Road to Hana
A legendary coastal road on Maui's north shore that runs through rainforest, with about 600 curves and 59 single-lane bridges, along with waterfalls, black sand beaches and the Seven Sacred Pools.
The Hāna Highway is made up of Routes 36 and 360. It runs from Kahului, passing the surf town of Pāʻia, along Maui's northeast coast through tropical rainforest to the village of Hāna, a total of about 64 miles (103 km). The Route 360 section has roughly 620 curves and 59 bridges, most of them single-lane, and is known as the 'road to paradise.' Main stops: Pāʻia; Ho'okipa Beach (for sea turtles and windsurfing); Twin Falls; Waikamoi Falls; the Ke'anae Peninsula (lava coastline and banana bread); the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park (reservations required in advance); the village of Hāna and Hamoa Beach. Continuing south, the Kīpahulu district of Haleakalā National Park has the ʻOheʻo Gulch Seven Sacred Pools and the Pipiwai Trail through a bamboo forest. Driving straight through takes 2.5 to 3 hours one way, but in practice you need a full day, and it is recommended to spend a night in Hāna. Single-lane bridges are shared on a first-come, first-served basis, with 5 to 7 cars passing per turn. Do not park on private land or in no-parking zones. Start early so you are not driving back after dark. Many rental car contracts do not permit driving on the 'back side' road beyond Kīpahulu.