Top 12 Stops to You Need to Make on the Road to Hana, Hawaii

The Best Stops on the Road to Hana

The famous Road to Hana winds along 64.4 miles of Maui’s northeastern shore, taking you through 620 curves and across 59 bridges.

Along the way, you’ll discover emerald rainforests, towering 400-foot waterfalls, and volcanic black sand beaches that will take your breath away.

While the drive takes about 2.5 hours straight through, you should spend a whole day exploring these amazing stops.

Twin Falls

This welcomes you with a beautiful waterfall area on a working fruit farm. The easy 1.5-mile round trip takes you past groves of apple bananas, sweet guava trees, and mountain apple orchards.

When the path splits, take the left side to find the best 30-foot waterfall, perfect for swimming. A small farm stand greets you at the entrance, serving fresh-picked coconuts, sweet lilikoi smoothies, and banana bread that’s still warm from the oven.

Huelo Lookout

This hidden viewpoint rewards early birds with sweeping views of Maui’s rugged northeastern cliffs. The wooden platform, though weathered by tropical weather, offers a stable spot for taking amazing photos of the coastline and its hidden waterfalls.

Keep your eyes on the ocean from December through April, as you might spot humpback whales breaching in the distance. Local sellers often set up stands here with fresh apple bananas, ripe mangoes, and handmade lei crafted from native flowers.

Waikamoi Ridge Trail

This 0.8-mile loop immerses you in a pristine Hawaiian forest filled with ohia lehua trees and rare native ferns. A raised wooden boardwalk, built to protect delicate plant roots, offers glimpses of the bright blue Pacific through breaks in the leafy canopy.

Listen for the sweet calls of native apapane and iiwi birds, especially active at dawn. Halfway through, you’ll find yourself in a dense bamboo grove where golden morning light filters through the stalks, creating magical photo opportunities.

Keanae Landing

This historic peninsula shows you living Hawaiian culture through its patchwork of taro fields. Local families have farmed these same lo’i kalo (taro patches) for over 800 generations, using traditional methods passed down through time.

Stop by Aunty Sandy’s iconic red food stand for banana bread made from an 80-year-old family recipe – they make 200 loaves daily but usually sell out by early afternoon. The dramatic shoreline, created by ancient lava flows, creates natural blowholes where waves shoot 30 feet high.

Upper Waikani Falls

These triple cascades, nicknamed ‘Three Bears Falls,’ drop 70 feet into clear, deep pools. The falls look most impressive after rain, when all three pour down with equal force.

Experienced hikers can carefully make their way down to the pools, where you might spot native o’opu fish in the crystal-clear water. The falls are visible right from the road if you don’t want to hike down.

Pua’a Ka’a State Park

This 5-acre state park offers access to scenic waterfalls and several natural swimming holes nestled in lush rainforest. The main 15-foot waterfall cascades into a pool that’s deep enough for safe swimming year-round.

Multiple small cascades create natural water slides when conditions are safe. The short trail to the falls is paved and works for all skill levels.

Hana Lava Tubes

These remarkable caves, formed by flowing lava 30,000 years ago, stretch over a quarter-mile underground. The tunnel height ranges from 6 to 30 feet, featuring unique formations like lava stalactites and flow lines throughout. The cave stays at a comfortable

Waianapanapa State Park

This stunning 120-acre park showcases a pristine black sand beach created by waves crushing ancient lava into fine obsidian granules. The contrast between jet-black sand, bright green foliage, and blue ocean creates unforgettable views. Visitors should book their entry permits well in advance online.

Wailua Falls

This easily accessible 80-foot waterfall creates a perfect white ribbon against black lava rock. No hiking is required – you can see these falls right from the road.

‘Ohe’o Gulch

The famous Seven Sacred Pools include seven distinct waterfalls, ranging from 10 to 40 feet high, cascading down to the ocean. Swimming is allowed when conditions permit, but always check with rangers first.

Pipiwai Trail

This 4-mile round trip trail takes you through the world’s densest bamboo forest. The trail ends at the 400-foot Waimoku Falls, where water cascades down a sheer lava rock wall.

Pi’ilani Temple

This massive ancient temple complex covers nearly 3 acres, making it Hawaii’s largest surviving heiau (religious site). While you can’t enter the temple itself, the grounds provide excellent opportunities to learn about ancient Hawaiian religious practices.