Overview

Haleakala Downhill - From the Mountain to the Sea

Estimated Bike Ride Times:

This ride is self-guided, and at your own pace. After our 45-min drive up to the staging area at 6,500', you will begin your bike ride. The average ride start time is 10:30am. The entire experience is roughly 4+ hours.

About

Maui Sunriders offers the best Self-Guided Haleakala Downhill Bike Tour on Maui. This will be the easiest, most picturesque bike ride you'll ever experience - it's almost entirely downhill! Photo opportunities beckon at almost every turn as you soak in the sweeping vistas of Maui from the slopes of Haleakala.

We meet at Maui Sunriders bike shop in Paia on the north shore by 8:45am. After we outfit you with your gear and provide our safety briefing, you will enjoy a narrated van tour as you’re driven up Haleakala on the same route you’ll the bike down! Your guide will point out the local history, points of interest, and suggestions for places to visit.

The bike ride begins at approximately 6,500 feet right outside the National Park entrance, where all bike operators on Maui begin their rides. This 6.5-mile stretch is the most popular (most scenic!) section of the Haleakala Downhill Ride. Guests often say they would like to do that section again…so that is exactly what we now do! This self-paced Maui Bike Ride allows you to do this popular upper switchback section 2 times! 

This tour includes roadside assistance, so while we aren’t tailing right behind you, your driver is only ever a phone call away, already on the mountain and ready to assist you.

After biking down this upper section twice, we shuttle our guests to Makawao town (20-minute drive). Guests have time to get out and - on foot - explore, eat, and shop. Once our time is finished in Makawao we will shuttle all guests to downtown Paia.

Equipment:
Maui Sunriders provides Front-Suspension Single-Speed Mountain Bikes with disc brakes (the perfect bike for a ride that is 99.9% downhill), Bell downhill full-face helmets & optional Scott light-weight bike helmets for experienced riders, Trespass (European) rain & wind gear, cold-weather gloves and a backpack which includes a lock and weatherproof road map with road safety rules.

Suggestions:

• Dress in light layers, temps at 6500’ are often in the mid to low 60’s, occasionally high 50’s.
• Wear closed-toe shoes
• Bring Sunglasses
• Bring Sunscreen
• Bring $ for meal stop & possible shopping
• Bring Camera
• Tips are greatly appreciated and fully at your discretion, based on the overall experience provided by our team

Food:
Meals aren’t provided on this Maui bike tour. Bring cash for food and shopping. We sell water, cold coffee, energy drinks, teas, sodas & energy ride food in our bike shop. You will have an opportunity to shop and eat in Makawao, after the riding portion of the tour.

Guidelines:
Minimum Age 15 years old

• Please only sign your child up if you fully understand the ability level & experience required for this bike ride and are confident in their abilities.
• Minimum Height 4′ 11′
• Parent or Guardian must accompany riders under 18 years old
• No expecting mothers
• No Beginner Bike Riders, Must be a competent bike rider
• Maximum Weight 300
• 48-hour cancellation policy

*Safety: You are riding on country roads and sharing the road with cars. There are switchbacks and turns that you need to navigate turns safely and stay on the right side of the lane/shoulder. This ride is 99.9% downhill with an average grade of 5% decline. This isn't the same as trail riding or riding on a bike path. Due to the downhill momentum, it is important to be an EXPERIENCED and CONFIDENT cyclist and have experience using disc brakes on a bike.

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What to bring

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What to expect