Haleakala Downhill Bike Ride

Vixen Rating:

Description: Stunning sunrise and a thrill seekers bike ride down the side of a volcano

Downside: Extreme temperatures at the top

How to Get There: Take Kahului via Route 37 to 377, to 378 and then follow the road signs. From Kahului, it takes about an hour and a half to drive to the summit. Make sure you fill your tank before, as the last places to get gas, depending on where you are coming from, is in Pukalani or Pa’ia.

The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, except for in extreme weather.

Adventure Details:

After booking my adventure with Haleakala Biking Company, they picked me up from my condo at 2:10 am. Although many of us were exhausted at that hour, our driver kept us awake with his entertaining knowledge about Maui. The first stop was the bike company’s headquarters, where we each got fitted for our equipment.

Top of Haleakala lookout, Maui

Once we were all equipped with our gear and the van was loaded, we headed in the darkness to the top of Haleakala. At that time, the weather was freezing and windy at 42 degrees, so I was triumphal that I had decided to wear layers.

Beautiful sunrise at Haleakala, Maui

I could not wait for what we were about to see, and when the sun started to come up, it was truly breathtaking. Fabulous colors of reds, oranges, pinks, and purples filled the sky. The clouds looked surreal as if I could walk on them.

Once I took in all the views, it was time to start the downhill ride. We were given safety instructions and maps before getting the go ahead.The ride began at the 6,000 ft. mark where the driver of the van had let us off and was 22 miles to the bottom. After taking one last look around, I was off! The ride was not too difficult as you are mostly coasting the whole time, but you did have to maintain control because you can pick up speed quickly. I whizzed down on my bike and took in all the colors, smells, and crisp feeling of the air surrounding me.

Lavendar fields at the bottom of Haleakala, Maui

As I descended down the side of the volcano, it began to get lighter out, and I noticed rolling, green hills with horses grazing in it. I also passed by a gorgeous lavender farm where I took some photos and smelled the soothing lavender.

Kula Lodge with great banana pancakes, Kula Maui

I stopped at the Kula Lodge where I enjoyed some banana pancakes with coconut syrup while taking in the views of the upcountry of Maui through the restaurant’s windows.

I finally made it to the end of the trail and back to the shop with a few minutes to spare. Overall, the experience was incredible, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Don’t leave Maui without doing this!

Have you done this before? Comment below and let us know so we can Go! See! Learn!