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Haleakala Ridge Trail
Located within the Upcountry Maui & Haleakala Region on Maui
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.
Breezy trade winds are in place with windward and inland showers expected tonight and early morning through Monday. South-facing beaches have high surf through Saturday evening—avoid them if rough water concerns you. East-facing shores will see building swell Sunday as Tropical Storm Fausto approaches. Tuesday and Wednesday the storm moves in with heavy rain, gusty winds, and rough seas on the windward side. Forecasters are still narrowing down the exact track, so check updates this weekend. By Thursday normal trades return.
Leeward beaches work through Monday if you stay clear of the high surf. Plan indoor activities or protected bays for Tuesday and Wednesday when the storm passes through.
0:000:52
Voice
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Trade winds are bringing showers to the windward side and inland areas, mostly at night and early morning through Monday. South-facing beaches have high surf through Saturday—avoid them if you're not comfortable in rough water.
Tropical Storm Fausto arrives Tuesday and brings heavy rain, gusty winds, and rough surf on east-facing shores through Wednesday. The storm is moving fast, so rain won't linger in one spot for days. Forecasters are still narrowing the track, so watch for updates this weekend. Impacts could shift depending on whether it passes north or south of the islands.
Leeward beaches work through Monday if you avoid the high surf. Plan indoor activities or protected bays for Tuesday and Wednesday when Fausto moves through.
0:000:66
Voice
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Right now you've got breezy trade winds with showers mainly at night and early morning on the windward and inland sides. Conditions stay stable through Monday with the same pattern—showers mostly after dark, trades during the day.
High surf is running through Saturday at 6 PM on south-facing beaches. Starting Sunday, east-facing shores will see advisory-level surf building as Tropical Storm Fausto approaches from the southeast. Tuesday and Wednesday the storm moves near the islands with heavy rain and gusty winds on the windward side. It's moving fast at 15 miles per hour, so rain won't sit in one spot for days, but forecasters are still refining the track—updates this weekend will clarify the exact impacts.
Stick with leeward beaches through Monday if you're comfortable in the current surf. For Tuesday and Wednesday, plan indoor activities or protected bays on the lee side while the heavy rain and wind move through.
0:000:48
Voice
Read the transcript
Breezy trade winds this morning with scattered showers on the windward side and inland—mostly at night and early morning. South-facing beaches have high surf through Saturday; skip them if rough water makes you nervous.
Tropical Storm Fausto moves near the islands Tuesday through Wednesday with heavy rain, gusty winds, and rough surf on the east-facing shores. The storm's moving fast, so rain won't linger in one spot. The exact impacts depend on whether it tracks north or south—forecasters are still pinning down the track, so check updates this weekend.
Plan leeward beaches or protected bays through Monday. Once the trades return to normal Thursday onward, conditions settle back to typical.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
