Looking to spend a few hours away from the lively beaches
of Maui? Head to the southeast coast and discover the peaceful
Oheo Gulch, part of the Haleakala National Park on the slopes
of Maui’s famed volcano. Also known as the Seven Sacred
Pools, this sprawling park is home to peaceful streams,
majestic waterfalls, and an amazing display of Hawaiian
flora that’s sure to enchant every visitor.
The name Seven Sacred Pools is actually a misnomer-there
are dozens of pools in the gulch, each one fed by a series
of waterfalls and draining into the ocean nearby. A large
stream runs through the area and is crossed by an open bridge,
through which visitors can pass to explore the other side.
Once you cross (and pay the $10 parking fee), you can access
the rest of the park, particularly the winding trail that
leads to the peak of Haleakala.
About two miles inland, you will find the two streams that
feed all the waterfalls in the area. The Pipiwai and Palikea
Streams merge in the distance to create the famed pools
that give the place its name. The pools make excellent spots
for swimming and diving, as the water is always clear and
calm. The best pools are those right along the shoreline,
just beyond the Park Ranger house.
The gulch is surrounded by a series of trails known as the
Kipahulu Area trails. The most popular is the Pipiwai Trail,
which lies 650 feet above the gulch and spans two miles
each way. It’s an exhausting 2.5-hour hike, but well worth
it: along the way, you’ll see great waterfalls, lookouts,
and a wide expanse of greenery and blue skies. The trail
ends at the 400-ft Waimoku Falls, which falls down a sheer
wall of lava rock and makes a truly magnificent picture.
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