So if you're interested in the Road to Hana, then you may also be interested in these top things around Maui: Waianapanapa State Park Nakalele Blowhole Lahaina Banyan Court Hookipa Beach Maui Ocean Center (Aquarium of Hawaii) Iao Valley State Monument Haleakala National Park At last youve made it to Hana town. 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). other than a slight hindrance to your rate of progress there is nothing to worry about. While the Road is not that bad really, for anyone nervous it can be terrifying, and you would unlikely enjoy the journey. We just cant Visit Maui without taking a highway trip. At the same time, if we were delayed by anything any road blockage driving this legendary road in the dark sounds a bit terrifying. Hna Maui. more! 'Death Road', Bolivia Officially known as North Yungas Road, this route usually goes by its more ominous moniker. Mmmmkay, If you think any rental car company is going to come get you if you have a problem ANYWHERE, you have more faith in them than me. The Road to Hana is one of the most popular things to do in Maui. Check out our favorite Tours here. It's windy contains 65 hairpin switchbacks, 600 sharp turns, and 59 one-lane bridges. The back road to Hana starts in Kula town about 15 minutes past Makawao, one of Mauis most charming towns. We will land in the morning, rent a car, check out the western part of the island, and head to Hana in the afternoon. 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. It is not hard to see why either, this stunning highway runs through pristine rainforest, past numerous world-class waterfalls, and has more jaw-dropping vistas per mile than any other piece of tarmac in the world. So when you see a car coming, yield and pull over even if theyre a ways away. Most of the road is one lane with pullouts. Alternatively, you may use. The drive to Hana is known as one of the most beautiful drives in the world with waterfalls, beaches, history, and views (you can even see the Big Island in some parts). Standing up and talking in front of others caused untold anxiety and could only be faced with a LARGE amount of dutch courage. . Dont miss it! Yes. Make sure your partner is aware of your fears and explain they may not be entirely rational but still real. You'll battle the traffic with other day trippers, missing some of the drive's highlights due to time constraints and eventually running out of . Hairpin bends slice through thickly-forested mountain slopes, and there are no. MAUI . the answer is an unequivocal YES! If the Road the Hana is proving scary, that Back route will scare the Bejebous out of you! Set Aside Multiple Days. We would love to hear from those who braved the road though. 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. The photo slideshow below shows each of these stops. In terms of the road, no there aren't cars falling off of it all the time (I mean, it happens, but) and it's not that scary to me if you are used to winding mountain roads. If you couldnt look out and see the ocean, youd probably think you were in parts of Texas or another western state. If you only have one day, theres still a lot to see, so snap a picture and be on your way. Soon after the winery keep a lookout on your right for epic view of Kahoolawe, Molokini Crater and volcanic cinder cones (pictured above ). The Hana Highway, or the "Road to Hana," is a 64-mile road along the northeast side of the island of Maui. Its mostly paved, but there are some portions that are gravel or a roughly graded cement. Along Maui's rugged eastern coastline is the peaceful town of Hna, considered one of the last unspoiled Hawaiian frontiers. That is such a shame for you both, but it is understandable, and probably the right decision. Finally, the highlight of the back road to Hana is the Kipahulu entrance to Haleakala National Park. It's very isolated, no cell service and prohibited by all the major (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Okay, once you pass this portion (the first 3-5 miles past Kipahulu), the road clears up nicely into a wide open terrain. Towels - It's most likely going to rain. These single-track lanes Crisscross our road network and are often used as rat runs so you also have to contend with Businessmen in Audis hurtling along the lanes to get to a meeting! Why drive 1 hour to west side to trun around and come back to central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Also known as State Highway 340, it also happens to be one of the most dangerous roads in Maui. We intend to hike for 4 hours or so, and be back on the road at 11 or 11:30am, head to Koki Beach for some food truck food, and continue on to Wai'anapanapa for the black sand beach for a few hours, and be back on the road by 3pm to head back to OGG airport (with no stops) for 5pm to catch our 7pm flight. Accidents are common and you may be more likely to have a small bump, brush a wall/banking, or get stuck in a ditch than regular highways, but you are less likely to actually injure yourself than on most roads in Hawaii. THEODORE ROOSEVELT ND Ive yet to see a current rental car contract that even mentions where you can or cant take the car on Maui (and I always read the fine print!). I have regretted not trying since we arrived home. Travel Tip: Since the roads are sketchy at points, some rental companies do not want you driving through this area of Maui. Just curious why do you feel this to be a better choice than enjoying a couple hours at the beach first? That said, of course DO take care while you are driving the Road to Hana! You need to be at the airport 3 hours before your flight and it's a 3 hour drive from Wainapanapa IF you aren't behind a slow train(qnd the traffic will be very heavy during that time you are headed to the airport) also if weather caused a downed tree or landslide you are just stuck. You can help by pulling over to let people faster than you by, there is nothing to be gained by holding someone up, they will get increasingly angry, more erratic, and make your trip far more uncomfortable. You can read Road to Hana tour reviews on getyourguide. From the grounds you can get a great view of kaupo gap. You want to go back the way you came, most likely, rather than going around the back way. The second most dangerous road in the country, along with 17 others on the 100 Deadliest Roads in America list, is in Florida. Sustained by the Hanawi Stream, here you'll find that the lower waterfall cascades 200 feet into a freshwater pool. The Road to Hana is said to be one of the most dangerous roads in the world. Hamoa Beach (MM 51) Heading away from Hana, turn makai (toward the ocean) onto Haneoo Road when you reach it. Really the worst thing about it is the Hire Car prohibitions meaning you are uninsured and beyond the reach of the Hire Car Recovery truck (meaning you will have to pay for recovery yourself $$$). Is safety as big a concern as some say or is it mostly just up to how nervous or confident a driver is? Its a completely different adventure than driving the front side. If driving the reverse loop all the way around back to Kahului make a reservation in advance for Waianapanapa State Park. Well, you get the picture. Maybe explore the south? I personally dont like to be on the road after dark at all, but once I make it to Kula (really even Ulupalakau), its fine driving back in the dark. Hazards aside, you're not giving yourself nearly enough time in either direction. This road is also part of the daily commute for Maui's residents, so drive with aloha to avoid any frustration. After walking it, I did not have any regrets in deciding not to drive the back road to Hana! So if the Road is not particularly dangerous, or even that scary why does it have such a fearsome reputation, and why are so many terrified of the road? But, there are plenty of people who think the back Road to Hana isnt really a big deal. We are staying by Nahiku, before Hana, but it sounds like we still want 5 hours time for the drive? They are indeed blind corners (you cant see if anyone is coming around the other side), but its not actually that 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. There is nothing but sharp - blind turns, one way roads, one car bridges on roads that continuously turned and not wide enough for two cars. PEARL HARBOR HI BRYCE CANYON UT I have sprinkled some affiliate links in this post. Also to note, the Hawaii tourism people do encourage you to do a Road to Hana tour because of the potential dangers of the Road to Hana. Travel to or from the region of Hana to any other major population center takes several hours by car. And this is the part of the Road to Hana that I DO think is scary! Even though it's only 64.4 miles long it takes the average tourists 2-3 hours to drive. The biggest mistake most people make when visiting Hana is trying to do it all in one day. The Highway is very popular, and the narrow. Yum! There are plenty of tasty restuarants in Paia to choose from. The Road often apps up in worlds most dangerous roads lists, along with other such shock journalism. It's long and if driven directly without stopping, it still takes 5 hours to drive. 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. There are beaches in the Hana area. Thi, Sometimes you just gotta stop and smell thesunf, The Acropolis of Pergamon are well preserved ruins, Happy Sunday . WYOMING How long does it take to drive to Hana backside? 2) Youll experience the best part of the drive (what youre most expecting to seecrazy lush vegetation, wild jungles, waterfalls, etc) early in the day when youre still fresh and excited (and not 6-8 hours in when youre starting to run on fumes energy wise). This is the "safe" route. And so, it just depends on the kind of driver you are! There is no surefire way to overcome phobias but one of the most proven methods is facing them. Other parts get windy and are on a side of a cliff. The Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park is past Hana town and well worth the additional drive. But, if you do keep driving, you will end up on what is known as the back road to Hana! By far the majority of people turn around once they reach Hana and drive the same road back to Paia. How necessary is it to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle for this drive? Plus if you are staying in a popular area like Kaanapali on West Maui it is another 45 60 minuets getting to the starting point and back to your hotel. If you need proof, the best stops on the Road to Hana, which include vibrant beaches, lush rain forests, and cascading waterfalls, attract about 400,000 visitors each year. While a lot of the guides/apps say to try to be the first car in a line while driving through the frontside so you dont have to watch their brake lights too closely while youre looking around, I think the opposite is true when youre driving past Hana. 3 Bears Upper Waikani Falls (MM 19) Another quick stop on the side of the road a must stop on the road to hana. As you can see, the. This three-part waterfall is often called the Three Bear Falls for the Papa Bear-, Mamma Bear-, and Baby Bear-size cascades of water. Yes, it's curvy, and yes, you do need to be careful around blind curves, but it's paved all the way and not bad to drive. Everything You Need to Know About Dining in San Diego. P.S. It's a well paved road, but you do need to keep your wits about you when you drive it because of the many sharp curves and one-lane bridges. Lets support local and sustainability. Eventually, the Hana Highway turns into the Piilani Highway. Check your rental agreement and insurance this activity may breach your contract as this area of Maui is usually forbidden by rental car companies. Kaumana Trail, Saddle Rd, Hilo, HI 96720, USA 13. Ive also had a few people recently ask me about starting in Paia and driving ALL the way to Hana without stopping and then turning around and doing their stops on the way back. We intend to stop only at Hanawi Falls briefly (1 hour), and we understand that it is otherwise a 2 hour drive. An out and back drive if you will. (This is NOT like the Hana Highway normal route around the north side, which is paved all the way.) The Road to Hana is only 52 miles but the average speed 25 mph. Its 11 miles past Hana town and takes a little over half an hour to reach with no stops. My girlfriend. Have a great time, and enjoy your visit to Hana and the rest of Maui. So take the time to research the road in advance and be . 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. The main thing that makes people fear the road is reputation! FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES Other people revel in that sort of environment. Skip it. If you need road assistance it's cash costing $800-1200 if and when a tow truck comes. Even though the road covers a relatively short distance, the turns and low speed limits . Hana, the quaint little backwater town has just the one road leading in or our and this is the drive of a lifetime! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. This is the wrong way to do it. We are planning a trip to Hana on Aug 7. 3 hrs from the airport. My favorite travel hack is cashing in points to score free flights to Hawaii. It was the perfect solution. It sounds a little more intense than it is. These are the main reasons people find the road uncomfortable. People that make it all the way to Kipahulu are usually the ones that ask about turning back and retracing their path back through Hana and on to Paia or driving through (continuing clockwise around the island) the backside of the Road to Hana. Get on my Email list to see what Im up to and all the best travel content! Maui's "road to Hana" is a curvy coastal road with views of cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, and miles and miles of lush rainforest. Instanbul is chaotic, cultured and full of life. Google says its 47 mins but Im getting the idea google doesnt know how long these roads really take? 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