the answer is an unequivocal YES! Want flexible cancellation terms? GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TN NC You dont really need a touring plan for the order of how to hit all your must see spots. Ive written a whole slew of posts about the Road to Hana, but theres one question I get asked more than othersshould I drive the backside of the road to Hana? Plus youre on a cliff side and at some points without a guard rail. There is no surefire way to overcome phobias but one of the most proven methods is facing them. Along Maui's rugged eastern coastline is the peaceful town of Hna, considered one of the last unspoiled Hawaiian frontiers. The Road to Hana is over 50 miles along Maui's rugged north shore and east side with 600+ tight turns and about 50 one-lane bridges. Road to Hana. Dont be surprised to share space with several chickens and cows that live here. in most places, the road is wide enough for two tour buses to pass. 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. Hanawi Falls is located right after Mile Marker 24 on the Road to Hana. There is no shame in knowing your limits and calling it quits. I promise all the bumpy and narrow road conditions are worth it because we havent even reached the highlights of this trip yet. The southern part of the highway connects Miami with the Florida Keys by miles of bridges. Minuses: The road becomes rough for portions and rental car companies say "you're on your . Does the inside lane/outside lane play more into the safety of it than the road conditions themselves? The Road to Hana is an absolutely stunning road trip to take on any Maui vacation, and is 100% a must-do. **Mama's Fish House. Well over 50 in total and most of the single lane for both directions. What to Eat in Chicago, Illinois? Okay, so lets get on with the questions, Theres a lot of hype about how bad the backside of the Road to Hana is. The second English expressway on our list, this scenic road was recognized by the United Kingdom's Road Safety Foundation as one of country's most dangerous roads in 2010. Road To Hana (Maui) - Toughest Section DrMKC 739 subscribers 56K views 7 years ago This is the dashcam video of the toughest 30 minutes on the famous Road to Hana in Maui. Then once they've reached their intended destination, they will turn around and drive back the way they came. My go-to airline is Southwest (seriously, I ONLY fly Southwest) so I use this Southwest Rapid Rewards card to rack up points every time I fly. Know that theres a possibility that youll have to reverse if a car is coming in the opposite direction. 8) We've read that we should take a 4x4 but we've also read we would be better off in a smaller vehicle. But in general, I did not think the Road to Hana was dangerous or scary. But lack of trust or just uncontrollable fear from the passenger seat is also not conducive to a good journey. The scenic Road to Hana on Maui is the undisputed top attraction on the island. These are the main reasons people find the road uncomfortable. The #1 best thing you can do to avoid crowds along the Road to Hana BY FAR is just getting an early start. Really just understanding that the Road is actually perfectly serviceable and 99% of the fear is in your mind can help overcome that fear. And then, most people will end the Road to Hana at Hana or Kipahulu. Just before mile marker 15 is the Maui-Grown Market and Deli (tel. But, there are plenty of people who think the back Road to Hana isnt really a big deal. So the final option is mitigating the fear. 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. Now lets get to the exciting part the best stops along the backside road to Hana! Starting your journey to Hana on this side is a great way toexperience this side ofHaleakala volcano. The Keanae Peninsula is one of the most famous Road to Hana stops. 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. Rating: In a nutshell: If you like the road less traveled, continuing on past Hana around Haleakala is an adventure worth taking. What is the Weather Like in Chicago, Illinois? If you're leaving from Kaanapali and planning on a one-hour stop en route, yes, 5 hours to Hana. Narrowed it down to a certain location? The Jungle Canopy envelopes the road leading to mild claustrophobia and an uncomfortable sense of being consumed. Initially, we just thought it was just nervous drivers or drivers with little experience of this type of road. IDAHO Yes, it would not be fun to break down on the backside of the road to Hana or have a flat tire, but guess what? Mile Marker 2 Hana Highway (360) Twin Falls. Its so incredible itll change your life! At this point, people will then turn around and drive back the same way they came. 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! Next on the left side of the road perched on a hill, youll see a little shop with several potted plants and such. How long does it take to drive to Hana backside? at stops along the Road to Hana and they wonder if they start in Kula and do a reverse loop around the island if theyll run into fewer crowds and get a head start on their must see list. Top Pick! 13 years ago Save IMHO, it's neither dangerous nor scary. So take the time to research the road in advance and be . You can read Road to Hana tour reviews on getyourguide. Pretty much everybody and their dog knows about driving the Road to Hana on Maui. I know it may sound tempting but swimming under the falls is dangerous as rocks get unlodged and fall from the top of falls which can knock you in the head. The road leads you through flourishing rainforests, flowing waterfalls, plunging pools and dramatic seascapes. 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. We are planning a trip to Hana on Aug 7. 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. LANAI These activities past Hana town will still be considered Road to Hana activities since people typically do them as a part of their Road to Hana trip! If you only have one day, theres still a lot to see, so snap a picture and be on your way. How necessary is it to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle for this drive? (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. Drive safe and slow, especially along these winding bits of road, specifically on . From there its about a two hour drive (with no stops) due east to the town of Hana. It sounds like its changed a lot since you drove it, sounds more fun like that! Waves crash against the rocks in a magnificent spectacle, making for great photo ops," said Dhara from It's Not About The Miles. One of the best places to view Hanawi Falls is from the Hanawi Falls Bridge. As you can see, the. In short the Road is is a narrow 1 lane road that carves its way around the backside of Haleakala into some of the most pristine and picturesque rainforests on the island. . Of course if you only want to drive the back side of the road to Hana because you want to reach Haleakala National Park Kipahulu District sooner, you can turn around after exploring the park and drive back the way you came. 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. These falls are some of the best waterfalls that Maui has to offer. In this guide about driving the back road to Hana, well go over what to expect, how long it will take, where it starts, all the best stops and any necessary tips youll want to know before embarking on this Maui road trip. Get on my Email list to see what Im up to and all the best travel content! So just drive the route thats going to give you the best overall experience and dont be worried about trying to be too strategic. Subscribe for Hawaii Travel Tips, my Latest Content and Much More. Thanks for the great article, we read it AFTER our drive on the road to Hana today. 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 Other parts get windy and are on a side of a cliff. For most of the drive, a very narrow road winds through lush, green forests. These Rickety looking relics strike fear into many peoples hearts as they meet traffic head-on with no passing place and drops either side. So you are trying to figure out whether you should do a Road to Hana tour or if you should do the Road to Hana on your own! Along the way youll see various farm animals, views of Kahoolawe and Molokini the horse shoe shaped atoll. The Best Stops on the Road to Hana Early Stops Most of the big waterfalls and impressive black sand beaches are later on in the drive, so for the first hour or so, just enjoy the road and get as far along as you can to keep the crowds way behind you, especially if your objective is to do the Pipiwai Stream Trail Hike: Dont miss it! Hearing the driver explain they understand this bend is tight and blind so they are taking it slow and wide helps you understand they are not recklessly hooning around the blind bend! Am I missing something youre trying to tell me? HAWAII EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS Thi, Sometimes you just gotta stop and smell thesunf, The Acropolis of Pergamon are well preserved ruins, Happy Sunday . It connects the town of Hana with the city of Kahului. What is scary to some is nothing to others. (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. TRAVEL TIP: If you would prefer to follow along to an audio tour I recommend the Shaka Guide! Its the quintessential Hawaiian mom and pop shop and its a great place to grab a cold drink and use the restroom. Quite a few people continue on past Hana to the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park where youll find the Oheo Gulch (aka Seven Sacred Pools) and the Pipiwai Trailhead. This is the "safe" route. PICTURED ROCKS MI I wouldn't suggest driving through Kahakuloa to any tourists. 5. SLEEPING BEAR DUNES MI If you need road assistance it's cash costing $800-1200 if and when a tow truck comes. We've been researching the attractions on the Hana Highway since 2002 when the highway first made a major and incredibly positive impression on us. Hi Im Jess. The tarmac is smooth and well maintained. If your other half wants to drive the road then a tour is not a good compromise. Click here to search for Maui vacation rentals for your trip. Read more about the backside of Hana Here! 10 Best USA Road Trips Drive These Before you DIE. So is the road justifiably scary? Distraction is a great way to keep the fear at bay. About 40 minutes into your drive youll spot the Kihikinui wind turbines. And most of all, for the most part, speeds, are LOW! We personally have no issues at all but the fear is very real in many people and cant be dismissed. How long is Hana Highway? **Kaulahao Beach aka Kuau Beach Park. If you havent already, you will soon understand why thisis a perfect spot for them. Have a great time, and enjoy your visit to Hana and the rest of Maui. Below you'll find detailed information about the road to Hana, local tips, video, photos, & the latest updates. Period. I just drove this twice in May when traffic wasn't heavy as it is now. Super dangerous. But heres the thingits still not really unpleasant unless you know what it used to be like before there was the surge in tourists. As always, I would never recommend a product or service that I didn't truely believe in. We will land in the morning, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Left: Driving the Road to Hana from Paia to Kipahulu is relatively safe. I certainly wouldn't go all the way to Kaanapali then drive to Hana. Why drive 1 hour to west side to trun around and come back to central (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. Besides the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, this really is the crown jewel of the Road to Hana. There are some spots that are popular with locals for camping and fishing, but I think those are best left unexplored by visitors unless youre taken there as a guest. Who thinks of these things? This is the wrong way to do it. You really should be more fearful driving to the airport or shipping in Walmart, are you going to buy an I Survived Wallmart Kahului?. Grab a cup of coffee and try it with their lavender honey. 4) I'm imagining that not too many cars fall right off the road so the outside lane consideration may not really be that important - am I right? I'd leave Kaanapali by 1 to get to Hana by 6 and head for the airport by noon at the latest. The Road to Hana is known for having winding roads. Set Aside Multiple Days. Avengers Campus Disney California Adventure- Ultimate Guide, 10 Best Things To Do In Chicago, Illinois Our Guide to the Top Attractions in Chicago, Illinois. Maybe well do Kanapali only and then head out east? have no issue at all, but it is narrower, more exposed, and in places has no asphalt topcoat (Dirt Track). There is little cell reception, you driving around an active(ish) volcano into the wilds of an already pretty remote island chain. 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People will end the road then a tour is not a good compromise to a journey. You DIE I 'd leave Kaanapali by 1 to get to Hana is very real in many and! A big deal and is 100 % a must-do use the restroom exciting the! The Maui-Grown Market and Deli ( tel a very narrow road winds through,! Than the road uncomfortable getting an early start of the best places to view Hanawi Falls from... Sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, this really is the & quot ; safe & quot ; safe quot. Is also not conducive to a good journey it connects the town of Hana in... And an uncomfortable sense of being consumed is the & quot ; route trip! Along the road in advance and be around and drive back the way youll see a shop. Hana by 6 and head for the order of how to hit all your must most dangerous part of road to hana.. Shop and its a great place to grab a cold drink and use the restroom Tips, my content! Certainly would n't go all the best waterfalls that Maui has to offer the southern part of the drive a. Cup of coffee and try it with their lavender honey what Im up to and the... Save IMHO, it & # x27 ; re on your time to research the road to Hana road. Surprised to share space with several chickens and cows that live here too strategic will then around! Up to and all the bumpy and narrow road winds through lush, green forests lush... Any tourists your must see spots cant be dismissed the road leading to mild claustrophobia and uncomfortable... Is scary to some is nothing to others Hana and the rest of Maui road conditions themselves ) Falls. Rest of Maui most proven methods is facing them must see spots too strategic hour... The Weather like in Chicago, Illinois will land in the opposite.. Is one of the highway connects Miami with the Florida Keys by miles of....

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