Why Its A Great Idea to Take A Maui Downhill Bike Tour On Your Island Vacation

When thinking about your island getaway, you may just envision lying around on the gorgeous beaches of Maui all day reading a book and soaking up the sun. That of course would be a nice vacation. But there are many reasons to add a Maui downhill bike tour to your island plans! Here’s a few . . .

Great way to see (or experience) Upcountry. Our downhill bike tour takes you through the mountainous landscape of Upcountry Maui. Starting out with a land tour of the Summit area of the volcano Haleakala, our bike tours offer a unique chance to really experience the scenery of Upcountry firsthand. Because our particular self-paced Maui downhill bike tour allows guests to ride at their own pace, on their own timetable, and without the unwieldy large groups of guided bike tours; you can stop to pick a flower or take a picture at a unique spot along the way. The world is yours! As you bike down, you can stop at one of the charming small towns or restaurants along the route. The quaint towns in Upcountry have a variety of unique shops, boutiques, and art galleries to explore. But more than just driving through Upcountry, taking a downhill bike tour through this picturesque countryside lets you be a part of the land, and really take in the distinctive beauty of this area – an area that many Maui tourists never get to experience.

An unmatched biking experience. If you enjoy biking or want a little adventure on your trip (but not too much), then the Maui downhill bike tour is the activity for you. It’s really the ultimate biking experience. Think about it, what could be a more exciting biking adventure than to bike down a volcano? What a great story to tell! Plus, while this bike tour offers a great sense of adventure, it is downhill so you don’t have to be a professional cyclist to go on this bike tour. The adventure is really in the incredible scenery of Haleakala and Upcountry.

See an unforgettable sunrise – a great bucket list item. One of our Maui downhill bike tour options is the Haleakala sunrise bike tour. On this tour, you’ll see the sun rise above the clouds at the peak of Haleakala. This is definitely something that should be on everyone’s bucket list! Everyone agrees that seeing this sunrise at an elevation of 10,023 feet above sea level is really one of the most unforgettable moments of their entire vacation. Instead of driving up to Haleakala only to view the sunrise, our Haleakala sunrise bike tour combines this unforgettable experience with the opportunity to see more of Upcountry, up close and personal!

Easy and fun exercise on vacation. Many like to get some exercise in while they’re on vacation. So instead of just riding a recumbent bike in a hotel gym, why not ride down the captivating Haleakala volcano? You’ll be able to get some light exercise in the fresh mountain air and beautiful hillsides of Upcountry.

Really, there are so many benefits to taking the Maui downhill bike tour while you’re here on vacation! Our bike tour will definitely be one of the highlights of your trip. Book your downhill bike tour today!



(First two photos by PV Photography)

Haleakala Volcano Bike Tour - What You'll See Along the Way

The Haleakala volcano bike tour is one of Maui’s top-rated activities. Why is this Maui bike tour so popular? What can you expect to experience and see on this bike tour down Haleakala?

In a way, that’s a tough question. There’s so much to see on this volcano and what’s known as Upcountry Maui that it’s hard to mention everything, but here are some of the highlights…

The summit and crater of the Haleakala volcano. 

At 10,023 feet above sea level, the summit of Haleakala offers spectacular views, especially at sunrise. The Haleakala sunrise bike tour is probably our most popular tour because of this most remarkable sunrise that comes up above the clouds. As the highest point on the island of Maui, the peak of Haleakala volcano provides unforgettable views like those of Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe and the ever-expansive ocean.

From the summit you’ll see the Haleakala Crater, famous for its unique volcanic landscape. You can walk through this cinder desert and discover what appears to be a whole other world. The summit and crater of Haleakala will definitely be highlights of your bike tour.

The beauty of what’s called “undiscovered Maui.”

As you bike down the Haleakala volcano, you’ll see numerous treasures hidden in this quiet, rural area known as Upcountry Maui. Upcountry is an area that many tourists never get to see because they don’t venture far from the beaches and resorts. But this mountainous part of Maui is equally as beautiful and is definitely a must-see on your Maui vacation.

On your way down the Haleakala volcano bike tour, you’ll ride by amazing lavender and protea farms. Because our Haleakala bike tours are self-paced, you can stop at the Maui Lavender Caféor the Kula Lodge and Restaurant for breakfast. These make for great photo-op spots and a place to relax and enjoy romantic views of the West Maui Mountains and the ocean amid their gardens of lavender, protea, and other tropical flowers. This beautiful countryside is something that shouldn’t be missed.

Charming towns, each with their own unique flare.

Also on the Haleakala volcano tour, you’ll bike through a couple quaint little towns that give you a glimpse into what it’s like to live in real Hawaii. In Paniolo (or Hawaiian cowboy) Country, you’ll bike through the small town of Makawao. This historic ranch town carries on the traditions of the paniolo with a rustic flare all its own. Here the annual rodeo competition is held along with the Paniolo Parade through downtown. In Paniolo Country, you’ll find working cattle ranches and a rich culture reminiscent of the Old West. But what’s interesting too is that in Makawao you’ll also find a thriving arts community with numerous painters, wood sculptors, and glassblowers as well as a number of art galleries and other boutiques. So there’s much to see in this historic town that was once named one of the top 25 arts destinations in the U.S.

At the end of your Haleakala volcano tour, you’ll return to the lovely town of Paia. But after you return your bike, don’t rush home. There’s still much to see. This is another aspect of our bike tours that’s different. With many guided Haleakala volcano tours, you may take a detour before you reach the beach in Paia and be transported directly back to your hotel. Our self-paced tours offer the freedom of riding back all the way down to Paia so you then get to explore this charming town and its beautiful beaches.

As the heart of the North Shore, Paia offers a plethora of shopping and dining places as well as great art galleries. Just outside Paia is the famous Ho’okipa Beach which is known as the “windsurfing capital of the world” where you may catch a glimpse of a pro-windsurfer practicing for his next competition. So even after your Haleakala volcano bike ride, there’s still so much to see.

As you can see, the Haleakala bike tour will be one of your most memorable days in Maui. Our self-paced bike tours offer a relaxing and yet thrilling experience biking down the unique Haleakala volcano. If you can, try to see the sunrise at the summit of Haleakala. It really is unforgettable, but from the crater to Makawao Town, the Haleakala volcano bike tour offers an exciting experience.

The Health Advantages of Biking in Maui

Biking in Maui, especially biking downhill from the Haleakala volcano, is a great activity for visitors and locals alike. Watching the sunrise above the clouds at the summit of Haleakala is one of the most incredible experiences you can have on your Maui vacation. After seeing this memorable sunrise, guests can bike down Haleakala through Maui’s extraordinary Upcountry.

But besides being an unforgettable Maui adventure, this bike tour offers guests and locals the numerous health benefits that come with regular biking. Here are just a few:

Biking in Maui is an easy way to exercise. 

We know that to be healthy and physically fit you have to be active, but some shy away from certain sports because they require a higher level of skill or physical stamina. Biking, however, can be a fairly easy sport. Most know how to ride a bike. And because our Maui bike tour takes cyclists through Haleakala downhill, it doesn’t require a lot of skill or stamina to ride. Even children as young as 10 who are experienced in riding a bike with hand brakes can take our Maui bike tour.

And because our bike tours are self-paced, you have the option of biking in your own comfort zone. You won’t have to try to keep up with a group like many of the guided Maui biking tours of Haleakala.

Biking is a low-impact sport that builds strength and muscle. 

Whereas other forms of exercise can put extra strain on your joints, biking is a low-impact sport that causes less injuries and can be done by people of all ages. We’ve had a 90-year-old bike rider join us, so our bike tours are not just for the young, but also those young at heart. Biking has been shown to improve joint mobility, flexibility, and increase muscle strength, coordination, and stamina.

Biking in Maui can help to reduce stress. 

Health experts agree that regular bike riding can help to reduce a person’s stress levels and can help to reduce anxiety and depression. Add to that the benefit of exercising on the beautiful island of Maui, and you can really see your stress diminishing. Biking through Maui’s gorgeous Upcountry, in the refreshing mountain air, and being able to stop along the way and really be a part of the scenery and the natural environment can really help to uplift your spirits.

Cycling has been shown to improve cardiovascular fitness. 

Biking can help to improve your heart health and lower your risks of certain kinds of disease. “Regular cycling stimulates and improves your heart, lungs and circulation, reducing your risk of cardiovascular diseases,” the Better Health Channel (BHC) of Australia noted. “Cycling strengthens your heart muscles, lowers resting pulse and reduces blood fat levels.”

Biking in Maui is a great total body workout.

The BHC also noted that you all of your major muscle groups when you bike. The BHC also reported that cycling lifts your heart rate to a beneficial level and is a good way to control or reduce your weight. Women’s Health magazine noted that in addition to working out your quads, glutes, and calves, working the handlebar can also sculpt your upper body for all-over muscle toning.

Plus, biking simply is a fun exercise, and doing something fun generally encourages us to do it more often. Feeling the gentle breeze against your face as you ride down the mountain on Haleakala is definitely a fun and exciting experience. So if you’re not a regular cyclist now, biking in Maui with us down Haleakala may jumpstart the love of biking we’ve found in Upcountry Maui.

Of course, these tips are just for informational purposes. Always check with your doctor before starting an exercise routine and make sure you’re healthy enough and comfortable with biking before biking down Haleakala. Check our FAQ page for more information on biking restrictions and things to consider.

Haleakala Bike Tours - Guided versus Self-Paced

Because there are Haleakala bike companies that offer either a guided or self-paced bike tour of Haleakala, many often wonder which is better. At Maui Sunriders, we offer self-guided Haleakala bike tours and truly think this is the best way to experience this Maui volcano bike ride, but all in all, it may depend on how structured of a Maui bike tour you prefer. Let us explain.

A typical guided Haleakala bike tour often takes a group of about 13 bikers down the Maui volcano at a time. On these guided bike tours, bikers ride at the pace of the person who’s leading the biking group. Thus, the biking group may or may not stop at scenic points along the way that the guide chooses to stop at. Individual bikers however will not be able to choose their own stops, and therefore are not able to stop and visit towns or various restaurants and shops along the way. But this kind of biking tour may be ideal for those who like a more structured experience. This is true.

However, in our experience, riding down the volcano on your own offers a much fuller biking experience. With a self-guided Haleakala bike tour, you’re in control. You have the freedom to bike at your own pace – to stop and go as you please all the way down to sea level. This self-paced bike ride allows you to go at a more relaxing pace, and it gives you the freedom to have breakfast or lunch at one of the many restaurants along the route. You can also stop to browse through some of the many shops and art galleries in small towns along the route.

Of course, the Haleakala bike ride itself is an amazing experience, but stopping at the little shops and restaurants along the way, seeing how locals live, or even just being able to stop along the road to pick a flower is what makes an amazing experience unforgettable. With a self-guided bike tour, you can really immerse yourself and be a part of the scenery without the cumbersome restrictions of a large group.

Biking at your own pace allows you to bike like you were at home cycling with family and friends. This is what we really love, and what we wanted others to have the joy of experiencing, all in this beautiful Maui setting. Offering a Haleakala bike tour that was less costly and allowed greater freedom makes the bike ride more accessible for families with children. Biking families can go at the pace of their children, not the pace of the guided tour group.

But how do you know where to stop along the way on a self-paced bike tour? Wouldn’t you miss some of the best places to stop? No, you don’t have to miss a thing with our self-paced bike tours. We drive guests up the mountain on the same route they will bike down. Along the way, our tour guides point out and explain different points of interest and various dining options at local restaurants. This narrated tour also explains the history of the area and Hawaiian culture. So, you have all the guide information you need. You’ll know exactly where all the highlights of the bike tour are and different options for eating along the way.

But what if something happens to my bike along the way? Don’t worry. You’re not left totally on your own. Our bikers’ safety is our highest priority, so we offer roadside assistance for all of our self-paced Haleakala bike tours. If you need anything along your bike ride, just call us and we will be right there.

So our self-paced Haleakala bike tours offer all the safety and guidance you need while also giving you the freedom to explore Maui’s gorgeous Upcountry on your own timetable. We really feel that this self-paced bike tour offers a more unique experience – an unforgettable way to see all that Upcountry Maui has to offer.

Maui Downhill Bike Ride - See Upcountry Maui & Paniolo Country

There is a side of Maui that relatively few ever see. This part of the Valley Isle is very different than what many usually think of when they picture Maui, the golden sandy beaches of the island. However, it’s equally as beautiful. This area is known as Upcountry Maui, the inland part of Maui located on the slopes of Haleakala.

On your Maui bike ride down the Haleakala volcano, you can discover this beautiful countryside, noted as the “hidden gem” of Maui, all at your own pace. In this Upcountry, you’ll explore a diverse landscape of rolling green hillsides, crisp mountain air, lavender farms, spectacular views, quaint small towns, and even paniolo, or Hawaiian cowboys.

Yes, cowboys. Roaming this gorgeous landscape are the cowboys and ranchers of what is known as Paniolo Country. As you make your decent on your Maui bike ride from the summit of Haleakala, you may see some paniolo riding horseback and herding cattle across the pastureland. The tradition of the paniolo dates back to around 1800 when cowboys from Mexico came to Hawaii to help local ranchers learn how to herd cattle, even before their mainland counterparts conquered the Midwest.

The small town of Makawao is famous for its paniolo and keeps the traditions of the Hawaiian cowboys alive with a rustic charm unlike any other. Although a little town, Makawao has a big heart. A historic ranch town, Makawao is very proud of its paniolo heritage with its signature western-style storefronts, country and western dancing, and rodeo competitions. As you make your way on your Maui bike ride downhill, you’ll pass the renowned Oskie Rice Arena where the largest rodeo in Hawaii is held every year. The paniolo culture here is just a way of life for many locals, and it’s neat to experience all the culture contained in this small town.

In this charming little town set in gorgeous Paniolo Country, you’ll also find a thriving arts community full of art galleries, shops, and lovely boutiques. There are also numerous restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops. So plan to stop in on your Maui bike ride and browse through all the great stores and restaurants of Makawao.

Paniolo Country and really all of Upcountry Maui simply can’t be missed. It’s a completely new side of Maui for many visitors, but one full of personality and unforgettable scenery. On our self-paced Maui bike rides through Upcountry from the summit of Haleakala, you’ll get to really experience this beautiful area for yourself, taking time to stop as you wish along the way and catch a glimpse of what some call “the real Maui,” but we just call it home.

Makawao photo by 293.xx.xxx.xx (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

Best Clothes for a Haleakala Sunrise Bike Tour

When visitors book their Haleakala sunrise tour, many ask what they should wear on the summit of Haleakala at sunrise. And it is good that people ask because the answer may be different than some might expect.

When packing for a trip to Maui, who would ever think to pack a sweater or even a coat? But that is exactly what you might need on the summit of Haleakala at sunrise. At 10,000 feet above sea level, the temperature can get pretty cold and windy. At sunrise, temperatures generally are in the 40-degree range. On the peak of this Maui volcano, the weather can be unpredictable too so we provide wind/rain gear with your Haleakala sunrise bike tours including jackets, gloves, and pants.

So as to what you should wear on the Haleakala sunrise bike tour, we generally recommend that visitors wear the warmest clothes they have with them, especially during the winter months. But it will be pretty cold even in summer. Some also bring hats, scarves, and even blankets, but make sure you bring a hat that won’t easily be blown off.

We also recommend that Haleakala sunrise bike riders wear several layers of clothing that can be taken off as they make their way down the mountain into warmer temperatures. When you get all the way down to Paia, you’ll probably only need a T-shirt and shorts. Long pants are provided with the rain/wind gear included in the biking equipment if you need them. Of course, closed-toe shoes are recommended for all of the Haleakala bike rides. We have also heard that visitors who wear contact lenses may want to bring sunglasses or eye gear of some kind to protect their eyes and contacts from getting too dry in the cold, dry early morning air.
But then you may be thinking, ‘where will I put all these clothes as I ride down the volcano?’ Well, for that very reason, we provide backpacks for our Haleakala bike riders to carry their clothes. If you bring a blanket to the summit, you can leave it in our tour van when you start the bike ride. Then you can pick it up at our shop when you get back.

There is no food for sale in Haleakala National Park, but on the ride down the mountain there will be many opportunities to stop for breakfast or lunch at restaurants along the bike route. For your early morning sunrise, you may want to bring some water and light snacks. It’s recommended that those at high altitudes such as at the summit, drink plenty of fluids, basically doubling their intake of water, refueling their electrolytes and eating plenty of carbohydrates to avoid altitude sickness.

If you take our Summit Tour at 9 a.m. instead of the Sunrise Tour, you may only need to bring a sweatshirt for the time you’re at the summit of Haleakala as it will most likely be a little warmer after sunrise. Normally shorts are okay for both the Summit and Express Tours because most of the bike ride will be during warmer temperatures in daylight hours.

The sunrise above the clouds at Haleakala’s 10,000 ft. summit has been said to be one of the most memorable things you can experience, and we would have to agree. But just remember that at sunrise, the summit will be cold. It will be beautiful and worth the chilly temperatures, but bring warm clothes, particularly layers of clothes for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

First image courtesy of M – Pics at FreeDigitalPhotos.net