United StatesHawaii The Road to Hana
The Road to Hana Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

17.5
PDI
70 mi
DISTANCE
7,569 ft
GAINED
0 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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INTRO

The Road to Hana is celebrated for its breathtaking natural beauty, encompassing lush tropical rainforests, verdant valleys, enchanting waterfalls, and awe-inspiring coastal vistas. Despite the road's frequent congestion, the leisurely pace of travel and the option to explore at your own pace make biking a superior choice over driving.  Experience the breathtaking beauty and epic scenic journey along Maui's iconic route, considered one of the most picturesque bike rides in Hawaii and the entire United States. Our excursion starts at the 0 mile marker of the Road to Hana and takes you to Hana and back.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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This is not so much a climb but a series of big rollers along a tropical roadway.  We gain 7,558' on this route.  58% of the climb ranges from descent to 5% grade, 14% (9.8 miles) is at grade 5-10%, and 2% (1.6 miles) is 10-15%.  The steepest quarter-mile of the climb is 11.1%, and steepest mile is at 8.2%.  

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.



Roadway:  The paved two lane road is in excellent condition throughout the climb.  

Traffic  Heavy, but slow moving.  We have done this ride out and back twice and never felt uneasy or in danger during the ride. 

Parking:  The first time we did the route, we left from Paia which was a mistake because Highwya 36 to start of Hana Highway is busy (public parking - Map; Street View).  The second time we rode from the Road to Hana zero mile marker (note - be careful not to get stuck in the mud; we also are not positive it is legal to park here, although there are no signs suggesting it is forbidden - we were gone about seven hours and our car was intact and not ticketed when we returned).  Map;  Street View. 
Provisions:  There are many snack bars and roadside stands with all sorts of snacks, meals, and beverages along the route. 

Weather and Gear:  This is a tropical area so be sure to consult the PJAMM "Full Forecast" feature for the time you expect to arrive at the finish to assess what clothing to bring on your ride.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
We have always brought our own bikes, but you can rent specialized bikes at Island Biker (map) which is just 1.5 miles from the airport. 

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Oct 24, 2023
I live on Maui and agree it can be a bit hair-raising with the tourist and locals driving with little margin of error. We ride it early Sunday morning before the traffic builds and pick a Kona weather day so it is mostly dry. Watch out for the “green ice” where the moss is very slippery. If you keep going, you can do the East Maui Loop to get plenty of climbing and distance.
Oct 23, 2023
This one is on my Bucket List.
Jan 20, 2022
Having driven this in a car just a few months ago, I'm surprised to see it here. It's absolutely amazing. At the same time, it's a long ways from what I would consider "bicycle friendly". Narrow roads, blind corners, no shoulder for significant parts of it. It there was a day where it was closed to cars for a bicycle event - that would be worth a trip to Maui!
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Maui’s Road to Hana

Cycling Hana Road - ride 70 miles gaining 7,569’  out and back to Hana.

The Road to Hana is renowned for its stunning natural scenery, including dense tropical rainforests, lush valleys, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic coastline views. While there is a great deal of traffic on this road, it does travel slowly and riding by bike allows you to stop nearly anywhere you want which is a major advantage over traveling the road by automobile.

Climb summary by PJAMM’s John Johnson.

Along with riding to the top of Haleakala Volcano, the Road to Hana is one of our two favorite cycling adventures on Maui.  This 70 mile round trip roller coaster of a ride is one of the more scenic bike rides in the US.  

The two times we have ridden to and from Hana, we began our ride in Paia, which is also the start of the Haleakala climb.  However, the 9.4 miles on Highway 36 to the Road to Hana Mile Marker Zero sign (at Kaupakalua Road) is very busy with fast moving traffic. It should be said that fast moving traffic in Maui is relative -- about 50 mph.

 

Road to Hana 0 Mile Marker.

Less traffic from here:  34.7 miles gaining 3,482’.

Photo:  Wikipedia

From the 0 Mile Marker on, the road is narrower and traffic moves much slower, particularly over the last half of the ride.

Writing this three years after last cycling the Road to Hana, what I remember most about the ride is (a) waterfalls, (b) the narrow road that I felt safe riding, (c) many one-lane bridges, (d) it’s tropical setting, (e) many rollers -- a lot of short ups and downs, and (f) tons of shops and food stands along the way.

There are many colorful and great food stands along the ride.

You’ll cross roughly 40 dated cement bridges along the ride, many constructed over 100 years ago.

Finish at Hāna Bay.

Attractions: Along the Road to Hana,

You'll find a variety of attractions and points of interest along the way, such as:

  • Waterfalls: Some notable waterfalls include Wailua Falls, Twin Falls, and the famous Seven Sacred Pools (Ohe'o Gulch) in Haleakalā National Park.

  • Gardens: You can explore beautiful botanical gardens like the Garden of Eden Arboretum and the Hana Maui Botanical Gardens.

  • Beaches: There are several scenic beaches along the route where you can relax or swim, such as Ho'okipa Beach Park and Hamoa Beach.

  • Cultural Sites: You can visit places like the Ke'anae Peninsula, which features a picturesque Hawaiian village and a lava rock church.

  • Hiking Trails: The Road to Hana offers opportunities for short hikes and nature walks, including trails in the rainforest and coastal areas - AllTrails Map.