Waiheʻe Ridge Trail

Waiheʻe Ridge Trail is a steep out-and-back from the Maluhia Road trailhead to Puʻu Lanilili, about 4.3 miles round trip on the mapped route. You climb through pasture, brushy guava and planted trees into wetter upper scrub, with the ridge opening over Waiheʻe Gorge and the neighboring Makamakaʻole Gulch. Come for the big green valley views; this is a steady workout rather than a quick overlook stroll.

The Waiheʻe Valley Overlook platform, about 0.8 mile uphill, is a worthwhile destination on its own and a common place to turn back. It gives you the valley and ridge scenery before the more demanding upper climb. If you continue, the path levels briefly beyond the platform, then gets steeper again, with long stairs and switchbacks before the summit. The route follows the same track down, so the descent takes care and can feel harder on your knees than the climb.

From Kahekili Highway, Maluhia Road climbs to a fence-marked trailhead. Follow the right-of-way markers across pasture, then bear into the brush rather than taking unmarked tracks; nearby roads and paths can cross private land. The lower climb passes strawberry guava and stands of planted trees, including Cook pine and eucalyptus. Higher up the surroundings change to wet native scrub, then a short paperbark-covered section and the open Makamakaʻole Meadow below Lanilili. The vegetation changes as noticeably as the views, which helps break up a long uphill push.

A bench near the last switchback looks across the next drainage toward Makamakaʻole Falls. The waterfall is distant and sits across the gulch; this trail does not reach it. The summit of Puʻu Lanilili is about 2,563 feet high. On a clear day you can pick out Waiheʻe Valley, central Maui, the Kahakuloa slopes and Mount Eke. Cloud often hides the far view, but the lower overlook is still a good payoff when the summit is socked in.

Plan on roughly three hours, with extra time for rests and photos. The route gains about 1,500 feet over a short distance, and its steep grades, stairs and slick clay make it a hard hike for many people. Rain can leave mud on the upper trail and make the descent slippery; footing can vary from one day to the next. There is no drinking water along the route. Hunting takes place in the reserve, so stay on the marked public trail, wear bright colors and keep dogs leashed.

The upper lot is about 0.9 mile up Maluhia Road from Kahekili Highway. It is small and often fills; the gate is normally scheduled for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and may close at other times. If it is shut, the posted fallback is to park in the gravel area by the gate and walk roughly a mile up the steep road to the trailhead, adding about two miles to the day. Mileage figures differ: the mapped corridor is about 2.1 miles each way and recent route descriptions give roughly 4.3 to 4.4 miles round trip, while a current trail listing gives 2.5 miles one way. This entry uses 4.3 miles for the mapped trail from the upper lot to Lanilili and back; starting at the lower gate adds the access-road walk.