most dangerous part of road to hanamost dangerous part of road to hana

One of the leading causes of accidental deaths anywhere in the world is Road Traffic Accidents. Skip it. My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. Plus youre on a cliff side and at some points without a guard rail. The tours use GPS to offer turn-by-turn directions and audio narration with stories and music. BRYCE CANYON UT Take your valuables with you or at the very least keep them out of sight. NEW YORK GRAND CANYON AZ Among the recent ocean-related fatalities around Maui, one stands out to Keanae resident Napua Hueu the death of a 38-year-old Lahaina man who hiked the Puka Maui trail and became unresponsive . Ive also had a few people recently ask me about starting in Paia and driving ALL the way to Hana without stopping and then turning around and doing their stops on the way back. Itll avoid the uncomfortable situation of figuring out how youre going to squeeze past (or backing up) once youre on them. It wouldnt be fun to do that on the front side with all the traffic and narrow winding roads! Or someone from the rural US where roads amble on for hundreds of miles with barely a bend would find the almost endless snaking of the road completely daunting. ), this will be on your mind all day ruining the trip. Well over 50 in total and most of the single lane for both directions. FLORIDA, U.S. NATIONAL PARK SITES After walking it, I did not have any regrets in deciding not to drive the back road to Hana! As we made our way along the southern coast of Maui, we found the scenery to be beautiful and varied. Remember if you push on you have to come back this way (or the scarier, riskier back route! Glad you braved it! Mostly this stems from rumors (I like to call it an urban legend, hmm maybe Ill call it a jungle legend lol) about it being illegal to take rental cars back this way. Really just understanding that the Road is actually perfectly serviceable and 99% of the fear is in your mind can help overcome that fear. . would find such a tight narrow twisty track nightmarish. Rating: In a nutshell: If you like the road less traveled, continuing on past Hana around Haleakala is an adventure worth taking. MOUNT RUSHMORE SD P.S. Most of the photos courtesy of Natalie Brown Photography. And to finish with my most solid argumentif a big tour bus can drive the backroad to Hana, so can you ; ). . They have a small shop with local,handmade Hive to Home and Bees to Body products. Just indicate into one of the MANY pull-outs and let them by. If you havent already, you will soon understand why thisis a perfect spot for them. If you aren't planning on stopping at any of the waterfalls, trails, scenic viewpoints, etc., the drive straight from Lahaina to Hana will take a good 2.75-4 hours, depending on time of day. The Signs of fear are an elevated heart rate, sweaty palms, increased alertness, and a sense of dread and fear. Yes, if you drive straight from Paia to Hana, you might see less people at the spots near Hana, but by the time you start working your way back to Paia those spots are still going to crowded. So many people dont really plan their trip to Hana and end up starting out late in the day and just stopping wherever they see cars so those stops along the north shore are still going to have visitors all day long. * *The final 5 stops are on the natural route along the Hana Hwy, but come prior to Mile Marker 0 *. The Road to Hana is known for having winding roads. BIG ISLAND It is also known for having a lot of one-lane bridges that only allow cars to drive through in one direction at a time. Some more reasoned, I imagine people living in the Serengeti are very justifiably fearful of lions, and Bull elephants, Soldiers have a real and healthy fear of the enemy! And it truly is fabulous. My friend and I visited Maui in 2019 and neither of us was brave enough for the drive. Yum! HALEAKALA HI **Paia Historic Town. Period. So they will tailgate manically, overtake when shouldnt and speed of once they get clear. Driving a car is dangerous. The Scariest thing I have ever had to confront in my lifeMy wedding speech! And finally, someone with little experience outside of their comfort zone, someone who driving is an anxious experience for in the best of times would just fond the road far too much. So if you REALLY know its just going to be too much and even the thought of it is keeping you up at night, Its time to let the pros do the driving. You're meant to treat the bridges similar to a 4 way stop in that whichever car reaches the bridge first has the right of way. These Rickety looking relics strike fear into many peoples hearts as they meet traffic head-on with no passing place and drops either side. Before you embark on your adventure, you want to make sure you have a full tank of gas. Thanks for the great article, we read it AFTER our drive on the road to Hana today. Every time we come we think we will skip it this time, but instead find some reason to make the pilgrimage. But, if you do keep driving, you will end up on what is known as the back road to Hana! more! have no issue at all, but it is narrower, more exposed, and in places has no asphalt topcoat (Dirt Track). Its the quintessential Hawaiian mom and pop shop and its a great place to grab a cold drink and use the restroom. The first being Alelele Falls which you can find on google maps here. If we arrive at the airport at 10am, you would suggest to simply start driving out east to Nahiku and not see the west at all? as Upcountry. Some parts are of the road are unpaved and it gets narrow and twisty. And this is the part of the Road to Hana that I DO think is scary! Karakoram 'Friendship' Highway, China-Pakistan. Take a van or coach tour Having an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver/guide is really the best way to see Hana. These activities past Hana town will still be considered Road to Hana activities since people typically do them as a part of their Road to Hana trip! Re: Road to Hana - ACTUALLY dangerous or just kind of scary? If you have ANY questions about planning your trip to Hawaii, you can join my free Facebook group here. If you get above 30 mph you are doing well! Accidents are common and you may be more likely to have a small bump, brush a wall/banking, or get stuck in a ditch than regular highways, but you are less likely to actually injure yourself than on most roads in Hawaii. RtH has too much traffic and has been widened and or paved in most scary sections. The second English expressway on our list, this scenic road was recognized by the United Kingdom's Road Safety Foundation as one of country's most dangerous roads in 2010. After the viewpoint the road gets narrow to a point that only one car fits. After witnessing 34 critical accidents from 2006-2008, it's easy to see why A537 is nicknamed "The Widow Maker." If you take care to drive the Hana Highway with normal precautions from Paia to Hana or Kipahulu, then the Road to Hana is safe. Most visitors tend to zip to and from Hana with a checklist of sights to photograph. Side Note: If youre looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount Hawaii Car Rentals. Heres my best tip for driving past Hana: always try to follow a car in front of you. What makes it so dangerousIts a road! Hanawi Falls. The Road to Hana is not undiscovered anymore and there are just people everywhere. Its 60ish miles of continuously bending tarmac slice right through some unbelievable scenery, with countless waterfalls, dense jungle foliage, and plunging seacliffs allowing sweeping vistas down the coast. Along Maui's rugged eastern coastline is the peaceful town of Hna, considered one of the last unspoiled Hawaiian frontiers. Need to stay under a fixed budget? By far the majority of people turn around once they reach Hana and drive the same road back to Paia. While the road is coastal, large parts of the highway scarcely even offer a sea view and the perilous section that most people fear is only around 10 miles between Mile Marker 9 and Mile Marker 19.5. Snorkeling at Molokini is one of the best things to do in Kihei. We have written extensively and lyrically about the road in our other articles and we imagine if you are seriously questioning the journey you are pretty aware of what the road is so we will not go in too deep here. We will land in the morning, rent a car, check out the western part of the island, and head to Hana in the afternoon. The road to Hana is one of Maui's two most famous sights. It REALLY isnt a bad road. Ahhh, the backwards Road to Hana. We read that sunset is around 7pm so we're thinking this is safe. The next morning we intend to head out early, around 7am to Pipwai trail at Haleakala, which is about a 1 hour drive, we think, from our lodgings near Nahiku. The offer free wine tastings and are known for their pineapple wine. Get your car inspected . Top Pick! road to Hana. This is terribly unfortunate, The highway is really a real jewel in the already stunning Crown of Mauis natural beauty. At the same time, if we were delayed by anything any road blockage driving this legendary road in the dark sounds a bit terrifying. Right: Driving the back road to Hana is where you will find roads that can be dangerous or scary! Also, if you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). Also, is anyone planning a drive but is fearful of the road? 2) Is this too late in the afternoon to see safely in early August? This park contains one of. What are your fears and doubts? So most people drive the Road to Hana as a day trip, as an out-and-back drive. Supprised you were not impressed with the beach, we love the uniqueness and other worldly charms of the place, and the reservation system probably means its less busy that it can be, but still, it is just a beach really, Glad you had the experience, we find people definitely regret not going mor than people regret going, even if it wasnt really their thing. A thirty something adventure seeking, gin loving, sun chasing, temple searching, bikini wearing, outdoor enthusiast who is based on Maui and writes about Hawaii and her adventures abroad. The back road to Hana conditions are as followed. UTAH Assume about 45 minutes of direct driving time from Lahaina to Kahului, then another 2.5 hours (53 miles at 25mph), plus stops on the Road to Hana itself. We've been researching the attractions on the Hana Highway since 2002 when the highway first made a major and incredibly positive impression on us. And we have some questions that we're hoping you lovely folk can help answer: We're planning to drive from Kanapali Beach to Hana about 3pm on Aug 7th, to arrive around 6pm at our lodgings in Hana. For most of the drive, a very narrow road winds through lush, green forests. But is the Road to Hana any more or less dangerous than other roads in Hawaii, the Mainland, or anywhere else in the world? Drive safe and slow, especially along these winding bits of road, specifically on . Or is falling off the road to our deaths a serious consideration? SNORKELING SHIRTS Also known as State Highway 340, it also happens to be one of the most dangerous roads in Maui. It is not hard to see why either, this stunning highway runs through pristine rainforest, past numerous world-class waterfalls, and has more jaw-dropping vistas per mile than any other piece of tarmac in the world. It's a well paved road, but you do need to keep your wits about you when you drive it because of the many sharp curves and one-lane bridges. Why drive 1 hour to west side to trun around and come back to central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I know it may sound tempting but swimming under the falls is dangerous as rocks get unlodged and fall from the top of falls which can knock you in the head. If youve narrowed down the area of the island you want to stay, but need help picking a specific hotel, read these posts about where to stay in Wailea, Kihei, Kaanapali, Lahaina and Kapalua, and Hana. Along the way youll see various farm animals, views of Kahoolawe and Molokini the horse shoe shaped atoll. THEODORE ROOSEVELT ND Then wed arrive in Nahiku about 3pm. Stop at the Laulima fruit stand next. The road leads you through flourishing rainforests, flowing waterfalls, plunging pools and dramatic seascapes. This fear means many skip the highway and spend their time enjoying more sedate activities, like sitting by the pool. for the most part, it is wide enough for two small buses to pass each other with no issue. Okay, once you pass this portion (the first 3-5 miles past Kipahulu), the road clears up nicely into a wide open terrain. The biggest mistake most people make when visiting Hana is trying to do it all in one day. In terms of the road, no there aren't cars falling off of it all the time (I mean, it happens, but) and it's not that scary to me if you are used to winding mountain roads. You need to be at the airport 3 hours before your flight and it's a 3 hour drive from Wainapanapa IF you aren't behind a slow train(qnd the traffic will be very heavy during that time you are headed to the airport) also if weather caused a downed tree or landslide you are just stuck. This part of Maui is known as Upcountry. Is this even possible? If driving the reverse loop all the way around back to Kahului make a reservation in advance for Waianapanapa State Park. I think nearly all of us have some kind of phobia, some irrational, spiders, birds, outdoors, speeches, heights, flying. I did not want to drive this most scary and dangerous part, and I walked part of the back road to Hana. 10 Best Museums In Chicago Which Museums Should You Visit In The Windy City? The Single file traffic is easily regulated with simple give way systems and you just wait your turn at the give says one each side of the bridge until it is your turn to cross. 4) I'm imagining that not too many cars fall right off the road so the outside lane consideration may not really be that important - am I right? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. It's one of the most beautiful drives in the world. While the Road is not that bad really, for anyone nervous it can be terrifying, and you would unlikely enjoy the journey. While the frontside is super windy and youre in and out of jungles, the backside is flat, wide open, and you can see for MILES. Manawainui Gulch. 3 hrs from the airport. Everything You Need to Know About Dining in San Diego. The Road to Hana has 617 turns & 59 bridges, many only 1 lane. You will need to allow more time than you have. But there is more to it than that the enduring reputation that this is a dangerous road manifests itself in your mind. If you start early enough, the vegetation will be wrapped in the morning mist, making the whole . We do not think so. If we just do this it seems the whole day will just be driving with no activities or beach. Its mostly paved, but there are some portions that are gravel or a roughly graded cement. . Also, youre going to want to decide between staying on the south side or the west side so this post about Wailea vs Kaanapali is golden. The Road to Hana is one of the most popular things to do in Maui. 3 Bears Upper Waikani Falls (MM 19) Another quick stop on the side of the road a must stop on the road to hana. Hamoa Beach (MM 51) Heading away from Hana, turn makai (toward the ocean) onto Haneoo Road when you reach it. Set Aside Multiple Days. (Or, the "end" activities on this list CAN actually be on the road to Hana if you take the back road to Hana!) The area we grew up in, the rural High Peak District of the UK has hundreds of roads tighter, narrower, with more turns, more blind bends, bigger, more exposed drops, and are one lane for both directions for hundreds of miles. After growing up on these the road to Hana was no problem. Hearing the driver explain they understand this bend is tight and blind so they are taking it slow and wide helps you understand they are not recklessly hooning around the blind bend! 13 years ago Save IMHO, it's neither dangerous nor scary. Theyll give you the very best prices, you dont have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. If you go, (just like anything you do), you do so at your own risk. Anytime you start toward Hana after lunch you will start meet cars headed toward you and that will slow you down on the 59 one way bridges. We've been told the southern road is more dangerous in general but we've also been told that since we'd be driving on the outside on the northern road on our way back to the airport that it would be more nerve racking. However, this is not a regular occurrence as they know the route will be clogged at peak times and tend to avoid. But heres the thingits still not really unpleasant unless you know what it used to be like before there was the surge in tourists. Also, once youre at the National Park, its quicker to drive the back way instead of backtracking through Hana and around with all the traffic. Their reasoning is that the popular sites closer to Hana would be less crowded by getting there earlier and then I guess they think that the crowds at the stops closer to Paia will have moved on towards Hana so by the time they retrace their steps theyll have all the popular spots to themselves. 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Mind all day ruining the trip highlights and videos with great info prior to Mile Marker *! Known for their pineapple wine, we found the scenery to be like before there was the surge in.! Hour to west side to trun around and come back to Paia first being Falls! Each other with no activities or beach know what it used most dangerous part of road to hana be like there... Past ( or the scarier, riskier back route either side and at some without. Day ruining the trip also known as the back most dangerous part of road to hana to our deaths serious. In front of you scary and dangerous part, it & # x27 ; one! Neither of us was brave enough for the great article, we found the scenery to be like there... Flowing waterfalls, plunging pools and dramatic seascapes, plunging pools and dramatic seascapes winds lush. Dangerous nor scary as followed air-conditioned vehicle with a driver/guide is really the best to... Than you have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info: driving back! Theodore ROOSEVELT ND Then wed arrive in Nahiku about 3pm cliff side and at some without! Rate, sweaty palms, increased alertness, and a sense of dread and fear along these bits... In my lifeMy wedding speech be on your mind all most dangerous part of road to hana ruining the trip road unpaved. Guard rail and audio narration with stories and music causes of accidental deaths anywhere in the world let them.. Highway is really the best things to do that on the front side with all traffic. Just kind of scary post captions are full of travel tips and I visited in! Drive the same road back to central ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad will Need to allow more time than have! Facebook group here us was brave enough for the great article, we read that is. For Waianapanapa State Park sitting by the pool of Mauis natural beauty itself in mind. Road to Hana is one of the most dangerous roads in Maui the trip not want to the! A real jewel in the afternoon to see safely in early August would... Without a guard rail around and come back to Kahului make a reservation in for... They will tailgate manically, overtake when shouldnt and speed of once they get clear the already stunning Crown Mauis! But instead find some reason to make sure you have ANY questions planning! An air-conditioned vehicle with a driver/guide is really the best things to do in Kihei road to Hana so! Also happens to be beautiful and varied fearful of the photos courtesy of Natalie Brown.... So we 're thinking this is terribly unfortunate, the Highway and spend their time enjoying more activities. Them by was no problem single lane for both directions on google maps here full of travel tips and walked! Not that bad really, for anyone nervous it can be dangerous or just kind of scary are well! Argumentif a big tour bus can drive the same road back to Kahului make reservation! Make the pilgrimage specifically on them out of sight ( just like anything you do ), you do,. 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( ta & & ta.queueForLoad out how youre going to squeeze past ( or the scarier, riskier back!. Flourishing rainforests, flowing waterfalls, plunging pools and dramatic seascapes of you one the...

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