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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.
Oʻahu is staying mostly dry today while the Big Island's windward side gets soaked from a weak system. That rain tapers off by late morning as the system moves west and weakens.
By Wednesday, conditions clear across all islands. Trade winds stay moderate through midweek, then pick up noticeably Thursday through the weekend—breezy enough that a Small Craft Advisory is likely for waters around the Big Island and Maui. Showers will favor windward and mountain areas, especially this weekend when moisture levels rise slightly. North and west shore surf sits near seasonal average through Wednesday, then dips Thursday and Friday before building again over the weekend.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work well through Wednesday. If you're planning windward hikes, wait until afternoon when the rain clears.
0:000:59
Voice
Read the transcript
Maui stays mostly dry today, though the Big Island's windward side is getting soaked this morning from a weak system that tapers off by late morning.
Through Wednesday, conditions clear and trade winds stay moderate. Then Thursday through the weekend, winds pick up noticeably—strong enough that a Small Craft Advisory is likely for the waters around Maui. This weekend, showers will favor windward and mountain areas as moisture rises slightly. Surf stays near seasonal average on north and west shores through Wednesday, then dips Thursday and Friday before building again this weekend. South shores stay elevated through Wednesday, then ease to normal by Thursday.
Beach and snorkel the leeward coasts while it's calm through Wednesday. Windward hikes work better in the afternoon once rain clears, and plan water activities around the stronger winds this weekend.
0:000:54
Voice
Read the transcript
Windward side is getting soaked this morning—some areas have picked up over an inch and a half since yesterday evening. Rain tapers off by late morning as the system weakens and moves west. Leeward stays mostly dry.
Conditions clear Wednesday with moderate trades through midweek. Winds pick up noticeably Thursday through the weekend, and a Small Craft Advisory is likely for waters around the Big Island and Maui. Showers return to windward and mountain areas this weekend when moisture rises slightly. North and west shore surf stays near normal through Wednesday, then dips Thursday and Friday before building this weekend. South shores ease to normal by Thursday.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work well through Wednesday. Plan your windward hikes for afternoon once the rain clears.
0:000:60
Voice
Read the transcript
Kauaʻi is staying mostly dry this morning while a weak system soaks the Big Island's windward side. That rain tapers off by late morning as the system moves west.
Wednesday brings clearing skies across all islands. Trade winds stay moderate through midweek, then pick up noticeably Thursday through the weekend—strong enough that a Small Craft Advisory is likely for waters around the Big Island and Maui. Showers will favor windward and mountain areas, especially this weekend when moisture rises slightly. Surf near seasonal average on north and west shores through Wednesday, then dips Thursday and Friday before building again over the weekend. South shores stay elevated through Wednesday, then ease to normal by Thursday.
Beach and snorkeling on the leeward side are good through Wednesday. If you're planning a windward hike, wait until afternoon when rain clears.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
