58.2
PDI
35.4 mi
DISTANCE
10,070 ft
GAINED
5.4 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Luke Hise, Phoenix, AZ.
INTRO
Riding by bike from near sea level to the Summit Building just over 10,000' on Haleakala Volcano is one of the greatest cycling challenges and experiences anywhere in the world. On only four other paved bike climbs in the world can you continuously climb so many vertical feet (Mauna Kea 13,863'; Mauna Loa 11,848'; Death Road, Bolivia 11,640'; Wuling Pass, Taiwan 11,349'; and Haleakala 10,103'). This is the #2 US and #30 World ranked bike climb. There are two magnificent sets of hairpins (23 before the park entrance and 8 after).
If you are interested in traveling to Maui for a cycling or recreational adventure, be sure to consider PJAMM’s Travel App and our preloaded Maui Adventure.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. The average gradient on this climb is 5.3% (6.2% if descents are eliminated). 41% of the climb (14.5 miles) is at 0-5% grade, while 54% (19.4 miles) is at 5-10% with 2.6% (0.9 miles) is at 10-15%. The steepest quarter mile is 11% and steepest continuous mile 7.8%. The toughest part of the climb is on the eight upper switchbacks from miles 25.4 to 33 which average 5.2% and are at high altitude (7,100 to 9,300') with significant wind directly in your face for half of them.
See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway: The roadway has always been in excellent condition our five trips up Haleakala between 2011 and 2019.
Traffic: Traffic is moderate to moderately heavy for the first 14 miles of the climb before you turn left onto Highway 378 from Highway 377. After turning onto Highway 378 and beginning the lower hairpins, traffic is lighter and slower.
Parking: Paia, where the climb starts, is a tourist town and it can be hard to find parking on the street. There are two public parking lots in Paia: (1) Paia Town Public Parking off Hana Highway just as you enter town from the west (Map; Street View) and, (2) Paid parking on Baldwin Avenue on the right just after you leave town (MAP; Street View).
Provisions: There is one primary stop along this climb for provisions - at the Kula Market at mile 13.4 (map). Here they have pre-made sandwiches, chips, drinks, coffee, and other foods. We always stop at Kula Market on our way up the volcano. Although a bit early in the ride, there is also a bakery, market, and restaurants in Makawao (map) around mile 6.8.
Gear: It will be windy and also can be quite cold, although it can be short sleeve weather at the top particularly during the summer months if you get to the top around noon to early afternoon. Always check the PJAMM Summit Weather tool before your climb and even if it looks nice, bring at least a windbreaker - and much warmer clothing if the weather is anything other than perfect.
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.
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Stop at the Visitor Center on your way down the Volcano - it will be on your right 3/4 of a mile from the Summit Parking Lot (Map; Map + Google Reviews). See All Trails: Best trails in Haleakala National Park if you are interested in hiking on the volcano.
ROUTE MAP
MEMBER RATING
CURRENT WEATHER
PJAMM TRIPS ADVENTURE STARTER BUNDLES
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MEMBER REVIEWS & COMMENTS
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mattknelsonic
Loved riding Haleakalā! I live in Iowa and ride plenty indoors and then sought out the hills we do have in the course of my normal summer outdoor riding.
Was up to Haleakalā the day prior for sunrise and hiking. Not sure if the recon helped or hurt me.
Reserved online rented a Trek Domane SL6 from Maui Sunriders in Paia. Shakeout ride on Mokuele Bike Path starting in Kihei the day prior to the climb.
Started around 5:40a just after sunrise (in late June). Parked for free in the Paia public parking lot just west of the Shell gas station. Minimal traffic. Five mile stretch of Highway 377 was the busiest. Great pavement throughout. Brought food along with me and didn’t stop at any of the limited locations.
Lucked out on the weather. The day prior to the climb when we went hiking it was windier and rainy on and off. Would have been ok, but not ideal. Rode in short sleeves and bike shorts to the top, then put on the jacket. Perfect weather, still needed the jacket to descend!
Cameronlane
Don’t ride Olina road!
kevinmhart
My husband and I did this climb on 04/20/2024 the morning after flying in to Maui from our home in Tampa, FL. We got a later start than we wanted but needed our brakes adjusted before we climbed. The staff at Maui Sunriders in Paia were all amazing and accommodating, we were waiting for them at open at 8am. We had no good way to properly train for this as we live in flat Florida, lots of headwind, bridges and indoor training rides and we were able to conquer Haleakala. The ride is intense and relentless. We stopped at the market and visitors center and multiple times along the side of the road between 8500-9500 ft due to fatigue and thin air. The views are absolutely stunning and the feeling of accomplishment once you reach the House of the Sun at the summit is very much worth the pain and misery of the last 5 miles.
Hugodiver
I rode it on March 9th 2023.
This is an Iconic ride. The surroundings of the road are breathtaking, and change extremelly as ride along and up hill.
Unfortunatelly i had to stop at 9,000ft due to very strong winds.
But, "I'll be back"!
mwcruz
June 21, 2021. Rental bike from Maui Cyclery.
mat73
I did it on Aprile 7th 2023 on my 50th birthday. I well prepared this challenge but slopes are not such hard, Alps are much more difficult to climb. I rent a Cannondale Synapse of my size at Krank Cycles in Makawao, where the have a wide range of road bike for renting (very reccomanded!). For food is not a problem, in about 4hrs of climbs a couple of energy bars are enough. For downhill is very sugggested to wear winter gloves, long sleaves and wind jacket. I used also leg cover.
Stinkles
Caveats: 1st time, had two extremes of weather- perfect weather on the way up with astonishing visibility even at the peak for a few minutes- and sudden, freezing rain, fog, 0 visibility and soaking cold on descent. That's actually normal and predictable and one way to avoid it is an event earlier start — I didn't begin till about 730am.
I didn't train specifically but I've been riding about 35 miles a day every day for a couple of years in Seattle via some of the steepest hills in the very hilly city and nothing but hill climbs on local vacations and trips.
Weird Personal Nontransferable Facts: I have always been a weird eater— and while I packed several energy dense snacks and bars I didn't eat anything. I don't drink much even in desert heat but humidity & altitude will dry you out like the cryptkeeper - I drank 2 bottles and a 1.5 L bladder & refilled for descent & UV at 10k feet will burn you even if you're tan, covered in sunscreen and used to Hawaii— take extra! Apply!
Stinkles
Gorgeous. Pack layers and a waterproof shell. Assume the weather forecast is wrong. Get hydrated and zen before descending— mental prep for downhill even if you're totally physically fine at the summit.
Remember to visualize the route because it's be easy to think for example that Kula is “nearly there†and it is not - even the Haleakala visitor center is not really close to the top and the downhill renters and support vans aren't anywhere NEAR the top so ignore that otherwise hopeful sign.
Take and replenish three times more water than you would for similar mileage. I'm not hardcore but it was tougher than o expected in some ways and way easier than others.
rhmedium
Completed on July 13, 2022. Though I initially planned to go solo, I ultimately decided to go with support from Maui Cyclery/Go Cycling Maui. This took a lot of my apprehension related to a long climb on unknown roads away. This was a personal choice and by no means the only way to do it. There are several rest stops (e.g., tourist centers) you can otherwise use. On the climb weather changed several times from showers to hot and sunny. At the top it was windy, cool, and dry. Bring layers for the descent! A gilet, arm warmers, and gloves took enough edge off so I wasn't shivering. For food I had 2 packets of fig bars (2 each), 2 Clif bar duos, 1 stroopwafel, and several handfuls of peanut butter pretzel bites. Had 5 bottles with mix. I also had 4 gels. Climb was gradual but most challenging the last mile or so with thin air and fatigued legs. Views were magnificent.
DonBracci
I completed this climb on 12/15/21. I did it as part of a guided and supported ride with Maui Cyclery. This was very helpful since I am from Florida and had done almost no climbing this year. We had perfect weather and the temperature at the summit was in the 50s. There was very little wind and minimal traffic. Having a support vehicle was very useful since we didn't have to carry anything or stick to the few places where you can get water. The guys from Maui Cyclery even took some amazing pictures of us during the ride. I also rented a bike from the same bike shop who guided the ride. They are located right at the base of the climb so it made it super convenient. I would plan for some bad weather during the ride and bring some extra clothing. On the decent some clouds rolled in and it got misty, but it never rained on me. The scenery from the beach to the summit was an added bonus to great roads and pretty consistent grades. I would plan on starting early to avoid any weather issues.
wonhong
I trained for this ride on Zwift for 4 months. After reading all the reviews, I decided to bring the following supplies. 3 energy gels, 2 granola bars, 1 cliff bar, 3 energy bake (carb and sugar), 1 packet of energy chews, rain jacket, knee warmers and 2 water bottles. At the end of the ride I had consumed all the food but 1 energy bake. There are three places to refill your water bottles. The first one is Rodeo General Store at 6.9 miles from the starting point (Paia fish market), the second one is Kula Market Place at 13.5 miles. (it has bathrooms), and the third one is the Visitor's Center at 25.7 miles. You need to fill both bottles at the 2nd and the 3rd stops. The rain jacket and the knee warmers were the ride savers. Be aware of sudden temp drops and rain. Just keep going, then you will be in the sun again. The last 1000ft climb will really challenge your endurance. This is a ride to remember.
GG124015
Just completed on 5/28/2021 following the week before the CHEAHA Challenge Ultra 126 miles 13,000 feet in Alabama. Rented a bike and had a guide from Maui Cyclery and highly recommend these guys. This is one of the most beautiful rides I have ever done but was climbing the moment I started. I only saw one rider coming down and rode along one other till 5000 feet and passed one. The ride after 6500 feet definitely picked up and above 8000 feet I was starting to feel the change in altitude. Make sure you have plenty packed for once you pass the ranger station. I had an issue with my Garmin and this was really on my mind the last 3000 feet but was able to capture the ride from the rider I had passed on the way up. Pack a jacket for the ride down it got really chilly but what a great day weather I had. Grab some pictures on the way up because the clouds rolled in and all I could see was the road in front of me on the decent that only took a little over an hour. Thanks to all that assisted.
jamminjamin
Just completed this on Wednesday June 9th, 2021 in a little over 5 hours. I didn't see anyone else climbing the day I completed but saw tons who had rented bikes and road down. I have only been cycling since August and started heavily training with climbs all around Phoenix for about 2-3 months prior to the climb. The gradient of the ride wasn't hard but you absolutely have to stay very hydrated and make sure you have tons to eat throughout the journey. I burned over over 3500 calories while completing this ride. Thankfully I had my fiancee and son as my supply car so I didn't have to carry too much on me. It really gets harder after you pass the visitors center with the hardest part being the last 1000 or so feet of elevation. However the views at this point are some of the most amazing I have experienced. It's such a surreal experience to be riding above the clouds.
WolfHills
First ever Summit for me. I trained for this after doing it virtually on the Peloton. Completed in March 2, 2021 in 5 hours and 50 minutes. My goal was to complete it and not kill myself doing it. Got hard around 9500 ft due to the lack of oxygen but other than that the ride went well. I was not in amazing shape or anything a power to weight ratio of 3.0 but it was just a matter of keeping the legs moving and eating enough food. The day I did it, 2 other riders were attempting it, 1 did not make it, another guy made it but had to beg for food in the parking lot. So don't underestimate it. It was an amazing emotional journey for me. So glad I did it. #WolfHills
carlinguernsey
This is a must do climb due to the challenge and the unique nature of being able to start on the beach and end up over 10,000 feet. You visit a few different places on this climb - the lower part is agricultural Hawaii, next you are in more of a tropical rain forest, then typically some clouds as you start the upper part, and finally very volcanic (and usually clear) closer to the top. The gradient is never terrible, but most of the harder parts are higher up. The difficulty with this climb is the length. Takes lots to eat and drink, and proper clothing as it will be much colder at the top and when descending the upper part. The visitor center about 25 miles in has water and toilets. Save some energy for the descent - it can take awhile! You can park at the beach in Paia and get supplies in town before you start (or after you finish). There are bike shops in Paia and other place on the island where you can rent good bikes
