It is also known for having a lot of one-lane bridges that only allow cars to drive through in one direction at a time. In general I did not find the main part of the Road to Hana to be particularly dangerous or scary. Get on my Email list to see what Im up to and all the best travel content! Drive safe and slow, especially along these winding bits of road, specifically on . Whatever you have to say just drop us a comment below. The back road to Hana is not like this the whole way, or even most of the way, but it is there! The problem is we all confront fears in a different way. Locals can be a problem as they are generally a lot more confident on the road and view the tourist as a major inconvenience. . Most of the road is one lane with pullouts. Running from Kahului (or "where the airport is," as you might otherwise know it) to Hana on the east of Maui, the Hana Highway is a clifftop and a coastal road. Oh, and 5 pm is really pushing it for a 7 pm (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? YELLOWSTONE WY Hairpin bends slice through thickly-forested mountain slopes, and there are no. Sounds fun? That's 2 extra hours after how many hours on the plane? LANAI Check out our favorite Tours here. Strange, our hosts at our lodgings told us the southern road was faster back to the airport from Haleakala you say its longer for sure? Its worth a stop if you have time. Even though the road covers a relatively short distance, the turns and low speed limits . For comparison, there was a mom and daughter duo that I met at the Maui hostel that I was staying at who did the back road to Hana, and they thought it was fine. Yes this is going to be a long day but I promise its worth it! There is almost nothing about the drive that causes anxiety in us. One of the leading causes of accidental deaths anywhere in the world is Road Traffic Accidents. However, on the Kahekili Highway, the narrow roads closely hug the edges of their respective cliffs, resulting in topsy roads on some stretches. I personally dont like to be on the road after dark at all, but once I make it to Kula (really even Ulupalakau), its fine driving back in the dark. The Pipiwai Trailis a moderate hike that is 4 miles out and back. What makes this drive so special? The Road to Hana is not undiscovered anymore and there are just people everywhere. My girlfriend. This is one of the best things to do in Maui on a budget. Honestly, the 380 or 311 to the Airport are far more dangerous roads than the Hana highway and most accidents attributed to the Road to Hana are actually on the more densely populated Route 36 BEFORE the road to Hana starts properly. If the (only) road from Kaanapali to central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Thanks for sticking around and reading this whole post! 1. Accidents are common and you may be more likely to have a small bump, brush a wall/banking, or get stuck in a ditch than regular highways, but you are less likely to actually injure yourself than on most roads in Hawaii. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114352867', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cars on the tight turns and one-lane sections); you're extremely unlikely to drive off the edge so long as you pay attention and don't speed; you don't want to take the southern (backside) road (it's at least as hazardous and a longer route to the airport). Here they sell fresh fruits, smoothies and coffees all grown locally on their farm. Just indicate into one of the MANY pull-outs and let them by. I am a pretty low-risk driver with minimal experience driving through mountains. If you are in charge of the directions and finding the stops, that is one less thing to distract the driver and gives you something to do. 10) Lastly, is it wiser to hire a local driver to pick us up and drop us off at each location? Alelele Falls is a short hike that takes 15-20 minutes to reach. Read about my favorite luxury resorts, boutique hotels, honeymoon resorts, family friendly resorts, and condos (many under $100/night!). The steep valleys encrusted in the jungle start off the imagination and you half expect to bump into a Dinosaur. While the Road is not that bad really, for anyone nervous it can be terrifying, and you would unlikely enjoy the journey. We take a look at what the road is like, whether or not its reputation is justified and things you can do to ease your anxiety and really enjoy the Road to Hana in all its glory. Driving the backside voids your rental car contract. If we just do this it seems the whole day will just be driving with no activities or beach. and 59 bridges, 46 of which are one lane. Sustained by the Hanawi Stream, here you'll find that the lower waterfall cascades 200 feet into a freshwater pool. 10 Best USA Road Trips Drive These Before you DIE. Really just understanding that the Road is actually perfectly serviceable and 99% of the fear is in your mind can help overcome that fear. If the Road the Hana is proving scary, that Back route will scare the Bejebous out of you! Everything You Need to Know About Dining in San Diego. How long does it take to drive to Hana backside? If you pay for your monthly expenses on the card and are responsible about paying it off every month, the points add up really fast. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you have ANY questions about planning your trip to Hawaii, you can join my free Facebook group here. It gets pretty windy! The road is narrow (a generous one lane road with plenty of spots to pull over and let someone pass) and winding and there are quite a few blind corners, but generally speaking, the road also isnt very high up in these portions as it is on the front side. Plus, if you sign up through my link, youll get 50,000 bonus points to use which depending on where youre flying from and when, that could be TWO FREE TICKETS TO HAWAII. The Road often apps up in worlds most dangerous roads lists, along with other such shock journalism. But heres the thingits still not really unpleasant unless you know what it used to be like before there was the surge in tourists. If you go, (just like anything you do), you do so at your own risk. Yes, if you drive straight from Paia to Hana, you might see less people at the spots near Hana, but by the time you start working your way back to Paia those spots are still going to crowded. So many people dont really plan their trip to Hana and end up starting out late in the day and just stopping wherever they see cars so those stops along the north shore are still going to have visitors all day long. The backside of Hana has some one lane graded dirt roads and rusty guardrails so the drive requires extra caution. (Highlighted above is the most dangerous stretch of the Kahekili Highway - 4.5 miles of what amounts to barely more than a golf cart-sized lane etched into the side of a cliff) So the idea started in the old capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, Lahaina, otherwise known as a cozy little tourist town along the western shore of Maui. Get your car inspected . Left: Driving the Road to Hana from Paia to Kipahulu is relatively safe. Your other option is to turn around and drive back the way you came or continue around the island on the Hana Highway a.k.a. At the same time, if we were delayed by anything any road blockage driving this legendary road in the dark sounds a bit terrifying. Well, you get the picture. The Road to Hana actually goes beyond the town of Hana, all the way to Haleakala National Park. Break ins do occur. If you couldnt look out and see the ocean, youd probably think you were in parts of Texas or another western state. The photo slideshow below shows each of these stops. While the frontside is super windy and youre in and out of jungles, the backside is flat, wide open, and you can see for MILES. It is! *Update when I was here May 2021 during a weekday around noon they were closed. Is 3pm too late in the day to head out from Kanapali to Hana? It is just not inside their comfort zone. Theyre seriously the only company I ever use. This means you are taking all the risk when driving the reverse road to Hana. MOUNT RUSHMORE SD (I think the back road may be closed to traffic anyway) That part of the road (going on from Hana towards Kula) is the part that is prone to washouts, etc. The backside road is VERY different from the front road and definitely worth experiencing. What we wanted to do in the west was bathe in the waters of Kanapali (which we hear is a world class beach) and maybe (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We just cant Visit Maui without taking a highway trip. Know that theres a possibility that youll have to reverse if a car is coming in the opposite direction. You want to go back the way you came, most likely, rather than going around the back way. Road To Hana (Maui) - Toughest Section DrMKC 739 subscribers 56K views 7 years ago This is the dashcam video of the toughest 30 minutes on the famous Road to Hana in Maui. If you continue on in the loop, youll eventually come through Ulupalakua (where Maui Wine is) and Kula in upcountry Maui and can take the highway back down towards Paia and Kahului. Four wheel drive is 100% NOT necessary for driving the backside of Hana. Do this by picking up your trash and staying on the trail. 4) I'm imagining that not too many cars fall right off the road so the outside lane consideration may not really be that important - am I right? Distraction is a great way to keep the fear at bay. Ewa Beach, Oahu Robert Linsdell/Flickr The National Drug Intelligence Center mentions the high use of methamphetamine in Ewa Beach as well, and according to AreaVibes, you have a 1 in 27 chance of being a crime victim. Bug Spray - Mosquitos love Hana tourists. Also, once youre at the National Park, its quicker to drive the back way instead of backtracking through Hana and around with all the traffic. Thanks for the great article, we read it AFTER our drive on the road to Hana today. Driving the Road to Hana means that you will be driving the Hana Highway. SLEEPING BEAR DUNES MI If you are enjoying the sights and driving at a leisurely pace, be mindful enough to pull over and let local drivers pass. It sounds a little more intense than it is. Yes, it is long, hard work, challenging, and costs a full day of your vacation along with a precious lie-in, but there is so much beauty and wonder along this little highway it has to be right at the top of your bucket list. Below you'll find detailed information about the road to Hana, local tips, video, photos, & the latest updates. But there is more to it than that the enduring reputation that this is a dangerous road manifests itself in your mind. Speeding on the road to Hana is super dangerous and you might also have to deal with slow vehicles: spend one night in Hana in stead than rushing your visit! Drive Defensively, there may be idiots on the road but pre-empting them and driving n a defensive manner ensures you are less likely to get into trouble. The most iconic part of Bayburt-of Road is called Dereba Turns. The backside of Hana has some one lane graded dirt roads and rusty guardrails so the drive requires extra caution. Fun fact: there are more than seven of them! I think nearly all of us have some kind of phobia, some irrational, spiders, birds, outdoors, speeches, heights, flying. It is still manageable, and 99.99% (warning Made up Stat!) Of course if you only want to drive the back side of the road to Hana because you want to reach Haleakala National Park Kipahulu District sooner, you can turn around after exploring the park and drive back the way you came. Its mostly paved, but there are some portions that are gravel or a roughly graded cement. These single-track lanes Crisscross our road network and are often used as rat runs so you also have to contend with Businessmen in Audis hurtling along the lanes to get to a meeting! (The other is the crater at the top of Haleakala .) So avoid temptation and swim around the falls and NOT under. The southern route will save at the most 20 minutes off your drive. If you havent already, you will soon understand why thisis a perfect spot for them. 6) I am not a daredevil but I'm a careful driver who has never been in an accident in 32 yrs of driving due to being defensive and aware on the road. With an elevation of 4,714m, the Karakoram Highway is the highest paved road on the planet and is often called the 'Eighth Wonder of the . Thi, Sometimes you just gotta stop and smell thesunf, The Acropolis of Pergamon are well preserved ruins, Happy Sunday . Theyll give you the very best prices, you dont have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. So drive with caution and be very aware. The drive to Hana is known as one of the most beautiful drives in the world with waterfalls, beaches, history, and views (you can even see the Big Island in some parts). This will leave you with a deeper understanding and connection to Hawaii. Okay, so lets get on with the questions, Theres a lot of hype about how bad the backside of the Road to Hana is. The Highway is very popular, and the narrow. Manawainui Gulch. THEODORE ROOSEVELT ND 2) Youll experience the best part of the drive (what youre most expecting to seecrazy lush vegetation, wild jungles, waterfalls, etc) early in the day when youre still fresh and excited (and not 6-8 hours in when youre starting to run on fumes energy wise). (I think the back road may be closed to traffic anyway) That part of the road (going on from Hana towards Kula) is the part that is prone to washouts, etc. Id start with my 15 favorite resorts and hotels on Maui. After the viewpoint the road gets narrow to a point that only one car fits. Yes. The next and last stop until you get to Ulupalakua (Maui Wine and the Ranch Store) is the Kaupo Store. On an island full of beautiful scenery, the Road to Hana is among Maui's most gorgeous attractions. I carry AAA independently (plus my auto insurance and credit card cover this) so I always decline all extra insurance. Why drive 1 hour to west side to trun around and come back to central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Ive written a whole slew of posts about the Road to Hana, but theres one question I get asked more than othersshould I drive the backside of the road to Hana? : @kapenamorgan The fear is in your head so some positivity might help get your head around it. We read that sunset is around 7pm so we're thinking this is safe. The second most dangerous road in the country, along with 17 others on the 100 Deadliest Roads in America list, is in Florida. In the end, was it all worth it for YOU? So you are trying to figure out whether you should do a Road to Hana tour or if you should do the Road to Hana on your own! would find such a tight narrow twisty track nightmarish. Mmmmkay, If you think any rental car company is going to come get you if you have a problem ANYWHERE, you have more faith in them than me. Its a must do! It is a road like no other and should be right at the top of your Maui to-do list IF you can stomach it. * *The final 5 stops are on the natural route along the Hana Hwy, but come prior to Mile Marker 0 *. That said, of course DO take care while you are driving the Road to Hana! Inside this entrance is the Oheo Gulch aka seven sacred pools and one of Mauis most iconic hikes, the Pipiwai Trail. This is a great place to use the restroom and grab snacks/food for a picnic somewhere on the road. have no issue at all, but it is narrower, more exposed, and in places has no asphalt topcoat (Dirt Track). MICHIGAN Re: Road to Hana - ACTUALLY dangerous or just kind of scary? 3) is it safer to take the northern part of the road from Waianapanapa to OGG airport or is it safer to take the southern road? Exploring and discovering are all part of the journey and a van tour is often a long and pretty boring way to see the road, even if you get a great guide and they show you all the best locations. Preparation is an important part of safety, so make sure to plan your Road to Hana tour ahead of time. 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