About This Route
Maui's Hana Highway features 620 curves and 59 bridges through lush tropical rainforest. Waterfalls, bamboo forests, and dramatic coastline make this Hawaii's ultimate motorcycle experience.
Why ride Hana Highway
Hana Highway sits in Hawaii, USA, and earns its place on this guide for a simple reason: it gives riders something most roads can't — scenery that genuinely makes you stop the bike, paired with corner work that keeps your hands busy from start to finish.
Across roughly 85 kilometres of asphalt, you'll get a real feel for what riding in this corner of USA is about. It's not the longest route in the region and it isn't trying to be — it's a focused, high-quality stretch that rewards riders who take their time.
What the riding actually feels like
On a medium-rated road like this one, you'll want to be on your game but not on edge. Expect a mix of flowing curves, the odd tight hairpin, and short sections where the surface or traffic forces you to think. Solid intermediate riders with some touring miles under their belt will love it.
Read the road first, then commit. The combination of surface, sightlines and traffic on this route rewards a smooth, relaxed pace far more than aggressive corner entries. The route's twistiness rating of 5/5 and scenic rating of 5/5 give a fair indication of where to focus: more on body position and corner technique than on the views.
Best time of year to ride
The honest window is Year-round. In practical terms, this route rides well most of the year, but shoulder seasons usually mean fewer cars and softer light for photos. If you only have a narrow weather window, aim for a weekday rather than a weekend — you'll share the road with far fewer cars and tour buses, and the popular pull-offs won't be jammed.
Fuel, food and stops
Reliable fuel options along or near the route include Paia, Hana. Top up before any long climb — pumps in mountain villages can be closed at lunch or on Sundays.
For food and coffee, Paia, Hana are solid stops. Aim for a proper sit-down lunch rather than a vending-machine snack — the locals eat well in this region.
⚠️ Safety and hazards to watch for
Specific hazards on this route include: Narrow bridges; Rain; Tourists.
- Narrow roads
- One-lane bridges
- Flash floods
- The road has 59 bridges (46 one-lane) and ~620 curves requiring constant yielding, and rain brings rockfall and flash-flood closures; the unpaved Piilani Highway section past Hana may be off-limits under some rental agreements — check current conditions.
Who this route suits
Hana Highway works especially well for photographers and slow-tour riders chasing scenery, sport-tourers who live for corner-to-corner flow. Recommended bike types are Touring, but realistically anything in good mechanical condition with decent tyres will do the job — the road matters more than the badge on the tank.
Insider tips
- Start very early
- One lane bridges
- Not for large bikes