Follow the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls

If your time and fitness level permits when you’re exploring Maui’s famous road to Hana, I recommend hiking the Pipiwai Trail. This four-mile round-trip hike leads you past streams and a bamboo forest to the base of a towering waterfall.

Just to give you an idea of what the trail is like, I want to show you some scenes from the trail. As you can see from the following photo, the terrain can be very uneven and even muddy with rain. You should definitely wear footwear that’s designed for hiking.

About a half mile into the trail, you’ll see a large banyan tree.

Further along, you’ll cross a bridge that takes you into a thick bamboo forest.

You’ll be thankful for the smooth, clean boardwalk through the bamboo forest.

Then, finally, your two-mile effort rewards you with a view of the 400 foot (or more) Waimoku Falls.

Waimoku waterfall is so tall, that it’s hard for photos to do it justice. I took this 18-second video of it to help give you a better idea of how impressive it is.

(Email subscribers: click here to watch the Waimoku Falls video.)

Here’s what to know before you go:

• You pick up the trail head from the parking lot at the Kipahulu region of Haleakala National Park. Note that this is a very different entrance and location from the Haleakala Summit.
• A parking fee is required. Check the national park’s website for their current fee structure and policies. If you have or will be visiting the summit of Haleakala Park, keep your permit. It’s valid for three days at both summit and coastal sections Haleakala National Park. See our Maui vacation itinerary for recommendations of how to plan these two, different Haleakala National Park attractions into your sightseeing plans.
• Before beginning the trail, look up towards the mountain. If you see rain or heavy clouds, stop into the visitors center at the bottom of the parking lot and ask if they advise hiking to Waimoku Falls. You should always avoid flash floods
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• Do not attempt to cross flooded streams.
• Obey the signs at the base of the waterfall and do not get too close.
• Do NOT attempt to swim at Waimoku Falls.
• Allow between 2 to 2.5 hours to hike this 4-mile, round-trip to hike on the Pipiwai Trail
• Do yourself a favor and wear proper hiking footwear that you won’t mind getting muddy or wet. Though there are bridges over most streams, you will have to cross in a stream to get to the Waimoku Falls view.
• Stay on the trail.
• Bring water.
• Bring/wear mosquito repellant.

See other photos from our hike on the Pipiwai Trail.

Have you hiked the Pipiwai Trail? How was your experience?