We know you probably don’t bike on the side of a volcano every day, so you may be wondering how intense our Haleakalā bike tour will be. Do you need to be a professional cyclist to take on the volcano? How fit should someone be to ride on the Haleakalā bike tour? Is it dangerous?

Let us reassure you that our self-paced Haleakalā bike tours are not physically intense or only for the professional cyclist. In fact, almost everyone can bike down the volcano on our tours.

Haleakala Downhill Ride Is Leisurely

Because the Haleakalā bike rides are downhill, it is a pretty leisurely bike ride. Even those who were not exceptionally physically fit have really enjoyed our bike rides down Haleakalā. We have had a 90-year-old bike rider join us as well as teens as young as 15 years old. Although you won’t have any strenuous peddling uphill, you will be biking down a mountain with curved roads, so you will need to be comfortable and experienced at riding a bike and riding a bike with hand brakes. The only other basic restrictions we have is that our bike riders not weigh more than 300 pounds and not be pregnant, and that all children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Our Downhill Tour is Self-Paced

Another aspect of our Haleakalā bike tours that makes them not intense is their self-paced nature. We give our biking guests a narrated tour as we drive you up to the staging area outside the National Park entrance of Haleakalā. From there we put you on your bikes and you have the option on our tours of staying in your own cycling comfort zone. Thus, you won’t have the pressure of trying to keep up with a group like many of the guided Haleakalā bike tours. You can ride down the volcano at your own pace and stop wherever you would like at the many great towns, restaurants, and shops along the route.

We think that this aspect of our bike tours makes them more enjoyable and more like biking at home with friends and family.

We Provide Biking Safety Gear

Are the tours dangerous? Really, the Haleakalā volcano tours are no more dangerous than any other bike ride. You do however, need to be comfortable riding a bike, be able to focus, and be able to use hand brakes. But basically this bike ride will be dangerous only if the biker decides to ride recklessly. Our highest priority is your safety, so we take great care to provide you with all the necessary safety and biking equipment, as well as guidelines and safety briefings. And, you don’t have to be completely on your own. If at any time during the bike ride you feel uncomfortable or need assistance, just give us a call and we will come to help or pick you up.

Haleakala Ride Provides Intensity… In Fun

We could say that the Haleakalā bike tour is pretty intense . . . that is when it comes to its amazing scenery. Everyone will agree that the Haleakalā bike tour is possibly the most incredible activity they’ve ever done. It’s simply unforgettable. And the beautiful countryside you’ll see on the way down is a side of Maui you can’t miss. Upcountry Maui is breathtakingly beautiful and riding down through this amazing landscape on a self-paced bike tour is thrilling and relaxing all at the same time.

Paia Bike Path – Family

8.5 miles, 120’ elevation gain (out and back)

Cruise the shoreline on a flat, paved bike path absent of motor vehicles. Fun for the whole family!

Cruise along Maui’s North Shore.

From the parking lot at Maui Sunriders Bike Shop in Paia, take a right turn onto Baldwin Avenue and head downhill through town. Hop into the left-hand turn lane, and turn left at the stoplight onto the Hana Highway. Keep your wits about you through this stretch – Paia town can be busy with traffic, particularly in the afternoon.

After about 100 yards, the buildings on your right-hand side will give way to Lower Paia Park, and, immediately following, a dirt parking lot. It’s in that parking lot that you’ll find the start of the bike path.

explore the beautiful neighborhood of Sprecklesville. 

Enjoy this mile-long stretch of beautiful pavement, entirely separated from the Hana Highway. About halfway through, the path splits. Follow the path to the right to head into Baldwin Beach Park. At Baldwin – the largest beachfront on the north shore – there are bathrooms and showers. To continue on the bike path, ride through the parking lot and back out toward the Hana Highway – you can’t miss the bike path on your right.

Continue onwards until the bike path ends at Ulupua Pl. The next mile or so of the ‘bike path’ is actually on neighborhood roads through Spreckelsville. While you’re on roads with traffic, it’s a very quiet neighborhood, and cars move slowly. While you can move right through Sprecks to reconnect onto the bike path, we encourage you to explore all these neighborhood roads – there aren’t too many, and some of the homes are beautiful! Baby beach, at the end of Kealakai Pl, is one of the best swim spots on the north shore. It’s home to a natural breakwater that creates a calm swimming pool-like stretch of ocean.

If you’re aiming to just get through Sprecks, here’s how…

As you follow the bike path past the airport, make sure to keep your bikes on the pavement. Kiawe trees are notorious in this area, and their thorns will end your ride quite quickly. If you opt to follow a side path toward the beach, please ensure you’re walking your bikes.

You’ll know when the bike path ends – the path opens up onto a road, and then there’s a gate. You can continue riding for another mile or so along Alahao St (which becomes Alahao Pl), just be aware that you are now on a road with traffic. While you could continue on into Kahului, traffic volume increases dramatically. We suggest turning around at the water treatment facility…you’ll know you’re there when it starts to smell a little funky!

Retrace your steps back to Paia town, and call it a day! 

The Triangle – Beginner

23 miles, 300’ elevation gain

One of many great Maui cycling routes.  Take mostly right turns (minimal traffic crossings!) starting and ending at Maui Sunriders Bike Shop in Kihei.

Cruise through the heart of Maui.

Start by turning right out of our Kihei shop and following the road straight. At the junction as you leave town, stay left on N Kihei Road and follow it straight. When you hit the junction with Honoapiilani Highway, turn right. After just a couple tenths of a mile, turn right again to hop onto the Kuihelani Highway. Although it’s a big highway, you do have a huge shoulder for the entirety of the next five miles!

Soak in great view of both Haleakala, and the West Maui Mountains.

You’ll enter a more congested area as you near Kahului, or ‘town’ as most locals refer to it. Fear not, all you need to do is turn right onto Maui Veterans Highway…so no crossing traffic! Once on Veterans Highway and heading south, you have the opportunity to hop onto the separate bike path, which is on the far left of the highway. Here’s the quickest and safest way to get there…

Immediately after turning right onto Maui Veterans Highway, follow the road right as it bends around and comes to the stoplight. You’re now perpendicular to the highway. When the light turns green, head straight across the highway, and turn right into the crosswalk. Follow the crosswalk, and boom – you’re on the bike path! Enjoy the next 6 miles of riding sans car traffic!

Whether you hopped on the bike path or just rode the big shoulder on the highway, you’re now back in Kihei. Hang a right onto N Kihei Rd, and then a quick left onto the familiar S Kihei Rd. Cruise about 3.5 miles oceanside through Kihei, and end your ride right where you started…Maui Sunriders Bike Shop!

The Triangle – Beginner

28 miles, 700’ elevation gain

Follow “The Triangle” roads through the center of Maui, taking mostly right turns (minimal traffic crossings!) starting and ending at Maui Sunriders Bike Shop in Paia.

Cruise through the heart of Maui.

Start by turning right out of our Paia bike shop and continue downhill to the light. Then, turn left. About a hundred yards on, you’ll see the start of the Paia bike path on your right. Feel free to hop on the bike path, or just stay on the road…you have a great shoulder! The bike path ends when you hit the Sprecklesville neighborhood. Either weave your way through the neighborhood roads or merge back onto the main road.

Follow the Hana Highway as it bears left and slightly uphill. Continue through the light. As you start a gentle descent, start looking over your shoulder.  You’ll need to cross two lanes of traffic to enter the left turn lane to turn onto Hansen road. If you time it right with the light, there will be minimal traffic behind you. If your timing is unlucky, you may have to stop and wait for a minute until traffic clears.

Soak in great view of both Haleakala, and the West Maui Mountains.

Continue on Hansen Road – through the stop sign – until it comes to an end at the Maui Veterans Highway. That big old industrial building you see? A relic of the sugar cane farming days on the island! 

Turn left with traffic onto the highway, and then enjoy a long stretch on a huge shoulder. Alternatively, at the light, you can find the start of the Maui Veterans bike path on your left. You’ll have to cross over incoming right-turning traffic to hop on the bike path. However, traffic is typically sporadic enough that you shouldn’t have to wait too long.

At the end of the highway, you’ll take a right onto North Kihei Road. If you rode the bike path, it’s likely easier to use the crosswalks at the intersection to make your way onto North Kihei Road.

Take North Kihei Road until it ends, then turn right. Now, take another near immediate right to hop onto the Kuihelani Highway. It’s busy, but there’s a great shoulder. Follow the highway back toward Kahului (it will get more congested…be ready!). At the big intersection, turn right onto the Hana Highway.

It’s now a straight shot all the way back to Paia. Turn right at the light in Paia to hop on Baldwin Ave, and then end your ride right where you started…Maui Sunriders Bike Shop!

Get CASH for your new e-bike purchase in Hawaii.

Hawaii’s e-bike cash rebate program is the incentive you’ve been waiting for to purchase your new e-bike! The state government has recognized the benefits of more electric bikes and mopeds out on the roads: less car traffic, fewer carbon emissions, and a healthier population and environment. 

Ebikes have become all the rage these days and for good reason. You can travel further, faster, and with far less effort. It’s the single most innovative change to the pedal bicycle since its invention over two hundred years ago! Those who would never consider commuting to work or school by bike due to the effort may reconsider with an e-bike.

Hawaii’s e-bike cash rebate program – ACT 306, 2022 – aims to increase the use of electric bicycles used in the islands. The state of Hawaii is offering cash rebates of up to $500 to eligible Hawaiian residents for the purchase of new electric bikes and electric mopeds. This is the incentive you’ve been waiting for to switch over to an electric bike!

The bill stipulates that a special fund will pay out $500 or 20% off the cost (whichever is lower) toward a new electric bicycle or moped. To qualify for the rebate program, one must either:

Not have a registered 4-wheel vehicle

Meaning, you DO NOT have a car or truck currently registered in your name in the state of Hawaii.

Be enrolled in school 

High school, college, or university level.

Show that they are eligible for low-income benefits

Check with the state to see if you qualify.

Any adult meeting ANY of the criteria above is eligible to apply for a rebate. The rebate covers all e-bikes that have a top speed of 28mph or lower, and all electric mopeds. Also, e-bikes and mopeds must be purchased new. Any new e-bike or electric moped purchased after July 1, 2022 is eligible for the rebate.

Again, you do not have to meet ALL of the requirements…meet just ONE of the three requirements and you’re eligible!

How do I apply for my rebate?

The most important thing you’ll need is the receipt for your new e-bike or electric moped. The receipt must be signed and dated by the seller. You will then need to reach out to the Hawaii Department of Transportation to apply for your rebate.

Again, this rebate does not apply to any used bikes. It ONLY applies to bikes purchased through a dealer.

Nakalele Blowhole Cycling Route – Intermediate

38 miles, 2,500’ elevation gain

A classic Maui cycling route from Lahaina. Ride to – and beyond – the westernmost point on Maui. Explore seaside frontage roads before getting a taste of the picturesque landscapes that characterize West Maui.

Hug the coastline around the westernmost point on Maui.

Get a taste of the awesome majesty of Maui’s rugged west coast.

Start at the Lahaina Gateway center and turn right onto the Honoapiilani Highway. Hit cruise control for the next 6 miles until reaching a left turn onto Lower Honoapiilani Road.

These next 5.8 miles will take you along the seaside frontage roads of Napili and Kapalua. A brief climb reconnects you to the highway, and beyond. If frontage roads aren’t your thing, or you’re pressed for time, you can always just follow the highway – there’s a good shoulder, and it will save you a few miles and bit of climbing!

Reconnecting onto the highway (mile 11 on our route) is the final turn you’ll make until the turnaround point. The hotels and buildings will begin to thin out and eventually disappear as the road narrows. Your adventure is about to begin!

Follow the road as it bobs and weaves it’s way along the cliffs of west Maui.

Take those hairpin turns slow! As you approach mile 19 on our route, you’ll likely see cars parked on the left side of the road. This is the parking area for the Nakalele Blowhole – an awe-inspiring natural formation that draws folks from all over the island. 

The blowhole is a hole in the lava rock connecting to an underground, partially submerged ocean cave. The cave and opening are shaped in such a way that when the ocean rises or waves crash into it, a jet of water and air is violently forced out through the hole.

It’s possible to hike down (~1.25 mile round trip) to get closer to the blowhole, but it will mean leaving your bikes in the parking lot…which we don’t recommend (particularly if their our rental bikes!). The blowhole is visible from various spots in the parking area.

Once you’ve absorbed the sights (and sounds!) of the blowhole, you’ll backtrack the way you came in and return to the Lahaina Gateway Center.