The Pipiwai Trail is one of the most unique hikes in all of Maui! Not only will you get to explore a stunning Maui bamboo forest, but this epic hike ends at a 400-foot waterfall. Join us as we take you out into island nature to have the best experience ever on the Pipiwai Trail!
Maui Travel Inspiration
- Maui Itinerary: How to Experience The Best of Maui in 5 Days!
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- Hawaiian Airlines Review: Is it the Best Airline to Fly to Hawaii?
- Our 7 Favorite Maui Farmers Markets & Local Fruit Stands
Getting to Haleakalā National Park
The first thing to know is it’s not an easy task getting to the Pipiwai Trail in Maui. It’s actually located past the main town and you need to drive the epic Road to Hana to get there!
Accommodations are very limited on this part of Maui and sell out months in advance. This means that most likely you will be doing the Pipiwai Trail as part of one larger day trip to this side of the island.
Hiking through the Bamboo Forest in Maui and seeing the MASSIVE Waimoku Falls made our day so special. For more about getting to the National Park check out our Road to Hana guide below!
→ Best Road to Hana Stops: One Day Maui Guide With Route & Waterfalls
→ 10 Road to Hana Tips to Know Before Taking Maui’s Most Famous Drive
Pipiwai Trail Maui General Info
Cost: If you don’t have an annual or lifetime National Park pass you can pay when you arrive. It’s $30 for parking which is good for three days and also gives you entrance to the summit.
Hours: The park is open from 9am to 5pm daily. Make sure not to start the hike too late in the day as you will be locked inside if you don’t make it out on time.
Distance: 4 Miles Round Trip. The Pipiwai Trail has challenging sections, but a Maui waterfall hike that’s great for all ages.
Time Needed: Plan for 3-4 hours inside the park. That’s for the Pipiwai Trail and the Seven Sacred Pools. There is a sign at the start of the trail stating that the Maui Bamboo forest hike should not be started past 2pm. Give yourself enough time to return!
Pack: Bring everything with you need to the park. The last stop for any necessities is in the town of Hana. However, on a day trip to the Maui waterfall hike, you should bring everything with you in case the Hana shops are closed.
Hiking the Pipiwai Trail in Maui
We got to the Pipiwai Trail at 10 am after driving for almost 4 hours on the Road to Hana. We thought we would be tired from the ride, but the hike was a welcome break from all the twists and turns!
The first half of the hike is steep and levels off into beautiful planked walkways once you are inside the bamboo forest. Upon exiting the bamboo forest, the tremendous 400-foot Waimoku Falls is waiting for you at the end! There are also a handful of smaller waterfalls along the way that are extremely beautiful.
Pipiwai Trail being a Maui waterfall hike alone would be enough to have us raving about it. Yet, there is something on the way to Waimoku Falls that’s equally as incredible!
More Maui Hikes: Don’t miss these 11 amazing hikes & walks on Maui such as the extreme Waihee Ridge Trail, or easy Kapalua Coastal Trail, Hoapili (Lava) Trail & Wailea Beach Walk!
Exploring Pipiwai Trail and Maui Bamboo Forest
If you’ve never been to a bamboo forest it will make this hike even more unbelievable. Trust us when we say we’re not just talking about a small section of bamboo! The Pipiwai Trail in Maui cuts directly through a large section of forest which is surrounded by tall flowering plants.
Enjoy the out-of-this-world nature of the Maui Bamboo Forest as you stroll through slowly on your way to Waimoku Falls. You will actually be walking through Bamboo for almost 20 minutes! It’s easy to see why many travelers say this is the highlight of the hike.
Ending the Pipiwai Trail at the Epic Maui Waterfall
Just before you come to the end of the Pipiwai Trail look up to see Waimoku Falls towering before you. This is hands down one of the most stunning and impressive waterfalls we’ve ever seen! The force and amount of water rushing down can change with the seasons and can even vary day to day.
That’s another very important thing to note! Take warning of the signs all around the park for flash floods. They have occurred without warning in the area and falling rocks have even killed hikers on the Pipiwai Trail in Maui. Stick to the trail and viewing platforms while keeping an eye on the weather.
Don’t Miss the Seven Sacred Pools
Hopefully, you saved a little energy for the end of the Maui Bamboo Forest Hike! Also known as the Pools at ‘Ohe’o, these small cascading waterfalls are definitely worth the extra walk to see.
When you make it back to the start of the Pipiwai Trail there is a small 1/2 mile-long path that will take you to the popular Seven Sacred Pools. While you can no longer swim here it is a pretty waterfall trail that takes you along the ocean.
Have any questions on the Pipiwai Trail or want to share your own experience walking the Bamboo Forest in Maui? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
Where to Stay in Maui Hawaii
For a complete look at the island check out Where to Stay in Maui: 4 Top Areas With Hotel Picks
Ultra Luxury – Four Seasons Resort Maui – Wailea – Known as one of the most elite hotels on Maui, the Four Seasons has three swimming pools, 5-star service, and is just steps from the beach.
Fun Vacation – Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort – Wailea – This modern, upscale hotel is packed with swimming pools and ocean views.
Bed & Breakfast –Maui What a Wonderful World Bed & Breakfast – Wailea – Get all the local charm you can handle at this unique bed and breakfast. Awesome location that will provide a homey welcome to the island.
Remote Resort – Hana Maui Resort A Destination by Hyatt – Hana – Located in the far remote part of the island along the road to Hana. Amazing resort by Hyatt offering seclusion and luxury.
For more places to stay in Maui you can explore the latest prices here!
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Hawaii Travel Planning
Best Of Maui: 20 Fun Facts – 11 Best Beaches – Must Try Food – 25 Things to Do
Flights: We always find our cheap flight deals using Skyscanner. That’s how we got our flight from San Diego to Maui for under $100 USD!
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com, Agoda, & Vrbo!
Rental Car: Hands down the best way to explore Maui Hawaii is with a rental car! We used Discover Cars to explore the island. Just make sure to book in advance because there are limited cars on the island in the high season!
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide to find hundreds of Maui activities. From sunset boat rides, to helicopter tours, and more island adventures!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad (if you’re traveling to Hawaii from outside the USA) without protection. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
