Haleakala National Park Crater and the Seven Sacred Pools
Written by Vacation Idea.com Travel Editors.
There are two very different ways to see Haleakala. At the summit, you can watch the sunrise at 10,000 feet and hike near volcanic cindercones. On the coast, you can explore the waterfalls and pools at Ohe'o Gulch, also called the Seven Sacred Pools.
We found both areas of the park very beautiful and well worth a visit, but both drives are quite strenuous. The road to Hana and the Seven Sacred Pools, with its one-way bridges and more curves than you can count, is the more challenging of the two. If you decide to see the summit as well as the coastal part of the park, plan on taking two separate trips.
Haleakala National Park Summit
Most visitors head to the summit to see the sunrise, go hiking, horseback riding or biking down the main road.
There are a few things you should know about visiting the summit. Most importantly, the weather is unpredictable. When you start your drive up the slopes of Haleakala there is no way of knowing what the weather will be like once you reach the top two hours later. You may be stuck in a cloud on the drive up and find that the summit is sunny above all those clouds. Or it may rain the whole way up and down.
Hiking in the Crater Area
There are several trails available to hikers near the summit, ranging from quick 10-minute walks to full-day and overnight trips. We noticed pretty quickly that it's more difficult to breathe up there because the air is thinner. Keep that in mind when deciding how far to walk.
Sunrise at Haleakala
Sunrise at 10,000 feet with a view of one of the world's largest dormant volcano is an experience you'll not want to miss. Find out more about viewing the sunrise.
Waterfalls and Pools at O'heo Gulch
O'heo Gulch is a beautiful coastal area located several miles from Hana on the eastern side of Maui. A path leads past waterfalls and pools of water. The pools, also called the Seven Sacred Pools although there are more than seven, are sometimes open for swimming. During the periods of heavy rain, the pools are closed off by the National Park Service, but you can still see them from the trail.
There are several hiking trails in the area which will take you through lush forests to beautiful waterfalls. If you are pressed for time, however, follow the Kuloa Point Trail from the visitor center for half a mile. The trail includes views of Hawaiian habitation sites, the ocean, waterfalls and several large pools.
For More Information
The three visitor centers in the park are the best source of information. Headquarters Visitor Center is located at 7,000 feet, Haleakala Visitor Center is near the summit and Kipahulu Visitor Center is on the coast. If you have questions about the summit, call 808-572-4400; for information about the coastal area, call 808-248-7375.
Read more about visiting Haleakala National Park on Maui.
