Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area Loop

The Polipoli Loop winds through a surreal 6,000-foot elevation forest of towering redwoods, eucalyptus, and Monterey pine planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. This isn’t your typical tropical Hawaiian landscape—morning fog rolls through these introduced trees like Northern California, while native koa and ohia struggle to reclaim their ancestral territory. The rough gravel road passes abandoned CCC camps and offers glimpses down to Maui’s central valley through breaks in the unusual forest canopy.

This easy to moderate route requires high-clearance vehicles for loose volcanic gravel and occasional washouts, but most stock SUVs can handle it in dry conditions. Winter brings mud and occasional frost at this elevation, making spring through fall the best seasons. No permits required, but water and fuel should be carried as facilities are minimal. The reward is experiencing Hawaii’s most unusual ecosystem and some of the best views down Maui’s slopes to both coasts.