Distance: 11.2 miles round trip | Time: 7-9 hours | Level: Hard | Elevation Gain: 3,054 ft
Route: one way loop [REQUIRES HITCH-HIKING, 2 CARS, OR A FRIEND TO PICK YOU UP]
This trail is located inside of the beautiful wonder of Haleakala National Park, a rare and sacred landscape for the Hawaiian people. It is known as the “house of the sun”, a place where native Hawaiians visit to honor the gods and say goodbye to their dead. As ancient Hawaiians say, Halekalaka is where the demigod, Maui, lassoed the sun to slow it down and make the day longer so the Hawaiian people could live more comfortably on the land.
It is one of Hawaii’s two national parks, containing a one of the volcanoes that created the island of Maui. Haleakala National Park is home to the largest concentration of endangered species of any national park and if measured from its base on the ocean floor to the summit, Haleakala volcano is approximately 30,000 ft tall (one of the three tallest mountains on Earth)!
ENTRY FEE TO ENTER: $30USD unless you have an America the Beautiful National Annual Park Pass or Hawaii Tri-Park Annual Pass
From Mars to green oasis, these combined hikes create the perfect opportunity to experience both sides of Haleakala National Park. The scenery on this hike looks and makes you feel like you’re on a different planet, especially when you are in the heart of the crater with nothing but mountains and peaceful silence surrounding you. This has to be one of the best hikes you can do on Maui!
Sliding Sands Trail is one of the most popular hikes within Haleakala National Park, but it is also out and back which means at the end of the hike you turn around and go right back up the mountain you just scaled down and revisit everything you just hiked through… So instead of doing that, my friend and I combined a few hikes and unknowingly did the Haleakala Crater Trail which was a beautiful hiking masterpiece through Haleakala’s natural wonders.
To create the “loop”, you go from Sliding Sands Trail onto Silversword Loop up to Halemau’u Trail back to the main road which ultimately creates the Haleakala Crater Trail. At the end of this hike does not end at your car as you will either need to get a ride, hitch hike back up, or walk back up the mountain. There is a designated area where hikers can wait for a ride back up the mountain to get to their cars at the visitors center- make sure to be done with the hike before sunset.
If you would like to walk back to your cars instead of figuring out a ride, the easiest way will be to take the route of the Haleakala Crater Loop which will lead you to the main road where you will walk 6 miles up the road with a 1,000ft elevation gain.
what to know + what to pack before you go:
Although this is in Hawaii, it is cold when you are 10,023ft up and moving through many microclimates within the crater- so bring warming layers. The weather can be pretty unpredictable and can change fast, so it is best to be prepared. Predownload a trail map from Alltrails, make sure to check weather conditions, check the sunset time, and make sure you are in good physical condition before attempting this hike.
Since there are little bathrooms and water sources throughout this hike, here is what you should bring and prepare for:
- a day pack to carry your energy bars , snacks and water
- sunscreen + hat to protect yourself from the sun
- a sandwich / something to fill you up in a reusable sandwich bag to reduce trash
- rain jacket or windbreaker
- hoodie for when it gets cold
- good hiking shoes
*my friend and I did this with two full waters, 2 PB&J sandwiches and some dates and nuts to keep us going*
checkout a full what to bring to Hawaii packing list here
what to expect when hiking Haleakala Crater Trail
This hike starts on the Sliding Sands Trail, the best way to find this trail is to follow the directions and map on Alltrails. From the visitors center there will be a sign towards the right that says “Sliding Sands Trail” and that’s where your journey will begin.
The beginning of this hike is relatively easy as the first 4 miles are descending down into the crater. Make sure to stay on trail and follow leave no trace principles throughout the hike to protect the fragile environment and endangered species residing in the park.
You will make your way towards Silversword Loop via Halemau’u Trail where you will truly experience the feeling of being inside of a volcanic crater. Although the ground is barren there are green and yellow plants along the red dirt and lush mountains.
My friend and I were the only ones in this side of the park and on this trail and it was truly incredible. The more we walked towards Holua the scenery began to change from dry to lush greenery.
This was the view as we ascended up on the switchbacks around 6pm.
You will make your way back up the mountain until you reach a small parking lot that leads towards the main road that runs up and down. Here you will need to either have your friend meet you and pick you up or you can just do it the old fashion way and hitch-hike back up the mountain.
Hikers and backpackers know about these trails and will be willing to stop, my friend and I actually picked up hitchhikers as we made our way up the mountain before the hike. You will want to finish the hike before sunset since many people will be driving up to see the sunset at the top and you will have a better chance to hitch a ride. My friend and I had a late start (11:40am) and didn’t reach the end and find a ride until 8:40 pm, LUCKILY someone was willing to drive back up the mountain for us but definitely create enough time in your day so that you can make it to the end before sunset.
This by far was the best hike I ever did on Maui when you mix in views, adventure and hiking! If you love all of the above, I highly suggest you make time to do this one. Below is a travel vlog from a full adventure day in Maui when we completed this hike!
Always remember to stay on the trails at all times, and leave no trace.
happy hiking!
