The easiest walk you might call a “hike” on Maui I would still recommend for everyone.
It’s very pretty.
The Needle
… The highlight of the park of course is Iao Needle, a 2,250 foot tall pinnacle. Due to its height, the Needle is often shrouded in clouds of fog, making for interesting photo opportunities.
There is a short paved trail that goes to a viewpoint, but better photos are from the bridge near the start of the trail. An additional short trails loop down along Iao Stream, which I believe offers the best photos.
Also to be discovered, is an inviting trail that leads farther into the lush rainforest. Unfortunately the trail is accompanied by a “No Trespassing” sign. Proceed at your own risk. …
If you sign up with a trekking company, they take care of your permits.
But if you hike independently, you’ll need to get your own. The recommended way is to pick them up in Kathmandu in advance of your trek.
Back in 1997 it was a Royal pain to get a permit. Long line-ups. It took a half day minimum. We laughed when, in comparison, it was so easy to make a “donation” to the Maoists on the Annapurna Circuit. The rebels were so much more organized, friendly and efficient. Every donation was issued a receipt.
Times have changed. It’s easy to get your advance permits now in Kathmandu.
The document on the left is my entrance fee to the National Park on the Everest Trek. (US$13.50) Park entry fees vary depending on where you hike.
On most of the major hikes, independent trekkers must get a TIMS. That’s the card on the right.
After trying and failing to introduce a trekking permit system that would force independent trekkers to take a licenced guide, the government compromised in 2008 by introducing the Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) …
Lonely Planet
It’s free. But you need bring 2 passport photos and a photocopy of your passport.
The Bibbulmun Track is a long distance walk trail in Western Australia, … almost 1000 km long. The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people, Indigenous Australians from the Perth area.
Dave Tomlinson gives some tips on best sections, water, fuel and tenting vs shelters:
The park includes … seabird colonies, anchialine pools, native hala (Pandanus tectorius) forest, caves, heiau (religious temple), a natural arch, sea stacks, blowholes and a small black sand beach….
You can walk to Hana (3mi) along the coast, if you like. I walked most of that, often closer to the water than the official trail. Some call this the WAI’ANAPANAPA COASTAL TRAIL.
A few pics:
Close to the parking lot, the most popular attraction is this black sand beach.
All very pretty. Especially the contrasting bright green vegetation against dark black lava stone.
I’m happy to report that the most popular hike on Maui is one of the best walks in the world. Greeting the dawn atop this volcano is one of the ultimate Hawaiian experiences.
My down parka was most useful at that cold altitude. (Many tourists are under dressed, wrapped in beach towels and hotel blankets.)
… next day climbed the remaining nine thousand feet, and anchored on the summit, where we built a fire and froze and roasted by turns, all night. …
Mark Twain
Soon after dawn it’s time to begin the famed Sliding Sands trail.
From Trailspotting:
Explore cinder cones and lava flows in the desolate basin of Maui’s Haleakala, possibly the largest dormant volcano on the planet.
Formed by erosion rather than volcanic activity, the valley at the summit of Haleakala boasts much to marvel at, and the packed cinder and soil underfoot makes for a relatively easy hike. Here you’ll find the silversword, an endangered plant found nowhere else on Earth with an alien appearance that compounds the other-worldly appearance of this remote location.
Ascending and looping up the mountain, the road to Haleakala National Park is equally spectacular, climbing through the clouds to the summit. Watch out for tour groups of cyclists on this road who freewheel down the mountain. These popular tours begin in the early hours of the morning so they can witness the sunrise over the island from the summit before they begin their two-wheeled kamikaze return back down the volcano. …
I went as far as the cinder cone of Ka Lu’u o ka O’o (spelling varies) and backtracked to my vehicle. That’s about 4mi (6.4km).
No need to go that far, however. The views are great everywhere … if the vista is clear. Go as far as you want. Savvy hikers check the weather report in advance before making the long, dangerous drive to the summit.
On a nice day you can see a big island volcano.
Views over Maui are impressive too.
Be aware of various dumb, inevitably endangered birds that chase tourists for handouts. They tend to get run over on this highway, as do the downhill cyclists. And cows.
… At 158m the Blackpool Tower is pretty high, and for some climbers the thought of climbing an iconic structure is irresistible. Obviously we are not suggesting that anyone should go out and illegally climb a tower. But, if you could climb any tower, legally, in complete safety and with appropriate climbing gear, which tower would you climb?
… a proposal to conduct large-scale agriculture in urban high-rises or “farmscrapers”. Using recycled resources and greenhouse methods such as hydroponics, these buildings would produce fruit, vegetables, edible mushrooms and algae year-round. …
The editor of the CheapTents.com Outdoor Gear Blog proposes we build them so they can be used for fitness, as well. Great idea.
The vegetarian restaurant at Pilgrim’s Book House. If you’re into trekking, climbing or spirituality, this is one of the best bookstores in the world.
I picked up a classic, Nepal Himalaya by H.W. Tilman (1952). Some reading to supplement my audio books. I’ll need it during my acclimatization days at altitude.
Still, I contacted 3 dentists by email looking for an appointment in the following two days.
Dental Spa gave me the most specific response, including expected prices. (US$20 if it was a simple recementing.) I like their website best, too. It had testimonials from other tourists and looked very good based on the photos.
Dental Spa fit me in immediately. I had the crown attached and some additional cosmetic work fixing two chips.
That got me thinking, … hikers looking for an excuse to come to Nepal should schedule dental work months in advance. IF you can save on overpriced dentists in your own country, it will help subsidize your adventure in the world’s highest peaks.
Here’s my testimonial:
In Nepal for trekking I needed some dental work done fast. I was very happy with Dental Spa and the work they did on my teeth, short notice. There was no language barrier. The dentist speaks excellent English. I would recommend this office to any and all visiting the Himalayan kingdom.
besthike.com 