• When beginning your hike on a downward slope, allow for twice the time hiking to get out, i.e. 15 minutes hiking down + 30 minutes hiking up = 45 minute hike. Soft cinder trails create hiking conditions similar to walking on a beach in some areas.
  
  
• Trails are strenuous at this elevation due to the lower concentration of oxygen in each breath. Altitude sickness is a concern. Be on guard for symptoms; nausea, headache, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
  
  
• Pregnant women and people with heart and respiratory conditions should consult their doctor before visiting and hiking in the summit area.
  
  
• Temperatures commonly range between 30 to 65 degrees F (-1 to +18 defrees C), and can reach below freezing at any time with the wind-chill factor. Hypothermia is a danger. Hikers must be properly prepared for high altitudes and cold, rainy conditions.

  
  
• Stop by a visitor center or write and request a trail map before you head out on the trail. Maps are also available online.

Hosmer Grove Trail
Hosmer Grove is located in the misty cloud belt of Haleakala. The Hosmer Grove Trail is a easy .5 mile (.8km) loop that leads through a non-native, coniferous forest and native alpine shrubland. This is a good trail for families with small children and an excellent place for observing native plants and birds. To reach the trailhead make the first left above the park entrance station and go to the Hosmer Grove campground parking area.

The Supply Trail
The Supply Trail starts on the road that leads to Hosmer Grove and winds up through the native subalpine shrubland that dominates this elevation. This is a great chance to see this ecosystem up close and away from the road. Bird watching can be good along this trail. The Supply Trail connects with the Halemauu Trail in 3.5 miles(5.6km) and becomes even steeper as it approaches Halemauu Trail. To reach the trail, park your vehicle in Hosmer Grove campground, then walk back along the road to the trailhead sign.

Halemauu Trail
This long trail starts at 7000 feet (2134m) in the native shrubland ecosystem. A hiker might choose to do a 2 mile (3.2km) round trip hike out to the edge of the valley and return, or might use this as a starting point for an all day hike. After the first mile, the trail reaches the edge of the erosional valley and affords excellent views on a clear day. From this point the trail switchbacks town the valley wall to the floor almost 1500 feet (457m) below. Four miles out the trail reaches Holua cabin and campsite (permits required for overnight stays). An all day hike on this trail (10 miles or 16km round trip) takes the hiker to the Silversword Loop and return.

Leleiwi Overlook
Leleiwi Overlook is reached by an easy .25 mile (.4km) round trip trail. The views at the end of the trail encompass a colorful volcanic landscape of cinder cones within the Wilderness Area. Leleiwi Overlook parking area is approximately 7.0 miles (11.3km) above the park entrance station. The trails starts across the street from the parking area.

Pa Kaoao Trail
A short trail (less than .5 mile or .8km round trip) leads to the top of Pa Kaoao, a small cinder cone. This is one of the highest vantage points in the park and this trail offers excellent views of the Wilderness Area. Stone shelters built by the early Hawaiians that explored Haleakala long ago are still visible from the trail. The trail starts just outside of the Haleakala Visitor Center (at 9,740 feet or 2969m).

Keoneheehee Trail (also called Sliding Sands Trail)
This extremely strenuous trail descends 2,800 feet (853m) in the first 4 miles (6.4km) to the valley floor. For a difficult half-day hike, take the trail to the first cinder cone, Ka Luu o ka Oo to complete a five mile round trip hike. For overnight trips Keoneheehee Trail leads to Kapalaoa cabin in 5.6 miles (9km), or Paliku cabin and campsite in 10.4 miles (16.7km). The Keoneheehee Trail starts at the bulletin board by the entrance to the Haleakala Visitor Center parking lot. On long treks to the central valley or beyond it is recommended that you hike the Halemauu Trail out of the valley due to the steepness and soft cinder base of the Keoneheehee Trail.

Kaupo Gap Trail
Kaupo Trail is extremely challenging. From the top of Kaupo Gap, at Paliku cabin and campsite, the trail descends 6,100 feet in 8.7 miles. Do not hike this trail if you have weak knees, heart or lung conditions, or a bad back. The trail can be extremely hot and there is very little shade or shelter. There is no water along this trail. The hike begins at the top of Kaupo Gap near Paliku campsite (at 6,380 feet). Steep switchbacks descend for 3.7 miles through native shrubland and mesic koa forest to the park boundary. The trail crosses onto private land here at 3,880 feet. The trail turns into a jeep road and drops steeply for two miles. This stretch of the trail can be hot and treacherous. At about mile six the trail turns left off of the jeep road and meanders steeply down through thickets of alien guava and christmas berry before reaching Kaupo Ranch (at mile 7.2 around 1,040 feet). The trail ends here. A jeep road continues 1.5 miles to the village of Kaupo. Kaupo Store is about eight miles away from the Kipahulu area of Haleakala National Park and about 16.3 miles from Hana. Plan this trip carefully, logistics are difficult because at the end of the hike you will be at least a two-hour drive from where you started; no public transportation is available. For more information on planning this hike please speak with park staff.

All Day Hike - Keoneheehee to Halemauu
This is a challenging, but rewarding 11.2-mile hike that traverses much of the Haleakala Wilderness. It is recommended that you leave your vehicle at Halemauu Trailhead and get a ride from another park visitor to the Haleakala Visitor Center near the summit. This way your car is waiting for you when you complete your journey. Keoneheehee starts from the Haleakala Visitor Center parking lot. The trail descends 2,500 feet in 3.9 miles to the valley floor. At this point the trail splits and a hiker on this route would take the left fork off of Keoneheehee Trail onto a spur trail where signs lead toward Holua. This spur trail travels up past colorful cinder cones and varied terrain. From Holua travel approximately one mile across a grassland area to the base of a 1,000 foot cliff. After hiking up two miles of switchbacks the trail levels of and continue one more mile to the Halemauu Trailhead and parking lot. The average time to complete this route is 6-8 hours. Starting early in the morning will allow you to enjoy your hike and return to your car before nightfall.

Many people choose to experience the Wilderness Area in Haleakala National Park by spending up to three nights camping or staying in wilderness cabins.
Hiking trails are also available for your adventure in the Kipahulu area of the national park.