Enjoy Maui’s Road to Hana Longer With an Epic Overnight Stay Along the Way

16.10.2024 - 17:41 / matadornetwork.com

The famed Road to Hana on Hawai’i’s Maui island starts in Kahului, near the airport. It traverses 63 miles and a seemingly endless stretch of one-lane bridges and switchbacks — taking you past some of the planet’s loveliest waterfalls and hiking trails. It’s a drive that embodies the journey-is-the-destination mindset. So why not keep the journey going a little longer by breaking it up with some overnight stays? Add in some beachside camping and waterfall hiking without having to skimp your time in the destination itself.

This plan will be rewarded with some of Maui’s most memorable, off-the-resort-path lodging options. Accommodations along the route and in Hana range from campsites to luxury hotels, with everything in between. No matter which you choose, you’ll wake up surrounded by the beautiful scenery for which Maui’s eastern side is famous.

We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Photo: arkanto/Shutterstock

Upper Waikani Falls is located between mile markers 19 and 20, about halfway timewise along the route. Nearby along the route are Puohokamoa Falls, Makapipi Falls, Waiokilo Falls, Kopiliula Falls, and others, a handful of which require a hike in. There are also plenty of popular hikes — like the Bamboo Forest, Twin Falls, and the many trails at Ko’olau Forest Reserve — each of which is doable as a day hike. To spend more time exploring the falls and forest before continuing on to Hana, you could rent a jeep equipped with a rooftop tent. Aloha Glamp’s jeep is bookable via Booking.com. Towels and bed linens are provided and it gives you a little more flexibility on the journey. A stay in this region means you’ll be surrounded by hiking and sightseeing opportunities just outside the Haiku-Pauwela town, a short drive from Paia.

Photo: Serge Yatunin/Shutterstock

Paia itself is a hippie beach town that combines a laid-back vibe with upscale amenities. It’s the place to sip the perfect cup of coffee at Island Fresh Cafe in the morning and spend the afternoon overlooking the windsurfers hucking their moves at Ho’okipa while eating the best fish taco you’ve ever had. With a town so epic, there’s no reason to pay $500 plus a night for accommodation. Stay in an Airbnb near the beach a little over $200 for a house or at the renowned Aloha Surf Hostel, where for $136 per night you can become buddies with fellow surfers who can show you the best waves before you hit the road to Hana.

Photo: Shane Myers Photography/Shutterstock

Wai’anapanapa State Park is among the top stops on the Road to Hana, largely because of its famed