Haleakala Summit Trails

The summit area of Haleakala National Park has over 30 miles (48 km) of hiking trails. Trails range from just 10 minutes to long overnight trips. You might hike in the native shrubland, looking for native forest birds and endemic plants, or in the aeolian cinder desert, exploring the geologic history of the summit. Here are a few of the highlights.

Pa Kaoao Trail
This short trail (less than .5 mile round trip) leads to the top of Pa Kaoao, a small cinder cone. The trail offers one of the highest vantage points in the park and gives spectacular views of the wilderness of the volcano. Stone shelters built by the early Hawaiians that explored Haleakala long ago are still visible from the trail. The trail starts just outside of the House of the Sun Visitor Center at 9,740 feet.

Halemau'u Trail (Starting from the Summit)
A great full-day (or longer) hike. The trail actually ends at the summit. We've detailed this hike on our Halemau'u Trail page. Details about both portions of the trail (summit end and from actual trailhead) are included.

Keoneheehee Sliding Sands Trail
One of the best trails to explore the crater. Read more about Keoneheehee Sliding Sands Trail.

From Kahului Airport, go west on Highway 36 to the Haleakala Highway (Highway 37). Turn right and follow the signs to the summit of Haleakala. There is only one road up, so you can't get lost. More information can be found on the National Park Service's trails website on Haleakala.

Location: Haleakala Summit Trails is located in the Upcountry Maui and Haleakala