extra layers up and if you decide that you don’t need them…you can give them to your driver/guide and the can drive them back down to the shop for you inside one of the vans.
If you plan to go up to the summit on your own for sunrise or sunset, remember that it can be very cold at before dawn and after the sunsets (below 40 degrees Fahrenheit) so pack accordingly! Bring a winter jacket and enough layers to stay warm. Maybe even bring a few extra blankets to wrap up in.
4. Take Lots of Photos, but Stay in the Moment!
Get creative with your photography! There are plenty of great angles… go wide angle, zoom into the sun, and experiment with different perspectives by taking shots close to the ground or framing other objects for reference. Whatever you do, remember to enjoy the moment and don’t stay buried behind your camera. As cam reports, “photos will never do justice, you need to see it in person yourself!”
A beautiful gazebo overlooks the gardens at the Lavender Cafe
5. Take Advantage of Places to Stop on the Way Down
You have until 3:30 p.m. to return your gear to the Maui Sunriders shop so there’s no rush! There are lots of quaint places to grab a meal with good food and spectacular scenery, and at Maui Sunriders, we provide bike locks in your backpacks so you can take advantage of many of the great spots along the way. Cam stopped at the Lavender Cafe for macadamia nut pancakes, fresh coffee, and a walk around the beautiful lavender-filled gardens. Further down the road, she also recommends a place called Komodas Bakery that offers fresh-baked donuts, as well as several farm stands along the way. Bring cash so you can take advantage of their delicious fresh fruit!
(Sunrise and gazebo photos courtesy of Cam. Read her entire blog at www.camchowda.com)
by Maui Sunriders | Apr 23, 2015 | Blog
Maui is a geological treasure trove where violent volcanic activity once birthed entire islands out of the middle of the ocean. Today, a rich ecosystem of flora and fauna live alongside hardened lava flows—some of which are estimated to be over a million years old. Over the centuries, this breathtaking landscape has inspired many traditional myths and legends featuring the demigod Maui and Haleakalā (the “house of the sun”), and it continues to draw geologists and other scientists today. Here are a few fun Haleakala facts to share with your friends on your next Haleakalā volcano tour!
A Window into the Past
Hawaii is situated near the center of the Pacific tectonic plate where weak areas in the Earth’s crust have allowed molten lava to seep through and create a chain of volcanic islands. Maui is actually one of the younger islands in the group and was born where two volcanos joined to create the “valley isle.” Haleakalā, the larger of the two, is actually estimated to have once reached up to 12,000 feet; however, millennia of erosion have worn it down to form the signature crater at it’s summit. Today, our Haleakalā volcano tours bring you and your bike to the highest point at 10,024 feet.
Haleakalā Today
Now in the 21st century, Haleakalā is not actually an extinct volcano, but merely dormant and has not seen active volcanic activity since 1790. Its calmness is actually attributed to the slow movement of the Pacific Plate, meaning that over time, the island has moved northwestward away from the volcanic “hot spot.” This movement is slow—very slow—only about 2 centimeters a year, but believe it or not, this drift gradually created a string of islands that starts from Hawaii and leads 2,500 miles towards Japan. Even now, the young island of Hawaii continues to grow; however, it’s unclear whether or not the majestic island of Maui will even see volcanic activity again. Rest assured, the volcano is closely monitored, and safety plans are in place in the unlikely event the ancient mountain should ever reawaken.
A Stairway to the Heavens
The volcano is not only a great place for biking and exploring but is also home to an astrological observatory! The same clear mountain skies that make for such beautiful sunrises on our Haleakalā volcano tours are also perfect for getting clear images of the heavens with minimal air and light pollution. At 10,000 feet above sea level, the observatory actually sits above one third of the Earth’s atmosphere—what the University of Hawaii calls “one of the most sought-after locations in the world for ground-based telescopes.” The facilities are not currently open to the public; however, their website lets you get a peak at some of their work and even view observatory webcams!
Sources:
(Haleakala Facts and geological image courtesy of the National Park Service)
(Haleakala Facts and observatory image courtesy of the USGS Haleakalā Volcano Observatory)
by Maui Sunriders | Feb 25, 2015 | Blog
The Haleakalā downhill bike tour is one of the most popular things to do in Maui for island visitors. It’s relaxing and thrilling all at the same time and offers a unique perspective of Maui, one that many visitors who stay just by the beach never get to see. But many wonder how long it takes to bike down a volcano. How many miles is the bike tour? Will the bike ride be too strenuous?
From the point where you begin your Haleakalā downhill bike ride at the staging area to our shop in Paia, the bike ride is approximately 27 miles. If you take the Haleakalā sunrise or summit bike tours, you will first be taken to the Summit of Haleakalā at an elevation of 10,023 feet to explore the Summit area and Haleakalā Crater. If you opt for the express tour, you’ll be taken directly to the staging area outside of the park at an elevation of 6,500 feet.
Is the Haleakalā downhill bike tour an intense 27-mile ride? No, because the bike ride is downhill, it is a pretty leisurely bike ride. Although this Maui volcano has an average grade of 5 percent, there are many switchbacks on the first portion of the Haleakalā downhill bike tour that eliminate any extreme steepness.
Our Haleakalā downhill bike tours are self-paced offering bikers the opportunity to take their time and stop as they want along the way. Without stopping, the bike tour takes about an hour and a half. However, many bikers prefer to stop to eat at the various restaurants along the route or sightsee and shop at the many shops and art galleries in the quaint towns on the tour.
On our sunrise tour, the average return time for bikers with a stop for breakfast is around 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. On the summit tour, the average return time including stopping for lunch and sightseeing around town on the way down is around 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. On the express tour, the average return time for bikers is around 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. including stopping for lunch and to see the town on the bike down.
Whichever you prefer, you have until 4:30 p.m. to make your way back to our shop.
Liability insurance requires that you only ride on the official Haleakalā downhill bike tour route, which ends at our shop in Paia. Biking around Paia after returning to our shop is not permitted. However, Paia and its beautiful beaches are really better experienced on foot anyway.
The self-paced nature of our Haleakalā downhill bike tour really makes it easy to ride, more enjoyable, and more family-friendly, we feel. Although a 27-mile bike ride down a dormant volcano may seem daunting, the fact that it’s a downhill bike ride and that our bike tours are self-paced provide a fun and relaxing way to see the incredibly beauty of Upcountry Maui.
(All except first photo are courtesy of PV Photography)
by Maui Sunriders | Jan 8, 2015 | Blog
You’ll no doubt have worked up an appetite after you bike the volcano. As you end your Haleakalā downhill bike tour, we’ve thrown together our list of best restaurants in Paia in addition to the terrific shopping areas this charming town has to offer.
So, if you’re looking for a great place to have a relaxing dinner, check out some of these Paia restaurants (which are in no particular order) . . .
Paia Fish Market
For delicious fish burgers, fish tacos, and other large-portioned seafood plates, Paia Fish Market is a very popular restaurant on the corner of Baldwin Ave. and Hana Highway. While not the most romantic dinner for two location with its order-at-the-counter and bench seating style, this eatery is a great place to unwind and recap your Haleakalā biking adventures in a relaxed aloha atmosphere.
Mama’s Fish House
Mama’s Fish House on the other hand is a restaurant where you can make reservations weeks in advance. This lovely eatery has picturesque views of the ocean and a unique island ambiance that draws people in from across the world. The elegant seafood dishes are as delicious as the views. However, Mama’s Fish House is a bit on the expensive side, but does serve some excellent seafood dishes along with great service.
Milagros Food Co.
For some Tex-Mex while you’re on the island, stop in at Milagros Food Company. They have a wide selection of tequila to accompany their delicious Mexican and seafood dishes.
Flatbread Company
If you’re in the mood for some tasty pizza after your Haleakalā bike tour down the volcano, try the Flatbread Company. They have gourmet pizzas and flatbreads using local ingredients along with some great salads. You may want to make a reservation though for dinner because their lines can get pretty long.
by Maui Sunriders | Jan 1, 2015 | Blog
The beautiful island of Maui has so much to offer! In addition to the unforgettable experience of a Haleakalā volcano bike tour, which we of course highly recommend, Maui boasts some absolutely picturesque hiking trails. So if you’re looking to hike in Maui after your bike tour down Haleakalā, perhaps we can make some helpful recommendations.
Hike Maui and Its Many Trails
Before we tell you about some the trails on the wonderful Valley Isle of Maui, it would be good to first mention a few basics on how to safely get the most out of any hiking adventure wherever you travel.
- Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good tread
- Wear light clothing to keep cool, but layered clothing at the Haleakalā Summit
- Use insect repellent
- Use sunscreen
- Bring a backpack with enough water and food
- Also bring a First Aid kit, flashlight, map (preferably a paper map in case you lose cell phone service), and a compass
Now on to the trails!
Haleakalā National Park
This national park covers a diverse and engaging landscape with over 30 miles of hiking trails just in the summit area. There are several trails in the Summit Area such as the Sliding Sands Trail or the Halemau’u Trail. On these trails you can see amazing views of this volcanic landscape as well as the unique wildlife found only on Haleakalā. Because of the elevation and terrain, some of these trails are not for beginners, so check with the National Park Service for more details. Weather can be pretty extreme at the summit, so be sure to wear layers of clothing.
On the other side of the park 12 miles past Hana, you can see a totally different ecosystem by hiking through a lush tropical rainforest in the Kīpahulu Area. Here the weather is usually warm and humid. Make sure to bring rain protection, sturdy close-toed shoes, and insect repellent on this gorgeously green hike. In this area of the park, you can hike to Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) on the half-mile round-trip Kuloa Point Trail, take the 4-mile round-trip Pīpīwai Trail through a freshwater stream to see gorgeous waterfalls and bamboo forests, or take the half-mile Kahakai Trail from Kuloa Pount to the Kīpahulu campground where you’ll pass by some interesting archaeological sites along with great ocean views.
‘Iao Valley State Park
Located in central Maui, the ‘Iao Valley State Park offers another beautiful hiking adventure and is home to the famous 1,200-foot Iao Needle, the “iconic green-mantled rock” towering above Iao stream. This tropical area is also an important historical area for the island.
“It was here in 1790 at the Battle of Kepaniwai that King Kamehameha I clashed with Maui’s army in his quest to unite the islands. Even with Iao Needle serving as a lookout point, Kamehameha defeated Maui’s forces in a ferocious battle that ultimately changed the course of Hawaiian history,” the Hawaii Tourism Authority noted.
This famously lush park offers a great hiking location for the whole family with a ridge-top lookout point and interactive exhibits at the Hawaii Nature Center in the park.
These are just a few of the hiking trails and day hiking trips you may want to plan after your Haleakalā volcano tour adventure. Maui has so much to see and do, even beyond the beaches and ocean activities. Explore all that this island has to offer, starting with an exciting Haleakalā sunrise volcano bike tour!
(First photo by Anna Hirsch)
(Second crater photo by Frank Kovalchek)
(Pīpīwai Trail photo by daveynin)
(Iao Needle photo by Curt Smith)
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.
