Drive the Road to Hana in Hawaii
Set off early from central Maui and let the road dictate the pace. The Road to Hana winds through rainforest, over narrow bridges and around tight bends, with waterfalls, sea views and short walks appearing along the way. The point is not simply to reach Hana. It is the stops between: viewpoints, fruit stands, beaches and roadside trails that turn a relatively short distance into a full-day journey. The route follows Hana Highway, principally Routes 36 and 360, around Maui’s north-eastern coast. It is famous for its succession of bends, bridges and changing scenery, but it is also a working road used by local communities rather than a purpose-built tourist attraction. That matters when driving it: pull over only where it is safe and legal, avoid blocking private property or narrow roads, and let local traffic pass where possible. Road works, landslides and weather can also affect access, so current Hawaii Department of Transportation information is worth checking before setting out. Allow a full day and resist trying to stop at everything. Guided Road to Hana tours commonly take around eight to ten hours, which is a useful indication of how much time the journey absorbs once stops are included. Start with a full tank, download maps before entering patchier mobile coverage, and avoid turning the drive into a race to tick off viewpoints. Add this to your list and make the road itself the destination.