A Walk in the Clouds, Where You Should Go For Your Next Hike

Waihee Ridge TrailheadHeather Jauquet/author

My husband and I are in Maui celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. We’ve been here before, but the last time was over five years ago and with four children in tow. This time it was just the two of us. After a hellish year of being diagnosed and going through cancer treatments in a pandemic, I was ready for a change of scenery.

Waihee Ridge Trail signHeather Jauquet/author

Today we went for a hike in the clouds. We went to the Waihee Ridge trail and it was magnificent. It is also not for the faint of heart. If you aren’t able to find parking in the main lot near the trailhead, you’ll have to park more than a half-mile down the road at the overflow parking lot. I will say that the view is amazing and you can see the ocean down below.

View of the ocean from the overflow lot at Waihee Ridge TrailHeather Jauquet/author

Before finding our ideal hiking trail, I did a little research. I checked out the 10 best hiking trails in Maui. In years past we’ve been driven on the road to Hana, fun but very narrow and a very winding road and we didn’t want to make that drive again, even though some of the best trails are in the Hana region. We’ve been to Haleakala a few times, and it has an amazing view even when the crater is filled with clouds. Iao Valley State Park is very child-friendly with paved paths.

This time my husband and I chose a more challenging trail and opted for the #3 rated hiking train in Maui, the Waihee Ridge Trail in the West Maui Region.

Some yelpers reviewed the trail and have rated it moderately difficult. I would agree, as the higher, we climbed into the clouds, the more slippery the trail became. There are a lot of switchbacks and in May, the trail is slick. We saw many people coming back down the trail covered in mud. One reviewer said he went in August and it was pretty dry. No matter when you go, I recommend trail shoes. Several people wore tennis shoes without much tread and needed help up the steep path.

As you make your way to the Waihee Ridge Trail, the first parking lot you come to is the overflow parking lot. If it’s full, it’s a pretty good indicator that the upper lot, closer to the trailhead is full. It’s more than a half-mile hike up the driveway to make it from the overflow lot to the main parking lot where there is room for about 30 cars and two port-a-potties.

After finding ourselves facing a full lot and watching the beginnings of a fight over a parking spot between two other groups, we decided to make our way back down to the overflow lot. From there we walked to the trailhead.

Sign asking visitors to scrape their shoes before entering the trailHeather Jauquet/author

Before you start, there is a place where you scrape your shoes so that you don’t bring in disease and invasive plant seeds. Then you go through a cattle-proof gate and make your way up a steep concrete incline. We saw a woman walking backward up the incline and many folks walk backward back down it. Yes, it really is that steep. It’s a definite glute workout. It’s so steep that after you make your way up the 200-ft cement walkway, you will want to quit, but I urge you to keep going and when you enter the woods, it is magical and something out of a fairy tale.

Cement driveway leading to the woodsHeather Jauquet/author

It’s calm, quiet, and a little dark as the trees block out the sunlight. It’s like you’ve entered a different world. As you hike along the path, you’re walking among the clouds. If you would like to see more of the landscape, it’s recommended you go earlier in the morning rather than later before the clouds roll in.

The clouds or the spattering of light rain do not detract from the beauty of the trail. It’s a 5-mile round trip. The higher you go, the more narrow and steep the trail becomes. We made it little more than a mile up the trail before turning back. The pathway became a little too slick for us to continue and I was wishing I had brought my trail shoes instead of my regular running shoes. I could have used a little more grip on the slippery path.

Man and woman on Waihee Ridge TrailHeather Jauquet/author

We started our hike around 10:30 and finished two hours later. If we had gone earlier, we might have missed the clouds and been able to see more of the waterfalls. Near the mile marker, there is a platform for a scenic overlook. We saw nothing but clouds. Nonetheless, the hike did not disappoint. As we hiked a little higher, the clouds thinned and we were able to hear and see a rushing stream. As we headed back down, there was a bench near the midway point where we were able to sit and take in the peaceful landscape. It was much quicker to hike down than it was to hike up.

Waihee is absolutely worth the trip. But be forewarned, it is not for the faint of heart. There were times where the path wasn’t very wide and there was not a lot between you and the ravine below. Wear solid hiking shoes and be prepared to get a little muddy, especially if you’re going in May. Wear light comfortable clothing that can dry quickly. It’s a bit humid up in the clouds. Take your time, there’s no need to rush. One benefit of going later in the morning is that you will avoid the crowds By noon, the main parking lot had many more open spaces. You just run the risk of more cloud coverage.

If you have young children, this is not the path for them. We saw only one group with children and the girls were upper elementary and above. Even for them, it was a bit difficult.

Most of all, take your time, enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the landscape, and know that you are walking among the clouds. Enjoy!

Where is your favorite place to hike? Drop me a comment! I’d love to know!

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