Best hikes in Maui

The second island of the archipelago is one of the best hiking destinations in the world. The strong point is the diversity of the landscape: lush rainforests alternate with bamboo forests and places marked by volcanic activity.

If you love nature and are looking for things to see and do in Maui, a hiking tour should be on your agenda. In this article I'll summarise all the information you need.

This hike will take you to the summit of Haleakala, a volcano surrounded by a protected park of more than 100 square kilometres. The natives believed that the demigod Maui trapped the sun here and released it in exchange for a longer stay in the sky.

An air-conditioned vehicle will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the visitor centre. There you will start the climb up to the crater. Along the way you will have the opportunity to see the local fauna. Rare birds such as the 'Ua'u (Hawaiian petrel) and the Nēnē, the Hawaiian goose , nest here.

Haleakala is characterised by a variety of landscapes, from lush forests to arid valleys that look like something out of a science fiction movie. The panoramas are breathtaking and rewarding. The itinerary touches on the following locations:

• Makawao, a small town known for the paniolos, the cowboys of Hawaii. In the early 19th century, King Kamehameha III brought Californian cattlemen to the island to teach the locals how to ride horses and handle cattle. The cowboy past is evident both on the main street (Makawao Avenue) and in the surrounding farms.

This stage usually includes a stop for lunch. Personally, I recommend Makawao Garden Café or Polli's Mexican restaurant.

• Wailuku, a former sugar cane farming centre turned tourist destination. Its most iconic buildings are the gothic Ka'ahumanu Church, the theatre reminiscent of a Spanish mission and the Bailey House Museum
• Iao Needle, large rocks covered with lush tropical vegetation. They are located in the Iao Valley, a natural park of about 4,000 hectares.

This route is very popular and it is therefore advisable to book well in advance. In my opinion, the Haleakala Crater hike is one of the best activities and tours on Maui.

• Price: between 180 € and 200 €
• Duration: about 10 hours.

Maui's east coast is an unspoilt area, dotted with waterfalls, rainforests and towering cliffs. This is where the famous Road to Hana runs, an 85-kilometre road famous for its splendid scenery and colourful food stalls offering tourists water and fresh fruit.

This tour follows a stretch of highway and, after a few kilometres, stops for a short hiking trail. Your guide will lead you through the jungle to waterfalls that form natural pools. Once there, you'll be able to recover your strength with a dip - don't forget your swimming costume at the hotel!

There is also a version that includes abseiling, a technique for descending vertical walls. In both cases, the routes are designed for small groups and involve no more than 10 people.

• Price: around €150. In the case of abseiling, the price exceeds €200
• Duration: 5 hours or a little more.

A short but comprehensive option. The tour starts at the King's Garden, a private garden near the famous Road to Hana. Within the grounds are a number of waterfalls and, of course, you can enjoy a refreshing dip.

Along the way, the guide will point out the most beautiful plants and show you a cave linked to a Mo'o, mythological beings that can appear as beautiful maidens or water dragons.

At the end of the walk, you can enjoy a delicious chocolate tasting. By the way, if you like this delicacy, I also recommend the following sites/activities:

• Maui Chocolate Tour, a guided tour of a farm in Lahaina. Their history is a bit new - they only appeared in 2019 - but their products are incredibly tasty (78 Ulupono St Suite 1, Lahaina)
• Maui Specialty Chocolates, a delicious shop in Kahului. Try their peanut butter and chocolate mochis (180 East Wakea Avenue, Suite E, Kahului)
• Maui Chocolate & Coffea Tour, which combines two classic food tours. Located in the centre of the island, not far from the Kula Botanical Gardens (1886 Naalae Road, Kula)
• Price: just under €150
• Duration: 2-3 hours

Honolua Bay is located in the northwest of Maui and is a prime destination for surfers. Not everyone knows that a few metres further up is a nature reserve where all the species of Hawaii's rainforest grow. Routes usually start at nearby Napili and the trail is just over 3 kilometres long.

The trail passes through one of the wettest places on earth. Thanks to the abundant rainfall, banyan trees, ferns and other plants grow luxuriantly and the guides will tell you about their characteristics and the history of the area. An intermediate level is required for this tour.

• Price: just under 150 €
• Duration: 3 to 4 hours.

The perfect option for those who want to forget about everything and concentrate solely on the route. The cost is a little steep - over €350 - but includes transport in an air-conditioned minivan, hiking poles, insect repellent, ponchos and a few bottles of water.

If you want the vehicle to come to your hotel or resort, you can order this service for an extra fee (only from Kaanapali, Lahaina, Wailea, Kihei and Kapalua).

The activity takes place in the mountains of West Maui, a pristine area and home to many historical and sacred sites of Hawaiian culture.

• Price: about 400 €
• Duration: 7 hours or less.

Waihee Ridge is an 8-kilometre round-trip trail through kukui, guava and fern forests. It is located in the west of the island, an area characterised by abundant rainfall and rapid vegetation growth. This trail is one of the few able to resist the relentless advance of trees and shrubs.

The guide will take you to the summit where you will enjoy an incomparable panorama of the area. The hike usually starts early in the morning (between 7:00 and 8:00) and includes a few bottles of water.

Bring binoculars, you might see endemic birds such as the iiwi (small and with bright red feathers) or the Amakihi with its characteristic yellowish colour.

• Price: just over 80 €
• Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Thanks to its warm climate, Maui is suitable for excursions every month. However, it is best to avoid winter: this is the rainiest season and if there is heavy rainfall, some trails may be closed or impassable. For alternatives, I recommend reading the post on what to do in Maui in winter.

On any trekking excursion, footwear is a fundamental starting point. If you are planning to do some simple routes, a pair of sneakers is enough. If you're looking for a challenge, I recommend hiking boots. You can complete your outfit with:

• Breathable shorts
• Quick-drying T-shirt, your best ally against moisture and sweat. It washes quickly and dries in less than an hour, so you can take one or two and save space in your suitcase
• Sun hat
• Rain jacket, a must-have accessory in your suitcase. In a tropical environment, rain showers are frequent, although in most cases, they end after a few minutes. If this is not the case, I advise you to think about another activity. You can find several options in the post that explains what to do in Maui when it rains
• Sunglasses
• Hiking underwear. Being made of synthetic material, usually polyester or lycra, it avoids chafing and bad smells
• Swimwear, you might find a lake at the foot of a waterfall or a stretch of coastline irresistible. A refreshing dip is always good
• Sports socks
• Backpack, preferably a sportsbackpack. It will be useful for carrying spare clothes, water bottles, handkerchiefs and anything else you might need during the excursion. In any case, try to travel as light as possible.

Fortunately not. The Hawaiian archipelago is not home to lethal fauna and the only "danger" is represented by insects. The giant centipede and the red velvet ant can sting humans, but their bite is not fatal. They are, however, quite creepy but harmless.

Especially in the northern part of the island it is not uncommon to find the pua'a, the Polynesian pig. They are probably the first non-native species to arrive in Hawaii and their numbers are steadily increasing.

If you see a herd, don't approach them. They may interpret it as an attack, especially if there are young. Their bite can transmit diseases such as hepatitis and tuberculosis.

Yes, but I don't recommend it. As you know, it has nothing to do with the local wildlife, but for other safety reasons. It is always advisable to go out accompanied. After all, you will be in the middle of nature.

If you can't resist the lure of mountains and forests, I recommend these easy hikes:

• Kapalua Coastal Trail, a 4-kilometre round trip between Kapalua and Honokahua Bays. It is close to a hotel area and parking is easy. It runs alongside the ocean and the views are breathtaking
• Waihou Spring Trail, a walk in the Upcountry Maui area. It's a perfect route if you're visiting the island in summer
• Seven Sacred Pools, a one-kilometre loop trail, perfect for snacking on Maui's natural beauty. The waterfalls form small lakes where swimming is allowed (weather permitting)
• Waimoku Falls, a 6-kilometre round-trip trail through Haleakala National Park. Its main attractions are the great Waimoku Falls and a splendid bamboo forest. To enter the natural area you have to pay a ticket (about $15 if you're on foot)
• Nakalele Blowhole, a short hike (about 2 kilometres) that follows the coast in the town of the same name. Its big landmark is the blowhole, a hole in the ground that connects to an ocean cave. When the tide rises or the waves increase in intensity, a strong jet of water gushes out of the cavity creating the effect of a geyser.

Yes, it's the best option. Maui is very large and public transport doesn't touch all parts of the island. Plus, you'll be able to pack everything you want in the boot for a more relaxed journey. Before you get behind the wheel, here are some useful tips:

• Be careful when it rains. After all, you are on a tropical island and downpours require very careful driving. If it rains too much, go back to the hotel
• Parking is tricky. Hotels and resorts aside, you won't find too many areas to leave your car without paying
• Try to avoid traffic. In Maui, rush hour is at 16:00
• Don't wait too long to refuel. Before you set off on your hiking trip, make sure you have a full tank of gas. Gas stations are hard to find in the interior areas.

Unfortunately they are. When the first Westerners arrived here, the archipelago didn't have any. It is believed that Aedes aegypti, the most common species, arrived here with the whaling ships.

Their numbers usually increase both in the morning and shortly before dusk. Fortunately, Maui hosts fewer mosquitoes than other islands and the insects do not transmit any diseases.

Of course they do! If you want to go faster, I recommend you take a look at the best bike tours in Maui. On the other hand, if you prefer to reach the most secluded coves by sea, you can rent a kayak or book a catamaran tour. Finally, the island of Hawaii has a very adrenaline-pumping experience: swimming with sharks in Maui.

It's not compulsory but I recommend you book it before you leave. First of all, if your trip is cancelled for any reason, you will get your flights and hotel refunded. If your luggage is left at the airport of departure, you will also be entitled to a refund.

Hawaii is also part of the United States, a country known for its high health care costs. Insurance covers you against unforeseen events and eliminates (or significantly reduces) the amount you'll have to spend in case of illness or other medical problems.

You're almost ready to travel to the archipelago. Here are a few last tips to help you plan the perfect route:

• Don't drink the water from the springs and streams you'll find along the way. After all, you are in a tropical country! Please note that the tap water on Maui is completely safe
• If you decide to hike on your own, make sure you get back before sunset. Just check the sunset time online
• Don't go off the markedtrails or you risk getting lost
• Phone coverage is poor in the more isolated areas. If you are travelling alone, download the map in advance
• Do not trespass on private property
• To keep abreast of any weather or emergency developments, you can contact the automated number 808-986-1200, extension 1. A robotic voice will give you all the information you need.