Haleakala Crater and National Park

The drive to the top of this mountain formed by a volcano will afford you sweeping views of Maui. The 10,023 summit looks more like the moon than Hawaii. Get there early for the sun rise and save some energy for the ride down.

Haleakala crater is one of the many exotic things you will find in Hawaii, which is much more than a land of beaches and hula girls. Haleakala "Crater," sitting at 10,023 feet above sea level, is the deep pit at the top of one of the dormant volcanoes that formed Maui. It is not a true crater since it was formed by erosion, but it has the shape of a huge crater, it looks like something you would find on the moon, and the name has stuck for many years.

Haleakala (literally "House of the Sun") is a top destination in Maui. In addition to the great views, Haleakala offers some one-of-a-kind experiences including a spectacular, dramatic sunrise that you will not soon forget: one moment you are stumbling around in the dark at the summit parking lot, and the next moment the sun emerges over one of the crater walls and blasts you with intense sunlight. The experience truly is reminiscent of film footage taken of the sunrise on the moon. You will have to get up very early to witness the Haleakala sunrise, but we highly recommend it. You can find out weather reports and the time of the next day’s sunrise by calling the National Weather Service at 808-871-5054. If you have other questions, call park headquarters at 808-572-7749.

Seek Out The Park Rangers
Haleakala Crater is a United States National Park. The visitors’ center at the top of the mountain is run by National Park Rangers who give talks and lead hikes into the crater. The Rangers we met were extremely knowledgeable and had little difficulty answering a wide range of questions from ourselves and other visitors. (As a general rule, always take advantage of Ranger talks in any U.S. National Park since these individuals are some of the most knowledgeable and well-qualified people on the U.S. Federal payroll.)

Some of the fun facts we picked up during our visit include:

1. the crater has a circumference of 21 miles
2. You could fit the island of Manhattan within the crater
3. The rare Silversword Plant is indigenous only to Mount Haleakala
4. The air at Haleakala’s summit has about 20% less oxygen than the air at sea level
5. The Apollo Astronauts trained at Mount Haleakala

Bike Down From The Top
One popular way of experiencing the crater is to take one of the bicycle tours from the top. There is not much physical exertion involved since you ride up in a van with a full complement of bicycles attached to the roof. At the top, bikes and helmets are handed out and then you go flying down the road to the bottom.

This experience is one of those things that looks fun BEFORE you do it. People who have braved this tour complain of freezing to death as they travel at high speeds in the cold, high altitude air. Moreover, they spend the whole way down dodging the equally fast-moving automobiles whose drivers are trying to see how fast they can maneuver the narrow, winding road to the top.

What we recommend instead is that you rent a convertible automobile or jeep while in Maui. This will allow for the same unobstructed views that the bikers say they gain by taking the two-wheel route down the crater. A convertible with the heater on is quite comfortable, and it puts you on a level playing field with the high speed automobiles you will encounter (it will also allow for better views if you drive Maui’s famous Road to Hana).

Hike Down From The Top
Another fun way to depart from the summit of Haleakala is to hike down. In fact a friend just wrote:

My girlfriend and I did a day hike down to the bottom, crossed it and then came up a narrow mule trail with hairpin bends. The experience took 10 hours and was the unquestionably the highlight of our trip.

BEWARE – Thin (and cold) Air
The air at the top of the crater is quite thin and I find myself gasping for air when I first arrive at the top, although other people seem unaffected. It usually takes me about 30 minutes to become acclimated, but I never feel truly comfortable. I recommend that you proceed with caution at the top of the crater, especially if you plan to take a hike – walk a few laps around the parking lot to get yourself acclimated. Don’t forget to dress warmly since the high mountain air will generally be 20 to 40 degrees cooler than the air at sea level. Also bring plenty of sun-block – you will burn much quicker in the thin mountain air.

Getting There
There is only one way to the top. Pick up route 37 near Kahului Airport and follow it to route 377. Route 377 intersects route 378, which will take you to the top of Haleakala. It takes about two hours to drive from the Kahana/Kaanapali area to the summit and a bit less than two hours from the Wailea/Makena area (assuming no more than a few short stops on the way up). There is a per car admission charge.

BOOK AN ACTIVITY
Make the most of your time in the islands by booking your vacation activities now! Click here to get tickets to tours, attractions and hundreds of other Hawaii activities. Or check out this collection of once-in-a-lifetime vacation experiences, including skydiving, helicopter rides, hot air ballooning and much more.

QUICK CLICKS
Cheap Tickets has some of the greatest travel deals on the web. Just click. You're there.
Hotwire Hot-Fares are airfare deals you won't find anywhere else - up to 50% off.
Luggage Online carries top brands in luggage, briefcases and travel accessories at great prices.

Site Directory: