TSA lines have been very long. While to fully overcome the fear requires repeated exposure we find with the right attitude, a good amount of care and respect for the road, and a little can-do attitude many people find the Road FAR less intimidating than they originally feared. The 3-5 miles just past Kipahulu (the National Park, AKA Seven Sacred Pools) are the worst, but its not unlike the last few miles leading up to Kipahulu on the other side (past Hana coming into the National Park). MICHIGAN However, it also comes with a fearsome reputation, and strikes fear into the hearts of many. Attracted by the popularized Road to Hana, day-trippers begin to flood in by midday. And if you just want more details (more! It only costs a donation and just remember you are off-the-beaten path Maui so dont expect much. Get on my Email list to see what Im up to and all the best travel content! Our guide had lots of experience in driving to Hana via the southern route, thus making it much safer compared to attempting it on our own! We know for most people the Hana Highway is fine. If you havent already, you will soon understand why thisis a perfect spot for them. If your other half wants to drive the road then a tour is not a good compromise. Certainly not for tourists. From the grounds you can get a great view of kaupo gap. Distraction is a great way to keep the fear at bay. The road to Hana is one of Maui's two most famous sights. What makes this drive so special? It really is a unique experience, its totally different in the rain too, hopefully the waterfalls were in full flow they can dry up a little in the summer. This snake-like road is 52 miles (84 km) long and runs from Kahului to Hana. The biggest mistake most people make when visiting Hana is trying to do it all in one day. There are quite a few places to stop to eat now, and quite a few restrooms now, What to Eat at Universal Studios, Hollywood, Chicago, Illinois Visitors Guide Basics. Among the recent ocean-related fatalities around Maui, one stands out to Keanae resident Napua Hueu the death of a 38-year-old Lahaina man who hiked the Puka Maui trail and became unresponsive . WHAT TO WEAR HIKING, 2023 Flashpacking America | US outdoor travel blog, Road to Hana tour reviews on getyourguide, swim shirts with UV protection like these, Why a personal swim buoy is an essential for snorkeling and swimming in the ocean. **Mama's Fish House. EVERGLADES FL 7) I hear it's a far worse drive when it rains - are roads likely to be washed out in early August? The backside of Hana has some one lane graded dirt roads and rusty guardrails so the drive requires extra caution. Risks include tow trucks that take a long time and costs lots of money. Subscribe for Hawaii Travel Tips, my Latest Content and Much More. Hana Highway, also known as the Road to Hana, runs for more than 64 miles along state Highways 360 and 36, connecting Hana in east Maui with Kahului. What did you do to mitigate them? We do not think so. Shortly after the ranch store is Mauis only winery. Before I go onif you want to read my other Road to Hana posts, you can find them here: MY favorite Road to Hana itinerary, tips for driving the Road to Hana, and where to stay in Hana (in case you decide you want to spend the night). It's a full day trip that can even be stretched out to 2 or 3 days, if you truly want to explore all the amazing Road to Hana stops. The Majority of the road is one-lane each way, although the road regularly drops down to one way for BOTH directions. But in general, I did not think the Road to Hana was dangerous or scary. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114353051', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rental car companies. It REALLY isnt a bad road. However, the bridges are regularly inspected and are perfectly safe for light traffic. * *The final 5 stops are on the natural route along the Hana Hwy, but come prior to Mile Marker 0 *. Any single track bridges or narrow one-car sections are marked with Give-way signs and road marking. Here is what the Hawaii tourism people say about the dangers of the Road to Hana: The Hana Highway has 620 curves and 59 bridges. That said, of course DO take care while you are driving the Road to Hana! Road to Hana. Driving the backside voids your rental car contract. NATIONAL LAKESHORES Finally Know your limits. Maui Tourism Guide Our Guide to Travel and Tourism on Maui Hawaii, Maui, Hawaii Attractions All the Best Things to do in Maui, Hawaii, Best Place to Stay on Maui, Hawaii Our Guide on Where to Stay in Maui, Hawaii. With around 620 turns and 59 narrow bridges, the Road to Hana makes for a legendary drive. Another beautiful coastal church on the back way to Hana drive is Huialoha Church. The road is endlessly winding and many corners are seriously blind. **Ho'okipa Beach Park. 13 years ago Save IMHO, it's neither dangerous nor scary. Our Hawaiian Food Guide to Hawaiis Must Try Foods, Best Beaches in Maui, Hawaii Our Ultimate Maui Beach Guide, How To Visit Maui on a Budget Saving money on your Maui, Hawaii Vacation. If you are still undecided about whether or not you want to drive the Road to Hana on your own, there are Road to Hana tours. So when you see a car coming, yield and pull over even if theyre a ways away. In ancient times most of the Hawaiians lived in this area opposed to current day West Maui or South Maui. We respect your privacy. You can drive the road to Hana yourself, or take a tour in a van . You have the option of walking down to get much closer to the falls, but with the car situation not preferable, we chose not to. And we have some questions that we're hoping you lovely folk can help answer: We're planning to drive from Kanapali Beach to Hana about 3pm on Aug 7th, to arrive around 6pm at our lodgings in Hana. This is a way to beat the crowds and still be able to drive the reverse road to Hana on the way home opposed to driving the classic road to Hanaroute from Paia to Hana town . They will be miserable. While the road is coastal, large parts of the highway scarcely even offer a sea view and the perilous section that most people fear is only around 10 miles between Mile Marker 9 and Mile Marker 19.5. Want to read more? Along the way youll see various farm animals, views of Kahoolawe and Molokini the horse shoe shaped atoll. You really should be more fearful driving to the airport or shipping in Walmart, are you going to buy an I Survived Wallmart Kahului?. Well over 50 in total and most of the single lane for both directions. The photo slideshow below shows each of these stops. The Road to Hana is an absolutely stunning road trip to take on any Maui vacation, and is 100% a must-do. One of the leading causes of accidental deaths anywhere in the world is Road Traffic Accidents. Kaumana Trail, Saddle Rd, Hilo, HI 96720, USA 13. the answer is an unequivocal YES! The Road to Hana actually goes beyond the town of Hana, all the way to Haleakala National Park. Guoliang Tunnel ( China) How long to travel Maui? Dont be surprised to share space with several chickens and cows that live here. A thirty something adventure seeking, gin loving, sun chasing, temple searching, bikini wearing, outdoor enthusiast who is based on Maui and writes about Hawaii and her adventures abroad. We find the best solution (like most things in life) is good communication. I grew up riding ATVs and driving on trails in Colorado (I also drive a Jeep and a 4Runner) so I consider this drive FUN and not at all scary, but I can definitely see how if youre not a confident driver or youve only ever driven in the city it could be stressful. This is also the scary part of the Road to Hana. So is the road justifiably scary? Along this coastal drive, you'll find a number of hikes, waterfalls, rainforests, and gorgeous beaches. Is the Road to Hana Worth it? The Jungle Canopy envelopes the road leading to mild claustrophobia and an uncomfortable sense of being consumed. And finally, someone with little experience outside of their comfort zone, someone who driving is an anxious experience for in the best of times would just fond the road far too much. Nahiku Marketplace. You can't miss Nahiku Marketplace, just before mile marker 29 on the road to Hana, Maui. Want flexible cancellation terms? Well sure, there was that one time where I encountered a truck on a more narrow and winding part of the Hana Highway that made my heart skip a beat. Read the fine print as driving the back road to Hana, Maui maybreach your rental car agreement or insurance. This is great to know thanks. You want to go back the way you came, most likely, rather than going around the back way. For about 20 miles (32 km) between Wailuku and Kapalua, you need to navigate rocks on one side and steep cliffs on the other. Kipahulu is home to some of the Road to Hana's most famous stops from the Pools at O'heo (Seven Sacred Pools), Pipiwai Trail, and Waimoku Falls. There are a variety of ways you can drive the Road to Hana: out and back in one day (classic route) stay in Hana as your basecamp explore the Road to Hana over multiple days WYOMING However, the Road to Hana is not dangerous in and of itself, and for seasoned drivers, the trip should be a breeze. The Road to Hana is one of the best things to do in Maui! It will make you feel like your on a wild foreign adventure tho. The Shaka guide tours are great for independent explorers who want the freedom to explore on their own terms, but like to learn about the spots theyre visiting. Ahhh, the backwards Road to Hana. Besides the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, this really is the crown jewel of the Road to Hana. The Road to Hana, also known as the Hana highway, is a 64.4 mile-long stretch of Hawaii routes 36 and 360 with connects Kahului with the town of Hana in east Maui. Yikes. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114353132', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maui backs up, as it often does, it could well be longer. You're meant to treat the bridges similar to a 4 way stop in that whichever car reaches the bridge first has the right of way. More posts about where to stay on Maui: Trying to figure out where to stay on Maui? I have sprinkled some affiliate links in this post. Starting your journey to Hana on this side is a great way toexperience this side of, Day 256 of traveling the world full time! 6) I am not a daredevil but I'm a careful driver who has never been in an accident in 32 yrs of driving due to being defensive and aware on the road. Initially, we just thought it was just nervous drivers or drivers with little experience of this type of road. We read that sunset is around 7pm so we're thinking this is safe. Waipahu, Oahu Harlan Sheppard/Flickr Unsubscribe at any time. We intend to stop only at Hanawi Falls briefly (1 hour), and we understand that it is otherwise a 2 hour drive. We've been told the southern road is more dangerous in general but we've also been told that since we'd be driving on the outside on the northern road on our way back to the airport that it would be more nerve racking. The Road to Hana is only 52 miles but the average speed 25 mph. Be prepared. I cant wait to see it!!! The road is very comfortable for one car to drive on, the problem comes when you pass another car. My favorite travel hack is cashing in points to score free flights to Hawaii. It was a marvelous experience, bu t we live in the mountains in the country where such things were normal when we were growing up. The steep valleys encrusted in the jungle start off the imagination and you half expect to bump into a Dinosaur. This is a great spot to park, stretch your legs, shop and grab a bite to eat! The Road to Hana is known for having winding roads. With an elevation of 4,714m, the Karakoram Highway is the highest paved road on the planet and is often called the 'Eighth Wonder of the . Here the road is exposed to some fairly large drops, however, these are all behind Armco rails and there are no large unprotected drops. Need a specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms? 10 Best USA Road Trips Drive These Before you DIE. Yes. Super dangerous. Along this road, there are 620 curves (who counted all of those?) ), this will be on your mind all day ruining the trip. Hawaii is known for some of the world's most beautiful waterfalls, and Maui is no exception. If you continue on in the loop, youll eventually come through Ulupalakua (where Maui Wine is) and Kula in upcountry Maui and can take the highway back down towards Paia and Kahului. Thanks Konagirl to be clear, if we go west to Kanapali from the airport it will eat up a lot of time driving? The offer free wine tastings and are known for their pineapple wine. But there is more to it than that the enduring reputation that this is a dangerous road manifests itself in your mind. Its a completely different adventure than driving the front side. In the end, was it all worth it for YOU? The Road to Hana is by its very nature one of the most dangerous things you will do on your Maui Vacation! On Another Note: If youre looking for a condo or vacation rental for your trip, I always book with Vrbo. PICTURED ROCKS MI GRAND TETON WY I wouldn't suggest driving through Kahakuloa to any tourists. Hana Highway: 617 turns and 46 one-lane bridges in Hawaii Located on the eastern side of Maui, the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Hana Highway is one of the most scenic drives in the world. And to finish with my most solid argumentif a big tour bus can drive the backroad to Hana, so can you ; ). Hwy 1 is typically straight, and because of this, drivers feel justified in driving at breakneck speeds. Locals can be a problem as they are generally a lot more confident on the road and view the tourist as a major inconvenience. UTAH Was it worse or better than your fears? ROAD TRIP AMERICA Standing up and talking in front of others caused untold anxiety and could only be faced with a LARGE amount of dutch courage. The Signs of fear are an elevated heart rate, sweaty palms, increased alertness, and a sense of dread and fear. Speeding on the road to Hana is super dangerous and you might also have to deal with slow vehicles: spend one night in Hana in stead than rushing your visit! The Numbers really do not match the roads reputation. However, many people who do not get caught up in the hype head to the road and come away scarred with tales of doom and dread of a hells highway that is near impossible to drive! Who thinks of these things? Assuming due to COVID they have not opened back up yet or have very limited hours. Then wed arrive in Nahiku about 3pm. GULF ISLANDS FL Sustained by the Hanawi Stream, here you'll find that the lower waterfall cascades 200 feet into a freshwater pool. Minuses: The road becomes rough for portions and rental car companies say "you're on your .