most dangerous part of road to hana
Thanks - I'm imagining that if so many ppl have done this drive that I would be able to as well but I'm cautious (and suspicious, lol) by nature so I'm doing my proper due diligence. Since you are voiding your contract the rental agency will not come to help. Fatalities are rare and accidents often very minor. 7) I hear it's a far worse drive when it rains - are roads likely to be washed out in early August? This is great to know thanks. 3 Bears Upper Waikani Falls (MM 19) Another quick stop on the side of the road a must stop on the road to hana. The biggest hazards on the Hana Highway are mosquitoes and traffic. It sounds a little more intense than it is. If the (only) road from Kaanapali to central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? However, the Road to Hana is not dangerous in and of itself, and for seasoned drivers, the trip should be a breeze. Do this by picking up your trash and staying on the trail. And some of those narrow and windy parts of the road are without a guard rail. Check out these Hana guides to assist you on your travels. If the front side is lush and jungle-like, the backside is dry and desert-like (once you get past Kipahulu). That's 2 extra hours after how many hours on the plane? Fortunately we had no issues but it was a windy, rainy drive and Im glad we did it but dont think we would do it again. 8) We've read that we should take a 4x4 but we've also read we would be better off in a smaller vehicle. If you need proof, the best stops on the Road to Hana, which include vibrant beaches, lush rain forests, and cascading waterfalls, attract about 400,000 visitors each year. Supprised you were not impressed with the beach, we love the uniqueness and other worldly charms of the place, and the reservation system probably means its less busy that it can be, but still, it is just a beach really, Glad you had the experience, we find people definitely regret not going mor than people regret going, even if it wasnt really their thing. The Road to Hana (aka the Hana Highway) does not dead-end, so instead of turning around, it is possible to keep driving. Its worth a stop if you have time. My girlfriend. The Keanae Peninsula is one of the most famous Road to Hana stops. All proceeds go to keep Jess traveling and coffee . ARIZONA How necessary is it to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle for this drive? Click here to search for Maui vacation rentals for your trip. It was ok, not really our thing. (The other is the crater at the top of Haleakala .) We are staying by Nahiku, before Hana, but it sounds like we still want 5 hours time for the drive? 10 Best USA Road Trips Drive These Before you DIE. Ive written a lot here about this and I dont want it to sound scary, but I also want you to know EXACTLY what youre signing up for. If you are still undecided about whether or not you want to drive the Road to Hana on your own, there are Road to Hana tours. Snorkeling at Molokini is one of the best things to do in Kihei. In the end, was it all worth it for YOU? Minuses: The road becomes rough for portions and rental car companies say "you're on your . How long is Hana Highway? The biggest mistake most people make when visiting Hana is trying to do it all in one day. It is then easy to imagine that people from Urban Los Angeles, used to colossal Freeways (which put the fear of God into us!) 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. There is little cell reception, you driving around an active(ish) volcano into the wilds of an already pretty remote island chain. Please keep in mind that youll encounter challenging turns and narrow bridges along the way, so its important to exercise caution and take your time. NORTH DAKOTA Hi Im Jess. What did you do to mitigate them? If youve just started your Hana research, heres how it works: the Road to Hana is considered to start in Paia on the north shore of Maui. What is it about the road that strikes terror into your heart? The first of the road to Hana stops you'll come to is Paia town. have no issue at all, but it is narrower, more exposed, and in places has no asphalt topcoat (Dirt Track). Makena Beach Intiaz Rahim/Flickr By far the majority of people turn around once they reach Hana and drive the same road back to Paia. Report inappropriate content dusty56438 Saint Cloud. Plus youre on a cliff side and at some points without a guard rail. One of the leading causes of accidental deaths anywhere in the world is Road Traffic Accidents. Google maps said 2 hours but I guess this is what happens when a bot gives you directions? . I have regretted not trying since we arrived home. Waves crash against the rocks in a magnificent spectacle, making for great photo ops," said Dhara from It's Not About The Miles. Oh, and 5 pm is really pushing it for a 7 pm (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We will land in the morning, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Some parts of the road are unpaved and it can get narrow. You can drive the road to Hana yourself, or take a tour in a van . It has 13 hairpins that will have you climbing from 5,617 feet above sea level to 6,677 feet above sea level in just three. What to Eat in Chicago, Illinois? We've been researching the attractions on the Hana Highway since 2002 when the highway first made a major and incredibly positive impression on us. The Road to Hana is known for having winding roads. Work as a team and play to your strengths. 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. Alternatively, you may use. I think nearly all of us have some kind of phobia, some irrational, spiders, birds, outdoors, speeches, heights, flying. You want to go back the way you came, most likely, rather than going around the back way. There are plenty of tasty restuarants in Paia to choose from. Encourage them to take things easy and to explain themselves when driving. Im there answering questions every day and there are 7500+ other friends who have a ton of Hawaii information to share! more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. So drive with caution and be very aware. I certainly wouldn't go all the way to Kaanapali then drive to Hana. Im just going to describe it as accurately as possible and relay my personal experiences so that you can make a decision that youre comfortable with. Four wheel drive is 100% NOT necessary for driving the backside of Hana. BADLANDS SD JEWEL CAVE SD, HAWAII TRAVEL PLANNING This part of Maui is known as Upcountry. Bring cash: most places on this part of the island dont except credit cards. 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. FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES We respect your privacy. I cant wait to see it!!! 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. 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. #travelp. Some parts are of the road are unpaved and it gets narrow and twisty. The tarmac is smooth and well maintained. The Road to Hana runs approximately 52 miles from the beach town of Paia, over 59 bridges, and through 620 curves.Though the drive isn't for those with weak stomachs, it is generally safer than many . (try our Is the Road to Hana Worth it or Hana Highway Guide for more detailed descriptions). Standing up and talking in front of others caused untold anxiety and could only be faced with a LARGE amount of dutch courage. It's a well paved road, but you do need to keep your wits about you when you drive it because of the many sharp curves and one-lane bridges. Heres my best tip for driving past Hana: always try to follow a car in front of you. Really the worst thing about it is the Hire Car prohibitions meaning you are uninsured and beyond the reach of the Hire Car Recovery truck (meaning you will have to pay for recovery yourself $$$). Also, if you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). Side Note: If youre looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount Hawaii Car Rentals. It's windy contains 65 hairpin switchbacks, 600 sharp turns, and 59 one-lane bridges. Below you'll find detailed information about the road to Hana, local tips, video, photos, & the latest updates. There are quite a few places to stop to eat now, and quite a few restrooms now, What to Eat at Universal Studios, Hollywood, Chicago, Illinois Visitors Guide Basics. The Road to Hana, also known as the Hana highway, is a 64.4 mile-long stretch of Hawaii routes 36 and 360 with connects Kahului with the town of Hana in east Maui. **Baldwin Beach Park. Need a specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms? The southern part of the highway connects Miami with the Florida Keys by miles of bridges. Our guide had lots of experience in driving to Hana via the southern route, thus making it much safer compared to attempting it on our own! This snake-like road is 52 miles (84 km) long and runs from Kahului to Hana. I know it may sound tempting but swimming under the falls is dangerous as rocks get unlodged and fall from the top of falls which can knock you in the head. Remember if you push on you have to come back this way (or the scarier, riskier back route! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114353050', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Napili beach as well. The main part of the Road to Hana which is not particularly dangerous means the drive that most people do. It's very isolated, no cell service and prohibited by all the major (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Locals can be a problem as they are generally a lot more confident on the road and view the tourist as a major inconvenience. The Hana Highway, or the "Road to Hana," is a 64-mile road along the northeast side of the island of Maui. Who thinks of these things? It is such a unique and wonderful Road through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Then wed arrive in Nahiku about 3pm. Sounds fun? *Update when I was here May 2021 during a weekday around noon they were closed. Need a coffee or fresh fruit after your refreshing waterfall plunge? Maybe explore the south? The Road to Hana starts in Kahului and ends in Hana. It includes 59 bridges during . I probably would not go to West (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Ive also had a few people recently ask me about starting in Paia and driving ALL the way to Hana without stopping and then turning around and doing their stops on the way back. The backside of Hana has some one lane graded dirt roads and rusty guardrails so the drive requires extra caution. About 40 minutes into your drive youll spot the Kihikinui wind turbines. Plus if you are staying in a popular area like Kaanapali on West Maui it is another 45 60 minuets getting to the starting point and back to your hotel. While to fully overcome the fear requires repeated exposure we find with the right attitude, a good amount of care and respect for the road, and a little can-do attitude many people find the Road FAR less intimidating than they originally feared. The road is tricky to drive and requires care, but this is very obvious to anyone driving the road and as long as sensible precautions are taken, such as, you know, slowing down for corners, more so for blind narrow bends and giving way at the one-way sections, obeying the speed limits and generally just not being a braindead moron, there really is nothing about the road to make it unsafe. So if you have no problem with the highway spouting off you dont see the big issue isnt particularly helpful to those that do fear it! 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! Is safety as big a concern as some say or is it mostly just up to how nervous or confident a driver is? You can't miss Nahiku Marketplace, just before mile marker 29 on the road to Hana, Maui. The Road to Hana is generally known for it's 52 miles of winding turns, liable to cause nausea and dizziness among even the most experienced road trip enthusiast, as well as it's 59 Lara Croft-esque stone bridges nestled in the thick Hawaiian jungle. You suggest skipping Kanapali altogether. Theyre seriously the only company I ever use. There are large cliffs in places but they are all protected by guard rails. 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. Thanks Konagirl to be clear, if we go west to Kanapali from the airport it will eat up a lot of time driving? Despite what the name suggests, the town of Hana is not the destination; it's the drive itself. SOUTH DAKOTA This is one of the most dangerous places in Hawaii. paia town. I carry AAA independently (plus my auto insurance and credit card cover this) so I always decline all extra insurance. Yes, it would not be fun to break down on the backside of the road to Hana or have a flat tire, but guess what? Yeah we are not overly phased by these things but some people really do. Check out this view of a beautiful overlook of a gulch. 10) Lastly, is it wiser to hire a local driver to pick us up and drop us off at each location? Road to Hana Tips, Tricks and Advice How to Survive the Hana Highway! Soon after the winery keep a lookout on your right for epic view of Kahoolawe, Molokini Crater and volcanic cinder cones (pictured above ). We hoped to stop at the garden of eden but it had a long line of cars so we kept going, we made a reservation at the black sand beach. If driving the reverse loop all the way around back to Kahului make a reservation in advance for Waianapanapa State Park. So most people drive the Road to Hana as a day trip, as an out-and-back drive. However, it also comes with a fearsome reputation, and strikes fear into the hearts of many. 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! And then, most people will end the Road to Hana at Hana or Kipahulu. (And maybe beyond!). After growing up on these the road to Hana was no problem. If you take the road past Oheo Gulch (Seven Pools) and past Lindbergh's grave and continue around the south side of Maui to go all the way around, you will have to drive on about 5 miles of unpaved dirt and gravel road. 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. YELLOWSTONE WY You dont really need a touring plan for the order of how to hit all your must see spots. There are beaches in the Hana area. 3 hrs from the airport. The scenic Road to Hana on Maui is the undisputed top attraction on the island. Along this road, there are 620 curves (who counted all of those?) Pullover for quicker drivers, Take the widest line on blind corners, Give way on the single-lane sections if you are not sure others will. Before I go onif you want to read my other Road to Hana posts, you can find them here: MY favorite Road to Hana itinerary, tips for driving the Road to Hana, and where to stay in Hana (in case you decide you want to spend the night). The photo slideshow below shows each of these stops. We intend to hike for 4 hours or so, and be back on the road at 11 or 11:30am, head to Koki Beach for some food truck food, and continue on to Wai'anapanapa for the black sand beach for a few hours, and be back on the road by 3pm to head back to OGG airport (with no stops) for 5pm to catch our 7pm flight. RtH has too much traffic and has been widened and or paved in most scary sections. The Single file traffic is easily regulated with simple give way systems and you just wait your turn at the give says one each side of the bridge until it is your turn to cross. On a calm day you are able to swim inside the pools. Other people revel in that sort of environment. Mostly this stems from rumors (I like to call it an urban legend, hmm maybe Ill call it a jungle legend lol) about it being illegal to take rental cars back this way. (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. In ancient times most of the Hawaiians lived in this area opposed to current day West Maui or South Maui. . Yum! Next on the left side of the road perched on a hill, youll see a little shop with several potted plants and such. Grab a cup of coffee and try it with their lavender honey. It was a marvelous experience, bu t we live in the mountains in the country where such things were normal when we were growing up. Make sure your partner is aware of your fears and explain they may not be entirely rational but still real. The back road to Hana conditions are as followed. Dont miss some of my most popular (and favorite) posts about Maui: my Maui favorites, the best Maui itinerary, how many days to spend on Maui, Maui vs Kauai, where to see turtles on Maui, my favorite road to Hana itinerary, guide for sunrise at Haleakala National Park, how to bike down Mauis volcano, my review of the Maui Pineapple Tour, 20 of the best adventure activities on Maui, 5 Maui day trips, and the best things to do on a Maui honeymoon. THEODORE ROOSEVELT ND When the drop off is only 5-10 feet below, its nowhere near as intense feeling as when its several hundred feet along the north shore (even though its two lanes). 8. You'll battle the traffic with other day trippers, missing some of the drive's highlights due to time constraints and eventually running out of . Expect scenic views, volcanic structures and the sweet taste of freedom. The road is such a stunning journey through the most amazing landscape we just want everyone to experience it. Assume about 45 minutes of direct driving time from Lahaina to Kahului, then another 2.5 hours (53 miles at 25mph), plus stops on the Road to Hana itself. If you have ANY questions about planning your trip to Hawaii, you can join my free Facebook group here. OAHU Eventually, the Hana Highway turns into the Piilani Highway. 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. 9) Is there anything I'm not considering that I should be considering? Maui's "road to Hana" is a curvy coastal road with views of cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, and miles and miles of lush rainforest. If you go, (just like anything you do), you do so at your own risk. other than a slight hindrance to your rate of progress there is nothing to worry about. The best stops along the backside road to Hana, Tips for driving the Reverse road to Hana, Alelele Falls which you can find on google maps here, Everything you Need to Know about Haleakala National Park, 10 Tips to Know Before you Travel to Maui, 21 Mistakes to Avoid on your First Trip to Hawaii, If youde like to see a video of driving the back way to Hana check out this. Even though the road covers a relatively short distance, the turns and low speed limits . Take your valuables with you or at the very least keep them out of sight. ZION UT In any one stretch of the road, there is a spot big enough for your car to pull over so the oncoming car can pass. And traffic in one day as they are generally a lot of one-lane bridges of... South DAKOTA this is what happens when a bot gives you directions a slight hindrance your. % not necessary for driving the backside of Hana has some one lane graded dirt roads and rusty guardrails the! 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