• Destinations
    • Canada
      • Banff
      • Calgary
      • Jasper
      • New Brunswick
      • Ontario
      • Vancouver
      • Victoria
      • Whistler
    • French Polynesia
      • Bora Bora
      • Moorea
      • Rangiroa
      • Tahiti
    • Hawaii
      • Kauai
      • Maui
      • Big Island
    • Italy
      • Bologna
      • Cinque Terre
      • Florence
      • Rome
      • Venice
    • USA
      • Chicago
      • Denver
      • Maine
      • Nashville
      • Portland
      • Seattle
  • Dining
  • Activities
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Cocktails & Drinks
    • Desserts & Sweets
    • Entertaining
    • Mains & Sides
    • Most Popular Recipes
  • Products
  • Most Popular Posts
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Wary Travelers

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • Banff
      • Calgary
      • Jasper
      • New Brunswick
      • Ontario
      • Vancouver
      • Victoria
      • Whistler
    • French Polynesia
      • Bora Bora
      • Moorea
      • Rangiroa
      • Tahiti
    • Hawaii
      • Kauai
      • Maui
      • Big Island
    • Italy
      • Bologna
      • Cinque Terre
      • Florence
      • Rome
      • Venice
    • USA
      • Chicago
      • Denver
      • Maine
      • Nashville
      • Portland
      • Seattle
  • Dining
  • Activities
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Cocktails & Drinks
    • Desserts & Sweets
    • Entertaining
    • Mains & Sides
    • Most Popular Recipes
  • Products
  • Most Popular Posts
  • Contact
  • Search
Kahakapao Loop Trail

Kahakapao Loop Trail

Posted: June 2, 2019 By //  by WaryTraveler 1 Comment Last Updated: August 28, 2019

During out last trip to Maui, we decided to take on the Kahakapao Loop Trail.  It’s definitely not the most scenic hike on Maui, but it’s worth doing. Round trip this hike is 5.75 miles and has an elevation gain of 975 feet.  It’s considered a moderate hike.

Kahakapao Loop Trail Info
Summary of Kahakapao Loop Details
How to get there

The road to get there is a little tricky to find. From Makawao Avenue east of Makawao town, turn right onto Pi’iholo Road (Hwy. 394). Keep driving for 1.5 miles and veer left on Waiohiwi Road. Dive 0.5 mile and turn right onto Kahakapao Road. Drive to the end of Kahakapao Road. You’ll pass a gate along the way that is open from 7am to 7pm. Keep driving until you arrive at the parking lot. It will be on your right.

Just a warning, the last section of road is steep and narrow, but any vehicle can make it to the trailhead. Drive slow and watch for oncoming traffic.

Kahakapao Loop Trail
Muddy trail – Kahakapao Loop Trail
What to Expect

Once you arrive, there is a fairly large parking lot with some portable toilets but no other services. The start of the trail is 1/2 mile from the parking lot.

As you will see, not only is there a hiking trail, but there are also mountain biking trails. To be safe, stay on the dedicated pedestrian trails and keep your eyes and ears open for the bikers.

Kahakapao Loop Trail
Sign to trailhead – Kahakapao Loop Trail

Once you get to the trailhead, it doesn’t matter which direction you decide to go, since it’s a loop. We decided on going clockwise and believe that it was the right choice as we did get past the muddiest sections at the start of the hike. Regardless of your choice, you will be going uphill for the first portion of the hike and downhill on the way back.

Since this hike is mostly in the forest, it is fairly shaded which helps keep it a bit cooler. The trail itself is pretty well maintained and pretty good signage.

Kahakapao Loop
Typical scenery – Kahakapao Loop Trail

The trail wasn’t really busy when we were there.  As with everything we do, we were there very early, but we only came across a handful of people.

In the News

In recent weeks, the Kahakapao Loop Trail has been in the news. A woman hiking in the area was missing for over two weeks. Fortunately, this story has a happy ending. After 17 days, she was found alive and mostly well. Click here to read about it.

Don’t let an incident like that deter you from going. Just make sure to bring plenty of water and your cell phone. 

Kahakapao Loop Canopy
View of the Canopy – Kahakapao Loop Trail

You will be hiking at about 4000’ above sea level so it will be much cooler than down at the beach so dress for that. Also, it does rain a lot, so probably best to pack a light rain jacket, just in case. Don’t forget the sunscreen and the bug spray either!

Finally, if you are looking for something a little more challenging, and with incredible view, check out the Waihee Ridge Trail.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

Useful? Spread the word!

Filed Under: Activities, Maui Tagged With: Budget Friendly, Free Activity, Hiking, Maui

Previous Post: «A day in St. Andrews A day in St. Andrews
Next Post: Best Pizza Dough Recipe Best Pizza Dough Recipe»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search

Our Most Popular Posts

Two week Italy Itinerary

Two week Italy Itinerary

Two week Italy Itinerary
St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
Voila Moorea Snorkel Tour 2

Voila Moorea Snorkel Tour

Voila Moorea Snorkel Tour
Maui During a Pandemic 1

Maui During a Pandemic

Maui During a Pandemic
Best Happy Hour on Kauai 2

Best Happy Hour on Kauai

Best Happy Hour on Kauai
Best Food on Maui 1

Best Food on Maui

Best Food on Maui

Our Favourite Activities

Two week Italy Itinerary

Two week Italy Itinerary

Two week Italy Itinerary
Coco Beach Visit

Coco Beach

Coco Beach
Voila Moorea Snorkel Tour 2

Voila Moorea Snorkel Tour

Voila Moorea Snorkel Tour
Maligne Canyon Hike

Maligne Canyon Hike

Maligne Canyon Hike
Whistler Weekend

Whistler Weekend

Whistler Weekend
Jasper Weekend 1

Jasper Weekend

Jasper Weekend
 

Itineraries

Two week Italy Itinerary

Two week Italy Itinerary

Two week Italy Itinerary
Whistler Weekend

Whistler Weekend

Whistler Weekend
Jasper Weekend 1

Jasper Weekend

Jasper Weekend
Denver Weekend

Denver Weekend

Denver Weekend
Toronto Weekend

Toronto Weekend

Toronto Weekend
Summer Weekend in Vancouver

Summer Weekend in Vancouver

Summer Weekend in Vancouver

Related Posts

What to pack for a trip to Bora Bora

What to pack for a trip to Bora Bora

What to pack for a trip to Bora Bora
Two week Italy Itinerary

Two week Italy Itinerary

Two week Italy Itinerary
French Polynesia Travel Tips

French Polynesia Travel Tips

French Polynesia Travel Tips
St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
Coco Beach Visit

Coco Beach

Coco Beach
Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa

Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa

Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa

Most Popular Recipes

Violette Sour Cocktail 1

Violette Sour Cocktail

Violette Sour Cocktail
Chewy Gingersnap cookies

Chewy Gingersnap Cookies

Chewy Gingersnap Cookies
Best Pizza Dough Recipe

Best Pizza Dough Recipe

Best Pizza Dough Recipe
Violette Squeeze

Violette Squeeze

Violette Squeeze
Mini Eggs Buttercream 1

Mini Eggs Buttercream

Mini Eggs Buttercream
Cheese Puffs Recipe 1

Cheese Puffs Recipe

Cheese Puffs Recipe

Footer

About Us

We are a Canadian couple that loves to travel… a lot! After years of experiencing the good, bad and ugly of travel we have become wary when going to new destinations. We are sharing our experiences with you so you can enjoy yours.

All establishments, activities and products featured on warytravelers.com are approved by the owners of this site.  Most content is not sponsored but at times, some content may be sponsored and will be disclosed.  All opinions expressed are unbiased and our own.  We share this information with you in hopes of contributing to making your vacation memorable.

We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Instagram

Site Footer

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Copyright © 2023