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!

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!