Bamboo Forest Reviews

4.7

47 of 467 Best Attractions in Maui


Reviews

By Faith P |

Follow the trails and sounds through the Bamboo Forest to the waterfalls and you will find a refreshing pool at the foot to swim in. Wear good shoes.... I did not and my flip flops were trash at the end of the hike. Wear clothes that can get dirty too! Do not wait until too late in the day as it may take a while to get back out. You would not want to be lost after dark. This is off the beaten path and would be easy to get lost in. Very fun though if looking for something a little different.

By KeithnAlly |

We heard about this place from some locals. Very cool but it was raining heavily when we were there so didn't get to do the whole trail. It's a neat place to see with several waterfalls. It's worth the stop to get some cool photos. Never seen so much bamboo.

By Butterfly1006 |

The entry to the Forest of Hana highway is not marked. We were looking for it but after talking to locals we ended up not going. We were told that it is private property so we should not be going there and the road there gets bad and fire trucks come out to rescue someone there every week. Again, if you go with a guide it may be different. Otherwise, go on your own risk. Maui has so much more to see and enjoy!!!

By Andrew G |

The most dangerous and most difficult trail I have ever experienced in my life. It's not recognized by the local or state park districts, but rather known through word of mouth by locals. It's off the road to Hana, but it is a far far cry from anything leisurely that "road to Hana" has to offer. This "hike" consists of slippery make shift planks, waist deep water crossings, rope climbing rickety ladders and scaling giant walls of slick wet stone. This is a true test of courage and will. People have died hiking this trail and well seasoned experienced hikers have been stranded for hours after injury or flash floods, only to be air lifted out from these uncharted trails. This was the best hike of my life.

By Ryan |

The bamboo forest was cool to me because of the sounds it makes in the wind. Although, it probably doesn't even crack my top 10 favorite things on the Pipiwai Trail alone... that's how amazing the hike is.

Also, an FYI to readers and reviewers, there are several photos posted on this Trip Advisor POI which are NOT from this location and are instead from the Bamboo Forest located more towards the beginning of the Road to Hana, near mile marker 8 and just before the Garden of Eden Arboretum. Those pictures show the rainbow trees, hikers crossing a piece of plank wood, and wide open pools where the water isn't really flowing.

By Igor_Zubkov |

We stayed for the night at Hana so we could go to this National Park on our way back to Wailea.
It’s part of National Park (25$ per car).
Really nice hike through bamboo forest up to the waterfall.
About 2 hours.
We stoped in the middle and jumped into the water near small waterfall - very cool !
Enjoy !

By Larry M |

Getting to this place can be a challenge if you have fears of tight roads. But it is worth the drive and hike. I love getting out in nature and seeing untouched fields. This is so worth the time and you will miss a fantastic place. Just go!

By Jenee O |

Moderately hard hike. Walking sticks would be great to have here. Going up on an incline for first probably half mile of the hike. Bamboo forest was worth it though! If doing this in rainy season—like we did in January—beware it can be VERY muddy!

By Akshay |

Planned to come here while still in England! Tour company didn't really give enough time to see it so had to run 4 miles but definitely worth it.

By pnwtoc |

Absolutely loved it! Remember the trail gets easier (less steep and shadier) from here. So if you've made it this far you might as well finish. Loved hearing the wind blow thru the bamboo and hearing them clack against each other.

By Brodiekat01 |

This was absolutely amazing! The hike was about 4 miles round trip and my husband and I just took our time. It had rained the previous day, so it was super wet and muddy. Slipped a couple times. Bring water and bug spray. I only got bit twice by mosquitoes, but they left big bumps. The waterfall at end makes it all worth it.. I seen small children walking along and they did fine. We ended up driving to Hana afterwards and made a day out of it. You will enter into the Haleakala National Park and will need to pay an entrance fee. It does last a couple days, so you can visit other areas.

By Dave B |

Thanks to the young waiter at the Kula Lodge who recommended and gave us directions to the bamboo forest. Fortunately our condo neighbors recommended water shoes for this trip. We stopped at Kmart for some cheapies and them headed out. Sure enough at mile marker 6.5 we found a bunch of cars and a place to park. After donning our kmart water shoes we headed into the bamboo forest. Keep taking the trail left, we were told and that worked out perfectly. This hike is not for the faint of heart as there are a few rocks to scale and a tricky ladder but we'll worth it. The first 3 water falls are wonderful. You can jump off rocks and swim in bottomless ponds. Scaling the ladder and heading to the fourth water fall is so worth it if you are in good shape and a reasonably good shape. You will finally arrive at a spot where you can no longer walk. You will have to swim up river about 100 yards to get to the final oasis. Here you will find a wonderful pond with a 100 foot water fall coming into the pond. Right out of the movie King Kong or Jurassic park. Breathtaking . We are so grateful for the tip from our young water at Kula Lodge. This has been the highlight of our trip so far

By bekoseet |

just stop where the road to hana gets crowded with parked cars. the entrance is hard to find, just look for the marked entrance. At first the hike can be a bit slippery, but keep going, it is the hardest part. there is a great waterfall at the end of the hike, and the entire hike is beautiful.

By tnico2016 |

Your first challenge will be finding where the hike starts. Once you're on the Hana Highway, pay attention to the mile markers. You'll find the Bamboo Forest trail at the 6.5 mile point, just after the East Maui Irrigation Co. but before the large colourful eucalyptus trees. You'll see lots of cars parked along both sides of the road, so just park and look for the trail opening at the side of the road. I recommend a good hiking/water sandal for this hike. You'll walk through the bamboo forest and reach a stream. You can walk across the stream by navigating the stones or just walk across in the water, it's very shallow. Once on the other side, you'll reach a fork in the path but you should go left. Take the trail and you'll eventually reach a waterfall and pond where you can go for a swim. I recommend you keep going left. You'll see a cliff with a rope hanging down from it. Grab the rope and climb up to the path. Continue down that path until you reach the second larger waterfall. Go swimming here for sure, it's beautiful. If you walk around the left to the rocks below the waterfall there's a little ridge with a rope swing and a long stick to help grab it. You can use the rope to swing into the water. Lots of fun!
Depending on the weather there can be lots of mud in sections of the hike that you can wash off in the pools of water. You may get dirty on your way back to the car, so make sure you have large plastic bags in the car to put your muddy shoes in. Bring extra shoes or flip flops for the car, and towels as you'll be wet from your swim. Bring a backpack with water for the hike, you'll need it. We had the best day at the Bamboo Forest with 2 teenagers who declared it their favourite activity in Maui!

By Dillon P |

It is best to go early and be prepared for a hike. It is about a mile/mile and half hike up to the bamboo forest but totally worth it.
I recommend the back way to the park vs the Road to Hana the sites are prettier. with the drive to and from the park be prepared for a full day.

By Jojosandiego |

We just returned from Maui and went on an amazing hike in the Bamboo Forrest Trail. I read a few reviews that said it was difficult to find but if you can count you can easily find this place. Outside of Paia, the mile markers are already in the teens but don't be confused, they start over again after marker 16.
Go past the well marked Twin Falls Trail at MM 1 and when you get to MM 6.5, right around the corner you should see a couple cars or if its empty, you will see easily visible spots to park on both sides of the road. There are no signs but the parking is pretty obvious to spot. On the right side of the road there are 3 different "holes" in the forest to enter through.

We read a guide book that told us about all the obstacles we would face but even with that, they were not easy to spot so follow this closely and you can do them all... take shoes that you can get very wet and your swimsuit. Anything else you bring, you will eventually have to leave when you are forced to go for a swim. Plan for the round trip to take about 2 hours.

Hike through the bamboo forest to the river, you will cross the river once and you will come to a nice waterfall. When you get to the pool at the base of the waterfall look to your left. You will see a knotted rope going up a rock face. Its a relatively easy climb up and you will be on a trail that you can hike up to the second waterfall.

This is a much bigger waterfall and a bigger pool but not the end of the adventure. Look for a trail around the left hand side of this pool and you will see another rope going up a rock face and also a ladder that you must climb to get to the top of the waterfall. Once you are at the top of this waterfall, you will see nothing but river bed and boulders going up into the canyon, there is no trail at this point, you just have to boulder your way up the river bed which takes a little concentration and balance but wasn't very difficult for even for my un-athletic wife.

You will come to a spot where you can on longer walk the boulders, look on the right side for a semi-covered but visible trail. Take this trail until it dead ends and look to your left, you are at the top of some rocks and below is nothing but a large pool with a small waterfall at the opposite end, about 100 yards away.

Take off your backpack and your dry clothes and leave them here because its time to swim. Get in the pool and swim across to the small waterfall. This one has no ropes but it has good hand and foot holds so you climb right up the waterfall. Once you get to the top of this last obstacle, you will see what you came to see, a lush, tropical canyon wall on all sides with about a 150 ft waterfall. It is a super cool adventure to get to the end of and a beautiful canyon.

We did this hike in a torrential downpour so it was a little hairier than it might have been in dry conditions but so fun and well worth your time. Its a little bit of a challenge and not a place you want to take really small kids but just about anybody who can walk a couple miles and knows how to swim can manage all the cool roping and swimming, definitely one of the most fun hikes I have been on in Maui!

By Ga-ATL |

Walked to the top thru the bamboo and to the waterfall, crossed the river and witnessed a beautiful sight and sound of the magnificent waterfall! THen it started raining and the river was getting angry we all helped each other back across, yes stranger will assist!!

By KyleBossFrog |

Bamboo forest is one of my favorite hikes to do here on the islands. Its a fairly mild hike with some hills and climbs. Highlights are the many waterfalls, dark bamboo forest and free hawaii fruits like strawberry guavas which grow in abundance during season. Also for those trailblazers you can also hike down a huge tree down the side of a cliff.

By soar2stars |

So many people take the road to Hanna and miss the BEST part of the trip: the mystical hike through this bamboo forest. Some folks are lucky enough to hear about the hike that begins a few miles past Hanna leading to the waterfall. BUT, way too many come to the first tiny waterfall, think they made the destination and turn around. If you were one of those, it is worthwhile to plan another vacation to Maui just to experience the r e s t of the hike! Continue on past the little waterfall down an easy to maneuver natural path... and as you anticipate the large crashing water sound of the lush falls... something else captivates you. . . something you never expected. Suddenly you feel dwarfed, and the sky disappears and reappears timed perfectly with sunlight beams flickering on, then off. The sound is musical. Yes, you hear birds, but more than that. You hear the magical musical tone of the hollow bamboo forest as the wind catches the fluffy cloud tops of green that cap the tall, leggy close growth of bamboo trees... so they sway and strike together to sing their own song... the "bamboo wind chime super-sized" in its own natural setting. If I were not with a group with a schedule to fulfill, I would have stayed right there and been quite content. It is a place to meditate, to share, to breathe in nature, and to pray. And yes, you do feel quite little. I felt like a tiny flea slipping among the comparatively huge and plentiful hairs on a dog.
Certainly, continue on through and the bamboo forest will open to a beautiful waterfall destination that will not disappoint. Sit on the warm rocks, look at the beautiful blue, listen to the birds and water, and rejoice because NOW you get to do your hike back through that irreplaceable forest of bamboo.
BTW. . . my 1st place Maui experience is a solo hang glider flight from the 10,000' foot-launch from volcano Haleakala watching the 360 degree rainbow encircle my glider's shadow cast on cloud-tops 3000' below. While you are in Hanna, YOU can take a tandem flight in a motorized hang glider for an unforgettable taste of open-air flight!

By M1990R |

To clarify, this review is for the Bamboo Forest that is part of the Na'ili'ili Haele Stream & Waterfalls. NOT for the paid bamboo forest. The hike is off the Road to Hana between mile markers 6 and 7 (NOT the location as designated by Trip Advisor maps on this page). You should see cars pulled off to the side of the road, at least, that's how we found it.

Once you slip through one of the narrow entrances you feel like you're in a different world. Bamboo everywhere! It's really exciting to go of the beaten track. I do think it's important to have at least a normal psychical health condition. Even though the trail is not that long, the conditions can be rough if you have a bad health.

There are 3 waterfalls (if I remember correctly) but in order to go to the last one you need to climb up a very steep ladder and rocks with a rope. I didn't feel comfortable doing it and stayed at the second one to swim in the pond. My boyfriend did go to the third one but he said he had to swim across the stream in order to get to the spot of which you can see the last waterfall. He, as well as other who went there, mentioned that the second waterfall was way more impressive.

P.s. Be aware of slippery stones if you cross the water. I fell down once when I misinterpreted a rock.

By SoCalOregonian |

The upper Pipiwai trail winds its way through the Bamboo forest. Most of the trail in this area is on an elevated boardwalk, which makes for easier traveling. Once deep inside the forest just stop and listen to the wind in the bamboo. The sound reminded me of hail on a roof. Unique hike.

By Brad R |

This is a review of Bamboo Forest and the waterfalls that are closest to the airport (not Hana). The hike is probably an hour and a half round trip with lots of wet/muddy pathways, wet rocks, and boulders. Definitely recommend wearing closed toe shoes over flip flops. Shoes will get muddy. I'd recommend not taking children under 5, but we saw some people with children younger than that.

The location is approximately 30 minutes east of the airport on the road to Hana. From the airport, go east on 36 through Paia (recommend eating at Flatbread Company Pizza or Cafe Mambo). Continue on 36 towards Hana. At some point the highway changes from 36 to 360 and the mile markers start over at 0. You will pass Twin Fall and the road will continue to get more and more windy with a few one lane bridges. After a very hard 10 mile per hour right turn, you will hit mile marker 6.5. The trail head is about a hundred yards past the 6.5 mile marker. The trail head, on the right, is not well marked, but you will see an orange metal pole and there are likely a lot of cars in the area.

Make sure you take all the valuables from your car because I read reviews of cars that were broken into and we saw broken car glass all along the side parking areas. We actually left our car unlocked in case anyone really wanted to get in (to find nothing of value), they could just open the door vs. breaking a window.

As you enter the trail head, go down to the stream. Once you cross it go left. We talked to several people who followed the path more straight/right, and they were not happy with the choice.

About 15 minutes from the trail head, you hit the first waterfall (picture 1). This is the largest of the falls but is not the pool you would choose to swim in. Follow the trail on the right upwards and you hit the second waterfall about 10 minutes later (picture 2). This has a deeper pool and lots of people swim there. To get to the third waterfall, you have to climb up an incline with wet rocks. There is a rope you should use to help you get up the incline (picture 3). It is not very difficult, and everyone in our party easily made the climb. About 10 minutes after the rope, you will hit the third waterfall/pool (picture 4). This is a great pool to swim in, and has a rope swing at the back of the pool.

Four of the five in our party wanted to keep going to the top of the falls. In order to go up, go left to the back side of the pool and you will see a ladder and a rope (picture 5). We climbed up and ended up on top of the third falls. After that, we walked upstream for a about five minutes on some large boulders. We talked with several people who said to keep going and others that said there is not much more to see. We turned around, but may have missed something.

Overall, a great hike. Some challenges. Just be careful to watch your step with the slipper slopes and wet rocks.

By Ray R |

Just so readers are aware -- this thread is a mix of reviews of **two different bamboos forests** on Maui where one can hike to see waterfalls. One is within Haleakala National Park (the lower portion near Hana and the Seven Pools). The other is at milepost 6.5 on the Hana Road (near Haiku going toward Hana). So if you are using these comments to get directions and plan one of these hikes, be aware of which location and hike the review is covering. They are VERY DIFFERENT. The hike near Haiku is much more challenging (particularly beyond the second pool) and should only be attempted by those wanting a wilderness experience (with the risks and rewards that come with it). The hike within the National Park seems more suited to those wanting a safer, more facilitated experience.

I did the hike near Haiku yesterday and it was terrific. Have been to Maui many times and don't know how I've missed this for so long.

By Kareemsi |

It's right on mile marker 6.5 there's a yellow gate which says no trespassing. the way to get in is through a hole between the trees and bushes, I believe there's 3 entrances, and you'll probably find few cars parked. we were told to follow the stream but ended up with a dead end. so get ready to spend few hours exploring in the mud. oh and there's a nice spot to swim if you want so don't forget your swimsuit.

By Jeff H |

The road to Hana is very scenic, but on the first leg of the road around mile marker 6 is a lovely hike through a dense bamboo forest to some stunning waterfalls. It's a gentle but sometimes challenging hike, complete with crossing streams, but well worth it to see the waterfalls. We bought a picnic lunch in Paia, and brought it with. Remember your water shoes as you will need them.

By Ronald B |

While traveling the road to Hana, you will come to the National Park just past the town of Hana. There is a nice trail to a water fall, you will have to endure a few steep steps than a nice trail through a bamboo forest. The trail is mostly planked and level. A little futher and you see the water fall. Well worth the hike.

By flowershopgirl |

The first time we did this hike it was off season and we were virtually alone on the trail and it was magical, just hearing the wind whisper through the huge bamboo. This time we went in May, later in the day, so we had quite a few companions. Some are slower movers, we hike fast. So we got a bit impatient. So if you can, go early or in the off season. It is worth it. Nice trail on boards, and lovely falls.

By Arubaman2016 |

What an interesting hike. Something to see is believing. Almost felt
Kinda creepy like a cheap Japanese horror movie. It's so neat and beautiful

By CaliforniaTravelGyrl |

The Bamboo Forest was so beautiful and worth taking the hike. I have amazing photos! Definitely a must do while visiting Maui! Wear lots of mosquito repellent!

By lenagh |

We pulled over and started our hike through the bamboo forest. We don't hike much, but we were able to get through it so I think most people can. Just wear the proper hiking sandles that can get wet. Just beautiful towering bamboo and you will be rewared with the waterfall and pool at the end.

By cocorose1 |

Oh my goodness, so not worth it! We were muddy and wet half way through it, not to mention the walk was very slippery with lots of muddy puddles. Our award at the end was a tiny waterfall?!

By Mollie W |

Getting lost can be fun. There are trails to follow and you can usually find someone to point you in the right direction, but once you go into the forest it can be a fun adventure. You have to be up for some climbing, crossing a river, and getting wet and muddy. Not the best hike for those with mobility issues. Once you cross the river you will find some amazing waterfalls to swim in.

By Sherry H |

I loved the Bamboo Forest. I went with my husband a few years back and I was amazed. The wind was blowing gently and the forest sounded like one big bamboo chime. You feel so small amongst the huge bamboos, what a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the forest more than the waterfall. I plan on returning in January with my Mom! It is definitely off the beaten path.

By wintihsinhth |

Great hike! There are 4-5 waterfalls (depending on how you count). You don't need a guide to have a great time, but you do need 2-3 hrs to do all 4-5 waterfalls. The 5th fall is in a very dramatic setting with a deep swimming pool and high sheer cliff walls.

This is not a developed path. But the trail is obvious once you find it. I saw kids as young as four at the second falls, but most kids prob need to be 8-10 or older (or really outdoor loving) to have a good time. There is ALOT of mud and a lot of room for slipping and getting hurt if you aren't careful. Bring proper hiking shoes - or go barefoot! (My preference). Flip flops ans pretty shoes are not a good idea.... No facilities or cell service here.

You will have to swim (can't walk) down a ravine to reach the last 4th and 5th falls. Make sure you read up on the flash flood advisories and watch the weather. There is no way to escape in some/most areas, and helicopter is the only way out if you do get hurt. Be smart. Have a great time!

By planocj |

Found this spot via Pinterest. Stopped by and had a great time taking pictures. Would love to hear the back story on this bamboo forest.

By JuC8 |

This is one of the best spots in Maui and on the rod to Hana. It is past Hana town and I think that's why most people skip it or don't know about it but it is worth the extra drive. It is so beautiful, not too far of a hike and a lot cooler than higher you go. One time I went and did not finish walking all the way through because I had seen plenty of waterfalls...that was a mistake. The waterfall at the end of it is the biggest one on all the road to Hana as long as it's a day that the current is strong. Unfortunately the better the waterfall the worst the conditions at the pools below keeping you from swimming. Either way, such a beautiful spot and the farther you go the better the path is and the larger the bamboo gets. Also, in the very beginning of the hike there is a huge banyan tree that is my favorite tree on the island.

By Jennifer S |

We walked thru it on the way to waterfall. It was amazing. When the wind blows you could hear the bamboo hitting each other like a bamboo chime.

By Anita R |

The trail to see the water fall is very long and rough. When we went it was muddy and slick. The pool under the waterfall was blocked off so you really couldn't get very close. Really wasn't worth the trouble it took to clean everyone up afterward.

By Danica S |

I did not even know there was a such thing as an entire forest of bamboo trees! Don't miss this!!! It was so awesome. It's a non-treacherous hike. There is a clear path that alternates between dirt, rocks and wooden planks. Good for all ages!

By Bruce C |

You can also read my review last year..... This is a bit of a challenge unless you are physically fit but it is "doable" if you are a healthy couch potato and have good shoes and proper hydration. It is two miles up the hill: 77 floors per my Fitbit. The first half of the trek is the steepest part of the climb, and beautiful, but once you get to the bamboo forest, 1.2 miles into the journey, the view is spectacular. There is a sign telling you not to go further, but most climb thru the rocks towards the waterfall, and refill their bottles or get drenched, or just partake the beauty. We spent 3 hours on our round trip journey. There are other adventures in the state park, but this was what we had time for.

By Melissa T |

This is a great hike through the bamboo. Awesome photo ops. Short hike to a couple of waterfalls. This place can easily be hazardous - very slippery in places. Be smart when you are hiking. Don't take chances.

By Bruce C |

This is located about 10 miles south of Hana on a road that is far more difficult to drive then the highway to Hana. It will take 30-45 minutes to drive the 10 miles. There is a state park parking lot on the left, with plenty to do and see if you do not want to hike up to the bamboo forest (about 1 mile, halfway) and waterfall (2 miles). My FitBit tracked this accurately, and that included 71 flights of stares, which matches the stated elevation of about 880 feet. It took us about 1:15 to hike up the trail. Coming back was no faster because the ground was a bit wet and very slippery. I would advise bringing water, a walking stick (or you can pick one up along the way from the forest floor) and bug repellent. There are plenty of people walking up the trail and it is impossible to get lost. The first part of the hike is challenging because it is up a lot of steps (man made and natural). The second part of the trail is less of a climb but by this time the fatigue starts to set in, partially because you have driven 4 hours to get there. But the bamboo forest is magnificent and the waterfall is breathtaking. There is a sign stating no one is allowed past, but pretty much everyone walks past that sign, through a difficult series of rocks in a stream and up to the waterfall. My 9 year old had no issues with the climb but I would expect a 6 year old to make it to the top.

This 2 mile journey is only one of many trails --- this one is for the reasonably fit beginner.

Enjoy

By Sarah S |

This was fantastic and well worth the stop. The trail is a bit muddy but it's so cool wandering through this massive bamboo forest and unlike anything I've ever done before. There's a nice little waterfall / rock pool in there too.

By side-tripper |

This is a very nice, moderate, 2 hour hike. The starting point is easy to find at the park visitor center which is 1/2 hour drive past Hana, just past the mile 42 marker. The staff is friendly; parking costs $10 but this includes 3 day admission to the park, so save the receipt because it can be used for the drive up to the crater or vice versa. There are bathrooms and a visitors center at the parking lot.

The path is very well marked but the trail can be slippery in a few places and there are a couple of stream crossings. The bamboo is cool and the waterfall at the end is breath taking.

We continued on the south road back to Lahaina. This route is narrow and rough for the first 20 miles and then it opens up to new pavement and gets wider as you go.

By QuickWhitTravel |

This is the thing I was looking most forward to on the Road to Hana. The bamboo forest is more magical than pictures can even show, and I’m so impressed with it. It is well worth the hike!

By laurenvill |

We enjoyed our afternoon here. The bamboo was beautiful and made a wonderful sound in the wind. It was very tall and seemed mysterious.

By ct9876 |

This is a review for the bamboo forest hike at mile marker 6.7 just past twin falls. There is another bamboo forest hike in the national park which I also recommend but will be review separately.
This was one of my favorite stops on the R2H. Park along the road you will see other cars we got there around 830am and there were multiple car pulled over already. Take any of the openings (paths) in the bamboo and it will lead you to the left and downhill to the stream which you must cross. We were able to walk on the rocks for most of the stream crossing but there was a short area which you had to cross in water which was knee deep. Also there was a major storm the day before our R2H trip so the depth may not be typical. However it was not raining on this day so we crossed. Side not be aware of flash flood warning in Maui.
Ok so you crossed the stream first obstacle complete after you cross go to the left following the stream up stream. In about five minutes you will come to an amazing waterfall which was really flowing. Five more minutes upstream on the trail the trail seam to split cut into the stream bed to the left and you will see waterfall #2. If you go to the right uphill there is a view of the 2nd falls but you can't get to it from there. Waterfall #2 was just a little trickle but pretty.
Now for the fun part,look to the left of the waterfall there is a bank that is about 10 feet with a rope to help you climb. It's not as bad as it looks. Then a 2 minute walk and waterfall #3. Which was also just a small stream of water.
We did not go past this I understand that there is a least one more waterfall however I believe it requires extensive climbing and swimming. We did not swim the water was a little murky but that was probably the storm again.
We spent about an hour and a half here exploring bamboo and waterfalls. You will get muddy and it is so worth it. Make sure you have supportive shoes/ sandles not flip flops. If you did not notice the theme just keep going to the left and you can't get lost.

By DJ_Mizit |

This is the most amazing and stunning forest in Maui. There are many trails and it is easy to get lost inside. The good thing about these forest trails is that you know it is a well worn path. There are usually many people in the forest in the day, it wouldn't be recommended to go in towards afternoon night fall because it gets dark inside as the bamboo blocks out the sun light. Many interesting trails, some harder to walk through with slippery rocks and mud trails.

By PlayinHard |

Very cool area to explore. You can reach this area through the park on the 4 mile hike. Most of the trail in the bamboo forest has a bamboo path so it's easy to walk through the area. It is definitely worth seeing.

By Milan L |

We haven't seen any bamboo forest before and that was the main reason we decided to hike that trail (we saw many other waterfalls, so it was not our primary goal). It is really amazing, gives you opportunities to make some unusual photos... Highly recommended!

By Christina P |

Im not sure where there is water along the Bamboo forest but the walk up there is horrendous especially for young children.

By Ali M |

There is nothing much to do here but explore but it is so stunning. There are multiple trails that take you over rivers, through the dense forest and to lookouts over the whole valley. It's self-directed so spend as much or as little time as you like. Some of it is challenging terrain so it's not for those with limited mobility and it can be super slippery. Bring a rain coat as well.

By Jeff E |

Again, this is not the main Bamboo Forest, but the one at mile marker 6.5. The water was high so a lot of people were turning back. We swam across the first stream and that's where the real adventure began! You have to cross another stream at one point (the rocks are slippery) but it's well worth it. There is also a rope ladder and ropes you have to climb up a slippery wall. I was nervous about that one, but managed to do it. Not for the faint of heart! Overall it was definitely a highlight of my whole Maui trip. Gotta love waterfalls and bamboo :)

By Coo |

Our tour guide, (see my review on Blue Soul Maui tours) took us to the bamboo forest for a real hike, mud and all. He had rightly told us to wear old runners and shorts and bathers for this hike. Although he hiked the entire forest in barefeet??!! The hike was great. It was not that long perhaps about 35 minutes. There was no great paved path but there was a path and we needed the guide with us in the beginning or we would have gotten lost. It is wonderful walking through the bamboo and we hiked up rocks and in the water and ended up seeing a few water falls .The second or third one we saw,we swam in and it was beautiful! Well worth the hike!!

By Kyo S |

This is one of the most dense bamboo forests we've been in. At some points it gets quite dark but the pathway through is quite well mapped out, with boardwalks in some places.

If it rains (like it suddenly did on our visit) be mindful of flash floods when you hit sections where streams cross your path.

By happy4travel |

We’re still kicking in the 70’s. Husband is amazing, still as well! Some people just don’t get it. Keep running is the ticket! Our sons continue to follow our amazing happy family and granddaughter as well. Keep it up!!

By GRUTO |

The entire hike is just over 2 miles mostly uphill to the falls, and another 2 miles back. The bamboo forest is about halfway up.

By ratnrol |

The bamboo forest was a surprise to myself and my family on our hike to the Maimoku falls.

My family consists of my wife and two teenage daughters.

The forest is larger and taller than I could have imagined. The trail twists and turns. The path is magical in the sense that the light is constantly changing (shining through the tall bamboo), sounds of the bamboo hitting each other from the wind and you are anticipating what lies around each bend.

Much of the bamboo trail is a man made path. The man made path is about 36" wide. It can be muddy on each side. I would imagine the path could also be slippery when it gets wet.

The hike should be taken seriously.

Tip #1: Bring at least one bottle of water per person
Tip #2: Wear proper foot wear for hiking. Flip flops and sandals are not. This is a safety issue as well as blisters can be a problem.
Tip #3: Carry a small first aid kit. At least bring bandages for blinders and such.
Tip #4: Check the weather before you go. I can see the trail getting very slick if when it gets wet. Here is one website I found helpful. http://www.hawaiiweathertoday.com/maui.php?zone=HIZ021
Tip: #5: You can use the same park pass to visit Haleakala and the Bamboo forest but must visit within three days of each other. The pass is $10 per car.

The trip through the bamboo forest will always be a found memory of our visit to Maui!

By luckydog172 |

Beautiful and easy hike to discover a beautiful Bamboo Forest. Unfortunately, the fall at the end of this trail was closed on our day. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the hike. There are many little waterfalls here.

By JennyS0926 |

I didn't found it marked on national park map. But after walking on Pipiwai trail about 1.6 miles, I reached (right after the 2nd bridge). I like bamboo, there are plenty of them, I enjoyed a lot.

By Culture6311 |

Travelled with some locals to the Bamboo Forest...lots of mud...hanging from bamboo...climbing up to 3 different falls with pools for swimming and hanging out. Definitely one of the best adventures on the island!

By Debbie M |

If it's not too rainy you may be okay but can be very muddy which can also make it very slippery! But it is absolutely gorgeous. Make sure to go all the way to the waterfall and enjoy the cool refreshing water or just sit and listen to the wind blow thru the bamboo!

By MrsPJnr |

We went with friends who had done the hike before so they knew the route and the dangers! It is not for the feint hearted!

Whilst unbelievably beautiful you need to make sure you wear the right footwear and don’t mind getting muddy or wet. We made it all the way to the 5th waterfall but the hike after the 3rd was quite treacherous - using a rope at one point to negotiate the rocks to get to the upper levels to take you to 4 and the a ladder with at least a 2 foot climb at top of ladder to get you to the path for 5. To get to 5 you need to swim about 200 yards and it was cold water despite a hot sunny day.

There is no other way back than to retrace steps which includes jumping off some
rocks into water!

Glad I did it and glad I chose to wear by beach shoes rather than walking shoes as was able to grip feet around rocks and didn’t mind walking through the water.

Be mindful of the weather and take care when jumping in the pools! There is no mobile phone service if you get hurt and need help!

By Al B |

The bamboo forest is actually part of the Pipiwai Trail. Some of the bamboo gets quite large in diameter and very dense. It sounds cool when the wind blows and the bamboo bangs together.

By Chris C |

Just minutes past Twin Falls Farmstand is a Bamboo Forest. Steps from your car you will be lost in the lush green giant bamboo. A couple of waterfalls are within 20 minutes. It can be muddy and slippery after rain.

By kwinschuh |

People are reviewing two different bamboo forest hikes here, but I am here to talk about the one at mile marker #6.5. While the bamboo forest is very cool, I would advise people to proceed with caution when considering hiking here. First, this is PRIVATE property (we were unaware of this when we went). For that reason, there are no warnings or signs about the dangers of this hike.

Please take know that flash floods happen here and sometimes without warning. We should have been more cautious as it was raining when we went but since the riverbed was dry and there were other hikers, we proceeded anyway. By the time we reached the third waterfall, we decided to turn around because the ladder up to the next seem pretty sketchy and it was still raining. As we were crossing the middle of the riverbed we heard a roar and looked up to see a massive wave coming over the top of the falls, we hurried down to the falls below literally trying to outrun the rush of water. We made it to a safe(ish) sport but within seconds the river was raging and uncrossable. The only way I can describe it is like a damn breaking, it happened that fast. Long story short we were there for almost two hours without cell phone reception, unable to cross until eventually the amazing fire and rescue department found us and choppered us out.

I know it was not a smart decision to follow this trail in the rain and trust me, in addition to feeling lucky to be alive, we also felt stupid and apologized profusely to the team that rescued us. That said, they told us that our outcome was the best case scenario as they pull people out of there frequently and not always unscathed. We should have been more aware of the severity of flash floods and more respectful of mother nature. But after this experience and considering the people who were a few minutes in front of us were drinking and in flip flops, I felt a responsibility to post and give people the heads up so that you can be aware of the risks prior to visiting.

By pudman43 |

Please note: this review, as with several others in this section, is actually for the bamboo forest hike that is just past the 6 mile marker on the road to Hana. As you leave Hookipa, the mile markers climb into the teens,, but then reset back to zero. Once reset, watch for 6.0, and you'll suddenly see cars parked on both sides of the narrow, curvy road. Also note, you visit this the site at your own risk, as it is not a formal park, and is actually on East Maui Irrigation land, but 'no trespassing' is not enforced it seems.
We have been there 3 times now, and one of our favorite parts of the visit a week ago, was watching folks stream from their cars in nice clean clothes, Hawaiian shirts, sundresses, nice clean shoes, lots of brand new running shoes, flip flops, etc. Folks, if you've not been here, remember this area of Maui gets frequent rain, and each time we've visited there (March, Dec, Dec) it's been muddy as hell. So - you've been warned! LOL We wore grubby clothes and water shoes (which we later discarded; they were cheap anyhow), and it was the right choice. Just to get to the first falls, you have to wade across a creek, when we were there it was about 18" deep, so people who are nicely dressed, keep this in mind! Anyhow, there are 4 falls, but the 3rd/4th are tougher to get to; we always just go as far as the second, which has a nice pool you can take a dip in. It's brown and who knows what's growing in there (!), but refreshing all the same...
Anyhow, I hope this review helps -- enjoy!!

By Greenapplepies |

I am so glad I hiked through the bamboo forest! Originally, I planned to hike after watching the sunrise in Haleakala national park. I later found out that I was another 2 hours away. The bamboo forest is located at that park, however it is actually 30 minutes past the road to hana trip. I left kihei at 7 am and after hiking/stopping along the way to hana, I reached the hiking trail to the bamboo forest around 1230-1pm. I'll admit, I had a throbbing headache and was tired, and kept wanting to turn around, however, the hikers who were on their way out were so encouraging. They kept saying that it was totally worth it. It took about 30-40 minutes to get to the bamboo forest, and an hour to reach the waterfall at the end. It was breath taking!!! Make sure to wear shoes, because the rocks are slippery and you have to cross 2 small streams. On my trek back, I saw the faces of the other hikers and they looked so tired. I happily gave them encouragement and gave them an estimated time to their destination. So to all of you who are completing the hike, if you see tired faces, lift up their spirits! This is definitely a must do!

By coraltravels |

Worth stopping, and probably a lot cooler than what we experienced due to the flooding. Access is hard to find, and the hiking can be tricky (especially when muddy). Secure your vehicle well-- we were cautioned of frequent break-ins, evidenced with plenty of broken glass in the area. Wear good hiking shoes.

By KGandDH |

We are so glad we hiked into the bamboo forest and to the waterfalls. The swim and hike right through the waterfall to the last pool was well worth it! It's slippery so walk carefully. We were glad to be wearing sneakers and couldn't believe people were wearing flip flops... bare feet would even be better. We did it on a mixed weather day and next time will try to time it when it hasn't rained for a couple days so we can see the crystal blue waters you see in the pictures.

By Dan S |

If you are a tourist/have a limited amount of time on the island, don't waste your time. Locals will tell you the trail head is right beyond a hair pin turn about 15mins beyond twin falls. 1. There are multiple turns over a 20 mile duration. 2. The trail is unmarked from road and requires you to hop over some barbed wire. Use a hiking service if you are going to attempt.

By digitalczech |

This is a easy hike through a tall and dense bamboo forest. It's truly amazing. It will lead you up to the water falls at a pool that's beautiful. Just be careful of falling rocks near the waterfall. I've seen them come down.

By Wanda J |

I was so looking forward to revisiting this part of Maui after 23 years. We wanted to bring our son to experience this truly spectacular trek. Clearly I had forgotten about the steady incline...after all, it was 23 years later...haha. Things had really changed, i was disappointed with the volume of downed bamboo stalks. The musical sound was not nearly as melodious as I remembered. However, it was still well worth the 2 mile hike to enjoy the sites and sounds to the ultimate end...the amazing waterfall. The son loved the whole experience.

It isn't for the winded or weak. It will draw on your strength to forge to the end, but those who make it will be rewarded. And the return is a steady decline!!

By 42Patti |

The Bamboo Forest hike I'm reviewing is the one just past Haiku, Maui at Mile Marker #6 on Hana Highway 360. There is another Bamboo Forest near Hana as well, so just wanted to be clear on which one I am reviewing. Allow a good 3 hours for this hike if you go to the end. We did this hike with a group of 18 (9 adults and 9 kids ages 9-15) and we all made it with pride to the third and last waterfall. The kids all did it without difficulty, and some of us adults were hesitant to swim that last stretch to the third waterfall, but none of us were willing to face the shame the kids would shower on us for backing out.

Before you do this hike or anything on Maui, I would encourage you to Google "Aloha Stoked"...this guy has a fabulous YouTube channel and has the best videos and information on Maui. It was him who sold us on this hike.

There is lots of mud, so wear good hiking sandals (I suggest sandals as there are 3 pools to swim in, however, having said that, my entire family of 4 wore good sneakers and managed just fine). DON'T wear flip flops. Park along the highway (you'll see lots of cars) and there are many entrances along the road. The first third of the hike is easy and you end up at a beautiful waterfall and pool. The middle part of the hike is medium difficulty and you end up at an awesome pool with swing ropes. We spent the most time here and all of us had a blast swinging into the pool. Some people also brought floaties and blew them up when they got there so they could just float. The last part of the hike was definitely the most challenging. You need to climb a ladder to continue on. You will walk up the river bed about 1/4 mile. It will look like you hit a dead end when you see a creek/water, but that's when you have to get in and swim to the next waterfall. The bottom of the creek is quite slippery and rocky. We found getting out of the creek quite a challenge as the rock face was very wet from trickling water. We all managed and were rewarded with another pool from which you could swing from a rope! The last waterfall was a bit anti-climactic as it was barely a trickle the day we hiked (March 30), but must be spectacular when there is more water flowing.

The 15 year olds said it was the best hike they've ever done, and us 40 something year olds were just glad we made it through unscathed!! If it were just my family of 4 hiking that day, we likely would have just stopped at the second pool and turned around. Glad we didn't!!

By OkanaganTravelEditor |

Half the fun is in getting there! First, you drive the Hana Highway. “It’s curvy” all the brochures warn. They also say, “Plan to spend the day. Stay over if you can.” This is good advice. The actual distance to Hana is only about 50 miles from Kahului, but its 59 bridges (46 are one lane) and 620 curves make it slow going. We were on the road for a solid four hours (one direction), including stops for banana bread, fruit smoothies, roadside waterfalls, a closer look at a rainbow eucalyptus tree, a pee break, outstanding coastline views, a detour to stunning Koki Beach, eventually stopping at Haleakala National Park (Kipahulu trails area) home of the seven sacred pools and the Bamboo Forest.

It is almost 2 o’clock by the time we arrive at the Park and our goal is to see the Bamboo Forest. The seven sacred pools will have to wait for another day. We parked the car ($10 a car load) and set out for the Pipiwai Trail, past Makahiku waterfall (about 200 feet high) through the Bamboo Forest to the impressive 400 foot Waimoka Falls. Let me say this. Every step along this two mile (one way) hike – often uphill, uneven, muddy ground – is worth it. If you visit Maui, do not miss this opportunity.

By Coastal676344 |

We visited as part of a returning trip in hopes of recreating some old photos from when our children were younger. 8 years ago you were able to get all the way to the waterfall for a picnic, photo ops, and a refreshing mist from the fall itself. We hiked all the way to the end of the trail only to be disappointed by a sign at the top restricting access to the bottom of the falls. We were disappointed to say the least, but we are rather understanding people who can rationalize why they no longer allow access to the waterfall. Wear comfortable shoes to hike in as the terrain is rocky, muddy, slippery, and overall a bit more challenging than just a walking trail.

By matt d |

Bit of a hike to go from start to finish. plenty of great photo opportunities. bring lots of water as its a challenging hike. lots of loose rocks so bring proper shoes. this is definitely a must do

By Jdehaan1 |

It's about a 1.5 Mile walk up to the bamboo forest which is just amazing. Our daughter and son-in-law backpacked/ ergo their 5 month old son and 2 year old daughter all the way to the falls -leaving from the N.P visitors center to the falls it's 2 miles one way. The 5 month old stared at the top of the trees he was so fascinated with the sight and sound of the bamboo swaying.
The trail was muddy from the previous day's rain, was very slippery at times. Grab a hiking stick left down near the base of the trail - you will be grateful you have one as you climb the 600 plus feet required to see the forest and the waterfall.
The Waterfall left me speechless it's so beautiful and so high.
So Glad our kids did this -even if we were exhausted - don't think my husband and I would have done this to the end without them. Be prepared with water and some food it's a strenuous hike took us about 4 hours round trip.

By Maureen L |

Loved it great hike best hike on maui! Waterfall a top is also something out of this world. Can you say OMG!

By Callejera1 |

As you drive out from Kahului, the 6.5-mile mark will be in the middle of a sugar cane field. Not to worry, you haven’t taken a wrong turn. About 10 miles down the road, the mile markers will reset to zero and the next 6.5 is the one you’re looking for. Across the street from a metal gate there are a couple of places with a narrow break in the bamboo hedge. You want to squeeze in through there, then go downhill onto a wider trail.

Don’t even think of coming in flip-flops. If there has been any rain at all in the previous days, you’ll have large patches of slippery mud. Plus, the rocks in the stream are covered with slippery algae which you may have to walk on in certain spots. The ideal footwear would be water shoes with thick treaded soles. When we went we didn’t have to swim across the stream, just rock-hopping and getting our feet wet here and there.

Wear a bathing suit beneath your clothes for the pools and maybe take a day pack to hold any stuff that you want to keep dry. Even if you think you won’t be going in the pools, you just may change your mind once you see how beautiful and inviting they are.

The climb up the rock face to reach the 3rd waterfall is not as treacherous as it sounds. You’re not rapelling on a sheer face. It’s only 10-12 feet with a few places where you can get a toehold as you hold onto the rope. The rope is thick and has knots at regular intervals so you can get a good grip on it as you step your way up. On the return you can make your way down the rope the same way you went up. No jumping required. Some people were choosing to jump off the top off the waterfalls into the pools. Scary stuff.

The ladder to the 4th waterfall with a missing rung requires more agility and strong knees, so some might not want to tackle that one. Again, there are knotted ropes to help you along.

This is an amazing spot, like the Hawaii of travel brochures. If you’re fairly fit, don’t miss it.

By Gla_Rangers |

The trail starts from the Ranger Station at the 7 Sacred Pools, which requires a park entrance fee (currently $15) and is good for return visits here or to Haleakala for 3 days.

An easy hike is the 1/2 mile loop down to the pools, but for a more challenging experience, cross the road and head up to the Bamboo Forest and eventually the Waterfalls. Distance to the Bamboo Forest is about 1 mile each way with an additional 3/4 mile each way to the Falls. The total elevation change is less than 1,000 feet.

Since most arrive in late afternoon, essential is to bring lots of sunscreen, mosquito spray and water. We also brought some fruit, including a banana. Although the well defined path is muddy at times, at least it was the day we went, proper closed shoes suitable for hiking are recommended. However, we saw numerous people wearing only flip flops.

It starts off fairly strenuous and levels out more at the higher elevations.

The Bamboo Forest is amazing, with the trail cutting through the middle. It is extremely dense and must be 100' high.

Definitely worth the effort. Total time for the round trip was 2 hours to the Falls and back, but that was with minimal stops. If we do this hike on our next visit we will arrive earlier and spend at least 3 hours to complete at a more leisurely pace.

By tonyj0424 |

Words and pictures dont adequately describe the experience. Its a bit of a hike (pun intended) to get to the forest, but its well worth it. There were quite a few others on the trail, but it was by no means crowded.

We ran into the same people at various points of the hike and ended up taking pictures for each other.

I think next time I might do one of the guided hikes. I've read about unmarked trails on the path but couldnt locate any of them. Might be something for you to consider.

By Lish66 |

Amazing trails and views! Not like anything you've seen before! Not suggested for those with mobility issues. Bring your bathing suit!

By JrsyGal |

One of the must sees on the Road to Hana. I guess it took us around 2.5 hours round trip. The hike is moderate towards the easier side. I am sure when the path is dry it would be really easy, just long though. When we went it felt as if we are walking on chocolate cake batter lol. I wore my Chacos and he wore his flip-flops(not recommended). I wouldn't say he regretted but it would have been MUCH more comfy in a pair of good grip hiking sandals like mine were. We went up to the waterfalls, which had become very very angry due to the rains. For once I am so glad it was raining while we did the road to Hana as most places became surreal due to the magnitude and force of the water.....the bamboo forests looked lush green. Beautiful!

BTW, the stream before the water falls had multiplied by 2. So basically instead of one we had to cross 2. Also the ankle deep water had risen to thigh high by the time we turned back. Glad we did do it though. Am attaching before after pics of one of the streams we crossed.

By AdamsLoveToTravel |

Literally hike thru a bamboo Forrest.... So incredible. This was our families FAVORITE activity in Maui and we did a ton of activities. Yes, we will be back.

By cnccndworld |

This is a beautiful section of the Pipiwa Trail. We spent a bit of time here taking lots of photos before continuing on to the waterfall. The way the light filters through depending on the time of day and weather is really beautiful. Definitely worth the hike and the main reason we did this trail. Tip - keep the receipt from the national park fee as it is good for 3 days and well worth using to go to Haleakala Crater.

By OklahomaMomOf3 |

There seem to be a few Bamboo Forests that people are reviewing. Our experience was near mile marker 6 on the Road to Hana. Dense patch of Bamboo with steep, muddy trails. Wind wasn't blowing when we were there, so we clinked the bamboo together ourselves to hear the sounds.
We had a blast, but we had to leave part of our party sitting on rocks at a waterfall, because the "trail" was too sketchy, steep and tough. Water shoes with some sort of grip are very helpful. All of us slipped and fell at some point, leaving with scrapes, bumps and bruises, but nothing worse for us. Some have had to be hauled out of here with broken bones or worse.
You will be climbing slick rocks and muddy paths, and swimming to get to various points, if you venture that far. Expect to be very muddy.
Again, BE CAREFUL! If it doesn't fit your skill set, don't go in! There are plenty of places to see along the Road to Hana that don't require this level of adventure. But if you are up for it, oh, is it cool!

By Sharon P |

The first thing you need to know - the Bamboo Forest is about a mile into the Pipiwea Trail and most of that is an uphill climb. There are steps built out of stones and the trail is easy to follow, but it's not as close to the highway as I was expecting. My husband found the hike quite demanding. I've been working out daily for the past three months so didn't find it too bad, but I will definitely feel my quads in the morning!

That said, it was a great experience. I loved being surrounded by bamboo. Fortunately, we had a windy day, so we were able to hear the bamboo hit against each other. It sounded like huge bamboo wind chimes "clunking" together. If we hadn't had rain earlier, I would have been content to sit and listen for much longer. There was something about being surrounded by bamboo and listening to it that made me want to pull out a yoga mat and do some postures.

At the end of the Bamboo Forest is a very tall waterfall. While there wasn't a great amount of water, it was still quite a site. The area near the waterfall can be prone to flash flooding, so be aware and stay safe.

Take plenty of water on this hike. I had 50 ounces of water, 2 individual coconut water containers, and 2 bananas (to replenish potassium at the falls before heading back). We went through all of it. If your camera isn't water resistant, take a plastic bag as you will likely encounter rain at some point. I also sprayed myself with Deep Woods Off as I heard the mosquitoes could be bad. We saw some, but they didn't bother us.

The road to get to this hike is about 20 miles past Hana. If the Road to Hana was an uncomfortable drive, you do not want to go further. Past Hana, it becomes, essentially, a one lane road. It is paved, but there are places two vehicles can barely pass each other. On one side is a rock wall and on the other side is a drop into a canyon. Nervous drivers should not try it. We saw plenty of tour buses so it's possible to get there without having to drive yourself.

Factor in about a three hour drive from Kahului to Hana, and then another half hour past that. The hike itself can take anywhere from 1.5 to 4 hours - depending on how fast you walk and how far you go. If you are not staying in Hana, you need to consider the drive home (not one I'd want to do in the dark!). We were at the park by 11:00 a.m. and left it at 2:30 p.m. That got us back to the Paia area around 5:00.

By DDunn8888 |

This place is worth the hike once you finish your stroll to get here you will enjoy one of the most astonishing view of your life. There are few places that have the impact this place will have on you the drive to get here is one of the worst but this made it worth it do not do this in one day when you plan your trip make at least one or two nights of your stay in Hana and enjoy this whole area.

By sharonbhanu |

Insects are there so please wear full pants. Apart from that it beautiful, quite a bit of trek. Roadside parking, multiple entry points, we got lost trying to find the waterfall. But was fun. A bit slippery so wear good shoes.

By Alok K |

Our second time and well worth it. Do both trails. The waterfall and pools are beautiful. Another 30+ min past Hana.

By liquidsunshine01 |

I think people are combining two places in this review, but I visited the one at mile marker 6.5. It's a mild adventure to get to the first two falls. The third requires a potentially deadly climb up a steep 20' rock face, but lots of people do it.

The first falls had a huge volume but tiny pool. The second has a tiny falls but large pool with crawdad. The third has a medium falls but huge pool. I would say the second falls is good enough and could be reached in a rushed hour, but 2 is better, and 3 provides plenty of time. My GPS said it was a .6mile hike to the second falls.

The first two falls are actually not as good as twin falls before it or several roadside pullouts past it but the bamboo forest is something unique. My 9yr old did fine but was scared of the climb to the 3rd falls but the 26yr old in our group quickly scaled it and explored it for us. On the other hand my 50yr old wife could never have made it to the first falls due to unstable footing of several areas and steep hills.

Do not attempt this if it's raining anywhere in the area - watch YouTube videos of flash floods that turn deadly in under a minute.

By pamelandfred |

this was a hard to find hike, as there are a couple in the area. we did it without our shoes on which seemed so much easier on the rocks and climbing up the ropes. at the almost end we knew there was one more waterfall to see and we tried to scale the mountain to the right, but that didn't work. there were about ten tourists trying to figure out which way to go when 3 Hawaiian kids came running by, jumped in the river and swam upstream, all the tourists turned around but we buried our things and jumped in after them. im glad we did. we ended up at this huge waterfall and pool and it was only the five of us there. it was literally the most amazing place I have been.

By CeciSanFrancisco |

We are frequent visitors to Maui but this was our first time venture to the Bamboo Forest. This location is close to Haiku, along Highway 360 (Road to Hana). The drive to the 6.5 Mile Marker isn't too far from Paia and we decided to have lunch in Paia since it was easier than packing a picnic lunch. There are a few parts of the Highway where you'll need to yield to oncoming drivers. The Bamboo Forest is past Twin Falls and close to Papaaea Road.

You don't need to be a fitness buff to enjoy the first couple of waterfalls. I went with my husband and three sons (ages 9, 13 and 15) and were accompanied by another family who also had three kids (ages 8, 14 and 17). Their 8 year old daughter had no problem managing and we had trouble trying to keep pace with her! We went when there was no rain, just sunny weather since I read the trails can get pretty treacherous with the mud.

Wear your bathing suit/shorts and water shoes (no flip flops and bring a waterproof bag)! Always a good idea to bring sunblock , mosquito repellant and bottled water. Park along the side of the road as soon as you see the Marker. You can see several breaks in the bamboo hedge and enter from there and head downhill on the dirt trail. If you're not sure, there'll likely be hikers around to point you to the right place. As with any trail, be mindful of protruding objects (e.g. broken bamboo) and don't rush. The long green bamboo stalks provides a surprisingly nice respite from the hot sun and allows enough light to twinkle when you gaze above. It's surreal, especially when you hear the wind whispering through the stalks.

To get to the waterfall, you'll need to cross a wooden plank--just a couple of steps. The gulley you're crossing is not deep, so don't fret if you are afraid of heights. You'll then walk across a large rock formation across a stream (no swimming necessary, but you'll need to be careful as the algae on the rocks surface can get slippery). There are sturdy bamboo and a large wooden branch to help you with your balance. As you head along the trail, you'll hear the first waterfall (to your left). It's a beautiful sight and if you keep along the path, it takes you to the second waterfall. Hikers are rewarded with a cozy area to take a refreshing dip in the water. Again, be mindful of your surroundings and don't let the beauty lull you into forgetting about safety. Stay hydrated and make sure your footing is solid. The pool is deep in certain areas and you may get bumps and bruises because rocks are difficult to see if the water is murky.

We opted to limit our hike to the second waterfall as the hike to the third waterfall requires you to scale up a ladder. We're not yet ready for that, but am very grateful for the experience to the two waterfalls. I'm looking forward to visiting Bamboo Forest again.

By Louis T |

Man-O Man.....

What an adventure! The hike is more than a novice hike, you need to be a lil sure footed but what an outcome. All along the way you are mesmerized by the sites, views and sounds. The Bamboo is rich in color and soothing to the ears. Then a lil further past the bamboo, you come to the breathtaking Waimoku Falls.

will do again, cant get enough....

By Dan S |

Going through the bamboo forest is my favorite hike in all of Hawaii. The day we went, it was a bit cloudy and drizzled a bit - but this just added to the mystique of the trail. Along the trail, it was almost eerie with the green bamboo crowding in all around and the dark soil with only muted light overhead. It was so otherworldly. Almost expected to see an Orc walking by or something. Once we got off the wooden walkway, the drizzle made the footing a bit tricky but manageable. But the rain also increased the flow at the Waimoku Falls.

This is not a grove of bamboo which can be seen in other parts of Hawaii. This is acres and acres of bamboo - a true bamboo forest. From my research, you would have to go to China or Japan to see this marvel of nature in this kind of magnitude. It is truly a not-to-be-missed destination for those who really enjoy the diversity, miracle, and majesty of nature.

By Culture220272 |

Life is all about those new experiences. I've never heard the sound of clanking bamboo. It's dream like. It wasn't busy when I got there. I want the back side of Hana so I got there before the crowds. Just imagine walking down the path amongst the bamboo with the sound of the waterfall in the distance and singing birds.

By Palmgirl33 |

This section of the trail was my favorite! Lots of turns and steps through the bamboo on nice board pathways. Neat to hear the sounds they make and to look in and know how dense the growth is.

By mnjhammer |

This is the second time I did this hike. The first time was 12 years ago and it really made a huge impression on me. This time, no different. I'd call it a moderate hike as far as exertion goes. The banyan tree is cool and so is the waterfall at the end, but what really makes it is the bamboo forest. Unbelievable experience. At times it feel like it sucks you in and isn't going to let you out. Can be a very eerie feeling. Seriously, it's an awesome hike! Caution: end the hike before 6 to avoid having to drive the Hana highway back in the dark.

By JenniferFleeson |

i only recommend this hike in proper shoes, my friends and i did it in flipflops...not recommended...at all. once in the bamboo, i had to stop myself and just "be" the sound it makes swaying in the wind, the light coming through it...everything about it was "magical"
this is one of those experiences that will stay with me forever, it is that good.

By joaniemaria |

This is a beautiful hike. So glad we left early enough to hike to the bamboo forest. The day was sunny, warm, humid. Bring your bug spray and plenty of water. We brought a cooler with us with snacks and water. You will need a National Park pass to enter. Restrooms and water is available but the visitor center was closed due to pandemic. Well worth a trip to Hana.

By MeredithHoman |

It was a bit much. We had heard so many mixed reviews and after visiting Twin falls I think that maybe the tourists confused the two.

It was so slippery. And there was no way I would wear a baby up a rope ladder.

I would love to go back when my daughter is a teen and we can rock climb! But for now. No.

By Alessandro |

Nice place where you can spend 30 minutes walking in the middle of thousands of bamboo threes and crossing creeks, but do not miss very close to it the Rainbow eucalyptus

By Jane T |

This hike is on my top 10 list of places I've visited for sure. It rained while we were there and the sound of rain falling in the forest was amazing. The hike is well marked and not exactly difficult but not easy either. The elevation climb is pretty significant. We saw several young kids on the trail though so unless you have a health problem, you could do it easily.

By Kevin M |

Please advised that you will not be able to hike through the Bamboo Forest at Oheo Gulch until the Government shutdown is over. We thought the parking lot would be closed but didn't think they would be guarding the trails. They were. So if you want to go to a Bamboo Forest go to the other one in between mile markers 6 and 7 of same highway. I have no info on that one as we drove right by it going to Oheo Gulch, but this website has plenty of good reviews on it. We didn't want to turn around and do the Hana highway in reverse so we kept going around.

By Cothran9 |

I do this trek each time I'm in Hana and never regret it. The views are spectacular, the hike is the perfect amount of activity and I always love sharing it with new people.

By 55KarenVisalia |

Has to be my favorite hike so far. Walking through all the bamboo then stopping at the waterfalls was great fun. Can be very slippery when raining, don't wear flip flops if you're planning on going up to number three and four waterfall. Nice little pools to get in and relax. The rope and then ladder were a bit tough for me but made it with my sons help. Love this hike and would do again.

By oldprune |

There is no marker indicating the location of this place - we missed the first time. Mile marker Hwy 360 is #6.7, GPS coordinates: 20.885207, -156.208211. Look for the cars parked by the road - also find the bamboo opening. Narrow uneven road leads down to first waterfall. Make sure you have good shoes - flip flap will not do. It was muddy and very steep. You have to cross a stream too, and water level maybe high. I slipped into the water and had to deal with wet shoes for the rest of the day.
This may not be good trail for very young and people with mobility issues. There is second waterfall little further into the trail. Also mosquitoes are active.
2 pretty waterfalls for this little short hike is not bad at all.

By Toast'78 |

2 hours round trip hike which is easy enough to do - especially if it's a dry day. Wear decent shoes. Saw someone doing it shoeless though - to each their own. Something to witness. The sound is so peaceful.

By Alcam4 |

Interesting hike, but we only went to the first waterfall because we had very small children with us and the cliff to climb up to go further on was too much for them. What we did see was worth the drive there.

By Desert Aloha |

There are many hidden gems along the famous Road to Hana on Maui. Our favorite is the Bamboo forest. You'll find the entrance at Mile Mark 7 and most of the time you'll find a place to park. Pack a daypack, water, sunscreen, bug spray and good sturdy shoes that you don't mind getting a little muddy. This is an awesome way to spend a few hours on the road to Hana in addition to the Surfboard Fence and painter trees....

By Andrew S |

I just got back from Maui and enjoyed this FANTASTIC hike! It starts in a huge bamboo forrest and then follows the river upstream past two waterfalls (ropes and ladders) and then there's a 100 yard swim and another small waterfall culminating in a pool with a fourth waterfall that soars over 100 feet. Truly amazing!

However, there seems to be some confusion about where this is located. This is NOT in Oheo Gulch nor is it in any national park and it's NOT near Hana (it's about 30 miles away). The dot on the map here at Trip Advisor is correct showing it near the beginning of the Road to Hana at mile marker 6.5 (note that the numbering restarts once you hit Route 360). It's a few miles past "Twin Falls" and less than a quarter mile past . I plotted it with my GPS watch and the coordinates for the entrance are 20°53'6.54"N by 156°12'29.64"W which plots just before you get to Papaaea Road intersection). You can drive to this hike in about an hour from Lahina. If you're still not sure, hit up Google Earth and turn on photographs which will show you a number of pics of the entrance and the waterfalls.

It's not at all hard to find at all as some reviews mention. Just pull off at 6.5 and go into the bamboo forrest. Eventually you'll hit the river. Cross the river and follow the trail up stream. You'll cross a couple more times and have to scale some rocks to get to the fourth and final waterfall which is truly awesome. We encountered lots of locals and a number of tourists. If you don't hike much, this is doable, but you should come prepared. Bathing suits and sturdy footwear (running shoes) are a must and bring a bottle of water. We saw some tourists in sun dresses and sandals with no water and I'm sure they didn't make the fourth waterfall. My wife is in good shape and did this hike at three months pregnant with no problems.

This is truly a fantastic hike that's wonderful to behold and free for all. I'd strongly recommend you give it a go. It's a short drive (an hour) from Lahina and well worth the trip!!

By Linda R |

A stream runs .next to the trail, This is cool and quiet when you walk in. Like time is standing still. It is a memory I will savor

By Mickey2go |

I had never seen a bamboo forest and quite honestly could have cared less for the waterfalls and was focused on seeing bamboo. It was totally worth all the grunting and sweating to get to see this beautiful forest. It is like nothing else I have have ever seen in my life and I am so glad I got to see it! Go!

By Coloradodreaming51 |

This forest is part of the Pippiwei trail about a mile in of a 2-mile hike. The boardwalk is built mostly through the bamboo. Awesome to sit and listen to the forest! We even saw a wild boar digging up roots. The trail can be muddy but wasn't bad when we did it in January. You will have to park at the National park and pay the $30.00 entrance fee. the trail head is on the west side of the highway. There are bathrooms at the trailhead. Be sure to use them before you leave. There is a beautiful waterfall at the end. but be careful if you go past the sign. It could be trecherous is the water flow is heavy.

By cbradshaw2014 |

We were told about this hike by some fellow travelers and were so glad we did it! One of the coolest experiences hiking through the bamboo forest. The road from Hana past this park and along the southern coast was as cool as the road to Hana. Highly recommend.

By Adi |

If you do one hike in Maui, this is the one. Make sure you go swim in at least one of the three waterfalls past the stream. Absolutely refreshing!

By travelgirlie123 |

This, along with the waterfall at the end of the trail, was my favorite part of the hike (so peaceful). Go early in the morning.

By Greg F |

It was simply a WOW factor on how many Trees there were. Stay on trail or you might get lost. Enjoy the rest of the trail too.

By epl210 |

Amazing hike through the bamboo forest to a stunning waterfall. Try to go when the Oheo pools are open so that you can swim in them before or after the hike. Getting there via the Road to Hana is great.

By Tommy8165B |

Amazing and tough to hike, but worth the effort. We found a bamboo stick helpful in keeping our balance. Only hiked to the first two waterfalls. Lots of mud and slippery rocks. At first I felt I was going to get lost and never find my way out. Lots of trails to get confused by in getting back. Just ask fellow hikers what ahead. Very popular. Enjoy.

By Californianation |

When you travel to the bamboo forest, take the back way in (road to hana) to get there. Don't worry about the roads, its 99% paved and you do not need a 4 wheel drive. You will pay $10 for parking at the National Park, but keep receipt because it will be good for 3 days and you can use it if you go see the sunrise at Haleakala. The hike is beautiful, be sure to walk the bottom trail first (near the ocean- it's beautiful) before you start the bamboo and falls hike. Once on the hike to the bamboo forest, it will be about 1.8 miles to reach bamboo forest- very nice hike. But keep going another .2 miles to see the water falls- it's amazing. Once at the falls, be sure to cross the stream (a sign will tell you its dangerous) in your tennis shoes on firm rocks, don't try to leap frog on rocks to keep dry- its very slippery and dangerous, just cross safely in the water- no big deal. Once you cross, walk on dry land towards the falls for a great view and pictures!!

By LuLuHT |

My friends and I came here on a couple of days ago. Apparently there are two entrances. We went in the one where you park your car on the side of the road. The path was muddy and slippery at times. The bamboo was gorgeous. We saw 4 waterfalls in total. To get to the last one, we had to jump rocks in the water then climb up a wooden ladder then pull ourselves up a cliff by a rope. We then crossed the water again and jumped in the water to swim to the lagoon where the huge waterfall is. It was quite an adventure. Totally worth all the climbing and jumping. I wouldn't recommend this to someone with mobility issues. I slipped a few times and hit my leg on a rock as well a falling on a rock while walking through the water. Tips- It you have amphibious sandals like Keens they're a good thing to wear. Be prepared to get a work out and a bit banged up if you're clumsy like me. A dry bag is a must if you want to get to the final waterfall and get pictures.

By Jen17316 |

You can brag to all of your friends and family that you hiked through a bamboo forest and it will actually be cooler than its sounds! It's surreal to be surrounded by the giant bamboo and happen upon stunning waterfalls. Enjoy the adventure!

By Susan and Phyl T |

Do not skip this on the way out to Hana! You will love this site as it is loaded with beautiful bamboo, sparkling waterfalls and a beautiful river. We had lunch out on the rocks in the middle of the river, which was very pleasant. There is one waterfall to see. which was very pretty. The bamboo creates a serene hike with lots of shadowy areas so it will feel cooler for you. Great place to go overall.

By Lisa L |

This is part of the Haleakala National Park hikes. To get there you drive the road to Hana, pass Hana, then get to the park. The hike is not terribly long to get to the forest and it's incredibly beautiful and unique. Well worth the trip.

By Janisinbc |

This was definitely worth the long muggy walk in the forest - it had rained in the previous few days that we were there, so the path and walkway was a bit slippery, but just take your time. For anyone with unsure footing - walking poles would be a good idea in here.
The whole walk in has many places to stop and take in the beauty - so many neat things to see.
Walking along the walkway and through the very tall bamboo is very relaxing as the bamboo rubs against each other giving it a very zen feel :)
The end of the walk gives you amazing views of the waterfall and you can wash your feet for the walk back.
Take water to drink as it does get warm and muggy in there.
This is another not to miss while on Maui.

By tammy s |

So glad we did this hike and planned our road to Hana visit around being able to complete this. It was a rainy day when we visited which made for a muddy trail but not an extreme obstacle. It did result in absolutely amazing waterfall at the end of the trail. Beautiful views the whole way and the bamboo forest was beautiful. Despite the trail having a steady stream of hikers, the forest still feels secluded and private.

By Piero C |

After Twin Falls, but still convenient to the rest of the island, this hike gives you the feel of Hana side waterfall hikes without all the downtime of driving to and fro. In addition, there’s the thick stands of young bamboo that offer a dark respite from the over-bearing Maui sun. Almost the whole hike is shaded. After Twin Falls, pull over when you see the next bunch of parked cars. The parking space furthest east fits three cars, and here at the trailhead is an enticing waterfall pool, as pictured, that you’ll probably have all to yourself, 30 seconds from the road. But, if you insist on hiking, it’s a twenty minute walk to the next pool, larger, below a small triple falls. Here you can spread out among the rocks. Find a flat one and have a picnic. Although these are not the most impressive falls on this side of the island, convenience makes up for it, and it’s mostly locals, since tourists have so many more miles to cover if their ultimate destination is Kinabalu. In other words, it’s a great morning off, or afternoon destination.

By Jeffrey G |

My wife and I decided to hike up to the bamboo forest after we had our lunch. It was a long walk but wasn't difficult. Most of the trail through the bamboo forest is on a Trex walkway.

By Tony H |

Bamboo Forest is a must see stop on Road to Hana. Very limited parking spaces on the side of the road but the view, the scenery will make you WOW! Trail to the falls is a bit rough and steep but manageable.

By Jim S |

It took us a couple of try's to find the "Bamboo Forest", after our first try we went back to Paia and found a couple of county workers eating lunch and asked them for directions. Most reviewers are not clear that you have to go past mile post 15 outside of Paia, highway 36 then turns into highway 360 where the mile posts reset. Go to mile post 6.5 from the reset point about 30 minutes from Paia. The road gets narrow and there are a number of one lane bridges, it's best to take your time and not be in a hurry. The "bamboo forest" was originally a locals only destination that has over time caught on with vacationers as the word has spread that it's an "amazing place."
We arrived at the "forest" and discovered that there are three access trails none clearly marked. After looking at most of the pictures it was clear that the appropriate shoe was a running or hiking shoe particularly if like the day we went it had rained significantly that morning leaving the trail muddy and the rocks slick. It was exceptionally humid even though it was only 71 degrees. We chose a trail and followed down crossing on the plank after a quarter mile we crossed the first creek with the big boulders and headed right up a less traveled path which ultimately we had to turn around because it became impassable. It was however an exceptional experience because the breeze began moving the bamboo and the noise was incredible. We spent about a half hour there and then worked our way back to the main trail.

Before I continue I'd like to mention that we have hiked the Columbia gorge in Washington and Oregon and seen waterfalls of incredible beauty on trails that were far easier to traverse and more clearly marked. We followed the main trail to the first waterfall and although I'm not sure that you can call a unique area like this unexceptional, the amount of effort verses the payoff was disappointing.

By Jaytheisto |

Only writing this review to note to travelers that there are TWO distinct bamboo forests. I was confused about this when I went last week:
-first is at the beginning of road to Hana and about 20 minutes past Twin Falls. Cannot miss it. Park along side of road. This is amazing and totally worth it if you do not make it all the way to Hana.
-second is past Hana in the national park and has signs to follow. this is the better of the two.

By Brandi M |

There is something so comforting in being in the midst of the Bamboo Forest!!! I was in compete awe the entire walk through... found it quite refreshing shaking the stalks for a simulated shower... I cannot wait to return!!!

By MMG |

We are in our mid fifties and in pretty good shape. I walk 6 miles a day, my husband runs 3 miles a day but we found this hike tiring. Uphill all the way and the 2 miles felt like 3 miles. Well worth it though. Definitely worth continuing on the maddening road to Hana. I am deathly afraid of heights but had only a couple of woah that’s high type of thoughts. The waterfall at the end made me gasp, VERY cool! Would visit here again if they got rid of the crazy drivers on the road to Hana

By sdurkin24 |

To clarify, this review is for the Bamboo Forest that is part of the Na'ili'ili Haele Stream & Waterfalls. The hike is off the Road to Hana (Highway 360) between mile markers 6 and 7 (NOT the location as designated by Trip Advisor maps on this page). You should see cars pulled off to the side of the road. Basically, if you are driving from Haiku heading South, pull over as soon as you see bamboo (that's what the concierge told us, it was helpful advice).

We were told about this hike on our first day in Maui by a local on the beach. When we asked the concierge about it, she was surprised but impressed at our enthusiasm to do it, due to it's level of difficulty.

The hike is popular, and there will be people with you pretty much most of the way. It's best to start it earlier, in case you want to go all the way. Which you should do, because it's the final waterfall that makes this hike the best thing we did in Maui.

You have to wade through water, climb up rope ladders and rocks walls, jump into water, and swim to finally reach the fourth waterfall. To be honest, you could very easily sprain your ankle or worse if you're not careful. But again, it is worth it. You'll reach a point where most people are turning back, right around the 2nd-3rd waterfalls. But sail on!

It is a very muddy trail. We went barefoot. We did not die, but there are parts of the trail mainly towards the end that are quite rocky/pebbly. So if you have watershoes or those sock-shoes things they may be better than going barefoot. But if you're not a pretty feet-and-hands (which there were a lot of on the trail that didn't make it past the first waterfall) get special shoes. Or better yet, stop being a girly-girl (or boy) and get dirty!

With that being said though, if you have a serious health problem or have any type of limitation of mobility, this trail, unfortunately, is not for you.

One other thing - near the end, you either have to have a water-proof bag, or leave your stuff in an unguarded/unprotected area in order to jump into the water and swim to the final waterfall. So either come really prepared, or just go with the flow and leave your stuff behind. It's kind of an unwritten rule that people leave their stuff in the bushes and no one takes it (you're really in the middle of nowhere). We left our stuff behind, and it was fine. But warning - if you're not ok with this, bring a water-tight bag or something similar.

The coolest part of this hike for me was feeling like you're really going off the beaten path. You kind of have to look for clues and explore the whole area to find where the trail leads next. So unlike most trails where it's quite clear where you're going and how, this is definitely more of a challenge.

By laceylt |

Bamboo Forest in Haiku, Maui, HI is an excellent medium level hike! If you have been to Twin Falls, this surpasses it by a million! It is an actual hike. there are 4 waterfalls and in order to reach them all you must climb, walk carefully over rocks, and tread water in the natural spring. So worth it! Small children may not like it if they cannot swim or don't feel comfortable climbing. Take a waterproof camera. It rains a lot up there and you will want a pic at the last waterfall, which you must swim to (no other way in). Really unique hike.

By TravelingSoccerLoon |

During the moderately strenuous 3.4 mile out and back hike to Waimoku Falls along the Pipiwai Trail, you will encounter a fascinating bamboo forest. If you are fortunate enough to be hiking when little others are on the trail, the sound of the wind through the bamboo trees and the distinctive sound of the trees hitting together is mesmerizing.

By IngaKr |

Path takes some hours on both waysm it is great and eds up to wonderful waterfall. I would advise taking it in the morning while it is not that hot. Bamboo forest is somewhere in the middle and it is so cool and refreshing. Have never seen such a forest ever!

By hanawahine |

If you are driving out to Hana, think about staying overnight so you can take the Bamboo Forest hike. About 8 miles past Hana, in Haleakala National Park, (near the so-called Seven Pools), park in the parking area, and cross the road to the uphill trail. Parts are steep, but the bridges across waterfalls and gorges provide amazing views as you climb upwards. After about 45 minutes, you will enter a forest of giant bamboo, with the stalks so tall it is almost like entering a green tunnel. The sound of the wind moving through the bamboo is like nothing you have ever heard. You walk on a raised wooden pathway (above the mud) for quite a distance, and then finally come out of the forest to see a very tall waterfall with a beautiful pool at the bottom--a great place to cool off. The entire adventure will take you at least three hours, depending on how quickly you walk, but it is an unforgettable experience.

By Compass21482030753 |

This was a sight to see and hear. Standing in the middle of the bamboo forest and listening to the bamboo in the wind was just unbelievable to hear. It was like giant wind chimes all around. A very soothing and relaxing sound. It was an amazing to see as well.

By Jane T |

It was quite a long hike, but glad we did it. The bamboo forest is better than the waterfall at the end, That being said, it was quite dry when we were there so there wasn't much going over the falls. It was very high but skinny. No pool at the bottom to swim in. The bamboo forest is very cool. Standing in it listening to the bamboo move around is so amazing. Also the banyan tree is very cool as well on the hike.

By Rob2222 |

I think hiking through the bamboo forest was one of the most memorable experiences that we had in Maui. The sound of the bamboo being blown in the wind was just amazing. I was shocked at how thick the bamboo forest was. This is a must do when you are in Maui. The trail is about 10 miles past Hana.

By Jerry C |

One of the best hikes anywhere! Not for young kids. Hike all the falls and take your swim suite. Can be muddy and very slippery if there was a recent rain. You will climb some tricky spots to make it to the top. Very adventurous. My teenage kids still talk about it and we did it with them 5 years ago.

By Karee B |

This is part of the hike up to the waterfall and was my favorite part of it. I loved hearing the wind blowing through the bamboo. It's strangely noisy and very relaxing.

By Mike M |

This is a intermediate hike through a beautiful bamboo forest which opens up to a rock scramble to several waterfalls. You have to climb woden ladders and ropes. Swim through pools of water to reach the last accessible pool and falls. It is beautiful and great exercise. One of the best experiances you caj have on Maui.

By Nedelakttraveler |

It's a journey up muddy hills and back down, multiple river crossings and waterfalls along the way. Ask people (especially locals) for directions or better yet follow someone who knows the paths. Pats can be deceiving and easy to get lost. About 39 minutes in is little waterfall and rope and ladder- bit sketchy. After that is a tough trecj - 800 meters up the winding slow running river (slippery). Reward is a 150 meter swim st end to a great swimming pond and great waterfall.... All in all took us about 1.5 hours in and bit quicker on way out.

By Norton |

Great hike through the bamboo forest, and spectacular waterfall at the end. Just to note wear runners as we did it in flip flops and it was not the terrain for loose footwear.

By By the beach |

My wife and I were lucky to be able to hike the Pīpīwai Trail before everything was closed due to the Coronavirus. The bamboo forest is halfway to the Waimoku Falls (a solid one mile to here). To hike to the bamboo forest requires a fair amount of effort and in so requires you to be in decent shape. You know when you get there as you walk over a bridge by a waterfall and enter a “tunnel” of bamboo...very cool. From there you will hike through a fair amount of the bamboo forest before continuing on to the falls. I would recommend attempting the hike and also to take breaks as you need to on the flat or scenic spots.

By lbingamanPetoskey_MI |

Definetly worth the hike! I would recommend starting in the early morning hours when it is cooler out and before the masses start up the trail. We had solitude to just the 2 of us at 8am:) It is a wonderful and peaceful place to spend time in.

By glassywaves247 |

Bamboo forest is absolutely breathtaking. Get lost in the luscious forest jump off waterfalls climb cliffs by rope and even chill in some caves. A must do on Maui

By Davesome |

It's a nice long hike that ends in a waterfall. I highly recommend bringing bug spray and a towel, and be sure to wear an old pair of sneakers you can throw out afterward as they will get really, really, muddy.

By AgNeSeSaP |

On the East coast of Maui there is this uncontaminated nature paradise. I suggest to visit this place in a sunny day, with your car or a rent car you can get here easily! Sport shoes, a waterproof jacket and a camera are essential! And then om the road you will find many street food qhere you can eat! Warmly recommend!!

By Alexandra L |

My husband and I stayed in Hana for a few nights and then drove the road past Hana back to the west side of Maui. As other reviewers have stated, the Pipiwai Trail (where the bamboo forest is), is located several miles past Hana. The trail is a beautiful and easy hike. There's a waterfall lookout early in the trail (Makahiku Falls), and then there's the huge banyan tree...very majestic. The bamboo forest is later down the trail, and then the hike ends at the base of Waimoku Falls (please don't run over to the base of the waterfall and stand under it...boulders fall off the wall very often!). After enjoying Waimoku Falls, you get to turn around and do the whole trail over again. If we make our way to Maui again, we will happily repeat this little adventure. Loved it!

By Irish311 |

I wouldn't go out of my way to go here but when included in a tour it makes for an interesting spot.

By Matt M |

This little trail is worth the drive. The sound of the bamboo clanking and knocking is something very strange. It was a very relaxing sound that made me stop and close my eyes and then look up. This is another hike I will not forget. Tips, bring lots of water, snacks, and lunch. The drive is very long, but there are tons of places to stop on the way BACK as you want to get out of there before dark. Oh, and the road the rental cars are not supposed to go... Please listen to their advice, you wont save enough time to make it worth the risk. Trust me, it is very, very dangerous taking the unauthorized way.

By rqk |

Great hike and you will be challenged by the trails and crossing the streams. We had a great time. I would recommend it to anyone.

By thepainter5 |

We have now done this hike 3 times and we really enjoy this part of our trip. Once you get to the bamboo forest listen to the sounds of the bamboo moving in the wind. This is one awesome wind chime and worth seeing at least once. When we come back again we will do the road to Hana drive just to enjoy this hike and the sounds again. :)

By D S |

We went on two hikes in Mauii and this one was better by far. A number of different things to see along the way, and - if you are like me and your best hiking days are a few decades and pounds behind you - a lot of places to stop for a rest.
The Bamboo forest was really cool but it is a little more than half way up the hike to the waterfall.

By Jesus Giovanni G |

This was one of my Wifes favorite part of our Maui Trip and it was free! We only made it to the second waterfall and it was beautiful! The hike itself was fun, you feel like your
in another world. Plenty of cars were parked outside but we rarely ran into people.

By Solviggy |

After hearing from 2 locals that this was a great adventure while on Maui, we decided to go for it. YES! Totally worth the mud and dirt to see the beauty and peacefulness of the Forest. However, it was going up and beyond first waterfall that was the best. You have to scale a rock wall utilizing a rope (fun in and of itself) but then are gratified with an almost private much larger waterfall and pool, complete with Tarzan type swinging rope to "jump" into the pool - all this with the lovely waterfall beyond!
BTW, when we went first week in August, reaching 1st waterfall area required forging a small river meaning everything waist and below was drenched - a bathing suit is a good way to go. (I thought we were also sacrificing our running shoes, but most of the mud and dirt sort of came off after some scrubbing that night.) Don't recommend flip flops as many of the rocks were mossy/slimy and the grip and stability of running shoes were definitely helpful. Also, having fresh drinking water and somewhat water proof bag for camera is nice.
This is not a strenuous hike to first waterfall so go for it even if you are not a true Amazon woman; however, if you do not like mud or getting wet, this is not for you. If you see your self more Amazonish, definitely go to 2nd or 3rd waterfall!!! You will not regret it!!! Quite possibly our most fun day on Maui included this adventure...

By tamihills |

This was not what I expected. It's rough terrain. Incredibly beautiful ! Several hours in to see the waterfall - rocky walkways and the occasional flowing river that you need to walk a crossed.
This has not been "Disney-fied" it's real nature.
Wear the right gear, shoes bring snacks and enough to drink.
On our way our seeing the tourist coming in with their cute outfits / dresses not prepared, my friend and I would look at each other and say " not gonna make it".
The Drive to get the it was also incredibly challenging - you need to be a seasoned driver.
Once you get past the challenges - it is one of the most beautiful things you will ever experience.
ever.

By Josephliyen |

The hike is nice. Beautiful bamboo forest that cools the temperature rapidly when you walk in, nice waterfall at the end, where you watch from far away. 2 hour round trip hike for most. Relatively easy hike.

Now, is the above worth a close to 4 hour one way drive through a series of one lane bridges, hairpin turns, and 1000ft cliff for close to 100miles? I don’t think so. This drive is pretty epic on the way there, but terrifying on the way back. Because you are already tired, and now you are driving on the cliff side of the road, not to mention the god awful sight distance at every turn. If you are unlucky enough that it darkens before you get out of this stretch, it would be even worse. It’s close to 8 hours of driving for a 2 hour hike. Not a drive for the faint of heart. Buy a plane ticket and fly to Banff in Canada for the same hike at Johnston canyon for a 1 hour drive, and you will see even more epic waterfalls.

By Sarah V |

This was by far the best hike of our lives. It's a 2 miles hard hike, not for the out of shape person. If you can make it all the way to the top, you will be so blessed with the scenery you will see. I couldn't believe the never ending beauty of this hike, so many cool things to see along the way.

By HungryTraveler84 |

This is a fun outing on Maui but be prepared to get dirty. As mentioned before this place is very poorly marked so go with someone who knows the area or get a good map and advice from someone who knows it also the road to it is basically one lane so prepare for some crazy driving. Once you get into the area though it is cool and it was a great time adventuring around but again it is very easy to get lost in the forest area so be prepared.

By RKSS |

So much fun to listen to the clinking bamboo. The further you go, the taller the trees. Bring bug spray and plan for muddy shoes. But, enjoy this sensory experience!

By itvlwithkids |

Our second time at mile marker 6.5 Bamboo Hike and it was as wonderful as we remembered. Perfect semi-"Road to Hana" adventure as it is only a few miles off on the drive. It was so great to drive past all the parked cars at Twin Falls and have the hike all to ourselves. The challenges are slippery mud post rain fall, a gully with a plank to cross and rock hopping to the first waterfall. To put the hike into perspective, I managed just fine in flip flops, the kids in crocs and grandparents in tow.

The positives are an amazing bamboo forest that the kids went crazy for, wonderful adventure swimming in a fresh water pool below a beautiful water fall and lunch on the rocks.

We scrabbled up to the second waterfall in 10-15 min which had a larger pool while the kids hung out at the first with the grandparents. Looking forward to when the kids are older and we get to visit them all.

Pack a lunch and have a great time. You can be in and out in an hour or two but take your time and stay longer.

By coast_to_coast_250 |

The bamboo forest is in the Pipiwai Trail. We are seniors and found the walk moderate but advise wearing good footwear. The trail leads to Waimoku Falls and along the way, we walked through very tall bamboo. The trail is easy to follow. Bring water, plan lots of time to relax at the falls. People are courteous and let faster hikers pass and they wait for hikers while walking up or down a rougher portion of the trail. There were some mosquitoes.

By shaila |

Amazing. This made me feel like I was somewhere else. The entrance is very easy to miss! We ended up parking just passed it and found an easier trail to a waterfall! It’s super shaded as you’re surrounded by trees. This was my favorite part of road to Hana.

By ItsSisterElle |

It's difficult to find this as it's tucked away. You can park right on the "highway"/road and look for it. WARNING: IF you are prone to mosquito bites, I HIGHLY do NOT recommend you to go UNLESS you are covered head to toe AND sprayed with natural mosquito repellent (Let's not use chemicals in Hawaii). I got 30 bites in 1 minute. I didn't get a chance to go further.

By Roz A |

So everyone tells you that if you are going to do the Road to Hana, it is so worth the extra ~40 minute drive to the end of the line at the Halekala National Park. The Pipiwei (sp) trail was the highlight of the whole drive, and that's saying something because we loved every minute of the whole drive. Have you hiked through a rainforest? Now you can. The bamboo forest is in the second half of the hike and truly amazing, ending with a gorgeous waterfall. I wore hiking shoes as advised, and was so glad I did because the ground is perpetually muddy and full of tree roots and rocks. We saw SO many people in flip flops and I would NEVER want to do that in sandals - I'm sure I'd slip and bust my knee, or would at least be stressed about doing so. Plus if you blow a flip flop on the rough terrain, now you're hiking barefoot? No thanks. Do yourself a favor and at least wear tennies, if not actual hiking shoes - you'll be glad you did.

By Daniela H |

Well, this was a pure beauty. Really, the photos cannot describe the reality, you have to experience yourself. It is just pure nature, clean air and amazing walk among the trees in the forest. And the waterfall at the end, I mean WOW!

By Victoria B |

This was our first stop on the Road to Hana. We skipped twin falls, because we knew there would be tons more waterfalls, but we picked this stop because we knew a bit more hiking would be involved. Take any of the trails down through the beautiful bamboo until you reach water. There's a plank board "bridge" to get across one area. You eventually reach running water. The levels were very high the day we were there because of the rains and after watching others wade in to their waist and shoulders, we decided against it. I was 7 months pregnant and we didn't want to get soaked from the start. Apparently there are 4 waterfalls if you continue on. We enjoyed the bit we did, but I'd love to go back and explore more one day!

By RSB_8 |

This is a beautiful hike through forests of arbutus trees, banyan trees then bamboo and finishes at a 400 foot waterfall!
Depending on the time of year it can be dry or wet we just went March 20th and it was dry and easy to navigate.

The highlight like others have said is the bamboo forest, we were there when it was a little windy and walking into the forest -being immersed by clacking bamboo is so unique.

There are a lot of places to stop along the way for a rest, but be sure to pack water and snacks you can easily take 30-60 minutes to hike up to the waterfall you don't stop often. I also suggest some good footwear Teva or Keen sandals that have a closed toe so you don't stop your feet on rocks.
Wear sunscreen and bug repellent there are mosquitoes.

There are other places to visit in this park we did some oceanside trails and checked out the beautiful campground sites and looked at the seven sacred pools which were very low and closed due to little water.

We drove the back road which from Kihei takes about 1.5 hours with beautiful ocean views and stops along the way- we even spotted some whales breaching on our return drive!!

By Nathan Sorenson |

For those of us not from the tropics this was quite impressive. Loved being small in the forest of bamboo! Part of the hike to the waterfall. $25 fee to park in the NP to get on the trail.

By Anthony W |

It was great! Beautiful and very secluded! Hearing the bamboo hit each other in the wind hits different! Highly recommended!

By patty j |

Map was faulty when looking this up at 01:30am (said closer to Paia). This location is in OHeo Gulch past Hana. Missed it because stubborn and relied on online map instead of following GPS. Other tourists says what you see is all that you get-short corridor of bamboo. So maybe I didn't miss too much.

By Mathew G |

One of the most beautiful places that I have been in my life. It took my breath away, and I will never forget the memory of me just closing my eyes, listening to the animals talk, and feeling the breeze in my face. It felt as though I was in the middle of the jungle in Africa.

Beautiful.

By OklahomaMomOf3 |

This hike can be dangerous! But you can also lesson your risk by only going to the second fall with the rope swing into the pool. Or just stay and swim in the pool and under the first fall! You will still get to experience the bamboo forest and waterfall pool. The plank stream crossing area can be very slippery though (as well as many other parts upstream). Watch footing, and expect to get muddy and wet.

By HelenaGuerra |

The pipiwai trail is amazing and this is probably the best part except viewing the waterfalls which are fantastic. The path is very easy in this part because it mostly has boardwalks. You'll need repellent the mosquitos here are kings. Great photo opps of the bamboos.

By dshakhov |

We walked through it under a rain for a few hours, bare feet and wearing only swimtrunks because it was so muddy and wet. The exciting part was to come to the open pools and swim in them - what a great reward for wandering in the amazing bamboo jungle. Don't stop till you see all the pools and swim/dive in them. They are just around the "corner."

By Frank L |

Sometimes you just want to getaway and slowdown here is a perfectly place.
Located in a National Park , great day for a walk, and at the end of the trail is beautiful waterfall, picnic lunch a must.
On caveat uneven terrain and when it rains (and it will) the trail can be challenging.
Tip:
if you get near the end of the trail and the sky's open up leave immediately, the small creek you cross near the falls can becomes a issue really quickly
Have fun and see the real island and without any commercial development

By Brenda B |

Will take longer than you expect to get to all 4 water falls. First 2 are easy - med hike (hills, streams, climb over rocks). Last two require you to use rope and a latter. Not hard, a medium hike depending on your athletic level. Really beautiful...

By Jeroen |

Quite the reward after driving the Road to Hana. Be sure to hike up to the Bamboo Forest (beware: it's a moderate hike), it's definitely worth it! (Even though at the end of it we were greeted with "Trail Closed" because the path to the falls after it was dangerous.)

By Michele P |

Well its a bit of a walk to get to the Bamboo forest but worth every step.
This place is just amazing, the sound of the bamboo in the wind is so peaceful.
And the water fall at the end of the walk was breath taking.
If i ever get a chance to go back to maui i would always make time to do this walk.

By srobby |

While it is not easy to get to this forest, it is certainly one of those places to defies description. The entire hike ending at the Waimoku Falls is 4 miles round trip and it is not for the faint at heart but WOW

By murray19 |

The hike up to Waimoku Falls was well worth it. The falls themselves are quite dramatic, and the bamboo forest you walk through (after a mile or so) was amazing, with bamboo close to 60' high. On the day we went it was rather breezy, and that may have kept down the mosquitoes (we encountered none) but I'm guessing that's not the usual case. The entire hike took nearly 3 hours, so only do this if you're staying in Hana overnight (which you should do anyway)!

By hhstokes |

At the end of the Road to Hana is a most beautiful bamboo forest. The bamboo is so dense at times that you can't see through it. If you stay in Hana, you will beat the tours and tourists that are coming all the way down the road. Go early regardless. Take a rain poncho more to cover your camera than yourself because after all, you are in a rain forest. A 400ft waterfall awaits you at the top of the journey. It is well worth it. The visitor center says that the trail is 2 miles one way. We clocked the round trip from the parking lot at more like 5.5 miles. If you stray from the path at the overlooks it's longer still. The path is steep and a little muddy depending on the weather. Walking sticks could be helpful. Bring water and a granola bar. Go slow and enjoy the journey. We didn't do the pools because once we finished the hike, there were too many people.

By jerdc |

Start at Oheo Gulch on the backside of Haleakala. Parking and visitors center. Quite a few falls culminating with a gorgeous view of Waimoku Falls. banyan trees lots of pools. Bamboo forest walk is just stunning. Spend the day there...you will never forget it.

By Jeffrey M |

Your feet will get wet f it is the right season for it, maybe muddy as well so bring some trash bags to put in the trunk. It might rain so think if that as well. Very fun time and interesting. Worth the trip and time!

By GoVols79 |

We hiked through the Bamboo Forest found on the Pipiwai Trail in the Kipahulu section of Haleakala National Park. It seems there is another hike through a bamboo forest at an earlier stop along the road to Hana. The national park is found 9.5 miles past the town of Hana and has a $20 admission fee.

From the visitors center the entire Pipiwai trail is 2 miles long one way and ends at Waimoku falls. The bamboo forest starts maybe halfway into the trail; not long after you pass the giant Banyan tree. You go over a bridge and you can see the entire mountain is covered in bamboo. The forest goes for quite a ways; almost all the way to the waterfall at the end. Some of it is hilly with stone steps. The flatter sections have a boardwalk because it gets so muddy. The bamboo is very dense so it's quite a bit darker than the rest of the trail. If you start the trail too late in the day it could be tricky to navigate even with a flashlight or headlamp.

I have been through bamboo before but nothing on a scale like the one found in Haleakala National Park. I really enjoyed the Bamboo Forest portion of this trail.

By Alfred S |

Great family hike. It's at Haleakala National park. Mostly flat in the actual bamboo forest part but lots on incline on the way. Be sure to go all the way through to get to the waterfall. Totally worth the hike. Was a bit muddy earlier in the day.

By Cindy A |

We loved all that Maui had to offer, but the bamboo forest was one of the highlights, we hiked all the way through.

By RCUrb |

An amazing trail that ends at a beautiful waterfall. The sound that the bamboo makes as you walk through a quite forest is almost mesmerizing. Make sure you give yourself enough time to get down before dark. It took us 1.5 hours with several stops and hanging out at the top for a bit on the way up and we ran down most of the way and made it in 30 minutes back.

By Jim_and_Barbie |

My wife isn't really a hiker, so it was like pulling teeth to get her up to where the bamboo started. In all fairness, she tried to be a good sport, but hiking is not her thing. I thought I'd never hear the end of it. Considering you see pictures of the bamboo forest in every gift shop on the island, it's not worth the trouble if you don't like to hike.

In fact, if your wife isn't into hiking, then you can earn good-husband points by NOT making her do it. That probably would have been my better play here. Doh!

By Chodo |

Hard to figure out that this Bamboo Forest is one of the several ecosystems that you traverse on this 4 miles roundtrip hike. The Bamboo is about 3/4ths of the way to the uppermost waterfall. The trail is closed to the base of the waterfall.
Wonderful experience to walk on a platform through this stand of bamboo that is about 30 - 40 ft tall, densely packed together. Each bamboo shoot (?) is about 4"-5" tall. Absolutely worth the hike here.

We chose to hike here because of the Waikomou Waterfall at the end, but this portion was our favorite by far.

By Cphototravel |

Stopped at Milepost 6.5 on the Hana Highway, and parked along the right side of the road. Several places to hike down. Forest trails are slippery - make sure you have good footwear. Bugs are bad - have your bug spray on before you head down. Bamboo forest is dense - blocks out most of the light. Best to take waterfall photos at ISO 100, f11 or f16, 1second exposure. Definitely will need a tripod - handhelds won't work. Attaching a photo of the trail and the waterfall to this post.

By c g |

This is a great hike up to the Bamboo forest and then on to Waimoku Falls.
The hike is about 2 miles up hill and you pass some beautiful view and then you hit the spectacular bamboo forest that seems to go on for ever but then it ends at some of the most beautiful falls on Maui.
Make sure to read the information signs at the parking lot signs, talk to the ranger, and bring some water you will sweat and be tired, its only 2 miles but it up a volcano!!

By Jennifer S |

A moderately hard trail. Walking sticks would be helpful as it is a little rocky in places. The beginning is all up hill but the forest is really impressive. At the end of the trail is a beautiful 400 ft. waterfall.

By TinaSchor |

It so cool to hear the wind while walking on the bamboo forest. The bamboo clanks together from the wind making it's own song. The air is nice and cool and it smells musty.

By Jared C |

Best Hike on Maui...so much fun...but not for someone out of shape or has balance issues. Directions were tricky...it's between the 6 and 7 mileage marker (Hana Hwy) on the right while headed towards Hana. You'll have to park on the side of the road...we went on a Sunday...come early as it may be impossible to park close. The opening to the trail is very small, can barely see from road...it's covered in bamboo. Once your in there is an immediate drop (mud, rocks). If it's raining...the entire trip will be very slick with mud...and all the stream crossings will be swift. It was great weather when we went. There are a few fun obstuctions along the way, first one is a 15+ foot climb up a wet rock face...there is a rope to help pull you up. There are several places to make your way up to the falls, on massive rocks, muddy side trails. The first falls you get to to okay...you'll need to be able to scale a 15+ ladder, it has a rope, but tricky. Second falls is better...but must climb up the face of the falls. On the way back, must be able to jump in the water (10' drop) to make it back. If able the last falls is a must, but your have to swim up the stream about 150m, once there, the falls are amazing...200'+ drop. Can jump off the face, but it is extremely difficult to climb. Water is about 10-12' deep, two places to jump off...one 20', the other one around 45'. Water temp is not to cold, but refreshing. Took us about 2 hours, including some stops to swim. Of course the bamboo is cool...good luck...and be safe.

By BBFCFM93 |

We went after a week of heavy rain. Getting to the waterfall was a bit of a struggle because we didn’t wear appropriate footwear as we hadn’t really planned for the hike, but came upon it and gave it a go. I would definitely bring shoes for hiking and clothes that can get dirty. The swim at the second waterfall was great!

By MrsReam |

My husband and I traveled to Maui for our honeymoon. We had such a great time here that we went twice!! Excitement down every trail!

By Terralee P |

On the Road to Hana (36 West past the airport) five miles past Twin Falls (a fun walk with cool vegetation) past the bamboo stands (hard to call them ‘forests’) on the right you can stop beside the Rancho right up the road and walk back to see the Rainbow Eucalyptus trees. Amazing’

By jkzoo |

A magical place with boardwalks leading through a rather large bamboo forest. If you stop and listen you can hear the music of the bamboo blowing into each other in the breeze. Worth the walk.

By CarmichaelVentura |

Here we were, in the sunny Hawaiian Islands, and in the middle of the day, and was dark out! This is one dense forest. Great hike.

By Rhonda C |

i have visited the bamboo forest in Hana Hi a couple of times now. First visit was by far the best. I climbed to the top. AWESOME! there are paths in the bamboo trees, and a waterfall climb. Fresh running water. Take care to listen to the weather. If it calls for rain, or you are visiting during the rain season, be careful. watch out for flash floods. Otherwise, use your common sense and ensure you are wearing the right footwear. NO flip flops!

By Lisa S |

Unless you are unfit or injured, make the hike to this forest! Seriously one of the coolest things I have ever done, seen or heard. Visually stunning but the sound the bamboo make when the breeze blows the sticks together is also awesome. Keep going to the waterfall for an incredibly memorable experience. Allow 3 hours for the whole hike in and out.

By felixvornfeld |

A must see! You will find the Bamboo forest in Haiku, Maui at Mile Marker #6 on Hana Highway 360.

This review is only about the forest as I haven´t done the hike. I loved the forest as the bamboo sticks are massive :) You will find them after a 10 minute walk. Cross the river and enjoy. Very impressive. At times, you won´t be able to see the sky.
The walk is muddy so make sure you don´t bring your favourite shoes. Not too crowded and there are very extremely beautiful spots along the way into the forest.

By kcitygirl |

My goal was to see the bamboo forest, the waterfall at the end was just an added bonus. This trail starts off with rock steps and dirt, then it turns into a wooden platform (very easy to walk on, kind of slippery). The bamboo forest was a beautiful sight and the hike wasn't too difficult.

By hallhv01 |

hiked a bit of this on the Hike Maui trip to Hana. very pretty. Good trails that are very clear and wide.

By maui_tropic |

Been to Maui many times but always put off the road to Hana because of the notorious traffic. Decided to give it a go and so glad we did. We drove as far at the Bamboo forest and wearing our wet shoes (a must) and carrying our water bottles we went in. Got a little lost at first because you can either stay on the flat (left) or start climbing up through more bamboo (right) after the first water crossing. STAY TO THE LEFT! If you go right you end up climbing through mud and bamboo for some distance before reaching a dead end and backtracking. If you go left you find a series of five waterfalls to swim through. You need to be pretty agile to climb up to the 3/4/5 waterfalls but so worth it. Beautiful location, definitely worth a visit. Wear water shoes. Hard on your feet in the rocky water and slippery when muddy (which is all the time cause it’s raining there constantly).

By 23donaldw |

It was an interesting walk through a bamboo forest, and into streams and waterfalls It is worth it and relatively cheep at 10 bucks a car Recommend watching to the left for a covered path into the trees

By Michelle M |

4 mile hike round trip. Definitely recommend bug spray for those sensitive to bites. I unfortunately wore jeans to try and combat bites, but would recommend shorts instead (again with bug spray).

The trail can be muddy in areas. I saw some people wearing flip flops, but if you're clumsy like me I would recommend wearing close toed shoes that you don't mind getting muddy.

Bamboo Forest area is about a mile up. Once you get to that point there are areas that have easy access pathways with built trials to allow you to avoid slippery rocks/roots sticking up. Makes that easier...

Another mile or so up, you will be able to see the falls. Certainly recommend.

By sjsmith222 |

We love nature and this state park was right up our alley, You hike thru this massive bamboo Forest to get to a beautiful waterfall. One of the best experiences we have ever had.

By SGilchrest |

When on the Hana road, be sure not to miss the mystical walk through the bamboo forest...I was taken a back upon entering as I did not know what to expect...and I was amazed. Not only will you walk amongst these beautiful trees...but as well...pass by waterfalls and beautiful pools at the bottom of each. For sure...a stop/hike you should not miss. ...oh...and be sure to wear good footwear...and grab a piece of bamboo that is just laying around for a walking stick...it sure assists with the walk. Glad we went.

By Kimo_Leahi |

Let's start with that we started on the waterfall hunt a little late in the day, so there was not a crowd of people to follow (in or OUT of the forest). We found the first two waterfalls with ease and were pleased by the second one. Fortunately, we found someone to help us get started in the right direction for #3 - some mad scrambling up rocks using ropes, etc. Finding #4 proved to be too great of a challenge for a fitness-focused family; we had no idea where the trail was once we climbed up the first set of rocks; we clamored around on the river bed for about 30 minutes before we decided that we were lost.

We headed back the same direction from whence we came and only banged up a few knees and shins. We eventually found our way back to waterfall #1 and then things got a little more challenging. Light was falling, the mosquitos were hungry, and our memories a bit sketch. We wondered around for nearly an hour heading the wrong directions multiple times.

Obviously, we eventually found our way out (BTW - the cell service is non-existent when you are amongst the bamboo).

Go early in the day (before 2 pm) and plan on not carrying electronics (or atleast protecting them with sealable plastic bags that won't leak). The falls and views are wonderful, but it is quite tricky if you are a first-timer to this forest.

Good Luck

By aarentow |

This was an awesome hike. You don't have to travel all the way to Hana to go on a beautiful waterfall hike. But you will need the right shoes (do not wear flip flops), and you will need to be an experienced hiker, or adventurer to make it to the top. If you are older or injured or scared of hikes, I would not recommend going to the top waterfall. But if you are in shape, and good to go, it will be well worth it. Read up on some of the other reviews so you know what you are doing. Easy to get lost or take a wrong turn. Enjoy.

By DaveOfCalif |

I've been on this trail before, and I really like it. However, yesterday, June 25, 2021, someone saw fit to puncture one of the tires on the local truck I was borrowing. Took a long time to get a tow service out there. I get that some locals don't like tourists enjoying the trails, but this was really annoying. Whenever you're going here, or other places kind of remote here, make sure you are prepared: water, food, charged phone, AAA or other road side service. Maybe even plan to change your own spare tire instead of waiting for a service. That aside, the trail was excellent as usual! Water was low just now but if you can clamber up the rocks a mile or so, you can swim in some cooling waters underneath beautiful waterfalls. Early in the trail, lots of amazing dense bamboo forest. First part of trail to first waterfall is easy, Probably not good for small children after that. Take good shoes, but expect them to get wet and muddy. Maybe old sneakers? Enjoy!

By mrsrcruz |

We are avid hikers and this was a dangerous and difficult hike. The first itself it's cool, yes, but the treacherous path to the 4th waterfall is just not worth it. When we got back to our car it had been broken into and our stuff stolen. The police officer said it happens there every day.

By Kari W |

The hike through the forest is a work out at times but the end result with the ba,boo and the water falls is breathtaking. Be prepared with tennis shoes for the hike and water to drink. Bring a good camera, the pictures you can get are fabulous.

By Pickles808 |

Beautiful hike. Tough on the ankles but even guests in less than perfect fitness can do it. Park in the "Oheo Gulch" aka "Seven Sacred Pools" parking lot.

By Spry |

The Pipiwai Trail is one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. It is not easy, the footing can be challenging and the incline is at times difficult. The most amazing view and a magical bamboo forest await those who travels through the challenges. Go, love it, and listen to the bamboo as they sing their song along the way.

By Rebecca C |

We have two 17 year olds with us and they like challenge and experiences you cannot get anywhere else. This was IT! Just past Twin Falls on the Road to Hana you will notice a bamboo thicket on your right. Park roadside. Bring solid shoes you can afford to ruin as the red dirt and mud may be along the trail. We all wore water-tolerant sandals. The terrain is, at times, rocky and steep. We visited the first two waterfalls. We spent about an hour and a half hiking and taking pics. Bring a camera & bottled water. Definatly one of the highlights of our trip!!!! Pricetag...$ 0.

By Kosta-Macedonia |

After hiking on the Pipiwai Trail for almost an hour you will enter the magical place, the Bamboo forest. This place is absolutely amazing, you will feel calm, relaxed and for a moment you will forget everything about your problems. The music from the bamboo trees heating each other is music for the soul. The path is very well done, even on rainy days you won’t have any trouble walking through the forest. Don’t forget top pack water, maybe snacks and of course, your camera, you want to have some memories from this amazing place.

By Amanda T |

This is a great component of the Pipiwai trail on your way up to the falls. Pay the $10 to park in the Haleakala State Park parking lot and start from there. We came through right as the breeze picked up and all of the bamboo was 'knocking' around - it sounded like a really cool wind chime.

By dm9447 |

Please, please, please wear the right shoes. Ladies, don't get dreased up for these hikes. You will get wet, muddy, hot, and sweaty.

Find the opening and hike down, go left, cross the wooden plank, go up to the left. If the water is running easy, cross the stream. Follow the path closest to the water (head up stream). There you will find the waterfall. Cross and keep heading up for the others. If you get to a wooden make shift sketchy ladder, your doing it right and climb up. Keep going.... you're welcome!

By tothelimit |

I am surprised there are so few reviews about this bamboo forest that is part of the Pipiwai Trail. It was so wonderful to be in the midst of this incredible growth. It really is a photographer's dream. I highly recommend good walking shoes as there are a lot of tripping hazards such as roots and rocks. Take water too, stay on the trail and obey the signs, please! On the day we were there, a flash flood occurred after only a bit of rain. We later found out that two tourists were trapped after they crossed where they shouldn't have, causing a dangerous and costly rescue operation which put other's lives at risk.

By Cherry Chassis |

My friend and I were told by a local friend of ours to check this hike out because it’s off the beaten path if you will. It’s not the busiest hike in maui.
However, it was a little busier than I had hoped for. There is no parking besides right along the busy road and it’s tight.
When you take off for the hike you can basically pop right into the bamboo wherever you’re parked. There isn’t really a designated trailhead that we saw. But all trails lead to the main path. Follow the river once you cross the rocks. Don’t go straight into the bamboo where there are small trails. The river takes you to the first waterfalls. You will have to climb a short rope to get up the hill to the next trail. From there you have a short hike to the next waterfall and then you continue on to climb a ladder to get up to the next trail. This is as far as we went because we had to get back to lahaina for a luau.

By SVAA0814 |

We loved the Pipiwai trail. It was beautiful, not too difficult and not too long. It was wet and rained and sunshine off and on which made it even more beautiful.

By Sandra F |

We hiked up there with our friends from Maui. We overnight on the Camping side there and in the morning we took a bath in the pools before we started the hike! If you have time, I can only recommend it! In the morning you have the pools all for you!
The Bamboo Forest is nice because the hike is not to difficult, you can do it with sneakers. It is also a good walk for a whole family with children. Once you are on the top you can see a nice waterfall where you can sit down and relax a little bit. When we walked back we took a bath in the river close to the trail. Further down after the last part of the path is a big tree standing on the left side (if you come down) there is accuses to one waterfall, walk on the side on the top of it and you will see a canyon. We swam through it and back. It is very deep, you can't stand anywhere, so only for good swimmers! And... it is cold! But after a hike it is bearable. Check it out! It is great!

By Jonathan S |

A beautiful bamboo forest! Take the time to walk until the end, the waterfall you will find you will never forget!

By Brian K |

This place was a stop we made on the Road to Hana, but it was a hidden gem. I just saw a little hole going into a forrest and realized that it was a beautiful oasis. So peaceful and the sound of the bamboo hitting each other was so relaxing. The waterfalls along the trail were a great place to cool off.

By Megan G |

Some of the pictures shown here are the bamboo forest at mile marker 6.5 and some are the Pipiwi Trail in Haleakela park toward the end of the Hana Highway. You pay to enter the park then hike 2 miles one way to the boardwalk, that is in all the pictures. For information on the Pipiwi Trail, it has its own review page.

The bamboo forest at mile marker 6.5 is a great stop, especially if you won't make it to the Pipiwi Trail, which in my opinion is hands down better. The trails here are like game trails, thin and muddy. Slippery oily mud, especially if it has recently rained. The bamboo is smaller in diameter, but a very thick forest. We had a ton of fun slipping around and down the hill to the river. You will cross a smaller stream by crossing a tiny piece of wood, and eventually make it to the river. We turned around here because it had just rained and the water was running really hard. A few people were crossing, but I just don't feel that it was very smart.

We had kids who enjoyed this. The youngest was 7 and he was totally fine.

By AlanDala |

It is definitely worth it as long as you stay ahead of the crowds. In some places it was absolutely magic. I recommend going really early in the morning if you don't have kids and just want to enjoy it without loud tourists.

By Robby_Cristian |

There couldn't be a more perfect place for walking and meditation. Cool fresh air surrounds you together with varieties of green colour. It's quiet, only from time to time the whispering wind makes the thick grove of bamboo bang together musically. Bamboo fores is 1mile away from Kipahulu Visitor Centre. To get into the beautiness of bamboo forest, follow the Pipiwai Trail. The first half way is usually easy and dry. After you pass the large banyan tree, that cannot be missed, you might encounter some muddy patches in wet weather. So come prepared! Soon you cross two bridges over Palikea stream, just before entering the forest. This is an amazing place to visit.