West Maui Loop Cycling – Advanced

60 miles, 4,400’ elevation gain

Circumnavigate the West Maui Mountains and hug the coastline as you round the island’s western side. Before the real adventure begins, stop for a bite to eat in Lahaina, Napili, or Kaanapali. Then, continue around the northern tip of the loop and head east. Along the way, sweeping Pacific views beckon around almost every turn as you climb and descend the West Maui cliffs. However, the road is incredibly narrow in places—sometimes just one lane—and has countless blind turns. So take it slow, soak in the scenery, and stay alert!

The RideWithGPS route below follows the loop clockwise. Therefore, the route description is based on riding in that direction.

For a counterclockwise RideWithGPS route, scroll to the end of this blog post!

Where to Start Your West Maui Bike Loop

We recommend starting in the large Foodland parking lot marked on our map because it’s relatively centrally located. From there, you’ll begin with a long, gentle descent toward Maalaea. After rounding the turn, you’ll ride a few miles of gentle rollers toward Lahaina. During the winter months, stop at McGregor Point Lookout (mile 6.2) to look for whales in the bay; sightings are common.

For the first 30 miles of the loop, you’ll ride along a busy highway. Although the shoulder is wide and the road is flat—and you may even have a tailwind—stay alert throughout this stretch.

One of the Best Stretches of the West Maui Loop

As you pass through Kapalua, the road narrows and the adventure begins. From there, you’ll wind along the island’s northwest corner, climbing and descending over remote coastal roads. In fact, most of the day’s climbing comes during this 20-mile stretch, where the rugged coastline offers breathtaking views.

At mile 43, you’ll descend into the small village of Kahakuloa. Take a break at Lorraine’s for a piece of her famous banana bread and a refill of water. Then, get ready for the day’s biggest climb: 1,200 feet over five miles, up and over a couple of ridges. Afterward, enjoy a long final descent back into Wailuku. To wrap up your ride, you’ll find plenty of spots to grab a bite downtown.