Things to do / Travel Guide
Maui
Maui is a paradise for those who enjoying biking, from beginners to advanced cyclists.
One of the most popular biking routes on the island is the ride down from the Haleakala summit. Many tour companies on Maui offer guided bike tours down the 10,023-foot volcano. Keep in mind, however, that Halekala is not your average biking experience, as this route is for graduated and competent riders only. For safety reasons, pregnant women or those traveling with young children are not permitted on the Halekala biking tours. Visitors to Halekala are permitted to ride through the area on their own but guides on the tours keep bike riders in a single file line with everyone traveling at the speed of the slowest rider to maintain a basic standard of safety.
If you want to ride along the top of tall, jagged cliffs, and see sights like giant mango trees, bougainvillea, guava trees, and banyan trees, check out Kaupo Road on Maui. The 40-mile journey from Kaupo, on the southern edge of the island, arrives on the northern end of Maui near Kahului. Kaupo Road takes travelers through the tiny village of Kaupo as well as past Loa Loa Heiau, the largest temple in Hawaii, and the Hui Aloha Church.
Molokai
Molokai is a mecca for those wishing to go biking or cycling. The island is overflowing with biking trails that are rugged and sometimes steep. Generally speaking, many of the trails on Molokai are not as developed as the ones on Maui and, as such, the trails on Molokai are regarded as slightly difficult for the beginning cyclist.
There are 125 miles of bike trails all around the island of Molokai and therefore it is possible to cycle all the way around the island, which is just 22 miles in circumference. Throughout the island of Molokai, bikers can view the Kiawe forests, eucalyptus trees, and pastures filled with silk oak and guava as well as other local vegetation, such as kao haole, a white lead tree.
Lanai
Lanai is home to many biking trails. For beginners, the Mahana Trail is challenging enough. To get there, take Road 430 about two miles north of the Lodge at Koele and you will find the trail on your left through the gate. On the six-mile-long (roundtrip) Mahana Trail you can still get a taste of biking over hills and across loose soil without having to engage in physically exhausting exercise. Also, from the top of Mahana, Lanai's highest peak at 4,700 feet, bikers can get a wonderful view of Molokai's south coast. On a clear day, you can even see all the way across the waters to the western side of Maui.
For the more experienced rider, journey over to the Paniolo Trail, where you'll pass through guava groves, past grazing cattle, and possibly past axis deer, quail, and wild turkeys, too. The Paniolo Trail is short; less than five miles from Koele to Lanai City, and it offers splendid views of the dry land forest of Kanepuu.
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