🥾 If You Go

  • Trail: Sliding Sands to Halemauʻu (one-way)
  • Distance: ~11 miles
  • Elevation: -3,600 ft down, +1,800 ft up
  • Time: 5–7 hours, depending on pace
  • Start: Sliding Sands Trailhead (near Visitor Center)
  • End: Halemauʻu Trailhead
  • Key Stop: Hōlua Cabin – mile ~6. Rest stop with pit toilet and picnic area
  • Logistics: Leave a car at Halemauʻu and arrange a ride to the summit — no park shuttle available
  • Permits: Required before 7AM due to sunrise restrictions (reserve in advance)

An Epic Day in Haleakalā Crater

There are hikes you do to stretch your legs… and then there are hikes that stay with you. Haleakalā’s Sliding Sands to Halemauʻu trail is the latter — a surreal 11-mile trek across a volcanic world that makes you feel like you’ve stepped off Earth. This is one of our favorite Maui day hikes.

We started this hike late and did not plan the full hike, but so glad we did.  We parked our car at the Sliding Sands Trailhead near the summit of Haleakalā (9,800 ft). The preferred way is to park at Halemauʻu Trailhead and catching a ride up to the summit.

The Sliding Sands Trail starts with a steep descent — you lose about 2,800 feet in the first few miles. The path is loose and dusty, so we took our time navigating the switchbacks. Along the way, the views were non-stop. Every turn revealed something new: windswept valleys, towering ridges, and rare silversword plants sparkling in the sun. At times, it felt like walking through a painting.

Around mile 4, we reached the Halemauʻu junction and began crossing the crater floor. Here, the landscape changed dramatically. The trail flattened, but the terrain turned into deep, shifting sand. It was like hiking across a silent black desert. Even so, the silence and scale of the place made it one of the most peaceful sections of the journey.

About two miles later, we arrived at Hōlua Cabin — the perfect place for a break. The cabin sits in a small, grassy clearing surrounded by lava rock. It’s one of only a few wilderness cabins in Haleakalā and feels like an oasis in the crater. There’s a pit toilet nearby, a few shaded spots, and just enough room to kick off your pack and rest (a permit is required if camping overnight).

We took advantage of the pause — rehydrating, eating snacks, and stretching out in the shade. In that moment, with nothing but silence around us, it was hard to believe we were still in Hawaii.

After recharging, we began the final ascent on the Halemauʻu Trail. The climb begins gently but quickly turns into a series of tight switchbacks carved into the crater wall. From this point, we could look back and see the entire route behind us — from the trailhead at the summit all the way across the crater floor. It was incredible.

The higher we climbed, the stronger the wind blew. Nevertheless, we kept moving, one slow step at a time. Eventually, the trail leveled out, and after one last bend, we saw the Halemauʻu parking lot come into view.

We had made it. Eleven miles. Nearly 4,000 feet of elevation change. And a full-day experience that felt like hiking across another planet.

🧭 Tips from the Trail

  • Water: Bring more than you think you’ll need — 3L minimum per person. No refill stations.
  • Footwear: Sturdy boots or trail shoes are a must — sand + lava rock = foot fatigue.
  • Weather: Starts cold, gets hot. Bring layers. Conditions can shift quickly.
  • Photos: Bring a real camera if you have one — phone shots don’t do it justice.
  • Snack tip: Save your best treat for Hōlua Cabin — that’s your halfway celebration.
  • Respect: Stay on trail, don’t disturb silversword plants, and leave no trace.

If you’re visiting Maui and want to see a side of the island that most people never experience, this hike is it. In the end, it’s not just about the destination — it’s about the journey. It’s not easy, but it’s unforgettable — and that’s exactly what We Hike There is all about.