This ridge hike, nestled in Maui's Western Mountain Range, is one of the island's finest trails. The sometimes steep path winds through the mountains, offering stunning views of waterfalls, the coastline, and jagged ridges. The trail culminates at Lanilili, before leading you back down through those breathtaking vistas once more.
Trail Info
Know before you go
This is a popular trail. While there is a parking lot and an overflow lot, it's possible for them to fill up. Get there early if you're heading out on a weekend.
Clouds can roll in and impede views. It's a common occurrence for these higher up ridge hikes. Another case for getting there early :)
The trail can get muddy, as is true for most hikes in Hawaii. However, the mud can make some of the steeper sections slick, so keep that in mind if you are going after a big rain.
Other trails nearby
The Makamakaole Stream Trail is a river/waterfall hike nearby. Best to have watershoes for this one.
The Trail
After parking, and walking around the fence, the hike begins. The ascent starts right away along this paved path. Near the top of the paved path, you will veer left into the trees to stay on the trail.
The wooded section provides a nice reprieve from the Hawaii sun. Those notches running up the trunk of these trees mesmerize me every time.
Soon enough you will come across a bench and the trail will briefly open up on your right side. This is a good opportunity to scan the ridges and look for the Makamakaole Waterfall. Just a little bit of bonus trail magic for this hike.
Not too long after the bench, the hike will open up on the other side, looking towards Southern Maui.
Looking back towards the coastline.
And also a great view of the Waihe'e Valley. If the summit isn't in the cards for you, this might be a good turnaround point.
But if you're ready to get up to the summit, it's time to push onwards. It's around here when the steepness increases quite a bit.
The trail becomes a mix of switchbacks and stairs as you continue to climb.
But soon enough, you will reach the summit! This summit was unique in that it features a wooden platform and picnic tables. Sadly those clouds impeded the views of the mountain peaks (and made it feel a bit chilly). But hey, a summit is a summit!
And luckily, we will get some pretty great views on the journey back down.
SS Reflections
The few times I've hiked Waihe'e Ridge have reminded me just how distinct Maui's landscape is compared to my home island of Oahu. On Oahu, ridge hikes like this are abundant, but on Maui— a younger island where volcanic activity and different geological processes dominate the landscape—these trails are far rarer. It's a comparison that puts things into perspective, making you reflect on how small we are in the grand scale of time. And in its own way that realization, just like the views along this trail, is beautiful.
Other helpful resources
Noah Lang's writeup of this trail