Hiking the Supply Trail in Haleakalā National Park on Maui, Hawaiʻi
Distance: 4.8 miles / 7.7 km
There are relatively few trails in Haleakalā National Park outside of Haleakalā Crater, and none are hiked as seldom as the Supply Trail that connects Hosmer Grove to the Halemauʻu Trail Overlook.
That being said, the Supply Trail is a fairly moderate hike for being an entirely uphill adventure, gaining just over 1,000 ft. (305 m) from the trailhead to the Halemauʻu Overlook along the crater rim.
For this reason, I highly recommend the Supply Trail if you’re looking for a nice, casual hike in Haleakalā, or if you’re looking for something to do for a few hours prior to catching the sunset at the summit.
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!
Supply Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Supply Trail is located directly off of Hosmer Grove Access Road—the first road on the left-hand side of Haleakalā Highway following the park entrance station.
That being said, so few Haleakalā visitors choose to hike the Supply Trail, making this one of the least-crowded trailheads in all of Haleakalā National Park.
Google Maps Directions: Supply Trailhead
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 Supply Trail
Beyond the parking area, the Supply Trail begins on a short service road that quickly narrows, where the gradual elevation begins and continues throughout most of the hike to the Halemauʻu Trail junction.
Compared to other areas throughout Maui, the Supply Trail traverses through a predominately native alpine shrubland, filled with a variety of native species that are adapted to these upper elevations and cooler temperatures. This is what a native Hawaiian forest is supposed to look like!
I emphasize this because the vast majority of plants found at lower elevations are generally non-native/ invasive introductions, with a few exceptions here and there.
Along the hike, the Supply Trail will cross over a number of major and minor streams, streams that form some of the tallest waterfalls on the island when they descend the slopes of Haleakalā and down to the Hāna Highway.
As I’m sure it’s obvious from these photos, the elevation gain on the Supply Trail is not steep by any means, making the trail a great, casual day hike should you take your time and enjoy some of Hawaiʻi’s endemic plants and birds.
At around 1.3 miles (2.1 km), the large rain catchment, just off the trail, starts to become visible, which is a nice mental checkpoint on both the way up and down, as much of the alpine shrubland can look the same—especially if you’re hiking in the clouds!
When the ʻŌhiʻa lehua trees have their crown flowers, that is the best time to try and sit and watch for native birds, as they tend to be attracted to the trees with the biggest blooms!
This subspecies of Nohoanu is endemic to Maui, where it can commonly be found in the alpine shrublands of Haleakalā National Park.
Service Road
This is the one and only road that the Supply Trail crosses, which is nothing more than a service road for the rain catchment, as can be seen in the photos below.
Following the service road, there is only about 1.0 mile (1.6 km) to reach the Halemauʻu Trail junction.
Supply-Halemauʻu Junction
After 2.4 miles (3.9 km), the Supply Trail ends at the Halemauʻu Trail, located about 0.6 miles (1.0 km) away from the Halemauʻu Trailhead to the right.
That being said, most day hikers choose to hike just a little further to the Halemauʻu Trail Overlook, about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) to the left of this junction, as the viewpoint is easily the best reward after ascending about 1,000 ft. (305 m) up the Supply Trail.
Halemauʻu Trail
Should you choose to continue to the Haleakalā Crater Rim, know that the remaining 0.2 miles (0.3 km) is almost entirely downhill from this junction.
Haleakalā Crater (Halemauʻu Overlook)
Finally, the Supply-Halemauʻu Trail ends when the Halemauʻu Trail reaches the Haleakalā Crater Rim.
Here, you can see expansive views across much of the National Park, including the trails, cabins, various peaks, and Kaupō and Koʻolau Gaps.
That being said, all of the trails within Haleakalā Crater, including the Halemauʻu Trail, should be hiked as separate day hikes or overnight backpacking adventures, given their extensive lengths.
This is all to say that the maze of trails within the crater is much more involved than the much shorter Supply Trail shown here.
Native Plants on the Supply Trail
As previously mentioned, the alpine shrublands along the Supply Trail are among some of the most pristine native habitats that Hawaiʻi has left.
Hikers can expect to see plants such as Māmane, ʻŌhiʻa lehua, ʻIliahi, Nohoanu, ʻAʻaliʻi, Pūkiawe, and Naʻenaʻe—to truly only name 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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