15 Best Hikes in Maui near Kaanapali
The island of Maui, also known as the Valley Isle, is a place of epic beauty. As you travel around the island you will be amazed by the spectacular views, and how vastly different it is depending on where you are on the island.
If you are planning to stay near Kaanapali, you are in for a treat! You will be between the West Maui mountains full of lush greenery and rare plants, the pacific ocean, and views of other Hawaiian islands make for awe inspiring moments (both the island of Lanai and Molokai are visible from Kaanapali).
So, let's get out there and go hiking!
Maui hikes range in difficulty level from an easy walk on paved paths, to an easy hike on a loop trail, short trails that are a straight out and back, all the way up to challenging hikes with significant elevation gain. Some hikes are also located at higher elevations, the summit of Haleakala Volcano is at 10,000ft elevation.
Maui has something for all skill levels! Whether you want a short hike or a longer epic adventure, pack some proper footwear (I recommend getting some quality hiking boots). For waterfall hikes I prefer to wear hiking sandals, so if that's your plan you could consider those as well. There is plenty of water to swim in on Maui! Make sure the kiddos have solid hiking shoes too!
Great Hike Recommendations in order of distance from Kaanapali:
My #1 Short Hike in Maui with Kids! ‘Ohai Trail near Kaanapali
Kaanapali Beach Walk: if you want to stay at sea level this is a lovely paved beach path that wanders along the coast in front of the resort hotels. It is stroller friendly! If you are staying at a hotel in Kaanapali you will have easy access to this hike. If not, there are public beach parking spots scattered throughout Kaanapali. You can go for as long as short as you like, but you will be heading back the same way that you came. There are some spectacular views and opportunities to walk out onto the rocks. If you go off the paved path, the rocks are uneven.
Kapalua Coastal Trail: This 1.76 mile trail offers a beautiful view of Kapalua Bay, Namalu Bay, Oneloa Bay, and Honokahua Bay. Get there early to get a spot in the parking lot! This trail begins as a stroller friendly paved path, but turns into a dirt/gravel trail once you are past the Kapalua resort. My favorite hiking stroller is the Baby Trend Expedition Jogger, the big wheels make it easy to maneuver for you, and ensures a smoother ride for the little one. It is an out and back trail and great for families with small kids who want an easy walk and great scenery.
Kapalua Village Walking Trails: The trailhead is on the golf course and it takes you up through the forest. Although the path is paved (the old golf cart path), it has become worn down with many cracks and bumps. There are some very steep hills, so this is less stroller friendly than the first two options. I didn’t encounter any steep edges on this hike so it was nice to let the kids run ahead without worrying they might accidently chase each other off a cliff edge! The downside of no steep edges is the scenery is more mundane. It is still beautiful to be in the forest, but there is no ocean view for most of this hike. There is a small freshwater pond with ducks.
Mahana Ridge Trail: This 6 mile trail is located at the end of the Kapalua Coastal Trail. You can park at DT Fleming Beach to access this hike. The hike takes you through grassy sections which can often be muddy. There is about a 2000ft elevation gain so it’s definitely more of a workout! There is a good amount of shade on the trail, and diverse vegetation and you continue your hike (pineapple, aloe, eucalpytus). You can hike as far as you like before turning around. If you do the full 12 mile out and back you will reach an arboretum at the end (Maunalei Arboretum).
Acid War Zone Trail to the Nakele Blowhole- This is a hike down the cliff on lava rocks. It's a beautiful place that was possible for us to climb with small kids. It is uneven and requires good mobility. You can see the whole trail (well not really a trail) from the beginning so you know what you are getting into. Keep your distance from the blowhole. Just stay on the dry rocks and you will be fine!
Ohai Trail: This is my favorite hike on Maui with kids! Ohai trail has the best views. This mile long hike is great for people who want to enjoy the scenery without anything too strenuous. The hardest part is the drive! The views are spectacular (Lord of the Rings type scenery). The trail itself was easy for small kids, it was short (about 1 mile) so was an easy extra stop on our drive along the Hwy 340.
Lahaina-Pali Trail- This is a hike for those looking for a good workout and a challenging hike! There is steep elevation gain and no shade!! My husband ran this trail every week as part of his training and saw way too many people heading out unprepared. Take lots of water, sun protection, and wear sturdy hiking shoes. The whole trail is climbing up lava rocks. The footing is uneven and it is a steady uphill climb. It is a really an amazing hike, but maybe not for little legs. There is a parking lot on both sides of the trail (it goes up to the windmills and then over the other side), you can park a car on both sides, you can call an uber from the other side to get back to your car, or just go up to the top and back down the way you came (that’s what we normally did).
Iao Valley State Park: The hike to the Iao Needle State Monument in Central Maui is really more of a short family walk. There are 2 paved paths and then a dirt path down into the valley. There are stairs to climb. The scenery is lush forests and a stream in the valley. This is a popular hike and an important place for Hawaiian culture. There is lots for little ones to learn about the battle here where King Kamehameha got the advantage over the warriors of Maui, in order to unify the islands of Hawaii. Parking is $10
Waihee Ridge Trail: There is a LOT of elevation gain so prepare yourself for a very steep hill at the beginning. After that the slope is more gradual. Even if you only make it to the first scenic look out you get a great waterfall view.
Although this trail may seem close to Kaanapali, driving on the 340 is not for everyone! The best way is to drive is to go along the valley floor (Hwy 30) with just a short drive on the 340 to reach the trail head. There are a few switchbacks on your way to Waihee ridge. The views are amazing!
There are beautiful views of the west Maui forest reserve on the Waihee Ridge Trail. To me it was pure Jurassic Park type scenery. I found this to be an epic hike with kids! The second scenic lookout has a fantastic view of the west Maui mountains. When you get past that the path gets more narrow and it's a big climb again. Great view as payoff at the end of the trail! Unless it’s cloudy :)
La Perouse Bay, Hoapili Trail- This hike is located in south Maui, closest to Wailea. Make sure to wear proper footwear because this hike is entirely on lava rock! The beautiful scenery is almost other worldly. When I first visited La Perouse Bay I felt like I was on the planet Mars. This hike is located at the site of the last lava flow of Haleakala when it erupted between 1480-1600.
The path is very uneven, so good balance and mobility is a prerequisite. There is a small blowhole the kids will enjoy along the way, you may see some wild goats, and if you’re luck you can sometimes spot dolphins in the bay. If the sky is clear you can also see the Big Island in the distance on your hike.
This trail is the closest to Wailea and Kihei. You will drive as far as you can go into the lava fields until you find the parking lot for La Perouse Bay. The road is well maintained.
This is one of the best Maui hikes in my opinion. My kids love it, and you can go as long or as short as you like on this out and back trail. Take lots of water, snacks, and sun protection because there is no shade at all on the trail. It’s best to go early in the morning before it’s too hot!
Wailea Beach Walk: Similar to the Kaanapali Beach walk, this is an accessible paved path along the beach in front of the Wailea Resorts. You can either park at Polo Beach public parking or at Ulua Beach public parking to access the trail. There is beautiful scenery of Kahoolawe island and Molokini crater. I have always had success with excellent whale watching in this area in the winter months. There are places to grab a coffee along the trail and also spots to sit on a bench to enjoy the scenery. This is a family and stroller friendly walk. If you are more of a wagon family, I absolutely love this Ever Advanced Wagon. It makes carrying snacks, water, hats, and a tired child much less exhausting for the parents!
Twin Falls (Hana Highway): This gentle hike is easy to access since it’s only a few minutes down the Hana Highway. You will be amazed by the diverse climates on such a small island if this is your first visit to Maui. Twin falls is located in a bamboo forest that will feel incredible and exotic. Coming from the mainland, the first time I experienced driving only 35 minutes from the sunshine and dry climate of south and west Maui into the tropical rain forest feel of the north and east side of the island of Maui I was in awe.
The hike itself is short and easy. You will get to see 3 waterfalls even if the upper valley is closed, which happens often due to rainfall. Even though this is a popular spot, my kids and our family visitors always enjoyed this hike. You can buy a fresh coconut or banana bread from the food truck onsite and parking is $10.
Hosmer grove trails (Haleakala National Park); this hike has picnic areas and a diverse array of trails. You'll see native birds (like the Nene Goose in Haleakala National Park). Make sure to pick up a Junior Ranger activity book from the Visitor Centre!
Sliding Sands Trail: This is a high altitude difficult hike. This is an 11 mile round trip hike down to the crater floor of a dormant volcano, Haleakala. If you are not used to hiking at elevations, give yourself some time to adjust and take it easy! There is a $30 fee to enter the national park. If you want to do this hike, but would like someone else to do the driving, picnic packing, and lead the way, a guided hiking tour is the ideal option.
Hana Lava Tubes: This is a fun adventure! If a trip to Hana is on your Maui itinerary, make a stop with the kids at the Hana Lava Tube. The fun of taking in flashlights to explore a huge underground tunnel was definitely a highlight from my kids. Since you have to pay to enter, the path is well maintained with a handrail. There is also a fun garden maze and picnic tables.
Pipiwai Trail & Seven Sacred Pools; This 4 mile round trip hike took us about 3.5 hours with the kids walking the whole way. There is some elevation gain, a huge banyan tree, and then super fun platforms through the bamboo forests.
This hike is located in east Maui. At the very end of the Hana Highway is the Pipiwai trail hike. This hike through a tropical rainforest is the be all and end all hike for me on Maui. Maybe it was just the biggest hike my kids successfully completed, but our family had an amazing adventure together on this trail and I would highly recommend it! When you reach the end of the trail you will find the 400-foot waterfall, Waimoku Falls, which is a spectacular payoff.
This hike is to be avoided when it is raining or if there has been heavy rainfall due to the danger of flash floods. There are also steep edges to be mindful of (these are mostly well marked). There are also a few bridges to cross that were exciting!
Hiking with kids is a great opportunity to help them learn about their environment and to always stay on the trail! This is the BEST HIKE on the entire island, read more about it here!
As you can see Maui hiking offers something for everyone. I hope you enjoy these popular hikes. and if you're in Kaanapali, don't forget to visit the massive banyan tree in Lahaina!
Even if you don't get to do everything on this list during your Maui vacation, you have picked a great place to visit with the whole family. I'm sure this will only be your starting point and you will be back again!
Just a note to adventurous families….when you are traveling with kids, especially young kids, I know there are times when you want to do something that is beyond the capability of your little ones. My husband and I have made an effort to pick something that we will do just the two of us during a trip, which means….arranging childcare for the kiddos! I have had great success finding excellent local babysitters with Care.com. Maybe you will too!
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