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Hike the Waihe’e Ridge Trail – Maui Off the Beaten Path
By Deborah – Findling’s Finds
Maui is a land of many beaches and is reputed to be a super expensive destination. However, it is possible to visit Hawaii on a budget and even do some completely free activities. One such is a hike on the Waihe’e Ridge Trail. Whether you’re spending 5 days in Maui, 7 days in Maui, or even more, much like us you will likely have taken a flight there, so this is our favorite hike that requires minimal gear and can be done in just a few hours. And even if you aren’t able to travel here during the best time to visit Hawaii, just about any time of year, this Maui hike is still a must-have experience!
The four-mile, moderately trafficked Waihe’e Ridge Trail is a bit steep, but the views offer a big pay off. There is a reason much of Jurassic Park was shot in Hawaii, so for adventure seekers looking for something a bit off the beaten path and not too far from the city, this is a perfect option.
The first thing you will find about Maui is that there is an endless string of hiking possibilities, but we like the Waihe’e Ridge Trail (also known as the West Maui Mountains) hike for several reasons. It’s quick, it’s still challenging, and the views are amazing.
Here is What you Will Need for the Trek
Hiking Shoes
I would usually say you can skip this step, often a pair of old sneakers do the trick, but as Maui tends to get waves of rain, when you Hike the Waihe’e Ridge Trail this is a must. My personal preference is the Saloman hiking boots. They come in both men’s and women’s and often go on sale on Amazon, if you strike at the right time. We recently did a water hike with these babies, and they actually kept our feet pretty dry. Hiking poles here are a bonus but not necessary. We saw a few runners that clearly live in Hawaii and run this trail in and out as a part of their daily exercise. (The trail also allows dogs)
Sunscreen
It never hurts to wear sunscreen even on a daily basis, but when you’re up high and in such an open space, it really comes in handy. I’m partial to paraben free sunscreens. My pick if you’re in the market to try something new is the Alba sunscreens, if only in that they smell far better than the standard sunscreen smell.
Water resistant, breathable clothing
I call this “Sweat proof athletic wear.” It’s that in between nylon fabric that is moisture wicking but not quite moisture repellant. Uniqlo has a great range of options in their Airism collection which is not only super light but also moisture wicking. It is a reasonably priced alternative to some of the more avid and frankly higher priced options you might find at a traditional outdoor sports retailer.
The trail
Difficulty, Distance and Elevation
Difficulty: Moderate/Intermediate
Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km)
Elevation Gain: 1563 ft (521 m)
Trail Info: Open 7 am to 7 pm (so is the parking lot)
Where to Find the Trailhead
Do not get discouraged by the beginning of this hike! When you hike the Waihe’e Ridge Trail, there is an almost vertical and very small stretch leading up from where you can park your car to the trailhead. I promise it will even out after that and become much more of a slight incline as you go. Remind yourself that the views are worth the climb! Here is the official Maui guide to the trail.
We track every single one of our trails on All Trails. When you hike the Waihe’e Ridge Trail, you can do the same. The Waihe’e Ridge Trail is listed on All Trails, and we often contribute when we get to uncharted parts of trails, just to give back to the community. This has been one of our most helpful tools. If you prefer to see the route on Google, check out the Google Map here.
The Start
The start of the trail is here! Just off Kahekili Highway 340, follow Maluhia Road for almost a mile until you see a fence marking the trailhead. There is a parking lot between the two, it will start to fill up early so you can’t miss it. Note: You will need a car in Hawaii. There isn’t really infrastructure for public transportation that gets you places, so this is one of the few places I highly recommend a car.
The trail itself is out and back meaning you will have to go back the way you came in, rather than a loop style trail. This does offer the benefits of different vantage points but also the drawbacks of encountering some foot traffic on the way back. When you hike the Waihe’e Ridge Trail. I recommend starting early to avoid some of the higher temperatures and hiker traffic.
Breakfast, Lunch or Snack Time…We’ve Got You Covered!
If you hike the Waihe’e Ridge Trail and you’re staying near Lahaina, our go-to place is Choice Health Bar. Though the name and outside is nothing to write home about, the acai bowls are. Though this is a bit of a trek from the trailhead, this is our top pick for breakfast in Maui, and it’s one of the two main spots people stay when they’re on the island. Our first time in Hawaii we stayed in Lahaina, the second time in Paia. If you’d like a closer option to the trail we highly recommend hitting up Sam Sato’s on the way back. Don’t forget to have a manju on the way out. (Manju is a Japanese red bean bun)
Other Nearby Adventures
Since you’ve already come all this way, you should consider hoping a short flight to check out some things to do in Kauai. And, since so many flights in and out of Hawaii stop through Japan, if you only have even two days in Tokyo, you’ll be able to get a really good taste of this beautifully massive city. But no matter what you do, if you have questions or comments about any of this, leave them below, and we’ll get back to you in a flash. Happy travels!
FINDLING’S FINDS – Deborah started her blog a few years ago, needing a bit of a creative outpost for her new DSLR photos to land. Since then, it has become a bit of a captain’s log of adventures she’s had in NYC as well as a new transplant to San Francisco. Check out more of her content at Findling’s Finds.
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