The Road to Hana Waterfalls: The Best on Maui

The Road to Hana waterfalls are some of Maui’s best, located along the iconic drive around the northeastern coast of the island.

The Hana Highway It’s known for its breathtaking landscapes, lush rainforests, waterfalls, and dramatic ocean views. The journey itself is an adventure, with narrow winding roads and numerous stops that allow you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Maui. 

Key Takeaways on the Road to Hana:

• Go as early as possible, since the Road to Hana gets crowded
• Be prepared for full parking lots as the day goes on
• Book a tour, if windy, narrow roads aren’t your thing
• Remember: you have to turn around and drive the same windy road back

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Road to Hana Waterfalls Map

I’ve mapped out many of the Road to Hana Waterfalls below. You can see: they’ll appear frequently along your drive!

List of Waterfalls on the Road to Hana

Here is a list of some of the 18+ waterfalls (and their aliases on Google Maps) which you can visit along the Road to Hana. I’ll go into detail on several of them further down in this post:

1. Twin Falls (at Wailele Farm): These are the first major falls you’ll encounter on the Road to Hana. They’re relatively easy to access.
2. Waikani Falls: Also known as “Three Bears Falls” due to its three parallel waterfalls, it’s one of the Road to Hana’s prettiest!
3. Makapipi Falls: These falls are also visible from the Hana Highway, but there’s no official stop or parking lot.
4. Wailua Falls: This is one of the most famous waterfalls on the Road to Hana.
5. Pua’a Ka’a Falls: This waterfall is located within the Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside Park.
6. Ching’s Pond and Falls: This is a serene spot with a small waterfall and a natural pool for swimming. 
7. Waioka Pond: Also known as the Venus Pool, this is another popular swimming spot on the Road to Hana.
8. Pipiwai Trail: While not directly on the Road to Hana, the Pipiwai Trail takes you through a bamboo forest and leads to Makahiku Falls and the  Waimoku Falls within Haleakalā National Park.

Twin Falls

Twin Falls is one of the first and most popular stops along the Road to Hana. It’s easily accessible from the Hana Highway.

Remember, if you make this stop: the Road to Hana is lengthy with many more waterfalls to come!

Location on Hana Highway

Twin Falls is located on the Hana Highway, approximately 2 miles past the official “Hana Highway Milemarker” on the northeastern side of Maui. There are signs along the road directing you to the entrance.

Distance from start: 2.1 miles

Distance to Hana: 32 miles

What to Expect at Twin Falls

1.  Waterfalls: Twin Falls gets its name from the fact that it consists of two separate waterfalls that flow into a picturesque pool. The first waterfall is relatively small, and you can often see people jumping from the rocks into the pool below. The second waterfall, a short walk upstream, is larger and more impressive.
2. Accessibility: The waterfalls are on the Wailele Farm, so it’s a nice gesture to buy something if you’re making this stop to enjoy the scenery.
3. Parking: You might find parking at the farm stand, but the lot gets crowded. If it’s full, continue on to the second parking lot, a bit farther down the highway.
4. Swimming: The pools below the waterfalls are perfect for swimming! You’ll likely find ropes to swing from, too.

Location on Hana Highway

Puohokamoa Falls is located roughly 11 miles from the official start of the Road to Hana. It can be viewed from the Garden of Eden Arboretum, or on a tour from Rappel Maui.

Distance from start: 11 miles

Distance to Hana: 24 miles

What to expect at Puohokamoa Falls

1. Waterfall & Arboretum: Puohokamoa Falls is a beautiful waterfall, within the Garden of Eden. Access to the falls and pool below is run by a separate, private company, called Rappel Maui.
2. Accessibility: Puohokamoa Falls is visible from the Garden of Eden Arboretum. To access it, you’ll have to take a tour from Rappel Maui.
3. Parking: The Arboretum has a parking lot.
4. Swimming: There’s no swimming at this waterfall, unless you take a rappelling tour.

Location on Hana Highway

Haipua’ena Falls is 11-12 miles past the start of the Road to Hana. It’s not visible from the road, and there’s no parking lot for visitors. About half-a-mile past the 11-mile marker, there’s a trail at the end of the bridge. 

Distance from start: 11.5 miles

What to expect at Haipua’ena Falls

1. Scenic Beauty: Haipua’ena Falls is known for its serene and picturesque setting.
2. Accessibility: There’s no designated parking lot, so you’ll have to park along the highway and carefully walk to the trail.
3. Hiking: Hiking through a bamboo forest, you’ll arrive at the pool and falls. Following the stream back farther, you’ll come to a second waterfall.
4. Swimming: It’s a popular spot for swimming, but there are others along the Hana Highway which are easier to access with a lot.

Location on Hana Highway

Waikani Falls is right off the Hana Highway.

Distance from start: 19 miles

Distance from Hana: 15 miles

What to Expect at Waikanai Falls

1. Three Cascades: The name “Three Bears” is often used to describe Waikani Falls because it consists of three parallel waterfalls that flow down the lush green cliffs. The three falls resemble three bears standing side by side. The falls are surrounded by dense tropical vegetation and are set against the backdrop of the rugged mountains.
2. Accessibility: You might find fences with “Keep Out” signs, so access could be limited. You’ll have to hike down under the bridge to access the base of the falls.
3. Parking: You can see Waikani Falls right from the Hana Highway. There is a pullout area for parking on the side of the road, about a tenth of a mile beyond the waterfall.
4. Swimming: If you can make the climb down under the bridge, you can swim in the pool under Waikanai Falls!

Location on Hana Highway

The Venus Pools are off the highway, about four miles past the town of Hana.

Distance from start: 38 miles

Distance beyond Hana: 4 miles

What to expect at the Venus Pools

1. Natural Pools: The Venus Pools consist of a series of naturally formed tide pools along the rocky coastline. They are nestled among lava rock formations and are filled with ocean water.
2. Accessibility and Safety:  Access to the Venus Pools can be somewhat challenging. The trail to the pools will lead through a field, along a creek, and down a slippery set of rocks.
3. Parking: There’s no official parking for the Venus Pools. You’ll have to park alongside the highway.
4. Swimming: It’s a great swimming spot, and people jump off the rocks into the pools below.
5. Hiking: It’s a nice hike from the highway down to the rocky pools.

Wailua Falls is one of the most famous and easily accessible waterfalls along the Road to Hana. It’s impossible to miss on your drive!

(Note: there’s another Wailua Falls on the Island of Kauai)

Location on Hana Highway

Wailua Falls is actually *beyond the town of Hana.

Distance from start: 42 miles

Distance beyond Hana: 7 miles (backtracking)

What to expect at Wailua Falls

1. Waterfall: Wailua Falls has a vertical drop of approximately 80 feet. The falls flow over a basalt rock cliff and plunge into a large natural pool below.
2. Accessibility: Wailua Falls is easily visible from the Hana Highway itself. There’s a viewing spot, so hiking isn’t necessary.
3. Swimming: This is a popular, rocky spot for jumping into the pool.
4. Parking: There’s a designated pullout area along the road where you can park your car and take in the view of the falls. This lot tends to get very busy!

Location on Hana Highway

The Pools of ‘Ohe’o are located approximately 12-15 miles past the town of Hana on the eastern side of Maui. 

Distance from start: 44 miles

Distance beyond Hana: 10 miles 

What to expect at Ohe’o Gulch

1. Waterfalls and Pools: The Pools of ‘Ohe’o consist of a series of tiered waterfalls and pools along the ‘Ohe’o Gulch. The cascading waterfalls and freshwater pools (more than seven when water levels are high) are connected by streams that flow into the Pacific Ocean.
2. Accessibility: The Pools are accessible via a path and bridge from the visitor center. This path takes you to a viewpoint overlooking the upper pools and waterfalls.
3. Parking: You’ll find full national park facilities.
4. Swimming: Visitors are generally told not to swim in the pools.
5. Hiking: You’ll find a lot of beautiful hiking trails in the park to choose from. 

Location on the Road to Hana

The Waimoku Falls are about nine miles beyond the town of Hana, inside Haleakalā National Park. To reach Waimoku Falls, you’ll take a hike along the Pipiwai Trail.

Distance from start: 44 miles

Distance beyond Hana: 10 miles

What to expect at Waimoku Falls

1. Waterfalls: Waimoku Falls is approximately 400 feet (122 meters) tall, making it one of the tallest waterfalls on Maui. You’ll also pass the smaller Makahiku Falls along the way.
2. Accessibility: Full national park facilities are available. At the Kīpahulu Visitor Center, you can get trail information, maps, and more.
3. Hiking: The Pipiwai Trail is a 4-mile round-trip hike that takes you through a forest, past smaller waterfalls, and across scenic streams. The trail is well-maintained and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. One of the highlights of the hike to Waimoku Falls is an amazing bamboo forest!

Road to Hana Waterfalls: Other Stops

Here’s an overview of the Road to Hana and some of its most popular stops (aside from the waterfalls):

1. Paia Town: The journey typically starts in the charming town of Paia, where you can grab snacks and supplies for the trip. It’s also a great place to explore with its unique shops and eateries.

3. Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach: It’s a steep hike down to a beautiful beach.

4. Garden of Eden Arboretum: This botanical garden offers a wide variety of plants and exotic trees. You can take a leisurely walk through the garden and enjoy panoramic views of the Ke’anae Peninsula.

5. Rainbow Trees: The rainbow eucalyptus trees along the Road to Hana are truly beautiful, but in reality an invasive species.

Tips for Visiting the Road to Hana Waterfalls

Visiting the Road to Hana waterfalls, beaches, and other sites can be a very stressful trip. Cellphone service is spotty, and you should definitely bring more food and water than you think you’ll need. 

Here are a few important tips for your drive:

• Start early: To avoid the crowds and make the most of your day, start your trip early in the morning.
• Pack essentials: Bring water, snacks, comfortable clothing, swimwear, and hiking shoes.
• Drive cautiously: The road can be narrow and winding, so drive carefully and pull over to let faster drivers pass.
• Respect the environment: Leave no trace and follow all posted rules and regulations, especially in parks and natural areas.

Plus, as I said earlier: if you make a full day of it, you’ll have to drive the windy Road to Hana in reverse during the dark, with the locals walking in the highway:

Here are some factors to consider regarding the safety of the Road to Hana:

1. Narrow and Winding Roads: The Hana Highway is narrow, winding, and often single-lane, with many hairpin turns and blind corners. Drivers need to pay close attention to the road and exercise caution, especially when encountering oncoming traffic or large vehicles.
2. Limited Guardrails: In some sections, there are limited or no guardrails along steep cliffsides, which can be unsettling for some drivers.
3. Rain and Slippery Roads: Maui’s eastern side, where the Road to Hana is located, receives a significant amount of rainfall. This can make the road slippery, increase the risk of mudslides or falling rocks, and create waterfalls that cascade onto the road.
4. One-Lane Bridges: There are numerous one-lane bridges along the route, and drivers must yield to oncoming traffic. This can lead to delays and traffic congestion during peak hours.
5. Traffic and Tour Buses: The road can become congested, especially during the middle of the day when tour buses and other visitors are on the route. This congestion can make driving more challenging.
6. Remote Areas: Some parts of the Road to Hana have limited cell phone reception, and services like gas stations and convenience stores are scarce. It’s essential to be prepared with sufficient fuel, water, and snacks.

Road to Hana Deaths

It’s a morbid topic, but people are curious, so I’ll address Road to Hana deaths briefly. For as many drivers, pedestrians, and tourists as there are on the Road to Hana, there are very few deaths.

Maui County sees 20+ highway deaths a year, several of which are on the eastern side of the island, which is home to the Road to Hana (or Hana Highway).

The most recent Road to Hana death, in the fall of 2023, involved a 24-year-old local man who was hit and killed while walking on the Hana Highway. This happened near the city of Kahului, and not on the narrow, windy part of the Road to Hana.

During and after heavy rainfall, the Road to Hana can become dangerous.

In May of 2023, rockslides closed a portion of the Hana Highway. One car was hit by the rocks and mud, but uninjured. It forced a one-mile closure for emergency stabilization of the land around the highway.

There have been deaths reported at several of the popular stops along the Road to Hana, including Ohe’o Gulch. The park rangers have signs up, warning that people have died jumping from the rocks into the pool of the waterfalls.

It’s also worth noting that first responders go on multiple water rescues each year at spots along the Road to Hana. In 2023, Baldwin Beach Park, Ho’okipa Beach Park, and Kuau Bay Beach Park were closed for large swells and flooding. So it’s always worth checking the weather and following local advisories if you’re visiting, to keep the number of Road to Hana deaths low.

Road to Hana Waterfalls FAQs

Let’s tackle a few more frequently asked questions about the Road to Hana.

How many waterfalls are on the Road to Hana?

Depending on what you consider a waterfall, there are around 20 of them over the 54 miles on the Road to Hana (and beyond).

What’s the easiest waterfall to get to on the Road to Hana?

Wailua Falls is one of the most famous and easily accessible waterfalls along the Road to Hana. It’s impossible to miss on your drive!

Can you swim in any of the Road to Hana waterfalls?

You can swim in the pools at several of the waterfalls, including Twin Falls, Venus Pools, and Wailua Falls.

Are the Road to Hana Waterfalls Worth It?

To wrap up, the Road to Hana can be a memorable and worthwhile experience, courtesy of Mother Nature! It’s essential to plan ahead, be prepared for the driving conditions, and begin your drive early in the morning.​​​​​​​

In addition to the waterfalls, you’ll find great hiking and local stores and restaurants to sample. Plus, as crowded as the Hana Highway can become, you’ll also be able to find peace and solitude at some of these stops, surrounded by the natural wonders on the eastern coast of Maui.