Waihee Ridge Trail
This trail is a 5 mile round-trip hike on the West Maui Mountains. During the Waihee Ridge Trail hike, you will ascend 1500 feet in the mountains. The trail is surrounded by varieties of native trees and ferns as well as non-native fruit trees such as guava and passionfruit. You will see valleys where huge waterfalls turn into streams and flow to the ocean when you look down from the edge of the trail. You may also get a chance to spot some rare native birds. 
This hike is not far from Central Maui, so if you are needing to stretch your legs after a long flight, this is the place to go! Keep in mind it could get muddy after a bit of rain, so wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. Also, use a sturdy stick for a hiking pole to keep from slipping and sliding on the way down the mountainside. This trail can be challenging for younger kids. Makawao Forest
The Makawao Forest is located in Upcountry Maui. The trail is surrounded by fragrant Eucalyptus trees. You can hike the whole Kahakapao Loop Trail which is 6 miles total, or you can turn around and go back at any time for a shorter distance. The forest makes it cool and shaded throughout the trail. There are little gulches located off the trails where you can climb over small, mossy boulders for an added element of adventure.
You could also rent mountain bikes for a full day or half day in Makawao town. It is nice to enjoy the bike trails in Makawao Forest. The Makawao Forest trails can become muddy after a bit of rain, however, this area is usually pretty dry. This area is great for younger kids. There are a few teepees on the trail for kids play in. These teepees create excellent resting places where you can sit back and enjoy the beauty of the nature around you with your family.Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area
Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area is secluded from the rest of the island. The trail and campground take longer to get to than most other trails on Maui, but it is always worth the trip. On the trails, you will be surrounded by cypress, cedar, and pine trees at 6,400 feet above sea level. There are many trails located in this recreation area.The Polipoli Trail maxes out at 0.6 miles as it crosses through the Haleakala Ridge Trail. There is an assortment of other trails that are longer such as the Redwood Trail which is 1.7 miles long and the Plum Trail which is 0.5 miles long. It is important to pay close attention to trail signs when hiking as it is easy to find yourself on a different trail than the one you started on. You will be able to get a great view of Kihei and Wailea in South Maui from the trails. It is also fun to enjoy the coolness of being at cloud level. This area is great for younger kids.
Lahaina Pali Trail West
When you want to tackle this trail, you should definitely leave early and bring plenty of water. Lahaina Pali Trail West has very little shade and it can be very steep at times. Because of the nature of the trail, you should wear sturdy shoes and be wary of slippery rocks or boulders.
There are two spots to enter the trail: on the Maalaea side or the Lahaina side. If you have two cars, you can drop one car off on each side and hike the whole trail which is 5 miles long. The first half of the trail will be 2.5 miles up the hill and then it is 2.5 miles down on the other side. Another option is to hike from one side to the other and back for a grand total of 10 miles.
Hiking from the Maalaea side of the trail offers sweeping views of Central Maui, Maalaea Bay, and Haleakala. When you get to the windmills at the top, you can look down to the other side of the valley into the Ukumehame area. Hiking from the Lahaina side offers great views of Kahoolawe Island and valleys as you make your way up. When you get to the windmills, you can look down into Central Maui and Maalaea Bay.
This hike is a great workout with great views! Please do not smoke or start fires on this trail as the area receives very little rainfall and one spark can cause a lot of damage to this dry area. This is a strenuous hike, it is not ideal for young kids.
Haleakala Sliding Sands
If you are looking for a half-day hike in Haleakala National Park, try the first 2.5 miles of the Keoneheehee Trail which is also called the Sliding Sands Trail. For overnight trips, you can camp along the trail. You can also reserve a cabin at one of two locations along the trail. Keep in mind that cabins usually fill up far in advance so it is important to plan ahead. The Kapalaoa cabin is 5.6 miles into the trial and the Paliku cabin is 10.4 miles in.
This trail is definitely strenuous. It is not ideal for children, especially because of its high elevation and high exposure to UV rays. Due to the high elevation, it may be more challenging than expected so be sure to hike this trail with plenty of rest and hydration! Though this trail is not for the faint of heart, you will definitely be rewarded with stunning views of the giant cinder cones inside of Haleakala Crater.Iao Valley State Park
At the Iao Valley State Park, you can enjoy a leisurely hike through significant historical sites, streams, and gardens. This state park is located just west of Central Maui. Bring your bathing suit so you can wade into freshwater pools that are located along the trail.
The hustle and bustle of Central Maui is just minutes away so it is easy to get here. But, Iao Valley is a quiet sanctuary where you can leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. It is a great place to cool off on a hot summer day. It is perfect for kids who want to enjoy the cold streams but hiking may be more challenging than some other locations on the island.
Oheo Gulch/Makahiku Falls/Waimoku Falls
Go hiking along the Pipiwai Stream over Oheo Gulch, just on the other side of Haleakala National Park in Kipahulu. There is a fee to park your car in the lot across from the trailhead, but no fee to hike on this trail.There is a long trail option and short option that you can choose from depending on how far you wish to hike. The long option will lead you all the way to Waimoku Falls, a breathtaking 300-foot waterfall. This is about a 4 mile round trip. The trail winds through bamboo forests, over streams, and up to a giant banyan tree.
Makahiku Falls, on the other hand, is only about a 2 mile hike round trip. The waterfall is a towering 185 feet. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls on Maui. Be sure to wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty and bring plenty of water. Kids can do this hike but it may take a bit longer for them.
Twin Falls Trail
Twin Falls hiking trail is a perfect hike for those traveling with children. It is a very mellow trail with lots of people around to enjoy the beautiful falls and pools. The pools are a popular spot to refresh before the long road to Hana, or after a long day in the car. This is a great location to stop for a quick and easy waterfall excursion. The main pathway splits into a left and right fork. If you choose the left, you will find the most popular spot for swimming and jumping off rocks. On the other hand, the right fork leads you through two hand-dug irrigation ditches and eventually up to another waterfall and pool.
The trails on the Twin Falls Hike are made of dirt and gravel, so wear sturdy shoes. If it is raining, it is best to avoid waterfall hikes as there is potential for flash flooding. Twin Falls is just a short 15 to 20 minute drive from Paia town. You can enjoy a nice waterfall swim on the trail and then go to town for a yummy lunch.
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