most dangerous part of road to hana
There's a great souvenir shop here, and also a wide selection of food varying from island style tacos to kalua pork to classic hotdogs or mac 'n cheese! How necessary is it to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle for this drive? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114352867', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cars on the tight turns and one-lane sections); you're extremely unlikely to drive off the edge so long as you pay attention and don't speed; you don't want to take the southern (backside) road (it's at least as hazardous and a longer route to the airport). So drive with caution and be very aware. How long does it take to drive to Hana backside? Thanks for sticking around and reading this whole post! 808/572-1693), a good stop for drinks or snacks for the ride. The drive time from Kula town to Kahului is about 4 hours, but with all the fun things to do and see this is a whole day excursion lets say 10-12 hours. Next youll see a rainbow colored sign, thats the Kaupo store. ZION UT Karakoram 'Friendship' Highway, China-Pakistan. The Road to Hana is by its very nature one of the most dangerous things you will do on your Maui Vacation! Was it worse or better than your fears? Some parts are of the road are unpaved and it gets narrow and twisty. 3 hrs from the airport. This three-part waterfall is often called the Three Bear Falls for the Papa Bear-, Mamma Bear-, and Baby Bear-size cascades of water. We read that sunset is around 7pm so we're thinking this is safe. Unsubscribe at any time. What about a convertible? Parkings a bit tough, but arguably the best waterfalls on the Road to Hana. I'll add, no, the late afternoon shouldn't be an especially dangerous time to drive the road (but it will take longer than 2 hours from the start of the RTH, let alone Kaanapali); you absolutely don't need a 4X4 (I prefer smaller (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We are sure you will love it, if your husband is a confident driver he will have no issues at all. We did have some locals honking at other cars, we made it a habit to just pull over and let others by which made it a better experience. 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? The Highway is very popular, and the narrow. Hairpin bends slice through thickly-forested mountain slopes, and there are no. Im there answering questions every day and there are 7500+ other friends who have a ton of Hawaii information to share! If theyre open ; ) Ill note here that the National Park does NOT have water or snacks for sale so since the Kaupo Store is undependable, make sure you have everything you need once you leave Hana. Bring cash: most places on this part of the island dont except credit cards. paia town. 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. However, many people who do not get caught up in the hype head to the road and come away scarred with tales of doom and dread of a hells highway that is near impossible to drive! The Surface is pretty well maintained but is often wet, slippery, and covered in jungle debris. The rainforest trail starts near the National park visitors center and takes you past 2 waterfall outlooks, an ancient banyan tree, through a magical bamboo forest and eventually to the awe inspiring 400 foot Waimoku Falls. We are aware for some the road is a terrifying prospect and we are not trying to diminish that. 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. It becomes a dirt road for long stretches and even though we left for the day at 7AM, after a few stops and not really rushing we ended up in a situation where we were driving the most treacherous parts after dark (we almost hit a cow at one point, as herds will just wonder over the road in certain parts). 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. We would love to hear from those who braved the road though. The photo slideshow below shows each of these stops. Oh, and 5 pm is really pushing it for a 7 pm (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Also known as State Highway 340, it also happens to be one of the most dangerous roads in Maui. Im just going to describe it as accurately as possible and relay my personal experiences so that you can make a decision that youre comfortable with. Take a van or coach tour Having an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver/guide is really the best way to see Hana. So avoid temptation and swim around the falls and NOT under. 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!). There are no straight sections to this drivethe curves are constant. Most folks begin their road to Hana drive from the town Paia on Highway 36 which ends after mile marker 16. But still, people fear the road and take the I survived the Road To Hana T-Shirts Seriously. As you continue driving down the Piilani Highway youll come up on some old homes and a bunch of run down old cars. One of the leading causes of accidental deaths anywhere in the world is Road Traffic Accidents. This will leave you with a deeper understanding and connection to Hawaii. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. Some more reasoned, I imagine people living in the Serengeti are very justifiably fearful of lions, and Bull elephants, Soldiers have a real and healthy fear of the enemy! 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. The first is one we dont advise. GRAND CANYON AZ Carretera a los Yungas ( Bolivia) Locally known as the 'route of death', this Bolivian road is 80 km long and considered by many as the world's most dangerous road. OAHU that people are always looking for a headstart or a leg up. And so, it just depends on the kind of driver you are! Both before and during. The road leads you through flourishing rainforests, flowing waterfalls, plunging pools and dramatic seascapes. as Upcountry. What is the Weather Like in Chicago, Illinois? This is the honey bee sanctuary. Drive safe and slow, especially along these winding bits of road, specifically on . Maybe well do Kanapali only and then head out east? 2) Is this too late in the afternoon to see safely in early August? They are indeed blind corners (you cant see if anyone is coming around the other side), but its not actually that scary. Since you are voiding your contract the rental agency will not come to help. It is a long and difficult drive on a narrow winding mountain road. We are planning a trip to Hana on Aug 7. More posts about where to stay on Maui: Trying to figure out where to stay on Maui? But really, we want people to experience the road for themselves. WYOMING The 3-5 miles just past Kipahulu (the National Park, AKA Seven Sacred Pools) are the worst, but its not unlike the last few miles leading up to Kipahulu on the other side (past Hana coming into the National Park). Hana, the quaint little backwater town has just the one road leading in or our and this is the drive of a lifetime! SLEEPING BEAR DUNES MI It sounds like its changed a lot since you drove it, sounds more fun like that! I thank you in advance. You have tried and that is all anyone can ask, but if its too much head back. Besides the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, this really is the crown jewel of the Road to Hana. 10) Lastly, is it wiser to hire a local driver to pick us up and drop us off at each location? 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). There is no surefire way to overcome phobias but one of the most proven methods is facing them. What makes it so dangerousIt's a road! Preparation is an important part of safety, so make sure to plan your Road to Hana tour ahead of time. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114353082', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maui to start the RTH? We go into detail in the linked article, but, Spoiler alert! Fun fact: there are more than seven of them! On Another Note: If youre looking for a condo or vacation rental for your trip, I always book with Vrbo. Heres the thingthis isnt Disney World. The biggest mistake most people make when visiting Hana is trying to do it all in one day. Next on the left side of the road perched on a hill, youll see a little shop with several potted plants and such. P.S. We intend to stop only at Hanawi Falls briefly (1 hour), and we understand that it is otherwise a 2 hour drive. 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. Three Bears Falls. Maui's Road to Hana is one of the most famous (or infamous) drives in the world and in my opinion is the #1 don't miss thing to do on Maui. Here the road is exposed to some fairly large drops, however, these are all behind Armco rails and there are no large unprotected drops. 22 Best Road to Hana stops Twin & Caveman Falls Huelo Lookout Road to Hana Rainbow eucalyptus trees Waikamoi Ridge Trail Ka Haku smoke shack Garden of Eden arboretum Haipua'ena Falls Honoman Bay lookout Ke'anae Arboretum Aunty Sandy's Wailua Valley State Wayside Park Upper Waikani Falls Upper Hanawi Falls Pi'ilanihale Heiau Road to Hana lava tubes You can read Road to Hana tour reviews on getyourguide. 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. Instanbul is chaotic, cultured and full of life. The Pools at O'heo. Hwy 1 is typically straight, and because of this, drivers feel justified in driving at breakneck speeds. Travel Tip: Since the roads are sketchy at points, some rental companies do not want you driving through this area of Maui. So just drive the route thats going to give you the best overall experience and dont be worried about trying to be too strategic. It includes 59 bridges during . I have regretted not trying since we arrived home. If you're leaving from Kaanapali and planning on a one-hour stop en route, yes, 5 hours to Hana. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The fear is in your head so some positivity might help get your head around it. Despite what the name suggests, the town of Hana is not the destination; it's the drive itself. Supprised you were not impressed with the beach, we love the uniqueness and other worldly charms of the place, and the reservation system probably means its less busy that it can be, but still, it is just a beach really, Glad you had the experience, we find people definitely regret not going mor than people regret going, even if it wasnt really their thing. Super dangerous. 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. MICHIGAN Does this add a lot to the drive, having the top down? The water that cascades down creates a small pool at the bottom of the falls that you can swim in. 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! Grab a cup of coffee and try it with their lavender honey. Check your rental agreement and insurance this activity may breach your contract as this area of Maui is usually forbidden by rental car companies. Hiking Shoes - If you want to hike. You dont really need a touring plan for the order of how to hit all your must see spots. 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. A few of my favorite moments from the past year! For full transparency,I have sprinkled some affiliate links in this post. If we arrive at the airport at 10am, you would suggest to simply start driving out east to Nahiku and not see the west at all? What is scary to some is nothing to others. Back on the Hana Highway, as you leave Maliko Gulch, around mile marker 11, you'll pass through the rural area of Haiku, where you'll see banana patches, cane grass blowing in the wind, and forests of guava trees, avocados, kukui trees, palms, and Christmas berry. Okay, so lets get on with the questions, Theres a lot of hype about how bad the backside of the Road to Hana is. 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 ? Id start with my 15 favorite resorts and hotels on Maui. ALL OF THIS BEING SAIDif this makes you nervous, if youre not an easy driver, if youre not used to trail driving or driving outside of a city, if you have an overwhelming fear of heights or significant anxiety, or if you question the safety for ANY reason, its always best not to go! After growing up on these the road to Hana was no problem. 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. This is a great spot to park, stretch your legs, shop and grab a bite to eat! YELLOWSTONE WY Here is what the Hawaii tourism people say about the dangers of the Road to Hana: The Hana Highway has 620 curves and 59 bridges. Driving the backside voids your rental car contract. Also, once youre at the National Park, its quicker to drive the back way instead of backtracking through Hana and around with all the traffic. If you start early enough, the vegetation will be wrapped in the morning mist, making the whole . 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