Pipiwai Trailhead — Attraction in Maui

Moderate hike due to its length. Avoid if the area is raining.

PARKING: Just past the Pools of Oheo (AKA 7 Sacred Pools) is the parking lot for the Haleakala National Park. This is the only place to park legally, and safely, but comes with a nominal fee of maybe $10 or less.

THE TRAIL: It's just under 2 miles each way. Look for the numerous trail signs that will lead you across Hana Highway to the start of the trail. I'm no expert hiker, but I'd rate the trail a 2 out of 5 in terms of difficulty. The trail is very clear due to heavy foot traffic. The main obstacles are tall grasses, mosquitos, slight grades, gravel, slippery rocks, and crossing of the actual stream in safe, ankle high water. There are times when you're very high up on the mountainside with the stream below about 200 feet, but it's far from being a safety risk as the trail doesn't go close to the edge. Use your common sense. If there's vegetation and grass next to the trail and you can hear the stream below, don't go off the trail looking for trouble... You will more than likely fall straight down.

One of the highlights for me personally, is at the beginning of the trail. There's a huge banyan tree with the most unique trunk and canopy. The lighting was bad on this particular day so I couldn't get a clear shot. You can't miss it.

Further in you'll cross a fairly high and strong metal bridge with a wooden plank floor. You can get great shots of the stream from there, and take in the sounds of the water.

Another personal favorite area of mine is the bamboo forest. Once here, you know you're close to the waterfall. It's tall, thick, and dense with a raised fiberglass/vinyl boardwalk. The trees block out the sunlight, the wind whistles tranquil notes. It's great if no one else is around so you can experience the true rain forest effect.

WAIMOKU FALLS: Just a little ways past the bamboo forest, you'll hear the waterfall. At some point through breaks in the foliage you may even see parts of the 400 foot tall fall. You'll cross the stream once more, which should be a gentle flow no more than ankle deep. The sound gets louder and louder. After you crest a small hill, there it is! The fall is mainly a narrow, single vail, but a large part of the ridge surrounding it is dripping wet. If it were flowing any more, you probably wouldn't have made it across the stream on foot. The area below the waterfall is a pretty wide plateau of river rocks and vegetation. The pool that the waterfall empties into isn't deep enough for swimming, just for wading if anything. A friend that hiked in with us got a good neck & shoulder massage from the falls, but I was hesitant to join him as I was afraid of rocks falling from 400 feet above. To each his own! The area is so lush and beautiful. Mists gently cool you even from a great distance away.

TIPS: I wouldn't go hiking to the falls if it's raining. Flash flooding in Hawaii can be fatal. YouTube it and see for yourself. If you hear rumbling, it's probably a flash flood. Get your ass out of there and to the correct side of the river (facing downstream, you'll want to be on the RIGHT side!)

Allow yourself about 3 hours total for the hike in and out. That should be sufficient for taking your time, shooting pics, and time at the falls.

Do use mosquito repellent.

Bring at least water with you as the nearest store is about 30 minutes away, if they're even open.

OVERALL: Easy hike,...

I was excited and couldn't wait to get to Pipiwai trail. Reviews were so great. In fact, it was our first trail on the Island. Getting there took long for sure, but it was very doable for us. We head to Pipiwai trail without any stops and make it at reasonable time. The trail is 4 miles (2 miles out and 2 miles back) with about 800 ft elevation gain. It's somewhat mild gain and doable for average person. Bamboo forest looks cool but you get used to it within few minutes. Boardwalk is nice to walk on, but could be a bit slippery. Wear comfortable non slippery shoes you don't mind getting dirty. Walking this trail is somewhat boring to be honest, with not much to see other than bamboo or big tree. Based on so many raving reviews I felt disappointment until we reached the end of the trail - huge beautiful waterfall! It was definitely worth the hike! On the way back we got into tropical rain which was refreshing. No raincoat was required for that type of rain. Overall good to...

Not an easy or beginner trail, but not extremely difficult either.

$30 per vehicle to get in. Has decent restrooms and then onto the trail. It's roughly 2 miles to the end of the trail with dirt trails, root steps, stone steps, and walk boards. A few bridges thrown in for good measure and cross a shallow waterway. (Well, shallow when we went). There's a beautiful banyan tree and bamboo forrest along the way.

Once you arrive to the end, there's a sign that says to stop there. And a great photo opportunity. However, if you take a little turn to your right (as facing the sign) and you can see the waterway. Seems some people walked about 200-300 yards to base of the waterfall. I understand it's a...