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.

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