Hiking the Polipoli-Haleakalā Ridge-Plum-Redwood Loop Trail on Maui, Hawaiʻi

Distance: 4.9 miles / 7.9 km

Sitting high on the cool slopes of Haleakalā, the Kula Forest Reserve, as well as the Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area, is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places on Maui!

The vast Kula Forest Reserve is best known for all of its interconnecting trails, which is exactly why the Polipoli-Haleakalā Ridge-Plum-Redwood Loop Trail goes by such a long name; as it’s very popular to link multiple trails into one long adventure, while starting and ending at the same trailhead.

With that in mind, the Polipoli-Plum-Redwood Loop Trail is only one of a number of different loops that can be created in the Kula Forest Reserve. Nevertheless, this post will, at the least, help to show a number of different trail connections, so that you can make your own adventure out of this vast network of trails!

Redwood Trail

Getting to the Trailhead

On average, the Kula Forest Reserve is located at around 6,200 ft. (1,890 m), climbing 21 switchbacks up Waipoli Road on the slopes of Haleakalā.

That being said, access into the Kula Forest Reserve is made possible through a public-private partnership with the owners of the land that Waipoli Road passes through. Therefore, I ask that you please be respectful, so that access to this beautiful forest can continue to remain open!

Waipoli Access Road

After ascending the 21 switchbacks to get up to the Kula Forest Reserve, the pavement ends and the 4x4 road begins.

However, Waipoli Road, also called the Waipoli Access Road, is not nearly as challenging as other four-wheel drive roads on the island, but the Department of Land and Natural Resources has numerous warnings posted about continuing without such a vehicle.

Waipoli Access 4x4 Road

When the road splits, go right for the Polipoli State Recreation Area, which is also the parking area for the Polipoli-Redwood Trailhead.

The road to the left is where Waipoli Road turns into the Skyline Trail that ascends up to the summit of Haleakalā, and it’s also a drive that absolutely requires a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle!

Go Right

Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area Parking

Regardless of which direction you choose to hike the loop, the Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area is the place to park for either trailhead.

Furthermore, please be respectful of any campers who may also be utilizing the same area.

Google Maps Directions: Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area

Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area Parking

Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area Parking

My Hawaiʻi Hiking Checklist

  1. 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.

  2. 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!

  3. 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!

  4. 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)

  5. 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.

  6. High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!

Hiking the Polipoli-Haleakalā Ridge-Plum-Redwood Trail

In terms of direction, it doesn’t matter whether you begin on the Polipoli or Redwood Trail, as both begin by hiking downhill from the Polipoli State Recreation Area.

That being said, deciding which direction to begin the hike should, in my opinion, come down to one factor.

Would you rather ascend on a shorter but steeper trail, getting all of the elevation gain out of the way at once, or would you rather hike up on a longer, more gradual ascent back to the recreation area?

Personally, I prefer the shorter but steeper ascent, which is why I chose to begin on the Polipoli Trail in the clockwise direction. By going this way, I climb all of the elevation back up to Waipoli Road on the shorter Redwood Trail, while enjoying a casual, mostly downhill hike by beginning on the Polipoli Trail.

Polipoli Trailhead

Kula Forest Reserve Trails Map

Polipoli Trail

Polipoli Trail

Overall, the Polipoli Trail is only 0.6 miles (1.0 km) long and follows a fairly easy graded trail over to Haleakalā Ridge.

Polipoli Trail

Polipoli Trail

Polipoli Trail

Polipoli Trail

Polipoli Trail

Polipoli-Haleakalā Ridge Junction

After 0.6 miles (1.0 km), the Polipoli Trail ends where the Haleakalā Ridge Trail begins.

Go right to continue on the loop, and this is where the trail will noticeably begin its descent that continues for much of the hike until the start of the Redwood Trail.

Go Right

Haleakalā Ridge Trail

Haleakalā Ridge Trail

Haleakalā Ridge Trail

Haleakalā Ridge Trail

Haleakalā Ridge Trail

Haleakalā Ridge Trail

Haleakalā Ridge Trail

Haleakalā Ridge Trail

Haleakalā Ridge Trail

Haleakalā Ridge Trail

In an otherwise non-native, invasive forest, it’s nice to see endemics like ʻĀkala, the Hawaiian Raspberry, coming through!

ʻĀkala - (Rubus hawaiensis)

Haleakalā Ridge Trail

Haleakalā Ridge Trail

Haleakalā Ridge Trail

Haleakalā Ridge-Plum Junction

This is where the Haleakalā Ridge Trail ends, and the Plum Trail begins.

However, it’s not much of a junction, as there is no split in the trail like others along the loop. Rather, if these signs weren’t here, the trail would simply continue straight, essentially making no difference what the trail is named.

Haleakalā Ridge-Plum Junction

Haleakalā Ridge-Plum Junction

Haleakalā Ridge-Plum Junction

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

As the clouds began to roll up the slopes of Haleakalā, it started to create the most beautiful conditions for some moody photos!

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

ʻAmaʻu is another beautiful endemic that can be found growing along the sides of the trail.

ʻAmaʻu - (Sadleria cyatheoides)

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

I can’t say for sure what this fence was for, but it’s clearly not for ungulates, as boars can be found roaming throughout the Kula Forest Reserve.

With that in mind, hunters tend to frequent Polipoli and other forest reserves on Maui, which is why it’s important to wear bright clothes as you hike.

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

Plum-Tie Junction

At about 2.6 miles (4.2 km), the Polipoli-Plum-Redwood Loop Trail passes the first of two junctions with the Tie Trail.

Essentially, the Tie Trail is a shortcut between the Plum and Redwood Trails, shortening the overall loop by only about 0.2 miles (0.3 km).

That being said, the Tie Trail may be shorter, but it is certainly steeper, as it’s a more direct path up the slopes of Haleakalā up to the Redwood Trail above.

Go Left (Straight)

Plum-Tie Junction

Plum-Tie Junction

Plum-Tie Junction

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

While non-native to Hawaiʻi, these Redwood trees were planted to reforest the Kula State Forest Reserve after many years of ranching decimated the previous Koa-ʻŌhiʻa-Māmane forests that once dominated this landscape.

In fact, to this day, Redwood trees are still being used in Hawaiʻi to help fight against invasive gorse on the Big Island, in an effort to shade it out.

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

Plum Trail

Old Ranger Cabin

This is the first of two old ranger cabins from the late 1800s along the loop that are remnants of the ranching history that once took place here before reforestation began in the early 1900s.

I’d say explore these cabins at your own risk, but these cabins are certainly not somewhere I’d recommend spending the night!

Old Ranger Cabin

Old Ranger Cabin

Plum-Redwood-Boundary Junction

Shortly after the first ranger cabin, the Plum Trail ends where the Redwood and Boundary Trails begin.

Go right to begin the Redwood Trail, as the 4.4-mile (7.1 km) Boundary Trail is best hiked as a separate loop off Waipoli Road.

Go Right

Plum-Redwood-Boundary Junction

Plum-Redwood-Boundary Junction

Second Ranger Cabin

Then, just up the trail from the previous junction, the Redwood Trail passes by the second ranger cabin.

Again, it’s not anything like the maintained Polipoli Spring Cabin that can be seen later in this article.

Old Ranger Cabin

Redwood Trail

As previously mentioned, the Redwood Trail is the steeper of the two trails to hike back up to Waipoli Road. However, even though this is where the majority of the elevation gain is, the gradual switchbacks are in no way strenuous compared to other Maui trails.

In fact, the full Polipoli-Haleakalā Ridge-Plum-Redwood Loop makes for one of the best trail runs on Maui!

Redwood Trail

Redwood Trail

Redwood Trail

Redwood Trail

Redwood-Tie Junction

This is the upper Tie Trail junction, the same trail that splits off the Plum Trail down below.

In any case, go left to continue on the Redwood Trail to reach the Polipoli Cabin, located shortly ahead.

Go Left

Redwood-Tie Junction

Redwood Trail

Redwood Trail

Redwood Trail

Redwood Trail

Redwood Trail

Redwood Trail

Polipoli Cabin

Toward the end of the hike, the loop passes directly by the Polipoli Cabin that can be reserved through the Department of Land and Natural Resources website linked below.

That being said, the Polipoli Cabin is one of the most popular camping areas on Maui, and if it’s booked, I ask that you be respectful of any group that currently has the cabin reserved.

Book Here: Polipoli Cabin

Polipoli Cabin

Redwood Trailhead

Next, the Redwood Trail ends at the access road that leads down to the cabin.

At this junction, simply continue up the road to reach Waipoli Road, located shortly ahead.

Redwood Trailhead

Redwood Trailhead

Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area

Waipoli Road

Finally, turn right onto Waipoli Road, where you’ll find the Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area just a short walk away.

Go Right

PAU!

Native Plants on the Polipoli-Redwood Loop Trail

Given the long ranching history in the Kula State Forest Reserve, as well as the reforestation of non-native species that ensued, native plants in Polipoli are harder to come by compared to other trails on Maui.

However, that is not to say that native plants can’t be found, as hikers can expect to see ʻŌhiʻa lehua, Māmane, Māmaki, ʻAmaʻu, ʻĀkala, Palapalai, and several Hawaiian Wood Ferns.

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

Laukahi / Alpine Wood Fern - (Dryopteris wallichiana)

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 Hawaii

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

Best Beaches Hawaii

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?

ʻIʻiwi - (Drepanis coccinea)

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.

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Iʻm a self-taught adventure photographer living on the island of Oʻahu.

@noahawaii

https://noahlangphotography.com/
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