14 Epic Stops On The Road To Hana In Maui (2025)
Planning to drive along the scenic Road To Hana? If so, this article’s for you.
The Road To Hana is a gorgeous, 64.4 mile stretch of Maui’s coastline that starts in Paia, and ends in Hana. This drive winds through the wilderness on narrow, windy roads, with waterfalls, and breathtaking views all along the way.
This article will cover all of the must-see stops on the Road to Hana, from waterfall hikes to iconic banana bread stands, and much more.
Here are the 14 best stops along the Road to Hana, listed in the order you’ll pass by them (start to finish) along the drive.
For your convenience, I’ve attached a map of the attractions, that you can save at the end of this article.
This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase through these links we may earn a commission. This helps keep our content free, at no additional cost to you.
14 Best Stops On The Road To Hana
Ho’okipa Beach Park
Located at the beginning of the road to Hana, Ho’okipa Beach Park is one of the best places to spot sea turtles on the island.
This beach has a long stretch of sandy beach, with crystal clear waters, and dozens of sea turtles basking on the shore.
Just remember to stay at a viewing distance of 10 feet, as it’s against the law to disturb sea turtles in Hawaii.
Twin Falls
Twin Falls is one of the best first stops, a series of three waterfalls and natural swimming holes on a privately owned farm.
It’s a short walk from the parking lot to reach the lower waterfall, and you can hike a little over a mile, and cross a river, to reach the upper waterfall.
Just remember to bring water shoes if you plan on doing the full hike! Parking is $10/vehicle.
Eucalyptus Rainbow Trees
Located right before mile marker 7, there’s a grove of beautiful rainbow eucalyptus trees you can see off the side of the road.
There’s a small pullout for parking on the right, and you’ll be able to see the colorful trees on the left. This stop can be hard to miss, so make sure to pin it on the offline maps!
Garden of Eden Arboretum
The Garden of Eden Arboretum is a lush botanical garden with waterfalls, bamboo forests, mango trees, and wild peacocks roaming around.
The park has several nice lookouts of the ocean, including one where you can view a rock featured in the first Jurassic Park movie (Keopuka Rock)! Entrance is $20/person.
Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread
For a sweet treat, stop by Aunty Sandy’s to try delicious freshly baked banana bread.
This is a small family owned bakery that makes everything from chili dogs to smoothies, and their famous banana bread was featured in Gordon Ramsay’s Uncharted travel show.
Upper Waikani Falls (Three Bears)
The next must-see stop is Upper Waikani Falls, a stunning 3-tiered waterfall with natural swimming pools.
It’s located right off of the side of the highway, and has a dedicated parking lot. It’s also completely free to visit, and there’s restrooms and picnic areas on site.
Hana Lava Tube
The Hana Lava Tube (Ka’eleku Cave) is the largest lava cave in Maui that was formed from volcanic eruptions nearly 1000 years ago!
The cave stretches over 2 miles, and 0.3 miles of the cave is open to the public for self-guided tours.
Entrance is $15/person (children under 5 free), and you’ll be provided with flashlights to explore the lava rock formations and unique volcanic features.
Hana Farms
For lunch, stop by Hana Farms to try their wood fired pizza, homemade sodas, and flavored banana breads.
This is one of the best places to eat on the Road to Hana, and they’re located a few miles before you reach Wainapanapa’s State Park.
Waianapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach)
The next must-see stop is Waianapanapa State Park, a beautiful state park with a black sand beach, hiking trails, and campgrounds. This is an amazing place to hike by the ocean, or camp overnight.
Before visiting, don’t forget to book your reservation online beforehand, as you can’t buy tickets in person. Entrance is $10/parking for nonresidents, plus a $5/person fee.
Seven Sacred Pools & Pipiwai Trail
Located near the end of the Road to Hana, you’ll reach the Kīpahulu entrance station of Haleakala National Park. Here you can hike to the Seven Sacred Pools (Kuloa Point Trail), and Waimoku Falls (Pipiwai Trail).
The Seven Sacred Pools is a short coastal hike to a series of waterfalls and pools nestled in the jungle. It had a spectacular view of Maui’s green mountains, and a black sand beach tucked beneath the cliffs.
The Pipiwai Trail is a long, 4 mile round trip hike through a bamboo forest to a hidden 410 foot waterfall (Waimoku Falls). This entire area was beautiful, and it was one of my favorite places to explore around.
Entrance to the national park is $30/person, and it’s valid for 3 days. If you purchase entrance to the park, I highly recommend also watching the sunrise or sunset from the Haleakala summit within the next 3 days!
Wailua Falls
Wailua Falls is a stunning 80 foot waterfall that can be seen right off of the highway. It has a small pullout for parking, a hiking trail to reach the swimming ponds, and an amazing view from the bridge alone.
Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach
Located in Hana, Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach is a unique red sand beach that’s accessible by a short 0.5 mile hike.
To get to the beach, park by the Hana Community Center, and you’ll find the trailhead past a plot of grass. This trail hugs the edge of the cliff, until you reach a small red sand cove.
Koki Beach Park
Koki Beach Park is a local surfing beach with views of a tiny island offshore. This beach has grassy shaded picnic areas, and a popular huli huli chicken stand.
It’s not the best beach for swimming, but it’s a good place to stop for a picnic, and there’s plenty of free parking.
Tips For Driving The Road To Hana
- Download the offline maps (there’s no cell service for most of the drive)
- Make a reservation beforehand if visiting Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach
- Pack snacks and drinks
- Begin the drive as early as possible in the morning
- Rent a 4×4 vehicle/SUV for the most comfortability
- Join a group tour if you’re not comfortable driving on narrow, windy roads
- Stay a night in Hana to explore more of the attractions
Road To Hana Attractions Map
Road To Hana FAQs
How difficult is the Road to Hana drive?
The Road to Hana is a narrow, windy road with the speed limit kept under 25 mph. I found the drive relatively easy, but it may not be ideal for those with motion sickness.
Most of the road is very well-paved, and there’s a few bumpy areas as you approach the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park near the end.
Once you drive past the national park, you’ll be on the “back road to Hana”, which most rental car companies discourage driving through.
This area has unpaved gravel sections, and potholes, so it’s best to drive in the same way that you came from.
How much time do you need to drive the Road to Hana?
You can drive the Road to Hana in one full day, but if you want to fully explore the attractions, two days is ideal.
Staying in Hana overnight is a great option, if you want to relax, and be able to see the attractions without feeling rushed.
What’s the best Road to Hana tour?
If you want to see the attractions in Hana in one day, I highly recommend joining a group tour. On a group tour, you’ll get to relax, enjoy the sights, and not have to worry about missing any of the stops (like I did!).
This small group tour includes transportation in a Mercedes Sprinter Van, and stops at multiple waterfalls, black sand beaches, and Aunty Sandy’s famous banana bread.
Where’s the best place to stay in Hana?
Some of the best hotels available in Hana are the Hana Kai Maui Resort or Hana Maui Resort by Hyatt.
If you’re looking to camp overnight, you can camp at Waianapanapa State Park or the Kipahulu Campground (Haleakala National Park) with a reservation.
Should you rent a car in Maui?
I highly recommend renting a car in Maui if you want to explore the entire island.
I rented a car with Makoa Rental Car in Kahului, and they had excellent customer service, and by far the best prices I’ve seen on the island.
Related articles to check out: