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15 Easy Hikes in Maui

Today, I am going to share 15 easy hikes in Maui. As a Hawaii Travel Agent, Maui is easily my top-booked island for both honeymoons and families. 

Maui is one of the most beautiful destinations in Hawaii. If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to explore the island’s natural beauty, hiking is the perfect activity for you.

With its stunning coastline, lush rainforests, and scenic trails, Maui offers a variety of hikes suitable for all ages and skill levels. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best easy hikes in Maui that you won’t want to miss.

Do you need a rental car in Maui?

As a Maui travel agent, one of the most common questions I get is regarding rental cars. Of course, you’ll definitely need a rental car! You’ll find the best prices anywhere at Discount Hawaii Car Rental. 

Discount Hawaii Rental Car allows you to reserve for free and cancel at any time, so there’s really no downside. Maui offers so many incredible activities, from the Road to Hana to upcountry Maui to snorkeling Molokini Crater, so don’t forget to reserve your car early!

Easy hikes in Maui

Here are 15 easy hikes in Maui, listed in no particular order. Please note that some of these hikes are not-so-easy but are included for those who are feeling a bit more adventurous!

Kapalua Coastal Trail

Over in Lahaina, you will find the Kapalua Coastal Trail. This is one of the easier hiking trails in Maui. This easy hike is about 2.5 miles out and back. There is an elevation gain of 209 feet.

This hike goes along Kapalua Bay. It connects Kapalua Beach with Fleming Beach. This is one of the best coastal walks in Maui.

The trail is basically flat. However, there are some rocky areas.

The best time to hike this trail is during off-peak times. It is usually quite crowded in the early morning with runners and walkers. Sunset is another popular time for obvious reasons.

Take your bathing suit and snorkeling gear with you on this hike. Kapalua Bay is one of the best places to go snorkeling to see marine life. Just stay a safe distance from marine life. You won’t want to get them all riled up!

Waianapanapa Coastal Trail

The Waianapanapa Coastal Trail has a couple of different names. It is also known as the Piilani Trail and Ke Ala Loa O Maui.

No matter what you call this hiking trail in Maui, you will find it within Waianapanapa State Park. It is the hiking trail that is along the Road to Hana. This road is one of the most popular places to see on the Hawaiian Islands.

The Waianapanapa Coastal Trail is only 3 miles long. Many people hike this trail because it takes them to the famous black sand beach.

It can be crowded on the black sand beach. The crowds thin out on the hiking trail. So, you will have plenty of opportunities to take pictures without worrying about other people along the way.

Please note that there is a fee to enter this park and to park your car. Reservations are also needed in advance. Make sure to check out The ultimate guide to the Road to Hana to learn more.

Dragon’s Teeth

Not too far from the Kapalua Coastal Trail is Dragon’s Teeth Trail. Most people think they are on the same hiking trail, but that isn’t true.

This is one of the shortest trails on the island. It is between 0.2 and 0.3 miles long each way. You can easily add this trail to your Kapalua Coastal Trail hike. Actually, many people probably do this already and don’t realize it!

The terrain on this short walk is very rocky. It is best to wear something other than flip-flops when walking along this portion of the coastline.

This trail leads you to Makaluapuna Point. This is a wonderful spot for spectacular views of the ocean. Before you reach Makaluapuna Point, you will see the sacred Honokahua Burial Site. It is located behind hedges. You will be intrigued, but it is important you act respectfully and don’t enter the area.

Sliding Sands Trail

Sliding Sands Trail is one of the many hiking trails within Haleakala National Park. You will find this park in South Maui. This park is a great place to visit if you want to choose from numerous trails in one location.

I recommend starting your day long before your hiking adventure. If you are lucky enough, you can be one of the few people who secure reservations to watch the sunrise from this park.

Once the sun has come up, you can get an early start and head along the Keonehe’ehe’e or Sliding Sands Trail. The start of the trail begins right at the visitor center in the park.

While this is an easy hike, some people think it is also challenging. That is usually because it is 11 miles long. It also has a high elevation gain of 2,795 feet.

I still recommend tackling this hike. If for nothing else but to see the crater floor and stunning rock formations. You will spot many rare plants along the way too.

If you don’t want to tackle such a long hike, consider the Pa Ka’oao Trail. This is a short hike of 0.5 miles. When you reach the end of the trail, you will have the best views of the west side of the island.

Pipiwai Trail

The Pipiwai Trail is located in Hana in East Maui. You can reach this trail via the Kipahulu Visitor Center on the Hana Highway. The hike is just under 4 miles roundtrip. There is an elevation gain of 908 feet.

This hiking trail goes through bamboo forests. As you are hiking along the main trail, you will see a massive banyan tree. It is a wonderful place to take pictures during your vacation.

You will also see the spectacular Waimoku Falls in the distance. You can hike to the lookout point to see Makahiku Falls. This lookout point is only about 0.5 miles into the hiking trail. This is one of the best waterfall hikes on the island.

Since this hiking trail is located in Haleakala National Park, you must pay a fee to enter the park. Make sure to check out 

Before you leave the parking lot after your hike, you may want to venture out on another one. There is a half-mile loop trail that leads to the Seven Sacred Pools, or Ohe’o Gulch.

These are considered the best deep freshwater pools on the island of Maui. The water levels of these pools vary. There is usually plenty of water in them, but if you want to guarantee seeing lots of water in these pools, head out the day after heavy rain.

This is a short hike, so you can easily combine these two hikes in one day.

Hoapili Trail

The Hoapili Trail can be found in Wailea. This trail is in the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve.

It is a longer trail that continues for ten miles one way. If you happen to complete the entire trail, it would be more on the moderate end for hiking. You will want to give yourself plenty of time if you do decide to hike the entire length of the trail.

However, if you only hike approximately 3.5 miles, it is an easy hike in Maui. The elevation gain is only 141 feet too.

The Hoapili Trail actually follows Ala Loa, which is the King’s Trail. That trail was created by King Pi’ilani in 1790. Don’t confuse King Pi’ilani with King Kamehameha, whose birthplace you can hike to on the Big Island of Hawaii.

The entire trail goes around terrain that is filled with red and black rocks. Those rocks create what is called lava fields. That lava field is from one of the last volcanic eruptions on the island of Maui.

There is very little shade, despite hiking through a forest. Make sure you are prepared for the warmth of the day and the sun.

This is one of the best Maui hikes if you want to see lots of little beaches in a single day. If you take your bathing suit, you can go for a dip in the water at any of those beaches.

Waihee Ridge Trail

The Waihee Ridge Trail is considered an easy hike in Maui for some people, yet challenging for others. This hike begins with a steep incline from the parking lot to the trailhead. Once that part is over, the rest of the hike isn’t as steep.

This is one of the best hikes through the forest. The best time to go is on a clear day, with excellent weather conditions. On those days, you can see views of waterfalls and the surrounding area.

Twin Falls Trail

Twin Falls Trail is another trail that can be found on the Hana Highway. You will find the trailhead at mile marker 2.1. Twin Falls may be the best waterfalls on Maui that are easy to hike to. Therefore, be prepared for this trail to be crowded.

The trail is 2 miles long round trip. It goes through a tropical rainforest. It is common to see about 100 inches of rain a year in this rainforest.

You can’t get lost because the trail is well-marked and straightforward. You basically go to the waterfalls and then back to your starting point.

Waikamoi Ridge Trail

The Waikamoi Ridge Trail can be found at mile marker 9.5 on the Road to Hana. This trail is actually two short trails that combine for a 1.5-mile hike. One of those trails is a small loop. The other is a quick out-and-back trail.

Both trails take you through the rainforest, as well as a very small bamboo forest. This trail can get quite muddy after a rainstorm.

If you want to explore lava tubes while in Maui, you will find some along the Road to Hana. You can easily visit one before or after one of your hiking adventures.

Nakalele Blowhole

A drive along the northeastern coast of Maui will allow you to stop and see the views in many areas. However, this is also where you will find one of the favorite hikes on Maui. The hike to the Nakalele Blowhole is just over a mile round trip.

The trailhead for this hike isn’t easy to find. When you arrive at the small parking area along the highway, there will be an opening nearby. Simply hike down the steep rocky trail to the blowhole. Please use common sense and precaution and keep your distance from the blowhole. 

Don’t forget your camera. You will definitely want to grab some pictures as the water is shooting up from below.

You can also reach the Nakalele Blowhole during a hike along the Acid War Zone Trail. This 1.3-mile easy hike in Maui goes through a barren terrain.

‘Ohai Trail

The ‘Ohai Trail is near the Nakalele Blowhole and Acid War Zone Trail. This trail is just over a mile long round trip. Therefore, you can easily complete this hike and one of the others on the same day.

This is a great hike when all you want is an easy walk along the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

Waihou Spring Trail

The Waihou Spring Trail is an easy 2-mile loop trail. The entire trail goes through a forest reserve. Your entire hike will be spent looking at different species of trees. Those trees include Cypress, ‘Ala’a, Halapepe, Monterey, and Koa.

All those trees mean you will find lots of shade along the trail. This is a perfect choice for those days you want to be outside yet escape the heat and sun at the same time.

If you are ready for an adventure, head off the looped trail and continue on to see Waihou Springs. The trail to the springs is more difficult. There are switchbacks to contend with. They are worth it to see the spring that goes over moss-covered volcanic rocks.

Kapalua Village Walking Trail Lake Loop

This walking trail loop is a little over 4 miles long. You will find it near Lahaina on the island of Maui.

These village walking trails are part of an abandoned golf course. Most of the walking path is paved, but there are a few steep sections. Since the trail is paved, it can become slippery when it is wet.

The parts of the trail that are not paved will get muddy after it rains.

The duck pond is the perfect place to relax in the middle of your hike. This is the perfect hike for a nice leisurely day in Maui.

Lahaina Pali Trail

The Lahaina Pali Trail can be slightly more challenging. This hiking trail will take you between 5 and 10 miles. It is dependent on how far you want to travel along this trail through the West Maui mountains.

Gorgeous panoramic views can be seen during this strenuous hike.

You can start this best hike in Maui from two different spots. You can begin from Maalaea in the east. Or at Ukumehame Beach State Park in the west. I recommend starting and ending in the west. This way you can enjoy your lunch or a snack at a picnic table near the beach.

Iao Needle Lookout Trail

The Iao Needle Lookout Trail goes through the 4,000-acre Iao Valley State Park. This trail is about 0.6 miles roundtrip.

Head to the lookout point for gorgeous views of the Iao Stream and the entire valley.

Swimming is not recommended in the Iao Stream since it is considered a sacred area. It is best always to respect Hawaiian culture when you are on vacation in Maui.

Please note that there is a fee to enter the park and for parking your car.

Mahana Ridge Trail

The Mahana Ridge Trail isn’t really one of the easy hikes in Maui. However, I needed to add it to the list because of the stunning views of the ocean. This 10-mile round-trip hike will take you along a back trail that used to be pineapple land.

This isn’t one of the busier hiking trails in Maui. So, you will find the solitude you desire amongst all the lush greenery.

Please be aware that this hike should only be completed by hikers with advanced skill levels.

Easy hikes in Maui

I hope you enjoyed this list of easy hikes in Maui, along with some not-so-easy Maui hikes. 

Want even more Maui travel ideas? Check out some of my top Maui travel tips.

• The 15 best golf courses in Maui
• The Best Happy Hours in Maui
• How to see snow in Hawaii mountains
• The best resorts in Kaanapali
• What is the best luau on Maui?

Although I am a Hawaii Travel Agent, I am only taking on a few clients per month. Contact me early for the best chance of availability! You can contact me if you’d like more information. I recommend starting with my Hawaii travel guide if you plan to DIY your vacation!

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