Hiking the Kūloa Point Trail (ʻOheʻo Gulch) in Haleakalā National Park on Maui, Hawaiʻi
Distance: 0.7 miles / 1.1 km
The Kūloa Point Trail, also called ʻOheʻo Gulch or Seven Sacred Pools, is an easy coastal loop trail in the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park that allows visitors the opportunity to learn about numerous Hawaiian cultural sites, as well as enjoy the beautiful waterfalls within ʻOheʻo Gulch.
The short 0.7-mile (1.1 km) loop trail is a great hike for people of all ages, which I absolutely recommend exploring if you’re already visiting east Maui for the Pīpīwai Trail.
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Kūloa Point Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Kūloa Point Trail is located in the same parking lot as the Kīpahulu Visitor Center in Haleakalā National Park, about 10.3 miles (16.6 km) past Hāna.
That being said, the Kīpahulu District collects park entrance fees, meaning that it’s best to come prepared to pay to enter the National Park or bring an access pass before arriving.
Google Maps Directions: Kīpahulu Visitor Center
My Hawaiʻi Hiking Checklist
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Kūloa Point Trail
The Kūloa Point Trail begins at the trailhead adjacent to the Kīpahulu Visitor Center.
With than in mind, I encourage you to talk to their friendly local staff who should be able to help with any questions that you may have about the trails in Kīpahulu, Haleakalā National Park, or Maui in general!
Pīpīwai-Kūloa Point Junction
After just 0.1 miles (0.2 km), the Kūloa Point Trail splits with the Pīpīwai Trail that leads to Waimoku Falls, the tallest waterfall on Maui!
That being said, go right to continue on the Kūloa Point Trail, but if you would like to learn more about the full Pīpīwai Trail, I encourage you to read more in my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Pīpīwai Trail (Waimoku Falls)
Kūloa Point Loop Trail
Following the Kūloa Point-Pīpīwai junction, the path splits into the Kūloa Point Loop Trail.
If you prefer to hike to ʻOheʻo Gulch and the waterfalls first, go left as I did, or if you prefer to hike toward the coast and the cultural sites first, go right at the split.
ʻOheʻo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools)
ʻOheʻo Gulch is the first viewpoint along the left side of the loop, and while the stream may look like a fun place to go for a swim, access to the Palikea Stream has been closed for many years following rockfall and numerous tragedies that have taken the lives of multiple people.
Some of these tragedies involved falling, cliff jumping, and the most unpredictable of all, flash floods!
Just a short distance down from the ʻOheʻo Gulch viewpoint, the Kūloa Point Trail will pass by the now-closed access trail for the stream.
That being said, the status regarding access to the Palikea Stream has constantly changed over the years following the changing conditions. However, I again want to stress the dangers of swimming here because, while it might seem like a nice sunny day down in the Kīpahulu District, the mountains above Hāna, specifically Big Bog, are not only the wettest place in Hawaiʻi, but one of the wettest places on earth!
Therefore, all of this constant rain flows down streams, like the Palikea Stream, and on the worst of days, these streams can dangerously swell in size in just seconds!
Past the access trail, there is an optional short side trail toward the far end of the Kūloa Point Loop, if you’re interested in exploring where ʻOheʻo Gulch meets the ocean.
Go left to follow ʻOheʻo Gulch down to the ocean, or go right to continue on the Kūloa Point Loop Trail.
After this short side trail, go left to continue around the Kūloa Point Loop Trail.
As the Kūloa Point Trail parallels the coast, visitors will have a few opportunities to explore a handful of cultural sites, both on and off the trail, in order to learn about the history and culture of Kīpahulu, Maui.
Kūloa Point Loop Junction
Finally, the Kūloa Point Trail returns back to the initial loop split, where the trailhead and Kīpahulu Visitor Center are only 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away to the left.
Native Plants on the Kūloa Point Trail
Kūloa Point is low-elevation trail, which typically means that many of the plants you will see are non-native/ invasive species.
However, the National Park Service actively manages Kīpahulu and plants native species, allowing visitors the opportunity to see plants such as Naupaka, Wiliwili, Hau, Hala, Milo, and Niu, to name just a few.
If you would like to learn more about these and many other native Hawaiian plants from across the islands, I encourage you to check out my separate post linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
More Maui Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing Maui adventures, check out my separate posts below!
Best Hotels & Vacation Rentals on Maui
Since Maui is such a big island and driving from place to place can take a long time, many of the best places to stay are located on all different sides of the island.
I recommend starting your search on VRBO to compare places from Kīhei, Kahului, Lāhainā, Kāʻanapali, and Hāna.
Maui
Maui Airport-Hotel Shuttle
Prices on ride-share apps like Uber/ Lyft cannot beat the price of booking your hotel or vacation rental shuttle prior to arrival.
That being said, the shuttle options below are incredibly cheap, and they are a great option to get across North, South, West, and Upcountry Maui!
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
One of my favorites!
Visiting Other Islands
If you are visiting Maui or heading to another island, check out some of my personal recommendations for Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) in these separate posts.
If you’re trying to decide which island is right for your visit, check out my overview about each island in the post below.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit?
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
The weather in Hawaiʻi can often appear to be warm and beautiful throughout the year, but in my experience, there is a lot more to consider when planning what time of year to visit the islands, such as what island you are considering, what sides of each island do you plan to stay, what activities are you most interested in, the wildlife, and countless other nuanced variables that can all impact the type of trip you can expect to have.
For these reasons, I highly recommend reading through my separate article to not only understand my thoughts regarding the best time of year to come to Hawaiʻi but also what you need to consider based on the time of year that you plan to visit.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
Safety
All hikes in Hawaiʻi should not be compared to trails outside of the islands, and hikers should exercise due caution on every adventure, given that many are extremely dangerous.
By this, I mean that Hawaiʻi is known for hot, humid weather, steep, dramatic, and unstable cliffs, and flash floods, which can occur without warning. Therefore, it is important that you check the local forecast, understand the physical condition of your entire group, and pack sufficient food and water before attempting any adventure.
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
Noah Lang Photography LLC makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided here, and readers should use their own discretion, judgement, and seek professional advice where it is appropriate.
Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
All said, the content on this blog is for the sole use of Noah Lang Photography LLC, and unauthorized use or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited.
Safety
All hikes in Hawaiʻi should not be compared to trails outside of the islands, and hikers should exercise due caution on every adventure, given that many are extremely dangerous.
By this, I mean that Hawaiʻi is known for hot, humid weather, steep, dramatic, and unstable cliffs, and flash floods, which can occur without warning. Therefore, it is important that you check the local forecast, understand the physical condition of your entire group, and pack sufficient food and water before attempting any adventure.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official National Park website.
National Park Service: Haleakalā National Park
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
Noah Lang Photography LLC makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided here, and readers should use their own discretion, judgement, and seek professional advice where it is appropriate.
Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
All said, the content on this blog is for the sole use of Noah Lang Photography LLC, and unauthorized use or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited.
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclosure
This post is not sponsored.
However, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission if a purchase is made through one of those links. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, and I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support, which enables me to continue creating more!
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