The Pipiwai Trail in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park is one of my favorite hikes in Hawaii. 

Dramatic bamboo forest + 400-ft tall waterfall = must do. 

The four mile round trip hike takes about 2 hours, and even if you’re not an avid hiker, it’s 100% worth the effort. 

The Pipiwai Trail is the showpiece hike on Maui’s famous Road to Hana. It’s something you need to plan your day around because 1) it’s easily the best hike on the Road to Hana, and 2) it’s at the very end of the Road and if you don’t keep track of time and pace yourself, you may run out of time for the hike once you get here. 

The Pipiwai Trail is located in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park about 10 miles past Hana town (about a 30 minute drive).

Note that this is a separate entrance from the summit of Haleakala National Park (where people go for sunrise and sunset at the crater) and the two areas are NOT connected, but if you pay the entrance fee ($30/vehicle), your receipt is good at BOTH locations for three days. 

Kipahulu is home to two of the most popular stops on the Road to Hana: Oheo Gulch (the Seven Sacred Pools) and the Pipiwai Trail. 

The Pipiwai Trail is a four mile round trip hike that takes you through Hana’s famed bamboo forest and ends at the spectacular 400 foot Waimoku Falls. 

Yes, you’ll pass all those cute drive by waterfalls along the Road to Hana, but they’re nothing compared to this bad boy. 

It’s not a particularly difficult trail (it’s super well maintained), and there’s not much elevation gain, but it’s usually pretty humid so it can feel challenging. 

The trail can also be pretty muddy if there’s been any rain recently so plan your footwear accordingly. 

The end of the trail does NOT take you to the bottom of the falls (there’s not a pool that you can swim in).