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Upper Waikani Falls, Haiku HI

Address Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI
Categories Tourist Attraction, Hiking Area
Rating 4.4 16 reviews
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Upper Waikani Falls reviews

16
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Oswaldo
September 26, 2023 4:53 pm

A real gem! The access to the (three bears) waterfalls is on the left side of the bridge (looking towards the waterfall). The access is quite steep and there's a chain to help with getting down to the trail (which can be slippery when wet). From there is just a short hike through rocks and bamboo trees to the waterfalls. Enjoy!

Erin
July 10, 2023 3:27 am

As of July 2023, there is a red No Swimming sign and the entrance to the steep path down to the falls is blocked off with barbed wire. The sign states that this falls has special cultural significance and that there are other waterfalls to swim in. For example, Twin Falls or Pua'a Ka'a State Wayside both have parking and waterfalls open to the public for swimming.

Bernd
June 08, 2023 6:54 am

There is no shortage of waterfalls.) And the next one is more beautiful (and different) than the first.

Jaroslava
June 02, 2023 8:22 pm

These were the best waterfalls on the Road to Hana. Although they were almost right next to the road, the path to them was not entirely easy. Over big rocks and it's a bit slippery. But it's worth it. The cold and clean water will amaze you. Magic place:)

Siddharth
May 29, 2023 9:27 pm

Simply stunning! This is one of the best hike you would experience. I did it while it was raining but the experience was too good to describe. The tropical rain forest is amazing. Must do on a trip to Maui!

Ryan
May 13, 2023 8:55 am

Upper Waikani Falls was a magical place to visit. It's definitely a must see place while on the way to Hana. I lost my small little drone there, so the Hawaiian Gods got paid. Hopefully I'll be repaid in dividends for my sacrifice.

Truly though a stunning place to go! Btw, the entrance to get down to the falls is a chain and red rope teathered together to help you climb down the slick rock just off to the left side of the bridge as you're facing the water falls.

Parking is just up the road past the falls on the left. About five cars or so can park their at a time.

Lee
May 11, 2023 7:19 pm

A really cool site to see! I just wish I had researched a little better prior to stopping so I knew how to actually walk down to the waterfall (steep path between the bridge and mountain, I think).

Александра
April 24, 2023 6:03 am

There's no parking right next to this waterfall but you can drive a bit further (maybe half of mile) and there will be spot for a few cars
One of the most beautiful waterfall in the roud to Hana without crowds of people It was absolutely empty when we were there but I don't recommend to go down right to the waterfall because there is no safe access to it that's why there are no people:)

Ruben
February 16, 2023 5:15 pm

Upper Waikani Falls, also known as Three Bears Falls, is a breathtakingly beautiful natural wonder located in the heart of the lush rainforest of Maui, Hawaii. It is a popular attraction among tourists and locals alike due to its stunning beauty and accessibility.

The Upper Waikani Falls is situated along the Hana Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the world, and is easily accessible via a short hike from the roadside. The hike to the falls is relatively easy, although it does involve some steep stairs and rocky terrain, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

Upon arriving at the falls, visitors are immediately struck by the stunning natural beauty of the area. The waterfall cascades down a series of three tiers, which gives it the name "Three Bears Falls". The water is crystal clear, and the rocks and boulders surrounding the falls are covered in lush green foliage.

One of the unique features of Upper Waikani Falls is that visitors can actually swim in the pool at the base of the waterfall. The water is refreshing and invigorating, and provides a unique perspective on the waterfall itself. Swimming in the pool also allows visitors to get up close and personal with the natural surroundings, and appreciate the beauty of the area in a truly immersive way.

Another noteworthy aspect of the falls is that they are not as heavily trafficked as some of the other popular tourist destinations on the island. This makes the experience of visiting Upper Waikani Falls all the more special, as visitors are able to enjoy the natural beauty of the area without the crowds and noise of more heavily trafficked areas.

One thing to note is that the area can be slippery and potentially dangerous due to the wet and rocky terrain. Visitors are advised to exercise caution, and to wear appropriate footwear and clothing. It is also important to respect the natural surroundings and not leave any litter or debris behind.

In summary, Upper Waikani Falls is a stunning natural wonder that is not to be missed when visiting Maui, Hawaii. Its accessible location, refreshing pool, and immersive natural surroundings make it a must-see destination for tourists and locals alike. Visitors are advised to exercise caution and respect the natural surroundings, but will be rewarded with an unforgettable experience that they will cherish for years to come.

Jay
January 20, 2023 7:25 pm

A little stop off waterfall on the Road to Hana. We looked from the bridge and saw people swimming in it down below so we made the hike down. There's no parking at the falls so we parked a distance up the road and walked down. The path from the bridge is fairly dangerous. The right side is closed and fenced off and you can see people still make that side in but the left side has a decent rock decline which is steep and slippery. There's a chain bolted to the rock to assist but one slip and your probably hurting something. You then have to traverse through the stream bed which is pretty rocky and as always puts you at risk in case of flash flooding. At the bottom of the falls there was a good size pool of which you could swim over to the base of the falls. At the base there was a really big ledge under the water as to conveniently stand on for your photos. You could tell this was Instagram model shot heaven as there were quite a few young people down taking photos. Water was clean and it was ridiculously refreshing.

Swetha
January 14, 2023 7:17 am

The drive to Hana itself is so beautiful and this is certainly worth stopping by. We didn't go closer to the falls, but stopped by as we drove along. Make sure to have good non-slippery shoe, especially if you are planning to go closer to the falls and the land can be slippery.

William
January 11, 2023 11:33 am

One of the better views of the waterfalls along the road. Just be mindful and don’t park in the do not park zones. It stops the traffic and makes everybody’s life more difficult.

Yewen
January 05, 2023 8:07 am

Beautiful waterfalls! The hike down is treacherous but you get rewarded. Just make sure you have proper shoes, sandals won't do. Go down from the left side of the bridge, use the chain to lower yourself. After that, there's a trail to the left. Follow the trail, climb over some boulders and you'll arrive at the foot of the falls. If you have balance or mobility troubles, you can still see the falls clearly from the bridge.

Fire
December 26, 2022 1:58 pm

Amazing waterfall. Water was very fresh. Hike down was kinda hard but was do able in flip flops. Definitely recommend to check it out

Jason
December 16, 2022 10:51 pm

I DO NOT RECOMMEND GOING TO THE BASE OF THE FALLS. This is a really nice waterfall, but I'm rating it low because of the difficulty and danger of trying to get up close. Just stop near the bridge and enjoy it from there.

The route to the base has been fenced off by the landowner. However, people have jerry-rigged a route by putting a rope along a slick 10 foot drop. After that, the trail goes through a grove of trees and reaches the boulder field along the stream. All footholds have been worn smooth by thousands of feet stepping in the same spots. Add to that a slick layer of algae and you'll find yourself easily slipping off into the water, or worse, off the taller ledges.

The falls do look cooler up close. They are a lot bigger than they appear from the highway. However, the scramble is NOT worth the effort.

Saurav
December 13, 2022 12:50 pm

The fall is not so attractive from the viewpoint than when you see it from an aerial view. But a good stop while driving to Hana.

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