The road to Hana is composed of three different roads highways 36, 360 and 31. The road is narrow (a generous one lane road with plenty of spots to pull over and let someone pass) and winding and there are quite a few blind corners, but generally speaking, the road also isnt very high up in these portions as it is on the front side. If you take the road past Oheo Gulch (Seven Pools) and past Lindbergh's grave and continue around the south side of Maui to go all the way around, you will have to drive on about 5 miles of unpaved dirt and gravel road. I certainly wouldn't go all the way to Kaanapali then drive to Hana. Read more about the backside of Hana Here! What we wanted to do in the west was bathe in the waters of Kanapali (which we hear is a world class beach) and maybe (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I wouldn't suggest driving through Kahakuloa to any tourists. Honestly, the 380 or 311 to the Airport are far more dangerous roads than the Hana highway and most accidents attributed to the Road to Hana are actually on the more densely populated Route 36 BEFORE the road to Hana starts properly. Ive written a lot here about this and I dont want it to sound scary, but I also want you to know EXACTLY what youre signing up for. Road to Hana. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114353117', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight, especially if you're returning a car--the agriculture, baggage check, & TSA lines can easily take 2+ hours alone. Well, you get the picture. There are plenty of shoulders to pull over, take in Mauis beauty and also take a few pictures. 9) Is there anything I'm not considering that I should be considering? The Highway is very popular, and the narrow. Mile Marker 2 Hana Highway (360) Twin Falls. You are able to drive down the road to see the church up close or there is a viewpoint that overlooks the church on the bay after the bend in the road. (This is to say, they will say if something is scary, and the back road to Hana was not, to them.). Its 60ish miles of continuously bending tarmac slice right through some unbelievable scenery, with countless waterfalls, dense jungle foliage, and plunging seacliffs allowing sweeping vistas down the coast. The backside road is VERY different from the front road and definitely worth experiencing. In ancient times most of the Hawaiians lived in this area opposed to current day West Maui or South Maui. In this article, we take a look at what causes the Roads Fearsome reputation, and ask honestly How Scary is the Road to Hana Really?. We are sure you will love it, if your husband is a confident driver he will have no issues at all. As always, I would never recommend a product or service that I didn't truely believe in. Just curious why do you feel this to be a better choice than enjoying a couple hours at the beach first? If your other half wants to drive the road then a tour is not a good compromise. 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). The Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park is past Hana town and well worth the additional drive. Theyve got the largest selection of rentals youll find anywhere and you can easily filter to find exactly what youre looking for. The most dangerous part of the Road to Hana is the back road to Hana because this is where you will find one-lane roads with no shoulders and a cliff that drops off right alongside the road. A few of my favorite moments from the past year! It's windy contains 65 hairpin switchbacks, 600 sharp turns, and 59 one-lane bridges. We know simply by writing this some people will be up in arms at us stating the road is just a road and is nothing to fear. The Road to Hana (aka the Hana Highway) does not dead-end, so instead of turning around, it is possible to keep driving. **Ho'okipa Beach Park. You can't miss Nahiku Marketplace, just before mile marker 29 on the road to Hana, Maui. Most of the photos courtesy of Natalie Brown Photography. The next and last stop until you get to Ulupalakua (Maui Wine and the Ranch Store) is the Kaupo Store. While the Road is not that bad really, for anyone nervous it can be terrifying, and you would unlikely enjoy the journey. If you go, (just like anything you do), you do so at your own risk. the answer is an unequivocal YES! On Another Note: If youre looking for a condo or vacation rental for your trip, I always book with Vrbo. But it comes with risks and possibly some stress. 5. 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. 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. We highy recommend doing a tour with large windows, an experienced local guide, and only going to safe, legal, epic spots! The Road to Hana is one of the most popular things to do in Maui. (try our Is the Road to Hana Worth it or Hana Highway Guide for more detailed descriptions). About the Road to Hana. would find such a tight narrow twisty track nightmarish. Finally Know your limits. What makes it so dangerousIt's a road! The Road to Hana is only 52 miles but the average speed 25 mph. You want to go back the way you came, most likely, rather than going around the back way. About 40 minutes into your drive youll spot the Kihikinui wind turbines. HAWAII EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS Or someone from the rural US where roads amble on for hundreds of miles with barely a bend would find the almost endless snaking of the road completely daunting. Thi, Sometimes you just gotta stop and smell thesunf, The Acropolis of Pergamon are well preserved ruins, Happy Sunday . Its worth a stop if you have time. It is still manageable, and 99.99% (warning Made up Stat!) Yes. 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. This is a great place to use the restroom and grab snacks/food for a picnic somewhere on the road. It really is just better for everyone to pull over and just let less patient people past. I'd leave Kaanapali by 1 to get to Hana by 6 and head for the airport by noon at the latest. Also through yourself into the Navigation. The Road to Hana is one of the best things to do in Maui! Get on my Email list to see what Im up to and all the best travel content! 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. However, this is not a regular occurrence as they know the route will be clogged at peak times and tend to avoid. If you have serious doubts over whether or not the road is for you, or you are pretty convinced this type of driving is not your style then you have three options. This is one of the most dangerous places in Hawaii. There is no shame in knowing your limits and calling it quits. Certainly not for tourists. On a calm day you are able to swim inside the pools. There are beaches in the Hana area. Is it dangerous? The drops are all protected and the chance of you ending up at the bottom of one is infinitely small. Minuses: The road becomes rough for portions and rental car companies say "you're on your . However, the bridges are regularly inspected and are perfectly safe for light traffic. 4 The Road Is Winding. WHAT TO WEAR SNORKELING The Keanae Peninsula is one of the most famous Road to Hana stops. Yes, if you drive straight from Paia to Hana, you might see less people at the spots near Hana, but by the time you start working your way back to Paia those spots are still going to crowded. So many people dont really plan their trip to Hana and end up starting out late in the day and just stopping wherever they see cars so those stops along the north shore are still going to have visitors all day long. I have regretted not trying since we arrived home. The Road to Hana is generally known for it's 52 miles of winding turns, liable to cause nausea and dizziness among even the most experienced road trip enthusiast, as well as it's 59 Lara Croft-esque stone bridges nestled in the thick Hawaiian jungle. Starting your journey to Hana on this side is a great way toexperience this side ofHaleakala volcano. GRAND CANYON AZ HALEAKALA HI Is safety as big a concern as some say or is it mostly just up to how nervous or confident a driver is? and 59 bridges, 46 of which are one lane. The Single file traffic is easily regulated with simple give way systems and you just wait your turn at the give says one each side of the bridge until it is your turn to cross. How necessary is it to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle for this drive? Hawaii is known for some of the world's most beautiful waterfalls, and Maui is no exception. If you only have one day, theres still a lot to see, so snap a picture and be on your way. Encourage them to take things easy and to explain themselves when driving. Is this even possible? This being said, travel at your own risk. So avoid temptation and swim around the falls and NOT under. Hiking Shoes - If you want to hike. And most of all, for the most part, speeds, are LOW! The first of many Road to Hana stops, the Twin Falls is situated in the Ho'olawa Valley. This snake-like road is 52 miles (84 km) long and runs from Kahului to Hana. The Road to Hana has 617 turns & 59 bridges, many only 1 lane. Sustained by the Hanawi Stream, here you'll find that the lower waterfall cascades 200 feet into a freshwater pool. Drive with caution and be very aware at all times. A lot of locals go off the road in there even and die. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Your other option is to turn around and drive back the way you came or continue around the island on the Hana Highway a.k.a. There are no straight sections to this drivethe curves are constant. 3 hrs from the airport. (I think the back road may be closed to traffic anyway) That part of the road (going on from Hana towards Kula) is the part that is prone to washouts, etc. Located at the extreme southeast of the island of Maui, the city of Hana is like another island. In any one stretch of the road, there is a spot big enough for your car to pull over so the oncoming car can pass. (Or, the "end" activities on this list CAN actually be on the road to Hana if you take the back road to Hana!) Karakoram 'Friendship' Highway, China-Pakistan. other than a slight hindrance to your rate of progress there is nothing to worry about. Strange, our hosts at our lodgings told us the southern road was faster back to the airport from Haleakala you say its longer for sure? ROAD TRIP AMERICA This is great to know thanks. Whatever you have to say just drop us a comment below. Important Note* The first one and a half hour stretch of the back road to Hana is usually forbidden by rental car companies and is stated in the rental car agreements. But this doesn't stop many adrenaline junkies from taking on the route which separates Bolivia's capital, La Paz, and Coroico in the Yungas region. GULF ISLANDS FL The Signs of fear are an elevated heart rate, sweaty palms, increased alertness, and a sense of dread and fear. If you aren't planning on stopping at any of the waterfalls, trails, scenic viewpoints, etc., the drive straight from Lahaina to Hana will take a good 2.75-4 hours, depending on time of day. It takes anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to complete depending how long you stop and take it in. It was quite an experience with three kids in the back seat. 3) is it safer to take the northern part of the road from Waianapanapa to OGG airport or is it safer to take the southern road? 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. And yes, I have driven the Road to Hana in reverse, but really only because I used to live upcountry in Kula and it was the quicker way to get to Hana from my house. 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? Are able to swim inside the pools around the Falls and not under us! At the beach first Kihikinui wind turbines are perfectly safe for light traffic and %! 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