Kīpahulu · Haleakalā National Park

Pīpīwai Trail: Bamboo + Waterfalls on the Road to Hāna

Pīpīwai had the right combination for a road-trip hike: enough distance to feel worthwhile, constantly changing scenery and a huge waterfall payoff.

Firsthand guide · Last reviewed August 2026 · How we review our guides

Pīpīwai Trail: Bamboo + Waterfalls on the Road to Hāna

Distance: about 4 miles round trip · Gain: roughly 800 ft · Verdict: one of our Road to Hāna priorities.

Why this hike works so well

The trail climbs through the Kīpahulu side of Haleakalā National Park, passing Makahiku Falls before entering the bamboo forest roughly a mile in. Continue toward Waimoku Falls at the turnaround. The scenery changes enough that the four miles never felt monotonous.

Pair it with ʻOheʻo

The Pools of ʻOheʻo, often called the Seven Sacred Pools, are in the same Kīpahulu area. They are worth seeing while you are here, but current National Park Service conditions do not allow swimming in the pools.

What makes Pīpīwai worth the stop

Pīpīwai packs a lot into a moderate-length hike. The trail moves from lush forest into the famous bamboo section before continuing toward Waimoku Falls. The bamboo is not just a quick photo stop: walking through it is one of the most distinctive sections of the trail, especially when the stalks knock together in the wind.

Expect roots, damp footing and mud when conditions are wet. This is on the Kīpahulu side of Haleakalā National Park, well past Hana, so the bigger logistical question is usually the drive rather than the hike itself. Pairing it with the Kīpahulu coastal area makes the long trip out here feel much more worthwhile.

Our take: This is one of the Road to Hana experiences we would actively plan around rather than squeeze in if there happens to be time. It has enough variety to keep the hike interesting from beginning to end. See our Road to Hana guide for the larger route.

We went all the way to Waimoku Falls

We hiked the full trail through the bamboo forest and continued to Waimoku Falls. The falls were very nice, and we think stopping at the bamboo would miss part of what makes the hike work. The trail keeps changing, so the destination feels earned without the route becoming repetitive.

Bamboo forest or waterfall?

Both. The bamboo is the most unusual section, while Waimoku Falls gives the hike a real endpoint. Together they make Pīpīwai much more satisfying than a short Road to Hāna roadside stop.

How we would fit it into the Road to Hāna

Protect time for this hike rather than arriving at Kīpahulu with only a few minutes left. We would cut a couple of minor roadside stops before cutting Pīpīwai.