Road to Hana
Maui, Hawaii
Road
53 miles | 3,900 ft elevation
The island of Maui is lush, peaceful and packed with incredible riding. The Road to Hana is what riding in paradise feels like, with the ocean by your side and the sound of waterfalls around each bend.
Starting from the town of Paia, head east towards Hana. The first few miles will be through open space, but soon enough you will reach the dense, green vegetation. Around mile 12, the twist and turns in the road will begin and you will ride across many bridges (59 to be exact if you ride all the way to Hana). The elevation will fluctuate up and down and around mile 22 the ocean will appear to your left. Many of the roadside waterfalls make their way onto the pavement, so be prepared and anticipate getting a bit wet.
The road is narrow and you share it with many cars, but typically the drivers are going slow due to all the turns in the road. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time if you plan on making it all the way to Hana. If you get a late start to your day, this out and back route will take you about halfway to Hana.
Hotel Recommendation
Maui Kaanapali Villas – This hotel feels more like an apartment/condo complex with spacious rooms (including full kitchens and living/dining areas), plenty of parking and access to the beach. It is a very quiet property and a perfect place to call home for a few days. It is a short drive to Whalers Village, where there are many restaurants (my favorite was Monkeypod) and shopping. It is also within walking distance to The Westin resort, which also has a few restaurant options.
There are many places to stay throughout the island, some more remote than others. Do your research and find what is best for you and your budget.
Notes
Road to Hana is wet. Be careful as thin layer of moss can form on the road and may cause you to slip.
In general, there are not many places to stop for food while riding, so be sure to pack enough food and water.
The Road to Hana is narrow and busy. Drivers are usually going fairly slow, but use caution when taking the blind turns.
There can be quite a bit of traffic on Maui (most roads are only two-lane roads), so be prepared for it to take a while to drive to various locations on the island.
If you don’t want to fly with your bike, you can rent a road bike from Maui Cyclery. Reserve your bike online (you can also add a bike rack to your order if you plan on renting for multiple days and need to transport the bike), and then give them a call to confirm your reservation and ask them any questions you may have. The guys in the shop are super helpful, giving route and rest stop recommendations, and they will even put your pedals on for you upon pick up. If you plan on starting your rides early, pick up your bike the day before as they don’t open until late morning.
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