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Haleakala Ridge Trail
Located within the Upcountry Maui & Haleakala Region on Maui
Guide Snapshot
A quick fit check before you commit to this trail.
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
1.6 miles
Estimated time
1-2 hours
Elevation & terrain
High-elevation ridge near Polipoli
Family fit
Older kids only
Highlights
Haleakala · Ridge · Polipoli
Polipoli Springs State Recreation Area
Haleakala National Park
If you’re in the vicinity of Polipoli Springs State Park, you’ll want to check out the Haleakala Ridge Trail, a 1.6 mile moderately difficult hike offering amazing views in all directions.
The trail starts above Polipoli Springs State Recreational Area on the skyline switchback at 6,550 feet elevation and works down the crest of the southwest rift of Haleakala past the Plum Trail junction to the lower forest reserve boundary at 5,600 feet elevation.
The great views are due to much of this trail is not being forested, so allow plenty of time for enjoying the scenery.
Trail day tools
Before you drive to the trailhead, check the trail and weather layer.
Hawaii hikes can change quickly with closures, rain, mud, heat, and daylight.
Haleakala Ridge Trail winds its way through grassy tracts, rough cinders, native scrub brush, and a non-native forest of pine, eucalyptus, and other species of trees. The trail joins the end of the Polipoli Trail leading back to the park 0.3 miles from the top.
At the 0.7 mile point a short spur trail leads down into a cinder cone at the bottom of which is a cave that has been developed into a trail shelter.
At 1.2 miles there is a junction with the Plum Trail which heads north across the mountain slope.
After winding through the last stretch of forest, the Haleakala Rudge Trail leads you out of the trees to the crest ridge where you'll enjoy stunning views of the rift valley the pastures below.
Note that the Haleakala Ridge, Polipoli, Redwood, and Plum Trails form a 3.5-mile loop that is more than worth your time.
For your safety as well as for the well-being of the area’s delicate ecosystem, always stay on marked trails and do not touch or disturb plants or wildlife in any way.
You should also wear bright colors in the area so you can be easily spotted by any hunters that may be off the marked trails.
As with all Haleakala National Park hikes, be prepared with adequate hiking apparel and, of course, plenty of sunscreen. Even on a cloudy day the sun's rays are very strong. Be sure to check out our Haleakala backpacking and camping packing list so you can hit the trail safely and comfortably.
How to Get There
From Kahului, take Highway 37 past Pukalani to the second junction of Highway 377. Turn left on 377 for about 0.3 miles, then right on Waipoli Road. This becomes Polipoli Access Road at the first cattle guard and climbs up the mountain through a long series of switchbacks until it enters the forest at 6,400 ft. elevation, where the pavement ends. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended when driving this road.
Founder & certified Hawai'i travel expert with 20+ years in Hawai'i tourism, University of South Carolina climate-research training, and NOAA weather-station experience.
Trades are breezy right now with scattered showers on the windward side and mountains; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Tomorrow stays breezy with the same pattern.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is still uncertain. If it comes closer, expect heavier rain over a longer stretch; if it stays farther out, impacts will be shorter and lighter. Winds will increase late this week, with potential gusts over 70 miles per hour on the highest summits.
Plan your leeward beach time and snorkeling for today through Tuesday. Save summit drives and offshore water sports for after Saturday, and check updates daily as this develops.
0:000:53
Voice
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Trade winds are pushing across Maui right now and staying breezy through tomorrow. Windward slopes and peaks will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. Rough seas mean a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain. Late this week, winds will increase across Maui, with summit gusts potentially exceeding 70 mph on Haleakala. The Big Island—especially Hilo and Puna—faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding if the storm tracks close.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work best today through Tuesday. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:55
Voice
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Trades are kicking today with moderate wind and rough seas. Windward slopes will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain, but the Big Island faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding, especially in the Hilo and Puna areas. Summit winds could exceed 70 mph late in the week. Check forecasts daily as the situation develops.
Leeward snorkeling and beach time work well through Tuesday. Save summit drives and windward hikes for today or tomorrow, and avoid offshore water sports and high elevations Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:58
Voice
Read the transcript
Trades are steady now with scattered showers on the windward side and ridges; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Through Tuesday it stays breezy with rough seas around Maui and the Big Island, where a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is uncertain. Winds will increase across the eastern islands late this week, with potential for summit gusts over 70 mph on Maui and the Big Island if the storm intensifies.
Get your beach and snorkel time in today and tomorrow on the leeward coast. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday as conditions deteriorate. The track could shift significantly—check updates daily.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
