Skip to content

Best Hikes on Maui

Best Hikes on Maui

The island of Maui is one of the most popular making up the greater state of Hawaii, and it’s especially popular with hikers! The island offers hiking opportunities galore, both inland and along it’s numerous coastal areas. If you’re looking for where to find the best hikes in the area, look no further! Join us as we take a look at the best hikes on Maui.

Waikamoi Ridge Trail

The Waikamoi Ridge Trail presents a relatively easy hike that gets it’s name from the gorgeous Waikamoi Ridge. Hikers will be treated to some of the most beautiful rainforest scenery on the entire island of Maui. The easy difficulty level of the trail and the incredible rainforest scenery on display from all angles combine to make the Waikamoi Ridge Trail deserving of it’s status as one of the most popular hiking trails in Hawaii.

The trail is particularly popular amongst families due to how easy the journey is and how much there is to look at along the way. The Waikamoi Ridge Trail is a little less than 2 miles long and it’s terrain is tame, though the trail can get a little bit muddy at certain points.

Pipiwai Trail

The Pipiwai Trail is another Maui trail that takes hikers through a bamboo forest. The Pipiwai Trail is twice as long as the Waikamoi Ridge Trail, and it’s surrounding forest goes out further and is a good deal denser. These are some of the reasons that the Pipiwai Trail isn’t quite as popular with families as the first trail that we looked at in this article. The Pipiwai Trail is notable for more than just the jungle that lines it’s length, and the destination of the trail is something that will certainly make the four-mile-long journey there worthwhile for tourists.

At the end of the trail, visitors will find a waterfall by the name of Makahiku Falls, which is 200 feet tall. Pipiwai Trail isn’t generally going to be as populated as the Waikamoi Ridge Trail due to the fact that it’s got a slightly increased length and difficulty level, but it’s still pretty crowded compared to some of Maui’s lesser known hikes.

Top of Secret Trail

Top of Secret Trail is an awesome hiking trail located within the great Iao Valley State Park. Iao Valley State Park is notable for many things, including a unique rock spire that shoots 1,200 feet into the air. Hiking here will give visitors the chance to see plenty of jungle scenery, including a river and some jagged peaks. Those that are interested in the historical side of things can find a variety of plagues at Iao Valley State Park telling the tale of a battle that occurred at the location towards the end of the 18th century.

Twin Falls Trail

The Pipiwai Trail is another Maui trail that takes hikers through a bamboo forest. The Pipiwai Trail is twice as long as the Waikamoi Ridge Trail, and it’s surrounding forest goes out further and is a good deal denser. These are some of the reasons that the Pipiwai Trail isn’t quite as popular with families as the first trail that we looked at in this article. The Pipiwai Trail is notable for more than just the jungle that lines it’s length, and the destination of the trail is something that will certainly make the four-mile-long journey there worthwhile for tourists.

At the end of the trail, visitors will find a waterfall by the name of Makahiku Falls, which is 200 feet tall. Pipiwai Trail isn’t generally going to be as populated as the Waikamoi Ridge Trail due to the fact that it’s got a slightly increased length and difficulty level, but it’s still pretty crowded compared to some of Maui’s lesser known hikes.

Nakalele Blowhole Trail

Prospective hikers might look at how short the Nakalele Blowhole Trail is and think that the hiking trail isn’t going to pose that much of a challenge or have all that much to offer. However, the mile-and-a-half-long hiking trail not only poses a modest challenge for experienced hikers, but it also features some unique scenery that you won’t find anywhere else on the island of Maui! The hike will take you past some old lava flows before ending near the ocean at it’s namesake blowhole.

The Nakalele Blowhole is certainly awesome to look at, but it’s not the only notable landmark that you’ll see along the hike. There’s also an area of cliffs that go by the name of the Acid War Zone amongst locals due to the fact that there’s a strange pattern of erosion along them.

Waihou Spring Trail Loop

The Waihou Spring Trail Loop offers a beautiful hike amongst an impressive array of foliage. Some of the many forms of plant life that you’ll find growing along the hiking trail include koa trees and eucalyptus plants. This hiking trail is further inward than the majority of Maui’s popular hiking trails, which makes the scenery that it offers a bit different than the other hikes on this list. Those who are interested in seeing the depths of Maui’s rainforest should certainly take this loop trail, which totals less than three miles.

Wai’napanapa Coastal Trail

The Wai’napanapa Coastal Trail is a hiking trail that runs along what used be known as the King’s Highway. The King’s Highway was a trail running over 100 miles long and connecting the various divisions of the island of Maui. The section of this legendary trail that now comprises the Wai’napanapa Coastal Trail has been meticulously maintained to the point where some of the ancient stones that comprised the original trail can still be found.

Beyond the historical appeal of hiking along the Wai’napanapa Coastal Trail, visitors will also find plenty to enjoy in the variety of plants that can be found thriving along the black volcanic landscape. There’s even a black-sanded beach nearby, where hikers can go for a swim. The Hoapili Trail is another modern hiking trail that runs along what used to be known as the King’s Highway, offering more volcanic scenery.

All of these trails give those visiting the island of Maui the chance to see some incredible sights, and some of them also offer a bit of a challenge! Whether you’re looking for a quick hike with the family or have a little bit more time to invest, there are many different hikes on the island of Maui.