PIPIWAI TRAIL MAUI: A Stunning Bamboo Forest Hike To Waimoku Falls
The Pipiwai Trail is definitely one of the best hikes on Maui, part of the beautiful Haleakala National Park, and a fitting climax to the scenic Road to Hana drive!
Why?
An iconic banyan tree. A magical bamboo forest. Not one, but two stunning waterfalls. Pretty forest birds, some found nowhere else in the world!
A quintessential Hawaiian rainforest hike, the Pipiwai Trial is replete with varied jungle terrains, stunning waterfalls, and bubbling streams.
Sit back and enjoy the wonderful views and the waterfalls on the Road to Hana instead of worrying about the drive and finding parking. This popular small-group tour includes pick-up and lunch. 🌳 🌊 🌈
Although the drive to get here from west or south Maui is long, the Pipiwai Trail rewards hikers with superb rainforest surroundings and a dramatic payoff that makes the Pipiwai Trail hike well worth it.
This is a hike that you must definitely add to your itinerary for Maui!
Sunrise at the summit of Haleakala is an experience you do not want to miss on Maui. This tour takes you up to the visitor center where you will view the sun rise above the clouds. Includes breakfast! 🌄
In this Pipiwai Trail website guide, you will find detailed information on what to expect along the trail, plus the nitty gritty on accessing the trail and tips for an enjoyable hike.
And if you’re just starting to plan your visit to Maui, check out the some of the top things to do in Maui, many of which you absolutely don’t want to miss!
(Length, Difficulty, Trail Hours, Time to Hike)
(Directions, Parking, Map, Entrance Fee)
The Pipiwai Trail: Complete Guide
This Pipiwai Trail website is your one-stop guide for all the details you need to plan your trip: location, directions, trail parking, and trail map.
Located on the remote southern part of Maui, the Pipiwai Trail is near the end of the scenic road to Hana (mile marker 42) within the Haleakala National Park. Use “pipiwai trail hawaii 96713” for your GPS.
Ample parking is available at the Kipahulu Visitor Center, right next to the trailhead for the Pipiwai Trail.
Sunset at Kaanapali Beach is the quintessential Maui experience. On this relaxing sunset cruise, enjoy drinks from an open bar as you watch the sun sink into the water, and take in views of Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe. 🌅 🌊 ⛴️
Wondering what kind of hike the Pipiwai Trail is and whether it is suitable for your group?
You can find all the details you need on this website: hike difficulty, trail length, elevation gain and climbing involved, hike time, trail hours, best time to go and whether you can take kids, parents and dogs.
In a nutshell, the hike is moderately difficult, about 4 miles round trip, and takes 2.5-4 hours at an average.
First time to Maui and no time to plan? You can’t go wrong selecting from these 5-star rated, immensely popular experiences ranked by traveler popularity!
Pipiwai Trail Cost
If you’re worried about the cost, relax! Apart from the national park entrance free ($30 / vehicle currently, Pipiwai Trail is located within Maui’s Haleakala National Park), there are no other costs.
Want to zip over to Molokini Crater on a super raft? Check out this Zodiac boat snorkeling adventure that visits not only Molokini but also a secluded cove for turtles not accessible to larger boats. 🌊 🤿 🐢
You don’t need reservations or permits, nor do you need to pay for parking.
Things to Do Near Pipiwai Trail
Finished hiking the Pipiwai Trail and wondering what else to do nearby?
The Kuloa Point Trail starts from the same trailhead and is a gorgeous short loop hike offering stunning views of the ocean and the Ohe’o Gulch (often known as the Seven Sacred Pools), a tiered cascade emptying into the ocean
And, of course, the stops along the beautiful Road to Hana that you missed on the way up beckon!
This half-day tour of east Maui takes you on a guided rainforest hike. Admire waterfalls, jump into refreshing pools, climb basalt rocks. It’s a blast for outdoor enthusiasts! 🪨 🌴 🌺
Hike the Pipiwai Trail
| Pipiwai Trail | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 2 miles, 4 miles roundtrip distance |
| Hike Difficulty | Moderate, gradual climb |
| Hike Time | About 2-3 hours |
The Pipiwai Trail is an amazing Hawaiian rainforest hike, taking you through a variety of different jungle terrains, and offering some of the best waterfall views in Maui. It is a hike that’s definitely worth doing on your visit to Maui!
You start off from a well sign-posted trailhead in the parking lot of the Kipahulu Visitor Center of the Haleakala National Park. Facing the visitor center from the parking lot, the trailhead is to the left of the visitor center.
There are many places to snorkel on Maui, but none is an unique as the crescent-shaped Molokini Crater with unmatched visibility and a variety of marine life. Check price and availability for a highly-rated boat tour from Ma’alaea Harbor. 🌊 🤿
A short distance into the trail, the path forks with the left continuing on along the Pipiwai Trail.
The right turn leads to the Kuloa Point Trail, a short, loop trail along the ocean coast with fabulous views of the Seven Sacred Pools, a series of cascades and terraced pools, and the Ohe’o Gulch emptying into the Pacific Ocean.
Be sure to observe the hale halawai behind the trail sign, a reconstruction of an ancient Hawaiian meeting house.
Looking for an exciting off road adventure on Maui? This highly-rated shared UTV tour is the perfect way to explore the wetlands on the west side. Four-seater vehicles allow you to choose to drive or be a passenger. 🌴 🌺
The initial section of the trail is a mud path, and you start climbing almost immediately along a ridge, with stone steps interspersed along a mud-packed trail.
The stone steps are not steep, and the climb is gradual.
As with all of Hawaii’s rainforest hikes, the trail will be replete with exposed tree roots, and if it has rained recently, with muddy patches all through.
We recommend you wear good hiking shoes or water shoes with a good rubber grip. As locals will tell you, the mud is fondly termed “Hawaiian ice” for a reason!
Along the ridge section of the trail, you will often encounter sharp, cliff-like drops at some trail edges, so heed the warning signs.
Stay on the path which is comfortably wide, and keep an eye on those venturesome kids!
There are many places to snorkel on Maui, but none is an unique as the crescent-shaped Molokini Crater with unmatched visibility and a variety of marine life. Check price and availability for a highly-rated boat tour from Ma’alaea Harbor. 🌊 🤿
Falls of Makahiku Viewpoint (0.5 miles)
About 0.5 miles into the hike, you will come to a viewpoint, and across the valley you’ll see the awesome 200-foot Makahiku Falls, ensconced in one of the lushest cliffsides on Maui.
Banyan Tree (1 mile)
A bit further along the trail, you’ll come to one of the most iconic trees in this world, a banyan tree, part of the fig family, that cuts a wide horizontal swath using aerial roots from horizontal branches that eventually grow into supporting trunks.
Bridge with Metal Railings
A bit further up, as you continue along the trail and climb some more stone steps, you’ll come to a bridge with metal railings and a wooden-plank base.
The bridge crosses over two streams, the Palikea stream on the left and the Pipiwai stream on the right, both of which join here.
Again, depending on the rains, the flow could be a gushing torrent or a gentle cascade, as it falls below the bridge, in tiered, mini-waterfalls.
As you look across the bridge, you will see the open forest skies give way to a rainforest canopy, with a dark, tunnel-like Pipiwai Trail continuing forward.
Haleakala Bamboo Forest (1.2 miles)
The bridge marks the beginning of the beautiful bamboo forest, with long, slender stalks looming into the skies.
Waimoku Falls (2 miles)
As you walk along a series of wooden boardwalks, you’ll first hear the thunderous roar of Waimoku Falls, and then the forest will open up and offer an amazing spectacle of the top half of the 400-foot Waimoku Falls, over the tree tops.
Planning Tips for the Pipiwai Trail Hike
Like to savor a peaceful rainforest hike on the Pipiwai Trail? Plan to start the hike at the crack of dawn, the best time to hike!
Not only will you beat the crowds, the weather will be much cooler, more conducive to hiking.
Just imagine strolling through the enchanting Pipiwai Trail bamboo forest, without a horde of selfie-seeking junkies every couple of yards!
To get in this early, you need to leave early or better yet, consider staying overnight at Hana, a charming coastal town! That way, you can spend an entire day exploring the southern coast of Maui!
Make sure you check the park website for changes to regular hours, to avoid disappointments. Occasionally, the park does close trails depending on weather conditions and other circumstances.
See if you can buy the tickets online in advance. Often, the park has a separate lane for vehicles that have passes or pre-purchased tickets, and you may get waved in without a long wait.
What to Bring for the Pipiwai Trail Hike?
Typical weather in this part of Maui is hot, humid and likely to rain, irrespective of the time of year.
A dry backpack (waterproof) and a light rain jacket or poncho with a hoodie is advisable.
Reefsafe sunscreen is recommended, even though the trail is well-shaded with trees.
Mosquito repellent, bug spray or insect repellent is a must, you’re hiking on a rainforest trail. Use After Bite to relieve itching after mosquito bites.
Given the high likelihood of slippery mud, euphemistically termed “Hawaiian ice” by the locals, wear hiking shoes or boots. Some hikers prefer water shoes with rubber soles that also provide a good grip.
Take hiking poles if you need the extra support for balance, and use them often on the trail – they will help you with firmer footing.
Take lots of water, dehydration and heat exhaustion are quite common. No food, snacks or gas are available in the park, so plan accordingly.
Don’t expect cell reception on the Pipiwai Trail, and spotty to no reception in the Haleakala National Park overall, so download digital passes / tickets, maps and other information you may need.
Make sure your smartphone is fully charged and you have enough storage space. You will want to snap photos virtually every few minutes, there is so much to see and admire on the trail.
Amateur nature photographer? Bring your light gear, you’ll love the opportunity to take some photos on the Pipiwai Trail for your Instagram and website.
A pair of good binoculars or spotting scopes are great to view the waterfalls and pretty Hawaiian forest birds.
A headlamp or flashlight is a must if you don’t expect to return by dark.
Safety & Health Tips
Pipiwai Trail is a hike through a rainforest jungle, and nature can sometimes present rude shocks. Adopt the Boy Scout motto: “Be prepared!“
First and foremost: stay on the trail and heed all the posted signs! Note that it is illegal and dangerous to leave the trail.
Part of the Pipiwai Trail is a ridge climb alongside a cliff, and you will see posted warning signs.
The trail is comfortably wide that you don’t have to worry about scary drops right next to you, but don’t leave the trail and keep an eye on adventurous kids.
Heavy rains and storms are part of the tropical paradise experience, but note that you need to take extra caution during these times (even if it is not raining where you currently are).
Open stream crossings are particularly hazardous as water levels can rise dramatically fast, often to the level of flash floods.
Near the Waimoku Falls, you will see a posted sign warning you not to go too close to the base of the falls, mainly due to the risk of falling boulders from the cliffs above, with no warning!
Know that Hawaiian stream waters contain bacteria that enters your body through open wounds or cuts and causes leptospirosis, before you swim or drink in these waters.
Hiking in Hawaii poses its own unique set of challenges, and even experienced hikers should read the safety brochure from Na Ala Hele (Hawaii’s official trail access program).