Hana Highway, Maui – Kinsleylife

Hana Highway

The Hana Highway is legendary not just as a means of transportation, but as one of the world’s most scenic—and dizzying—road trips. Stretching approximately 64 miles along Maui’s rugged northeastern coast, this serpentine route connects Kahului to the isolated town of Hana. The drive is famous for its sheer intensity, featuring an estimated 600 hairpin turns and nearly 50 one-lane bridges that require patience and careful navigation. As you wind through the lush tropical rainforest, the landscape constantly shifts between towering eucalyptus groves, cascading waterfalls right beside the road, and dramatic cliffside views of the Pacific Ocean crashing against lava rocks below.

Hana Highway Southern Route (20.650894, -156.076582)

While the town of Hana itself is a quiet, historic community that offers a glimpse into “old Hawaii,” the true allure of the highway lies in the journey’s many stops. Travelers are encouraged to take their time exploring iconic landmarks such as the bamboo forests of the Pipiwai Trail, the picturesque stop of the Garden of Eden, the stunning black sands of Waiʻānapanapa State Park, and the cascading pools of ‘Ohe’o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools). Because the route demands slow travel, it transforms a relatively short distance into a full-day adventure, immersing visitors in the island’s dense vegetation and vibrant ecosystem before culminating in the serene, remote beauty of East Maui.

Hana Highway Southern Route (20.3631430, -156.153812)

Once you reach Hana, most people spend the afternoon and then return the same way they came. However if you have a Jeep rental or other high-clearance 4×4, you can continue around the South side of Haleakala for a different view. Be sure to check your car rental agreement first and have a full tank of gas as there may be no cell service if you run out of gas.