Lahaina Pali Trail: How to Hike and Explore The Stunning Coast of West Maui

Have you seen the windmill farm along the coast of West Maui? Well, you can get up close to them by hiking on the Lahaina Pali Trail! Start your morning at the Lahaina Pali Trail and visit the windmills at the Kaheawa Wind Power Farm.

Then, drive up the coast to the Nakalele Blowhole and walk through the “enchanted forest”. Get all the details you need below on how to hike the Lahaina Pali Trail and explore the coast of West Maui.

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Need to Know Info

• No reservations are required to hike the Lahaina Pali Trail. There is a small parking lot at the west trailhead, where we recommend starting this hike
• No reservations are required at Nakalele Blowhole or the enchanted forest, but parking may become an issue at peak times. Do not park in the road, and please park only where you are permitted!

Safety and Weather for Lahaina Pali Trail and West Maui

• Cell phone coverage may depend on your service provider, but we had service for these excursions.
• Water Sports: Make sure to use and apply sunscreen often. While enjoying the water in Hawaii, please wear reef-safe sunscreen. Please help protect our ocean ecosystems. Get our favorites here!
• Get our favorite bug spray here to ward off those pesky mosquitoes!
• Water: It’s recommended to carry at least 1 liter of water for every 5 miles you are hiking. Why carry a plastic or large water bottle when you could carry a water bladder?
• Dogs on a leash are welcome on the Lahaina Pali Trail.

Lahaina Pali Trail – strenuous – 5 miles, out and back

Let’s cut to the chase here. We only recommend hiking half of this trail. It’s best to hike to the Kaheawa Wind Power Farm and then turn around. The windmills are cool to see up close, and at that point, there isn’t a whole lot more to see! It’s a nice hike, but it can get hot and dry on the exposed and shadeless trail.

First, start by parking your car in the“West” parking lot right off Honoapiilani Highway. Be on the lookout for this location on your drive in, or you’ll miss it. It’s located right near Coral Gardens, which is a popular area for snorkeling.

Park here at your own risk and be sure not to leave anything in plain sight within your car. Then, start hiking! First, the trail appears to be shaded, but that will change very quickly as you climb up and out of the canopy into the dry grassy habitat of West Maui.

As you hike along the Lahaina Pali Trail above the road, you’ll be rewarded with excellent views of the ocean and the surrounding area!

The Lahaina Pali Trail is somewhat steep in sections all the way up to the Kaheawa Wind Power Farm. At about 1.5 miles in, the trail flattens out a bit before gaining elevation again up to the windmills. At 2.5 miles in, you’ll reach the Kaheawa Wind Power Farm. This is a great spot to enjoy a snack or lunch and then head back the way you came to the parking lot.

Additionally, you can continue on the Lahaina Pali Trail another 2.5 miles to the other end of the trail, but you’ll have to find a ride back or hike another 5 miles back to your car. That is quite a bit of hiking on a hot and sunny trail with no shade.

This is why we recommend hiking to the windmills and then turning around so you have plenty of time to explore the coast of West Maui! After your hike on the Lahaina Pali Trail, head up the coast to visit the Nakalele Blowhole

Nakalele Blowhole

The Nakalele Blowhole is an interesting formation on the rugged cliffs along the north side of Maui. An underwater cave and hole in the rocks force air and water up through the hole when the ocean waves hit the rocks.

🚗 Don’t forget your West Maui Coastline Audio Driving Tour from Shaka Guide! Learn about the sights as you travel through West Maui.

Drive up the Honoapiilani Highway north for about 45 minutes to reach the Nakalele Blowhole. Be sure to stop in Lahaina for a quick bite to eat or some refreshing drinks before heading to this destination.

Enjoy the winding roads and coastal scenery as you drive through Kapalua. Eventually, the Honoapiilani Highway turns into Highway 340 and will become a one-lane highway and somewhat narrow in some spots as you approach the Nakalele Blowhole.

Near mile marker 38/39, park in the small lot. Please note that you will travel down eroded trails near the coast. This area is very steep and might be muddy. Be VERY careful here around the jagged cliffs, as a fall could prove lethal.

Depending on the tides, you may or may not see water shooting from the Nakalele Blowhole. You will definitely know it if you see or hear it, as the water can shoot up to 50 feet high!

That being said, DO NOT go near the blowhole! People have gotten too close here and have been sucked in, never to return. Don’t let that happen to you. Enjoy the scenery from a distance so you can continue to enjoy your amazing trip to Hawaii.

Finally, we recommend stopping at the “enchanted forest” next, followed by a snorkeling adventure.

Enchanted Forest – easy – 0.6 miles, out and back

The enchanted forest is a quick hike through the moss-covered, lush forest that leads to Honolua Bay. The vines and dense canopy make it feel as though you are walking through a fairy tale.

Start this hike by parking along the road on Highway 30. At the hairpin curve, there might be a parking space or two, but be careful here and try not to drive off the road to park. This location is right near Honolua Farms Kitchen.

This trail and land are technically privately owned but open for public enjoyment, so please respect the area! This is a super short and scenic trail that will lead you to the rocky beach of Honolua Bay. Honolua Bay is a great place to snorkel if time allows!

Best Places To Stay During Your Maui Vacation

There isn’t a bad place to stay while visiting Maui! We actually chose to stay in Upcountry, away from most of the popular tourist destinations. It was so peaceful and relaxing with outstanding views.

We really enjoyed our home base right near the entrance to Haleakalā National Park. Check out some of the options to stay in Upcountry, here.

If you want to be closer to the action and beaches, stay in Kihei or Lahaina/Ka’anapali. Here are some excellent options below:

Kihei’s best accommodations:

• Maui Coast Hotel – best seller, white sand beaches just across the street, nearby dining & entertainment with a free shuttle. Book your room now on Expedia or check it out on Booking.com.
• Kohea Kai Hotel Maui – beachfront hotel 15 minutes from the airport, rooftop lounge, and nearby beaches! Reserve your stay now on Expedia or Booking.com.
• AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea – breakfast buffet available along with an outdoor pool, 2 restaurants, and amazing ocean views. Check it out and book it on Expedia or Booking.com.
• Aston Maui Hill – ocean views near Wailea offering spacious condos and nearby beaches and activities. Compare prices and rates on Expedia or Booking.com and reserve your stay now.

Here are some great properties to stay near and north of Lahaina:

• Napili Kai Beach Resort – top-rated and far from the high-rise hotels, this resort is located on the shores of Napili Bay. Perfect for snorkelers and swimmers! Get your stay reserved on Expedia or Booking.com now.
• OUTRIGGER Kaanapali Beach Resort – oceanfront on the golden sands of Kaanapali Beach, one of the best in Maui for a reason! Premium rooms, upgraded features, and open-air dining. Don’t miss out – book your stay on Expedia or Booking.com.
• Kaanapali Alii – looking for a bigger place to stay? Expansive one and two-bedroom condos await at the Kaanapali Alii. Book your condo on Expedia.
• The Mauian – Boutique Beach Studios on Napili Bay – a beachside haven that will feel more like your home than a resort. Ocean views and beach access. Discover paradise at this epic beach location and reserve your stay on Expedia or Booking.com.

🧭 Loving this itinerary? Check out our other trips and itineraries right here!

Final Thoughts

We had a great time hiking the Lahaina Pali Trail. The views of Coral Gardens, the wind turbines, and coastal West Maui were great! It was fun to watch the boat tours and snorkel groups out enjoying the water near Coral Gardens. The contrasting golden landscape with the gorgeous blue ocean was a sight to see! Bring plenty of water on this hike because it was hot and dry.

After hiking the Lahaina Pali Trail, we enjoyed a stop at the Nakalele Blowhole and then headed to the enchanted forest and Honolua Bay. There, we spent some time snorkeling before heading south to snorkel more and grab a bite to eat on the water!