Maui Cycling Routes

Tour of Haiku – Beginner

15 miles, 1,300’ elevation gain

A short lollipop route along the Hana Highway, highlighted by a short climb into Haiku. Cruise along a few fun miles of tight, windy rollers through the jungle before a return to Paia!

A lollipop route through the jungle town of Haiku!

Starting at our shop, take two quick rights to head east on the Hana Highway. Continue out past Ho’okipa Lookout and onwards through the sweeping S turn, where the grade turns uphill.

Next, take your first right onto Haiku Rd, which brings you into downtown Haiku. If you’re feeling hungry, there are plenty of good eats in the immediate area. Then, turn left to continue onto Haiku Rd, where the rolling, windy jungle miles begin!

At the 4-way intersection (mile 8.5 on our route), turn left downhill on E Kuiaha Rd. Take another left to get back onto the Hana Highway en route back toward Paia. Save for one quarter-mile kicker through the S-turn, it’s a net descent back to town…often, with a tailwind!

Makawao Figure 8 Cycling Route – Advanced

40 miles, 4,500’ elevation gain

Climb a third of the way up Haleakala Volcano, then loop your way back down the scenic route. Cruise through the towns of Kula, Makawao, and Haiku before finishing up your ride along the ocean as you make your way back toward Paia.

The Makawao Figure 8 Climb

Starting in Paia, aim straight up Baldwin ave for 7 miles and 1,700′ to Makawao. Continue straight through the intersection and up the steep quarter-mile pitch.

Follow the road until you turn right onto Hanamu Rd, just opposite the horse ranch. Next, bear left at each of the upcoming merges to find yourself on the Haleakala Highway. Six more miles of steady climbing brings you up to the highest point on this route – the town of Kula – at just under 4,000’. The road then crests and then starts downhill – you’ve earned it!

After two downhill miles, you’ll hit the Kula highway. Turn right, and then make a second quick right onto Lower Kula rd to continue your descent. You’re welcome to continue along the main highway, but we much prefer the quieter side roads!

If you brought lunch, the best place to stop is Harold Rice Park – the views are hard to beat. Otherwise, you’ll pass a couple of food options along Lower Kula Rd. Lower Kula Rd will merge back onto the Kula Highway before splitting off again to your right after half a mile. Hop back on the side road for another 2 miles of less traffic and better views!

For the beer drinkers out there…Mahalo Aleworks will be on your left along Aapeuo Parkway as you continue down the Kula Highway.

Descend through three iconic upcountry Maui towns

At mile 24.5 in our route, you’ll hang a right on Makawao Ave, which points you back toward the T-intersection in Makawao from your climb earlier. Either turn left to descend right back down the way you came, or follow our route for a scenic descent through our favorite roads in Haiku! 

As you descend Makawao Ave (which becomes Kaupakalua Rd), be aware that there is a very tight hairpin turn at mile 28.5! Follow along that road until taking a left onto E Kuiaha Rd. This is our personal favorite for a quiet, scenic descent through Haiku. Hang a left when that road ends at a stop sign. A couple of miles of tight, windy rollers through the jungle await, popping you out in downtown Haiku. You’ll find a couple of great food options if you need a pit stop before the final push home.

Once in Haiku town, just follow our route back down to the Hana highway, and hang a left, and enjoy the net downhill (and often, tailwind) back to Paia!

Iao Valley Cycling Route – Intermediate

28 miles, 1,800’ elevation gain

Ride a 28-mile out and back from our shop in Paia to the lush jungle of Iao Valley. Climb into the heart of the West Maui Mountains in Iao Valley. Tack on a bonus climb through a beautiful neighborhood next to Iao Valley to find sweeping views of the east side of the island.

Ride into the heart of the West Maui Mountains.

Start by following the Paia bike path westward. Six miles in, when the road ends, take a left onto Hobron Ave, followed by a quick right onto E Kaahumanu Ave. Take the next right onto Kahului Beach road and continue oceanside for a mile or so, turning left onto Kuhio Pl. As you head inland, the gradient turns slightly uphill!

Turn left onto Makaala Dr to connect onto the Kahekili Hwy. If your only goal is Iao Valley, continue straight until you take W Vineyard street on your right. Follow W Vineyard uphill and around the corner until you connect onto Iao Valley Road.

If you’d like to tack on the bonus climb into the neighborhood next to the Valley, take your first right (Kamaile St). You’ll climb for a mile and a half or so on a quiet street. Before you continue onwards and descend, be sure to soak in the stellar view of Haleakala!

The Iao Valley climb ends in the parking area of the Iao Valley State Monument. Take a minute to look back down the valley toward the ocean. Be sure to pop your head over the side to catch a glimpse of the sacred Iao River. If you’re the adventurous type, there are a few spots where one can hop into the river to refresh!

When you’re ready to descend, just follow the same road all the way out of the valley and through Kahului. If you’re hungry, stop downtown along Main St, where there are a number of good eats, before heading back toward Paia along the bike path. Hopefully, those notorious easterly headwinds aren’t too strong for your return journey!

Kihei To Paia Cycling Route – Beginner

18 miles, 300’ elevation gain

A flat, straightforward ride connecting our Maui Sunriders locations via two of the best bike paths on the island!

Cruise through the heart of the island of Maui.

Start by turning right out of our Kihei shop and following the road straight. Continue straight until you hit the Maui Veterans Highway. Once there, hop on the bike path that runs parallel to the highway and follow it until the road becomes S Puunene Ave. Continue straight onward through Kahului (the busiest section of the route – stay alert!) until the road ends at W Kaaumanu Ave.

Wait for a break in traffic, then turn right and slowly cross over the road to get into the leftmost lane. The road will split, and you’ll want to stay left! At the second stop sign, you’ll turn left onto Hobron Ave, and then take a quick right on Amala Ave. After a couple of miles, Aamala Ave ends. Continue onwards onto the Paia bike path. You’ll head east around the ocean side of the airport, and then the path continues along the Hana highway. After a few short miles, you’ll finish up in downtown Paia. 

Be sure to stop into any of the local Paia restaurants for some delicious eats! If you need suggestions, be sure to pop into our Paia shop! Our shop is located at 71 Baldwin Ave – slightly up the hill after you turn right at the stoplight downtown.

Invert this route to bring you all the way back to our Kihei location (becomes a 36-mile, 600’ elevation gain day!).

Iao Valley Cycling Route (From Kehei) – Intermediate

31 miles, 1,300’ elevation gain

A 31-mile out and back bike route from the hot beach town of Kihei to the lush jungle of the sacred Iao Valley. After the climb, enjoy a long descent before heading back to where you started!

Ride into the heart of the West Maui Mountains.

Start by turning right out of our Kihei shop. Follow that road to the junction as you leave town. Then, turn left to set off on N Kihei Rd. When you hit the junction with Honoapiilani Highway, turn right and climb the gentle gradient toward Wailuku.

The short and beautiful climb into Iao Valley starts around mile 12. You’ll be taken out of the urban landscape and straight into the jungle. The transformation of geography is abrupt and breathtaking as you make your way up into the valley. The climb ends in the parking area of the Iao Valley State Monument. Be sure to pause to soak in the view back down the valley toward the ocean. Also, make sure to pop your head over the side to catch a glimpse of the sacred Iao River. If you’re the adventurous type, there are a few spots where one can hop into the river to refresh!

After absorbing the beauty of Iao Valley, retrace your way exactly the way you came in to make your way back toward Kihei.

Feeling hungry after your Iao adventure? Continue down Main St in Wailuku. Ignore the turn we’ve designated on the route (mile 18 as you return) and roll into downtown. Pit stop at any of the great food options before continuing your journey home!

Kihei to Kula Cycling Route – Advanced

45 miles, 2,800’ elevation gain

Itching for a big climb? This route is for you! Warm up the legs by following a flat bike path into the center of the island. Then, make one right turn and embark on an 11-mile, 2,500’ foot ascent up to the mountain town of Kula. Desert turns to lush green landscapes as your elevation increases. Enjoy a well-earned descent back down the way you came. Let the easterly trade winds push you right back toward Kihei!

From the hot desert…

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…To the cool temperatures of upcountry Maui!

Once up in Kula (phew!), cross the Kula Highway to hop onto Lower Kula Road. You’ll pass a couple of restaurants on this 1.5-mile stretch. A great opportunity to refuel before embarking on the glorious descent back downhill. Follow Lower Kula Rd until the left turn onto Omaopio (Don’t continue on Lower Kula Rd…it becomes chunky gravel!). Cross back across the Kula Highway, and enjoy your well-earned descent down Omaopio Rd. You’ll rejoin Pulehu Rd, and, from there, backtrack all the way to our Kihei shop.

Make note – once you hop on the Maui Veteran Highway bike path leaving Kihei, there is no opportunity to re-up on water/nutrition until you get up to Kula. The bike path and Pulehu Rd can be very hot and windy, particularly in the middle of the day. Plan accordingly!