Explore Haleakala's Summit

Kula, Hawaii

Description

Reach the summit for both a sense of amazing accomplishment and unreal views of the Haleakala Crater. The summit offers stunning sunrise and sunset views. There is easy parking, restrooms and visitor center at the summit.

Head to Haleakala's summit for amazing views of the island and your choice of a stunning sunrise or sunset. Keep in mind that you are 10,000 feet up once you're at the summit, so be prepared with warmer layers. If you're planning to get there early for the sunrise, make sure to bring a little food with you as there's nowhere to pick supplies up inside the park.

For those looking for a real challenge, you can choose the round-trip trek to the summit ~38 miles, elevation gain 10,000 feet.

Haleakala Summit has some of the best stargazing conditions in the world, hence the observatory there. There is also free camping at Hosmer Grove.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin

Photography

Hiking

Scenic

Explore Haleakala's Summit Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Catch a Sunrise from Pa Ka'oao (White Hill) on Haleakala

Haleakala means "House of the rising sun" and is a wonderful description of the mountain. Haleakala is a large dormant volcano that makes up ~75% of the island of Maui. On the slopes of Halekala are rain forests, pastures, endemic birds, the endangered but beautiful silversword, and a summit that has one of the best sunrises in the world.This spot will have fewer people (although you will not b...

Hike the Sliding Sands Trail

If you're headed up to Haleakala to catch the sunrise or sunset at the summit, leave a few hours before or after to do a quick hike into the crater on the Sliding Sands Trail.This is not an easy hike (high elevation and therefore lower concentration of oxygen, altitude sickness concerns and steep climbs*), but the different perspectives of the Haleakala crater make it very worthwhile! Depending...

Backpack the Haleakala Wilderness: Halemau'u to Sliding Sands Trail

Day 1, the trailhead begins just off the highway at 7,990 feet elevation and takes you to the north and east to an opening in the ridgeline. After 1.1 miles, you will begin your 2.6 mile descent from the crater ridge south, into the heart of the wilderness area and where you will arrive at Holua Cabin and campsites at 6940 feet elevation. From here you can set up camp and refill water. Note: Th...

Camp at Hosmer Grove

Hosmer Grove is the closest drive-up campground to the Haleakalā summit. Camping at 7,000 feet you should be prepared chill, fog, and rain during the evening and morning. Nighttime temperatures can drop close to freezing while daytime highs average around 50-60s.As soon as you turn onto Highway 378, be prepared with a full tank of gas, plenty of food, and all of your overnight supplies. The twi...

Hike the Lau'ulu Trail to the Kalapawili Ridge

If you are looking for something akin to true backcountry travel and scrambling in Maui, the Lau'ulu trail and the Pohaku Palaha summit on the north/north east rim of the Haleakala volcano is a great option. You will find solitude, unparalleled views of the crater, surreal high-altitude tropical rainforest, Maui, the Big Island in the distance and a sunrise that is impossible to describe. Note:...

Hike & Swim Twin Falls, Maui

The parking area for the trail is right off of Hana Hwy. The lot may be packed which isn't surprising as a lot of people visit, but there aren't as many people once you start exploring the falls. From the lot, you will see a food stand beside the start of the trail which a great place to get some snacks before or after the hike.The trail is more of a gravel road than a trail, but it is about 10...