La Perouse Cycling Route – Intermediate

35 miles, 1,800’ elevation gain

An elongated version of our La Perouse – Beginner route. For those looking for a little more time in the saddle!

Ride beachside along the flat Kihei frontage road (S Kihei Rd), soaking up the ocean views on your right. While there is a bike shoulder, stay alert as it’s a busy road! About 5 miles in, you’ll cross the town line into Wailea, where gentle rollers begin. We’ve included a couple of small detours that will take you off the main road; we think it’s well worth the extra pedal strokes to explore the quiet neighborhoods of Wailea and Makena.

For this intermediate version of our La Perouse route, we’ve elongated the return journey to include some bonus miles. There are a couple of excellent points of interest that are worth a look!

Cruise out to the youngest land on Maui.

About 7 miles in, traffic thins out and the road narrows as you begin the final stretch of road out to La Perouse. You’re passing through the youngest land on the island, and home to a monument and ruins of Hawaiians who once made their home on the sharp lava rock. On the way, you’ll pass a number of excellent swimming beaches and a couple of food trucks. Great pit stops to break up the ride, or to revisit with the family!

Be aware – while all paved, the final mile of the road to La Perouse is in exceptionally poor condition. If on a road bike, we recommend turning around when the pavement quality deteriorates to avoid a VERY bumpy 2-mile out and back. But, if you’re the adventurous type (and have a spare tube!), go for it!

Take the exploratory return journey to our Kihei shop.

It’s along the return journey from La Perouse that this route diverges from the Beginner level route. Head slightly uphill to link onto the start of the Piilani Highway.

Along the Piilani Highway, we’ve included a couple of sightseeing detours. The first (mile ~19) brings you through a beautiful, quiet neighborhood on the slope of Haleakala Volcano. A short steep climb awaits, but you’ll be instantly rewarded with a fun descent back down to Piilani Highway. Speed past beautiful homes, palm trees, and catch the occasional glimpse of the Pacific in the distance.

The second detour (mile ~24) is a quick out and back up to Maui Brew Company. The huge brewery is the perfect pitstop for a cold beer in their outdoor beer garden. If you have one beer too many, a quick shortcut down E Lipoa street and then a left on S Kihei road brings you back to our shop.

A third detour at the northern end of this loop (mile ~29) brings you to Keālia Pond – a hidden wetland treasure transitioning the urban development and agriculture fields. Here, endangered Hawaiian waterbirds are protected and go about their daily activities, and are joined by migratory birds in winter.  Quiet solitude awaits those that wander and explore the wetlands.  

The protected wetland is home to the ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt) and ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot). It provides a nesting and feeding habitat for the endangered birds. In the winter months, there are over 30 species of waterfowl, shorebirds, and migratory ducks at the refuge.

A short, flat 5 miles from the wetlands brings you right back to where you started at our Kihei shop!

La Perouse Cycling Route – Beginner

22 miles, 1,200’ elevation gain

Ride beachside along the flat Kihei frontage road (S Kihei Rd), soaking up the ocean views on your right. While there is a bike shoulder, stay alert as it’s a busy road! About 5 miles in, you’ll cross the town line into Wailea, where gentle rollers begin. We’ve included a couple of small detours that will take you off the main road; we think it’s well worth the extra pedal strokes to explore the quiet neighborhoods of Wailea and Makena.

About 7 miles in, traffic thins out and the road narrows as you begin the final stretch of road out to La Perouse. You’re passing through the youngest land on the island, and home to a monument and ruins of Hawaiians who once made their home on the sharp lava rock. On the way, you’ll pass a number of excellent swimming beaches and a couple of food trucks. Great pit stops to break up the ride, or to revisit with the family!

Be aware – while all paved, the final mile of the road to La Perouse is in exceptionally poor condition. If on a road bike, we recommend turning around when the pavement quality deteriorates to avoid a VERY bumpy 2-mile out and back. But, if you’re the adventurous type (and have a spare tube!), go for it!

Retrace your steps, and you’ll end up right back at our Kihei shop!

Sea To Summint: Bike Up Haleakala Volcano (Expert)

36 miles, 10,023’ elevation gain

The climb that draws cyclists from all over the world! From sea level, climb 10,023’ over 36 paved miles to the summit of Haleakala volcano. Break through the cloud line and look down at the entire island of Maui, and peer into the crater. On a clear day from the summit, you can even catch glimpses of the 14,000’ peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa over on the Big Island!

The gradient is, on the whole, quite gentle (5-6%). There are a handful of steeper pitches around the many hairpin turns as you work your way cycling up Haleakala.

Start from the beach…

We recommend starting your climb from the parking area in Lower Paia Park. You’re right at the beach and have a clear view of the entirety of the volcano.

The first segment of the climb is the 7 miles and 1,800’ feet up to Makawao town. At the T-intersection, continue straight up the steep quarter-mile pitch (Olinda Rd). After a mile, you’ll take a right onto Hanamu Rd, directly opposite the entrance to a horse ranch.

DO NOT continue straight up Olinda Rd – you’ll climb unnecessarily for another 6 miles before the road turns around! 

After your brief reprieve from climbing while on Hanamu Rd, you’ll bear left at two consecutive forks to make your way onto the Haleakala Highway. Continue on the highway for 5 miles, through the town of Kula, and turn left at the sign for Haleakala National Park. About a quarter-mile before the turn, the Kula Marketplace can be a pit stop for a bathroom and refueling. If you’re climbing early in the morning, make sure you check their opening hours…you may pass the marketplace before they open for the day!

CYCLING UP THROUGH HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK

Once on Crater Rd, it’s 22 more miles (!) to the summit. You’ll climb past the highest residences on the island, and into open ranchland. On a clear day, the views through this section are spectacular. At 7,000’ (24.5 miles), you’ll enter Haleakala National Park. As a cyclist, it’s a $15 fee (credit card only!) to enter the park. If you have a National Parks Pass, it’s free. About a half-mile after the ticket booth, you’ll reach the visitors center. This is your last opportunity to refill water bottles – while there is a bathroom at the summit, there is no food and water!

From the visitors center, it’s another 10 miles to the summit. Make sure you climb the final half mile to the observation area…the first parking lot you come to isn’t quite at 10,000’. That last half mile is one of the steepest pitches you’ll encounter on the day…but the reward of getting to the peak is well worth it, we promise!!

West Maui Loop Cycling – Advanced

60 miles, 4,400’ elevation gain

Circumnavigate the West Maui Mountains! Hug the coastline as you round the western side of the island. Stop for a bite to eat in either Lahaina, Napili, or Kaanapali before the real adventure begins as you round the northern tip of the loop and head back eastward. Sweeping views of the Pacific beckon around almost every turn as you climb up and down the cliffs of West Maui. That said, the road is incredibly narrow at times (single lane!), and there are countless blind turns. Take it slow, soak it in, and stay alert!

Our RideWithGPS route below follows the loop in a clockwise direction. Our route description is based on following the loop this way.

Scroll to the end of this blog post to find a counterclockwise RideWithGPS route!

Where to Start Your West Maui Bike Loop:

We recommend the big parking lot at Foodland (marked on our map), as it’s relatively centrally located. Assuming you start there, you’ll start the ride with a long, gentle descent toward Maalaea. You’ll then round the turn and navigate gentle rollers for a few miles as you push on toward Lahaina. If you’re here in the winter months, be sure to stop at McGregor Point Lookout (mile 6.2). Seeing whales in the bay is almost a guaruntee!

For the first ~30 miles of this loop, you’ll be riding along a busy highway. The shoulder is wide and the road is flat (you may even have a tailwind!), but stay alert.

One of The Best Stretches Of The West Maui Loop

As you pass through Kapalua, the road will narrow…the adventure is beginning! Continue on to bob and weave your way along the northwest corner of the island. Up and down, up and down…almost all the day’s climbing happens in this upcoming 20-mile stretch. The coastal landscape on this stretch of remote road will take your breath away!

At mile 43, you’ll descend into the small village of Kahakuloa. Be sure to stop at Lorraine’s for a piece of her famous banana bread, and a refill of water. When ready, saddle up for your biggest climb of the day – 1,200’ over 5 miles up and over a couple of ridges. You’ll be rewarded with a long final descent back into Wailuku. Plenty of great spots to grab a bite to eat downtown as you wrap up the loop of a lifetime!

Cycling the East Maui Loop (Expert)

106 miles, 10,500’ elevation gain

The East Maui Loop is made up of one hundred and six miles, 10,000+ feet of climbing,  617 hairpin turns, and 59 one-lane bridges makes one full circumnavigation of the imposing Haleakala volcano!

The East Maui Loop – world-class in every sense – should only be attempted by highly experienced road cyclists. Climbs are steep and frequent, roads narrow and windy, and traffic volume can be high, particularly on the north side of the loop. That said, this is one of the most spectacularly beautiful rides we have ever experienced. Not just on this island, but anywhere. If you are a highly experienced road cyclist looking for the ride of a lifetime, this should top your list!

Our RideWithGPS route below follows the loop in a counterclockwise direction. The route description that follows is based on following the loop this way.

Scroll to the end of this blog post to find a clockwise RideWithGPS route!

EAST MAUI LOOP: WARM UP YOUR CLIMBING LEGS

We like to start this route right by our shop in Paia. Immediately, you’re faced with a 3,000’ climb up toward Kula. At about 7 miles in, you’ll pass through the cowboy town of Makawao. Turn right at the T intersection. Enjoy a brief reprieve from the uphill gradient as you follow Makawao Ave and connect to the Kula Highway. There, turn left to continue your ascent. Either stick to the Kula highway, or, at mile 11.5, turn left onto Lower Kula road for a slightly steeper (but quieter and more scenic!) two miles that run parallel to the highway.

Taking the Lower Kula Rd side quest, you’ll pop back out onto the highway after two miles. If desired, you can jump right back onto Lower Kula Rd by turning left at mile 13.7. Like before, this road will reconnect with the Kula highway at Harold W Rice Memorial Park – an excellent snack stop & photo op. The Park is the peak of your longest climb of the day – enjoy the views of the island!

Enjoy a well-earned descent!

Continuing along the Kula Highway, start your long, rolling descent back to sea level. You’ll pass Grandma’s Coffeehouse and the Ulupalakua Ranch Store over the first 8 miles of the descent. These are the last opportunities for refueling before the town of Hana (mile ~62). Check store hours and plan ahead!

After passing Maui Wine and the Ulupalakua Ranch Store (mile ~25), the road begins to narrow. Traffic volume drops dramatically, and the centerline will disappear. The real adventure is about to begin! You are entering the vast, dry backside of Haleakala Volcano. The road is smooth (mostly!), the views are epic and endless, and the turns, are tight. You’ll hit sea level around mile 40 and navigate rollers for the next 20 miles or so until Hana.

EAST MAUI LOOP PAVEMENT QUALITY DEGRADES (MILE 45-50)

Pitches are steep, the road is bumpy, potholes are frequent, and turns are tight. This is the most remote section of your day in regards to distance to food, water, and medical attention. Stay alert! While it will be bumpy, confident riders on road bikes can handle the sketchy terrain.

When you reach good quality pavement again, you’re in the final stretch toward Hana.  You’ll pass a couple of fruit stands, as well as the turn to Charles Lindbergh’s grave (mile ~51). The road continues to roll up and down alongside the ocean, and you’ll begin to turn due north as you hit the easternmost end of Maui. Be sure to stop for some food in Hana – there’s a general store, a couple of restaurants, and food trucks!

Fuel up in Hana, and prep for part two!

Once refueled and ready for part two, saddle up and continue along the Hana highway. From here, it’s about 4,200’ of climbing over 44 miles back to Paia. Stay alert – this stretch of road can be busy with lines of cars backed up behind one another on the narrow road.

If you thought the twists, turns, and rolling road that characterized the backside of Haleakala were gnarly, prepare yourself for this second half! While the road is similar, the geography in which you now find yourself is entirely different. In sharp contrast to the south side of the volcano, the north side of Haleakala is green, lush, and dense with vegetation.

FINISHING THE EAST MAUI LOOP

You’ll climb out of Hana (sea level) back up to 1,200’ or so over the first 11 or 12 miles of your return journey. Along the way, you’ll pass a number of roadside food and drink options – be sure to try some banana bread. Hana Farms is our favorite! Around mile 75, you’ll embark on a descent, steep at times, for 4 or 5 miles before the rollers return.

As you ride westward, keep your eyes to your left to catch glimpses of the dozens of waterfalls that cascade off the volcano toward the Pacific. A couple of waterfalls have swimming holes close enough to the road for a quick dip!

As you approach Twin Falls at mile 95, you’ll feel that you’re returning to civilization. The rollers continue for a few miles, but it’s a net descent from here back to Paia along the Hana highway. Congrats on wrapping up a bike ride for the ages!

Which direction should I ride?

We feel it’s better to ride this loop in the counterclockwise direction, for a couple of reasons:

REASON 1

Riding counterclockwise means you tackle the longest climb of the day right off the bat, instead of starting a 3,000’ climb 70 miles into your day!

REASON 2

You’ll start your return to Paia from Hana in the early to mid-afternoon. At that time of day, most traffic on the road is moving with you (back to Paia) instead of coming at you (toward Hana). Slightly reduces the hazard of all those hairpin turns.

REASON 3

The eastern tradewinds that Maui is famous for will likely only be a light headwind as you work your way toward Hana along the backside of Haleakala in the morning, and will then be working with you in the afternoon as you return to Paia.

Bicycling is a fun activity that is very easy for beginners to get started in and work towards growing their skills. Once individuals get very good at bicycling, there are many types and difficulties for bicyclists to enjoy. While riding bikes can be challenging, it’s also incredibly rewarding.

Bicycling as a hobby may include biking across town to do your grocery shopping or meeting up with friends. You may even try bicycling as a form of sightseeing when visiting a new place. Bicycling can also include one of our favorite activities at Maui Sun Riders, and that activity is mountain biking! 

If you’re searching for a bike friendly destination with plenty of mountain biking trails, knowledgeable local bike shops, and a community that loves bicycling, check out Maui in Hawaii!

Hawaii Biking Trails

If you love mountain biking, Maui has some of the best biking trails around the islands. Maui also offers trails for different skill levels. Both beginner mountain bikers and intermediate mountain bikers can find scenic trails that offer the perfect challenge.

Makawao Forest Reserve

At Makawao Forest Reserve, you’ll find seven trails with difficulties ranging from beginner to enduro expert! There are also three skill levels. Makawao Forest Reserve is an experience that rewards the senses. Not only is it gorgeous, but the forest smells divine due to the towering eucalyptus trees growing throughout the reserve. Some of the trails are great for all skill levels, such as the Kahakapao trail, which can go clockwise or counterclockwise.

Some trails are far better for intermediate to advanced bicyclists, such as the Pineapple Express, aka a Downhill Flow Trail. This trail was designed by mountain bikers to provide the perfect amount of flow, hence the name.

The first mountain bike single-track trail at Makawao Park is the beautiful Renegade Trail. This trail is another one that is more suitable for intermediate to advanced bicyclists.

Kula – Polipoli Springs 

Kula Forest Reserve is home to Polipoli Springs State Recreation Area and is perfect for intermediate and advanced bicyclists who want to spend a whole day exploring a scenic forest. The top of the Skyline Trail is a great place to start. Skyline Trail starts nearly 10,000 feet in elevation on the top of the volcano. This beautiful challenging descent brings you to the verdant Polipoli forest. At Kula, you’ll also find the Mamane trail, a single-track adventure that leads you to the Upper Waiohuli Trail and Upper Waiakoa Trails, which are currently under construction.

While at Kula, we recommend checking out the Boundary Trail! However, there are some areas along the trail that require you to dismount and hike your mountain bike. 

Haleakala Downhill Mountain Biking

For an exhilarating and picturesque downhill bike ride, we recommend our Downhill Haleakala Self-Guided Tour. This fun tour takes you along the back of Haleakala through the gorgeous upcountry Maui. With this special tour, our bike operators bring you up the mountain just below the entrance of Haleakala National Park and set your bikes up for you. Then you begin your self-guided descent down Haleakala enjoying the cool breeze, warm sun, and the serene smells like eucalyptus and lavender. Towards the end of your adventure, you’ll reach Paia, the beautiful town where our bike shop is located. Here, you can check out the restaurants, go shopping, and enjoy your day exploring Maui. 

Other Biking Routes

Maui’s biking scene includes more than just mountain bikers! People also love riding road bikes and e-bikes across the island! Here are a few places bicyclists love:

Kihei to La Perouse Bay

At the southern section of Maui, there is a classic cycling route that leads from Kihei to La Perouse Bay. Along this route, you can enjoy magnificent views of the ocean and even get a glimpse of the island’s last known lava flow up close.

Kula Highway to Keokea and Ulupalakua

Bicyclists can check out the upcountry cycling route from Rice Park at Kula Highway to Keokea and beyond. From there, a few minutes of pedaling will also take you to Thompson Road, which is a serene, one-lane road that always has plenty of runners and walkers. This is a nice addition to this ride, but the main part of this route is an absolute must when you visit Maui. 

North Shore Greenway

The North Shore Greenway bike path isn’t quite as rigorous as the Haleakala Volcano Bike Tour, making it ideal for families with kids and less experienced bikers. Even so, it provides a serene outdoor adventure with plenty of gorgeous sights to be seen along the way and lots of hidden beaches.

Biking Organizations

Hawaii is home to several biking organizations, representing everyone from casual bicyclists to dedicated mountain bikers. These biking organizations advocate for more laws protecting bicyclists and trails, coordinate bicycling events and races, and even raise funds for more trails.

Hawaii Bicycling League

Hawaii Bicycling League is a 501(c)3 non-profit that strives to help more people ride bicycles. They host workshops that train children to ride bicycles and offer presentations on road safety. They also host and coordinate several large events including the Honolulu Century Ride and Haleiwa Metric Century. 

Maui Bicycling League

The Maui Bicycling League is a chapter of the Hawaii Bicycling League and believes that Maui can be one of the most incredible bicycling destinations in the world. They work around the clock to advocate for better roadways and trails and promote safe bicycling opportunities for Maui bicyclists and visiting riders.

Maui Mountain Bike Coalition

The Maui Mountain Bike Coalition is a chapter of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). Together, these organizations work to build new trails and preserve current trails for mountain bikers. The Maui Mountain Bike Coalition (IMBA) and Trail Solutions collaborated to design the Pineapple Express Flow Trail at Makawao Forest Preserve. Since it was designed by biking enthusiasts, the trail is perfect for catching a flow and racing down the mountain. The Maui Mountain Bike also hosts trail maintenance and building events. Maui Mountain Bike Coalition has a sister organization in Oahu, called the Oahu Mountain Bike Coalition.

Maui Sunriders

Maui Sunriders Bike Company was established in 2001 by professional bicyclists who travel the world hosting international bike trips competing in competitions and work hard to make bicycling accessible for both beginners and advanced bicyclists who visit Maui. At Maui Sunriders, we offer a variety of bike rentals in Maui including mountain bikes (both full suspension and hardtail), aluminum and carbon road bikes, cruisers, townie cruisers, and e-bike cruisers. We are the only tour company on Maui run by professional cyclists.

For expert knowledge about Maui’s trails and premier bike rentals, look no further than Maui Sunriders.