“Absolutely breathtaking. Our guide knew every plant and made the crater come alive with stories.”
Verified Review
Set out from Kahului for a full-day, seven-hour journey into the heart of Haleakalā National Park on this immersive hiking tour. Trek two miles across the crater floor at 10,000 ft, amid dramatic cinder cones and desert-like terrain, then descend to 8,000 ft for another two-mile hike through lava fields dotted with silversword, ʻōhiʻa, and other native flora. With snacks, lunch, expert naturalist guides, and a small-group limit of 11, the experience offers both grandeur and conservation-rich storytelling in one of Maui’s most awe-inspiring landscapes.
GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For ages 8+, group size limited to 11 guests.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate hiking at high elevation
WHAT TO BRING
Hiking shoes, Warm layers, sun protection, water bottle
CANCELLATION POLICY
Changes or cancellations must be made 24 hours prior.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
4.9★ from 3,300+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Guests say this experience is one of the most quietly moving things to do on Maui — a mix of dramatic landscapes, deep silence, and the kind of calm storytelling that turns geology into poetry. Many praise the guides for their deep knowledge and warm care, especially at such high elevation. Visitors often mention how the day feels balanced: enough hiking to feel adventurous, but with plenty of stops to take in endless views and the unique plants and colors that make Haleakalā feel like nowhere else on Earth.
Step into Haleakalā’s vast crater and feel what it’s like to walk through silence above the clouds. This half-day hiking experience combines two short trails on different sides of the crater — first, a two-mile trek at the 10,000-foot summit where massive cinder cones and desert-like lava fields stretch for miles. Then, descend to 8,000 feet for another two-mile hike along a lava-lined trail scattered with rare native plants you won’t see anywhere else. Along the way, your guide shares the geology, cultural history, and quiet magic of this dormant volcano — all while you take in sweeping views that, on a clear day, feel endless. A nutritious lunch and trail snacks are included to keep you fueled for this high-altitude adventure.
Important Information:
- Duration: ~7 hours (total, including drive time)
- Hiking Distance: ~4 miles total on two separate trails
- Elevation: 8,000–10,000 feet — cool temperatures and thin air
- Included: Transportation, guide, park entrance fees, lunch, snacks, and day packs if needed
- What to Wear: Closed-toe hiking shoes or boots, warm layers, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen — conditions can be windy and chilly even when sunnyHike Maui has been leading small-group adventures into Maui’s wild places for over 35 years. Their guides are true naturalists — born educators who know how to share the quiet wonder of Haleakalā’s otherworldly crater. On this hike, they take guests into both the upper 10,000 ft. summit and the lower lava trail at 8,000 ft., pointing out rare native plants, massive cinder cones, and sweeping views that stretch beyond the clouds. It’s a gentle immersion in volcanic silence and high-altitude beauty.
Location: Meet at Hike Maui’s headquarters — 3750 Wailea Alanui Drive, Kihei, HI 96753 — or at your designated pickup spot if you’ve arranged hotel transport. Exact meeting details and time are provided after booking.
f you cancel 24 hours or more prior to the date of the event, you will receive a full refund. If you cancel within 24 hours for any reason, you will receive no refund. Private tours are subject to 72 hours’ cancellation, except between December 20 and January 5 when it’s one week.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Hiking Haleakalā Crater: A Dual-Environment Trek Across Maui’s Volcanic Heart
The journey begins in Kahului, but it doesn’t take long before the real world starts to fade. As our van winds up the serpentine road toward Haleakalā’s summit, the trees thin out and clouds begin to fall below us. At 10,000 feet, we step out into a world that feels more Martian than tropical—an immense amphitheater of ash, lava, and towering cinder cones, all painted in shades of rust, ochre, and violet. The silence is so complete it almost has weight.
Our guide shares the Hawaiian name for this place—“House of the Sun”—and the legend of the demigod Māui, who lassoed the sun from this very summit to slow its path across the sky. As we descend into the crater floor for the first hike, the crunch of volcanic gravel beneath our boots and the occasional sweep of wind are the only reminders that time is still passing.
“Two volcanic worlds in one day—Haleakalā’s desert heart and its flowering flank feel like walking between worlds.”
Later, at 8,000 feet, the landscape shifts. A second trail reveals another side of Haleakalā—one that's alive with rare native plants like ʻāhinahina (silversword) and ʻōhiʻa lehua, clinging to hardened lava in quiet defiance. The trail here is narrower, more intimate, winding through remnants of ancient flows. We stop often—not out of fatigue, but reverence. Our guide points out the fragile ecosystems that survive against the odds, explaining the deep cultural and environmental ties that bind this place to Hawaiian identity.
A light lunch near a viewpoint brings the island back into focus: the sea far below, neighbor islands in the distance, and the faint outline of past eruptions etched into the landscape. Inhale, and there’s eucalyptus and earth. Exhale, and there’s calm.
By the time we return to the vehicle, we’ve walked two very different trails—each one carving a different imprint into memory. You don’t leave Haleakalā feeling like you conquered it. You leave feeling like it allowed you in, just briefly, to witness something elemental.
