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.

Are you planning a cycling trip to Maui any time soon? The fabulous Hawaiian destination is an excellent area for bikers, with many fascinating biking trails to explore. Whether you are bringing your bike with you or renting a bike in Maui, you will find Maui to be the ideal spot for leisure, exploration, and adventure on two wheels. 

Where to start? With so many exciting biking trails to traverse, it can be a pleasant challenge to decide where to begin. You probably won’t have time to take in all the sights, so it would be best to make a shortlist of the best Maui biking trails and plan your expedition accordingly. 

Here we provide a rundown of some of the best biking trails in Maui so that you can make a more informed decision. Check them out! 

The Haleakala Volcano Bike Tour 

First up–and highly recommended–is the Haleakala Volcano Bike Tour. This tour starts at 6500 vertical feet, just before the Haleakala National Park Entrance (no bike tour operators are allowed to operate in the national park) and the ride finishes in Paia, 24 miles later. Altogether, this self-guided bike tour covers approximately 24 miles and will take from one hour to four hours. 

Bike tours are not allowed to operate in Haleakala national park. Instead, this tour begins just before the national park and gives a beautiful ride of upcountry Maui. This tour is possibly the best way to enjoy the most gorgeous sights that Maui offers. The descent will take 1-4 hours because people will usually stop along the picturesque up-country areas, fruit stands, and shops. The drive to 6500 feet takes 45 minutes through upcountry Maui for your once-in-a lifetime descent down haleakala. 

In any case, the effort to get to the top after your bike ride will be well worth it. It’s a 1 and a half hour drive to the summit from Paia, which we recommend after the bike tour, so you can view the magnificent sunset, because they are better than the sunrises.  No reservations needed after 7am to enter the park and the current entry fee is $30 per car. The summit offers an excellent vantage point from which to enjoy the sunset and locals will tell you sunset is far superior. Plus, you get a commanding view of the magnificent terrain for miles around. 

Kula Forest Reserve Polipoli Bike Trails

Just a 45 minute drive from the bike shop in Paia, you’ll find Kula Forest. This park is best for intermediate to advanced bicyclists and is not a beginner-friendly park. We recommend starting with the Mamane Trail. The Mamane Trail is a beautiful piece of single track through the pine forest in upcountry Maui. Mamane Trail also leads you to Upper Waiohuli Trail and Upper Waiakoa Trail. Currently, those two trails are under construction, but provide access to the Waiakoa Loop Trail on the way down. We are hoping that those will be done in 2021 or 2022. An additional option to add more riding in after Mamane is the Waiakoa Loop Trail on the way down. 

Skyline Trail – This adventure starts at nearly 10k feet in elevation at top of the volcano and finishes in the lush Polipoli forest. Skyline Trail makes you feel like you can see for miles and miles off the edge of the volcano as well as multiple surrounding islands. The first part of the Skyline Trail is a six mile long fire road. Soon you’ll find Mamane Trail, which will offer a great single-track option on the way down that we highly recommend you ride. After the Mamane Trail, you could add on the Waiakoa Loop Trail if you have enough energy, or descend the paved road back down to Rice Park for your shuttle pick up. Please note, the Skyline Trail is mostly 2-track fire road with loose volcanic rock for the majority of the ride so use caution when descending.

In Kula Forest Reserve, you also have the option of trying Boundary Trail but be warned, some areas require dismounting the bike and hiking. This is a more advanced trail.

Makawao Forest Reserve Trails

Mountain biking is an excellent way to explore an area and truly immerse yourself in nature. At Makawao Forest Reserve, it’s a scenic trail for the senses. The trail begins in the eucalyptus forest and the calming aroma of eucalyptus is everywhere.

The Makawao Forest Reserve is about a 25-minute drive from the bike shop in Paia and is a bucket list experience for mountain biking enthusiasts. You’ll likely start with the 5.5 Kahakapao Loop Trail as it leads into the other trails in Makawao Forest Reserve. Kahakapao is a great trail for all levels.

At Maui Sun Riders, we recommend checking out the 2.1 mile Pineapple Express Trail. This exciting trail is the main one that serious mountain bikers visit Makawao Forest for. The Pineapple Express Trail is a flow trail built by the Maui Mountain Bike Coalition in partnership with the International Mountain Bike Association. The International Mountain Bike Association has chapters all over the world and helps build mountain biking trails. The downhill Pineapple Express trail is best for intermediate to advanced mountain bikers.

Makawao Forest Reserve also has a track toward the end of the trail for people to ride along and do tricks.

Maui: Home To The Best Biking Trails

Maui is truly a vacation wonderland in more ways than one. Cycling through the island provides excellent opportunities to take in the sights, the sounds, the smells, and the local culture that you wouldn’t experience otherwise. If you want to get a taste of the uniquely Maui experience, check out its many magnificent biking trails!

Visit Maui Sunriders for Maui’s Premier Bike Rentals

At Maui Sun Riders we offer a brand new Fleet of rental bikes on Maui.  Our shop,  located in Paia,  is your destination for finding full suspension, hardtail, e-bikes, 3-speeds, single-speeds, and other bikes. Our family-owned bike shop is staffed with some of Maui’s best cyclists and biking enthusiasts and we are excited to help you find Maui’s best biking trails and the perfect bike to explore them.

Are you planning a trip to Haleakala National Park? Or maybe you are thinking of heading up Haleakala to catch a view of the marvelous sunset? You are in good company! The park attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world annually, many of whom are drawn to the awe-inspiring sunrise and sunset views. 

Read on for some essential information on entering the Haleakala National Park. 

Haleakala Reservation Details 

So can you enter Haleakala National Park without a reservation? The short answer is: “yes”. You can head straight to the park without prior arrangements and have access to most of the facilities throughout most of the day.

That being said, you will need to make a reservation if you want to enter the park between 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. This is when the park welcomes the early morning crowds that are eager to catch the spectacular Haleakala sunrise. The sunrise–and sunset–views are, in fact, among the biggest attractions in Haleakala National Park. 

Visitors are limited to a single-vehicle reservation within a three-day period. Reservations are granted per vehicle and are required for all vehicles entering the park between the times mentioned above. If you don’t have a reservation for your car, you can enter the park only after 7:00 a.m. 

The reservation requirements apply to all non-commercial vehicles entering the parking lots at the park’s four highest elevations: the Summit, the Haleakala Visitor Center, Kalahaku, and Leleiwi. 

Reservation tickets will have to be produced for all vehicles entering the areas mentioned above. The person who made the reservation will have to be part of the group in the vehicle and present identification that matches their name on the ticket. 

Keep in mind that reservation tickets for Haleakala Summit Sunrise viewing aren’t available at the park or the entrance to the summit. If you wish to gain entry to the park to view the sunrise, the only way to get a ticket is to make a reservation beforehand. 

On April 7, 2021, park administrators began allowing visitors to make reservations up to 60 days in advance.  

We also recommend looking into visiting the park around sunset. No reservations are needed to go to Haleakala to watch the sunset.

Haleakala Sunrise Reservation and Entrance Fees

The reservation fee for Haleakala Summit Sunrise viewing is $1.50 per vehicle. This fee is non-refundable and cancelations are not accepted regardless of the weather conditions. Reservations are available throughout the year. 

Apart from the reservation fee, you will also have to pay the entrance fee to the park. Credit cards are accepted, and it is advisable to choose this payment option to reduce the waiting time at the entrance. 

You could also enter the park by presenting any of the following passes: Annual, Senior, and Access. Most other interagency passes will be accepted as well, including the Annual Hawaii Tri-Park pass. 

Discounts are not available for sunrise reservations. If you do use any of the passes mentioned above, you will be asked to present a photo ID. 

Other Haleakala Visiting Arrangements 

Upon entry to the Haleakala National Park, you have to present your reservation ticket or confirmation email. You will also be requested to provide a photo ID with the name matching the reservation ticket. 

Keep in mind that reservations do not include parking at a specific spot in the parking lot. Instead, park staff will direct you to the nearest available parking space. 

Making the most of Haleakala National Park

As you can see, entry requirements to Haleakala National Park are pretty straightforward. While it is possible to enjoy the park at any time of day without a reservation, making a reservation is essential for enjoying what is arguably the park’s main attraction. However, any local will tell you that the Haleakala sunset is far better than sunrise. It’s warmer, doesn’t require a reservation, and you can hike for a bit before watching the sunset.  

As with any other tourist spot, it is always a good idea to plan ahead and consider the time of year. Haleakala National Park attracts plenty of visitors throughout the year, but summer and holidays can be especially crowded. 

During these times, it would be wise to make your reservations well in advance. Remember that you can now reserve a slot up to 60 days before you are planning to visit. 

Don’t wait until the last minute to make a reservation. Book early, give yourself plenty of time to get there, and don’t forget your reservation ticket and photo ID. Follow these tips, and you should have no trouble getting in and enjoying the majestic sunrise and sunset views that Haleakala is known for.

Haleakala sunsets and sunrises are breathtaking experiences, but they aren’t the only lifetime memories Haleakala offers its visitors. Experience the most out of it with a self-paced Haleakala downhill bike ride!