Please give me some advice on "must do" hikes while in Maui. We are in our mid-30's, very physically fit, and are avid photographers that carry our camera gear everywhere we go!

Also, we've been to the top of Haleakala to watch the sunrise, but we didn't stick around to do any hiking. Should we hike in Halekala during this trip to Maui? We've already hiked on the Big Island in Volcanoes Nat'l Park. I just don't want to waste our time driving up to Haleakala and back down if the hiking is just so-so.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Haleakala is the best hiking on Maui, if you like Volcanic landscapes. There are hiking trails everywhere and in my opinion the scenery is extraordinary. There are even some small huts down in the Caldera where you can overnight. (I've never used them but have talked to several people on the trails that have. They say it is a wonderful experience). Ask at HNP visitor center on the way into the park, the rangers are very helpful and can give you suggestions depending on your abilities. Some of the trails are very steep and rocky, and at 10,000 feet can be challanging, particularly since a lot of the trails start out downhill, requiring a tough uphill finish. Other trails are simply easy walk-abouts.

Aloha!

We are planning on doing this hike in March.

The Pipiwai Trail, above Seven Sacred Pools, is one of the best hikes on Maui. It is 4 miles roundtrip, gaining 650-feet in elevation. It takes 2 1/2 - 5 hours to hike, depending on how much nature loving you do. There are several great waterfalls along the route with the final destination being Waimoku Falls, falling 400-feet down a sheer lava rock wall.
Along the trail is Infinity Pool. It has a row of thick rocks that keep you from plunging over the 200-foot waterfall during normal flow times. Always be very cautious around any of these waterfalls, though, as flash flooding is always possible and can be deadly. A slow moving stream may suddenly become a tidal wave of rushing water within minutes.



Directions:
Take Highway 31 south from Hana. The parking lot for all falls and trails is located just past Mile Marker #42 on the ocean side of the road. Follow the signs to the trailhead.


I'm curious...do you use a camera backpack to carry your equipment? I just recently got a Nikon D70 and am trying to figure out how I want to carry my new toy around, traveling and during hikes.

Acaigirl,

We have a Nikon D100 and truly take it EVERYWHERE we go. When we know that weather will not be a factor, we put all of our camera gear in our LowePro Micro Trekker 200 backpack. Admittedly, we have one digital camera body, two lenses, and a video camera, so if you don't need all of that space I would recommend the Micro Trekker 100. The backpack is fantastic BUT it is not easy to pull the camera out of the backpack while it is either on your back, or slung over one shoulder. To safely pull the camera out of the backpack, you need to take it off and have it in front of you. That said, I still wouldn't trade it for any other type of bag!

When weather is a factor, we use our Lowepro DryZone 200 backpack which is completely waterproof. We take it kayaking, canoeing, biking, etc. It it has two zippered layers, and one is completely waterproof. The waterproof zipper is a pain and is difficult to open and close, but I'm sure it has to be that way for the manufacturer to get a waterproof seal.

I suggest looking at www.lowepro.com for more options.

Let me know if you have any additional questions. Thanks for your input about hikes on Maui!

If you want a shorter hike on an easier day, Twin Falls in Upcountry is great.

We enjoyed the shoreline hike at La Perouse Bay. Thsi area was the site of Maui's last lava flow and the huge lava rocks create some dramatic scenery. Huge waves crashed up on the shore--enjoyable hike.

Thanks for the camera bag tips! I have a backpack for travel/hiking that I love, and didn't want to purchase another one. I was thinking along the lines of some kind of foam "insert" that I could use with my daypack.