Hiking the Pipiwai Trail in Hana: A Journey Through Bamboo and Waterfalls
If you’re looking for one of Maui’s most iconic hikes, the Pipiwai Trail in the lush Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park should be at the top of your list. This unforgettable hike takes you past banyan trees, into dense bamboo forests, and finally delivers you to one of the tallest waterfalls on the island. At about 4 miles round trip (2 miles each way), with a moderate incline, it’s manageable for most visitors while offering an incredible variety of natural beauty along the way.
Easy Start in the National Park
Getting started is stress-free. Parking within the national park is straightforward, and water filling stations make it easy to prepare for the trek. At the trailhead, clear signage and a trail map lay out the route, the approximate time needed, and the highlights you’ll encounter. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow, which makes it especially welcoming for visitors new to the area.
A Living Banyan Landmark
Roughly three-quarters of a mile into the hike, you’ll arrive at one of its most famous sights: a giant banyan tree. With branches stretching outward and roots twisting in every direction, it feels almost like entering a natural cathedral. This tree is a favorite spot for hikers to pause, rest, and take photos before moving deeper into the valley.
Overlooks of ʻOheʻo Gulch
Not long after the banyan tree, the trail provides a bird’s-eye view of ʻOheʻo Gulch, also known as the Seven Sacred Pools. From this vantage point, you can see where waterfalls and pools have carved their way through the valley over centuries. It’s a glimpse into the raw forces of nature that make East Maui so unique.
The Bamboo Forest
The most magical section of the Pipiwai Trail is without question the bamboo forest. As you step inside, the landscape transforms dramatically. The tall green stalks close in overhead, creating tunnels of filtered light. When the wind blows, the bamboo clacks and knocks together, producing a hollow, echoing sound that fills the air like a symphony of nature. A boardwalk path carries you through most of this section, making the hike comfortable and easy even after rainfall.
White Ginger and the Grand Finale
As the forest opens up, the air fills with the sweet, tropical fragrance of white ginger blossoms, a final sensory treat before the hike’s dramatic conclusion: Waimoku Falls. This waterfall is nothing short of spectacular, plunging more than 400 feet down a sheer cliff covered in vines and ferns. The sheer scale and beauty of Waimoku Falls make it one of the most awe-inspiring natural sights on the island.
A Trail That Has It All
The Pipiwai Trail truly offers the full spectrum of East Maui’s tropical beauty. In just a few miles, you’ll experience banyan trees, waterfalls, gulch overlooks, bamboo forests, fragrant flowers, and one of the island’s tallest cascades. With its manageable distance of 4 miles round trip, it’s a hike that rewards every step with something new and unforgettable.
For those making the drive out to Hāna, setting aside time for the Pipiwai Trail is an absolute must. It captures the wild, tropical soul of Maui in a way that few other experiences can.
