Bike, Hike, Drive, & Sightsee on Maui
There are many ways to get around Maui! For many of the group tours, such as the Road to Hana or heading up to Haleakala, the tour company will pick you up directly at your hotel. Many like to rent a car for a portion of their trip, to go exploring Maui on their own. Bikes are available to rent in many locations and there are hundreds of hiking and walking trails on Maui. Enjoy exploring Maui!
Biking on Maui
It is possible to bicycle from the Southern side of Maui at the Wailea Resort to Kapalua on the northwest end while enjoying a spectacular shoreline road. There are guided downhill bicycle tours down Haleakala, through the flower farms and small towns of Upcountry to the beach at Paia. In 38 miles, the elevation drops 10,000 feet. Bicycle rentals are available all over the island.
Photo Credit: sangre-la on flickr
Hiking on Maui
The rainforests of Maui echo with the songs of birds found nowhere else on the planet. Hike a trail to waterfalls with plunge pools for swimming or into valleys so deep they never see a sunrise or a sunset. There are trails into the dramatic lunar landscape of Haleakala crater. Trails and nature walks for every level of skill are abundant on Maui. Take a look at the Maui Hiking Map for hikes offered through Maui’s Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Photo Credit: jjandjames on flickr
Driving on Maui
One of the world’s most scenic drives is the Hana Highway – with 54 bridges in 56 miles along a winding lava shore, through old plantation towns, past miles of beaches and through towering forests to the pools of Oheo Gulch in Hana. A drive to the summit of Haleakala is also popular. Haleakala crater appears like the surface of an alien planet and the views of Maui from the summit are amazing. Go for sunrise or sunset to experience the best views. Be sure to bring a jacket as it can get very cool up at 10,000 feet, even on Maui.
Photo Credit: 41045031@N07 on flickr
Sightseeing on Maui
Visit nostalgic plantation towns, tour the historic preservation district of Lahaina and see the biggest Buddha outside of Asia, stop at old Hawaiian churches, or visit a museum dedicated to Maui’s whaling history. Visit the Maui Ocean Center aquarium and discover the wonders of the surrounding Hawaiian waters as schools of fish swim around you while you walk through a clear tunnel; or marvel at the beauty of Īao Needle and the West Maui Mountains. Drive to the paniolo (cowboy) town of Makawao, or under the canopy of giant redwood trees in Olinda. The choices are endless.
Photo Credit: 4u2lookat on flickr