Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area is a ten acre portion of the much larger Kula Forest Reserve. The park’s altitude ranges from 5000’-6000’ above sea level and the climate is cool and very wet. Deep fog is common, and temperatures can sometimes reach freezing during winter nights. Polipoli Spring SRA features several introduced tree species including pines, eucalyptus, tropical ash, cypress, and China-fir. Most uniquely, the forest includes many mature, immense coastal redwoods. The park has a number of individual trails that form a loop through the landscape. This is one of the most unique places to hike on Maui.

This loop hike requires a four-wheel drive vehicle to access the trailhead, but it is possible to hike into Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area on the Boundary Trail using a two-wheel drive trailhead.

Trailhead: From central Maui, drive Hwy. 37 towards the Haleakalā Highway (Hwy. 377). Pass the first turn onto Hwy. 377 and drive along Hwy. 37 to the second turn (taking the first turn would add many unneeded miles). Immediately find Waipoli Road departing mauka (uphill). The road is in fine condition until you pass a Lavender Farm. From here, Waipoli Road is extremely steep, winding, and one lane in many sections. The road was recently improved, but this has caused a very deep shoulder on each side of the pavement. While traffic up here is usually light, passing another car can be difficult in the one-lane sections. After the bulk of the climbing is done, the road turns to dirt past a bridge. Four-wheel drive vehicles are necessary from this point. (It’s possible to park a two-wheel drive vehicle here and walk the Boundary Trail into Polipoli). Follow the dirt track until it ends at Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area. Although the road isn’t an especially difficult drive, the state requires all vehicles to have four-wheel capability past the paved portion of Waipoli Road.

The park is open from 6am-6pm. There is one cabin available for camping. There are pit toilets, but no water available. Plan accordingly when visiting this remote location.

Weather

Gear: This hike ranges from 5000’-6000’ above sea level. Expect very wet conditions. Sturdy, waterproof boots are a must as well as solid raingear. You’ll need to drink more water than normal at this altitude. Wear brightly-colored clothing because hunters also use the Kula Forest Reserve.

Hike: The hike described here takes a clockwise loop through Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area, but it’s certainly possible to go the other way or just hike shorter portions of the trail from the parking area. Refer the map for the trail names. From the parking area, take the Polipoli Trail uphill for a half mile and find a three-way intersection. Hike west (right) on the Haleakalā Ridge Trail. (The other way is the Skyline Trail, which is better accessed from the summit of Haleakalā). Follow the Haleakalā Ridge Trail through upland scrub foliage and intersect the Plum Trail. Descend for 3/4 of a mile and intersect the Tie Trail. This hike excludes the Tie Trail, but you could use it to make the hike a bit shorter. Pass by the Tie Trail intersection and remain on the Plum Trail. The end of the Plum Trail features an old Ranger cabin that has seen better days. Be careful exploring it because it seems like it’s about to fall apart. Just after the Ranger cabin ruins, find the Redwood Trail. Climb back to the trailhead through the big redwoods. In some places it look exactly like a coastal California forest. Complete the loop at the parking area just after passing the cabin that can be reserved for camping.