Sliding Sands Trail
Sliding Sands Trail
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
166 reviews
Excellent
142
Very good
18
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Ashley
Minneapolis, MN6 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
We hiked about 1.5 hours into the crater and headed back as it was approaching sunset. Beautiful views of the interior of Haleakalā the entire hike. You are hiking down into the crater and is a very easy walk down and much harder to walk out on the way up. Leave more time for the way out. We arrived back to the parking lot for a beautiful sunset above the clouds.
On our drive to the summit parking lot it was cloudy and then drove out of the clouds for great views at the top.
On our drive to the summit parking lot it was cloudy and then drove out of the clouds for great views at the top.
Written February 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mayandollar
Reno, NV235 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Clear beautiful day!! Weird, freakishly beautiful landscape with ever changing colors. Strongly recommend : hiking boots, lots of water, large picnic lunch, down jacket or sweater, warm hat and even hiking poles. We hiked 4 hours total. We live at altitude so it wasn’t super difficult. Stopping for lunch in the middle of nowhere was awesome !! Clouds rolling in at end of hike was so spooky.
Written March 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mintchip586
United States92 contributions
May 2023
Desolate, dusty but in awe of the huge space that we were entering. We hiked it after the sunrise (started about 6:00am and made it to the 1.5 or 2 mi mark before heading back). Any further and later in the day, would require more water and hat since the sun is pretty unforgiving. Steady downhill, which made the return pretty slow. Proud that a group of 60 yos experienced it!
Written May 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chowso
Gloucester, UK1,758 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Even if you just do a small part of this trail it’s worth it. We walked down for an hour then came back - the closer you get to the cinder cones the more colour you can see in the crater. It’s an easy descent but much harder coming back up as it’s sandy and the ground shifts under your feet. We are quite fit but found it taxing on the way back, in no small part due to the thinner air. Also had to stop a few times to empty sand from my shoes.
Written June 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SMO2015
Canada1,824 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
This was one of my favourite hikes - allow enough time for the descent into the volcano and notably the trek back up as we saw many a hiker slowly labour up the return journey. Bring water and sun cover. The views look so alien and extraterrestrial, as did the flora and fauna (the nenes and silver stars). A memorable experience!
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sammiches
Dallas, TX445 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
This was a stunning hike with incredible views! Be aware that the hike down is way easier than the hike back up. It can be cold and windy so dress in layers and bring plenty of water. The hike back up is treacherous as it’s easy to get winded because of the thin air. Give yourself plenty of time to make it back up. It took nearly twice as long for the ascent back up the trail, but absolutely worth it!
Written August 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoadwarriorTammy
Denver, CO10 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
We’re athletic hikers in our 60’s. Pay attention to how far you want to go down, cuz the coming up is a lot harder! Incredible landscape that changed with every switchback. Bring fleece or raincoat, water, food. Wear hiking boots. Slippery sand!!
Written August 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike H
Phoenix, AZ2,016 contributions
Feb 2020
Walking down here is eerie to me. First of all you're at 10000 feet so if you use the rule of thumb 1 hour down 2 hours up it is more like 3 because of the altitude unless you live in higher elevations. Make sure you have good shoes and warm clothes and a last worning don't go in the rain. The landscape is moonlike and pretty barren. We didn't do the entire trek but did enough to know a little of what to expect. We had clear weather but it was cold. Definitely huffed and puffed on the way back up.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sabes
Pittsburgh, PA75 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
This trail is downhill into the Haleakala Crater floor. It is on gravely sand and easy to go down but rough coming back up. We ended up only going 1.5 miles down as we felt that, although the views were impressive, they weren't going to change much going further into the crater. Took us twice as long going up, stopping literally every 150-200 steps to slow our heartrates down. Needed lots of water so glad we brought more than we thought we needed.
Written September 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robert-not-home
Boston, MA2,384 contributions
Jan 2022
The trail isn't too difficult, but you are at about 9,000 feet so the air is thinner and the temperatures lower so dress warmly. Was about 45F when I was there and very strong winds so glad I had a warm coat and long pants. The scenery on this hike is breathtakingly beautiful in a stark way. So barren but yet so stunning, definitely worth your time.
Written January 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband and I are planning on doing this hike in September when we go to Maui! What time should be arrive to be guaranteed a parking spot? We don’t have the desire to see the sunrise. Thanks!
Written July 30, 2021
Hi, is it located at Honolulu island ?
Written January 7, 2020
Planning on touring and hiking ourselves. Can anyone recommend type of foot gear to wear? Probably an early afternoon visit, and clothing recommendations as well? Thank you!
Written May 11, 2019
Is this trail 11 miles to go to the end and then back again?
Written July 2, 2018
It is one way. I recommend parking at the end and then either hitchhiking (there will be other hikers doing the same or willing to pick you up) to start at the summit. Or if you have friends/family willing (we've done this one time too) to drop you off at the summit after you leave a car at the end.
Written August 14, 2018
Is this trail 11 miles to go to the end and then back again?
Written July 2, 2018
Bonjour,
Est-ce possible de détailler le chemin suivi? Avez-vous dormi dans le parc (camping ou cabine)?
Merci!
Written March 2, 2018
Good afternoon,
How much time it takes to do the Sliding Sands Trail complete?
Kind regards
Written January 20, 2018
It depends on your fitness and how your body handles the altitude. It was about 6 hours for us with a picnic at the cabin.
Written August 14, 2018
How common is getting Altitude Sickness when doing the entire 11 mile hike from the summit back down to Hitchhikers point? My girlfriend and I are active and fit and enjoy a physical challenge, but the warnings of Altitude Sickness from some people are starting to worry me. We definitely don't want to start feeling nauseous 5 miles into a 11 mile hike...
Written September 13, 2017
We have done it three times without any problem. However, we know there was an evacuation one year and we've seen hikers not prepared. Go slow, bring lots of water.
Written August 14, 2018
"We hitchhiked from the hitchhikers pickup point to the summit and hiked down the sliding sands trail; We were expecting something like scree running and were surprised to find quite an easy hike down."
Isn't this like a 12 mile hike? I read others telling me it's a very strenuous hike due to the high altitude and would normally take at least a whole day.
Has anybody else done the entire hike from the summit down to "hitchhiker's point" with no problems of altitude sickness?
Written September 13, 2017
So I am 50+, fit but overweight and have done the trail three times now The switchbacks are actually pretty flat compared to sliding sands. Compared to Waihe'e ridge or hikes in Kauai its not steep. The trail up is excellent and not "sliding". I actually find the down part the worst.
You only climb back to 8000 feet so its not so high. I have never experienced altitude sickness.
The first time it took 5 hours in the rain and the second 7 hours in the sun. Both times taking a side trip around halali'i crater.
Take lots of water, go slow, start early, stops lots and enjoy.
Written January 23, 2019
Est ce accessible pour des enfants?
Peux t'on faire seulement une partie du trijet et voir un beau panorama?
Written July 1, 2017
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