Upcountry & Haleakalā · Maui

Activities Upcountry

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Haleakalā Volcano Bike Descent

Coast 20-plus downhill miles from the mountain's flank to the sea.

Guided tours shuttle you up and set you loose on the long descent through Upcountry switchbacks (rides start below the national park boundary). Pairs naturally with sunrise at the summit first.

Price: $$$
Time: Half day

Hikes on Haleakalā

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Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) Trail

Descend from the summit into the crater's cinder-cone moonscape.

The trail drops from 9,800 feet into the crater floor's painted cinder desert. Go as far as feels right and turn around — remember every downhill step must be climbed back at altitude. Even a mile or two in delivers the otherworldly views.

Time: 2-6 hours depending on turnaround

Where to Stay Upcountry

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Kula Lodge

Chalet cabins at 3,200 feet — the shortcut to a sane sunrise wake-up.

Rustic mountain-side chalets with bi-coastal views partway up the Haleakalā road. Staying here turns the 3am sunrise drive from the coast into a 45-minute hop.

Class: 3★
Price: $$

Sights Upcountry & on Haleakalā

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Haleakalā Summit & Crater

Sunrise above the clouds at 10,023 feet, over a crater that swallows Manhattan.

The centerpiece of Haleakalā National Park. The summit's dawn spectacle requires an NPS sunrise reservation (booked well ahead); sunset and stargazing need none and are nearly as good. Dress for near-freezing wind whatever the beach felt like — the crater overlooks and short rim walks reward any hour of day.

Time: Half day with the drive

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Makawao Town

Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) town turned gallery row — with legendary cream puffs.

Old wooden storefronts on the slope of Haleakalā hold galleries, boutiques and the century-old Komoda Store & Bakery, whose cream puffs sell out by mid-morning.

Time: 1-2 hours