beautiful, vividly colored sunset sailboat cruise scene off the coast of Waikiki with the iconic Diamond Head in the background. The ocean is calm a
Settled inside the lavish wild of Haleakalā Public Park lies quite possibly of Maui’s most notorious experience – the enchanted Pipiwai Trail. This extraordinary climb twists through transcending bamboo forests, past old banyan trees, and close by great cascades for an encounter found no place else on the island. With such countless stunning sights pressed into only 4 miles, it’s not difficult to see the reason why the Pipiwai Trail stays perhaps of Hawaii’s most one of a kind fortune.
A Sample of Heaven at Makahiku Falls
Explorers are blessed to receive the first of many ponders only 10 minutes along the path at the truly amazing Makahiku Falls. Meaning “little eyes” in Hawaiian, this appropriately named cascade flows tenderly in twin streams down 100-foot volcanic precipices covered in energetic greeneries and emerald foliage.
The tranquil pools below provide the ideal backdrop for photos that seem ripped straight from a postcard. Don’t linger too long taking in paradise though, as even more spectacular sights such as towering waterfalls and alien-like ancient trees await around the bend!
Strange Figures of the Holy Banyan Tree
In any case, one monster patriarch takes the scene – an outsider like 350-year-old banyan tree with many hanging flying roots that give the deception of new trunks supernaturally growing from the earth. These hitched figures interlace toward the daylight, making an entrancing labyrinth that gets a handle on straight of a dream or science fiction flick.
Through the Ancient Forests of Keʻanae
Leaving Makahiku Falls behind and venturing deeper into the sprawling rainforests of Keʻanae Valley, hikers enter a primordial world brimming with exceptional flora. Giant mango trees with knots of gnarled roots snake along the forest floor, while other ancient hardwoods like guava and mountain apple dot the landscape.
Banyan trees have special significance in Polynesian culture as symbols of eternal life and within Hawaiian folk tales, making this ancient specimen all the more mystical as it creaks gently overhead. Respectfully appreciating this natural wonder as the living embodiment of Hawaiian heritage makes for a moving experience along the trail.
‘Oheʻo Pools: A Heavenly Oasis
Not long after the ancient banyan, a spur trail guides hikers to one of the most iconic vista points on Maui – the renowned Seven Sacred Pools or ‘Oheʻo Pools. Here, a stunning series of jewel-toned pools cascade one into the next, their crisp blue waters glowing brilliantly beneath lush fern-draped cliffs before flowing gently into the ocean.
While swimming is restricted in the upper pools, photographers revel in capturing the subtle changes of light dancing across these crystalline tiers that seem almost too pristine to exist on Earth. It’s a view that captures the essence of paradise at its most idyllic.
Into the Enchanting Bamboo Forests
Crossing back over the emerald slopes from ‘Oheʻo Pools, hikers enter into yet another exceptional landscape along the trail – the Pipiwai bamboo forest. Sunbeams filtering through thousands of slender bamboo stalks overhead create an utterly beguiling atmosphere. The dense groves soon envelope the trail entirely, the encircling heights shutting out the sky to transport hikers into an exotic, almost supernatural realm shrouded in vibrant greens.
While bamboo forests grow across Maui, Pipiwai’s is exceptional for the varieties on display. Strolling beneath groves of tortured bamboo, whose stalks twist into gnarled knots, and upright bamboo waving 50 feet overhead makes for an experience that feels lifted from a Miyazaki film or a journey through J.R.R. Tolkien’s fabled Fangorn Forest.
Let imagination run wild while meandering down the curving boardwalks amidst this landscape seemingly ripped from a dreamworld.
Pristine Pools Along Pipiwai Stream
Emerging from the dense bamboo corridors, mossy boulders guide travelers over the burbling waters of Pipiwai Stream. Impossibly linear walls of columnar basalt tower hundreds of feet high around the valley, blocking out direct sunlight and creating an eternally lush, almost mystical environment along the waterway.
Those who carefully navigate the slippery rocks are rewarded with small plunge pools and tiny waterfalls cascading beneath umbrellas of heart-shaped guava leaves. Few settings capture the vibrancy of the Hawaiin rainforests than these secluded oases that feel a thousand miles from civilization.
Makanau Stream and Fallen Giants
After roughly 2 miles, the trail crosses over Makanau Stream where more exceptional sights await. Massive mango and banyan trees that lost their grip on the steep cliffs lie toppled across the stream, their colossal trunks and knotted buttress roots creating natural bridges and tunnels perfect for photos.
In Hawaiian culture, these fallen elders are sacred as they continue nourishing the forest in death. Lush carpets of moss already shroud their immense figures, young ferns sprouting from decaying bark in an ongoing cycle. Appreciating these ancient giants up close serves as a poignant reminder of nature’s eternal renewal amidstchange.
Heavenly Cascades at Waimoku Falls
Just when it seems the exceptional scenery along the Pipiwai Trail could not possibly get more dramatic, the towering 400-foot Waimoku Falls comes thundering into view. Billowing clouds of mist rise where the tremendous cascade meets tree-lined cliffs, the deafening roar drowning out all other sounds. Gazing up at the falls from rocky overlooks, its exceptional power and beauty hits like a bolt from the heavens.
While officially the tallest waterfall reached via trail on Maui, Waimoku pours with such force it seems far mightier. Scrambling further up the slick cliffs treats intrepid hikers to panoramic views of the valley, the waterfall’s silver thread glinting brilliantly in the background. But take care not to get mesmerized edge-gazing, as the crumbling volcanic terrain calls for sure footing.
Upon catching your breath, it may dawn this is a perfect final act for one of Hawaii’s most exceptional adventures. While the 4 miles back may seem longer with jelly legs, one thing is certain – images from this landscape, where ethereal waterfalls appear ripped from myths and ancient groves vibrate with mana, will linger for a lifetime.
Essential Tips for Hiking the Pipiwai Trail
While exceptional beauty awaits along the entire Pipiwai Trail, hazards also lurk within the remote terrain. Heeding the following tips helps ensure your journey goes smoothly:
Prepare Properly
- Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good traction and ankle support. The trail crosses uneven boulders and slippery stream beds.
- Bring 2-3 liters of water per person. Treatment can take over 6 hours and the humidity saps energy fast.
- Pack rainproof layers and a change of dry clothes even during sunny mornings. Tropical downpours happen without warning.
- Bring cash for admission fees into Haleakalā National Park. Credit cards are not accepted.
Know Before You Go
- Swimming is prohibited above Makahiku Falls to prevent disruption of the pristine eco-system. Respect all posted signs and closures.
- Entry fees to access Pipiwai Trail are $30 per car or $25 per motorcycle. Plan for this cost in advance.
- Guests must arrive before 3 p.m. to complete the full hike before dark. There are no electrical lights along the trail at night.
Tread Lightly
- Help preserve paradise by carrying out all trash, sticking to marked paths, and leaving no trace.
- Do not disturb or remove native species and habitats that shelter Hawaii’s rare endemic wildlife. Appreciate from afar.
- Be respectful when visiting ancient cultural sites and heiau. These represent the heritage of native Hawaiians.
While urging care, none of this is meant to dissuade from making the epic journey along Pipiwai Trail. The staggering natural beauty awaiting discovery makes it one of Maui’s – and the world’s – most spellbinding adventures. But heeding these tips helps ensure its wonder will endure for future generations of explorers who wander through this valley of myths towards heaven on Earth.
