7-Day Hawaii Itinerary Overview: Road to Hana & Volcanoes National Park
This 7-day Hawaii trip combines two of the state’s most unforgettable experiences: Maui’s legendary Road to Hana and the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. The journey is ideal for travelers who want a mix of scenic drives, short hikes, waterfalls, black sand beaches, lava tubes, coastal viewpoints, and unique geology. On Maui, expect lush rainforest scenery, ocean cliffs, surf overlooks, and iconic stops such as Ho'okipa Beach Park, Wai'anapanapa State Park, Hana Lava Tube, and Ohe'o Gulch. Haleakala National Park adds a completely different perspective with high-elevation volcanic scenery and spectacular panoramic views.
The second half of the trip shifts to the Big Island, where the focus is on volcanic wonders and raw natural beauty. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers some of the most impressive landscapes in the islands, including craters, steam vents, lava fields, rainforest trails, and scenic drives. Highlights such as Kilauea Iki Trail, Nahuku - Thurston Lava Tube, and Chain of Craters Road provide a strong mix of accessible sightseeing and immersive exploration. This itinerary keeps the number of major stops reasonable for a 7-day trip, helping you enjoy the route without feeling rushed while still covering Hawaii’s most memorable natural landmarks.
Recommended Activities
- 1
Haleakala National Park
Visit for its otherworldly volcanic landscapes, sunrise and sunset views above the clouds, scenic hiking trails, and the chance to experience one of Maui’s most iconic natural landmarks.
- 2
Ho'okipa Beach Park
Visit for excellent ocean views, reliable chances to watch surfers and windsurfers, and frequent sea turtle sightings on the shore, making it a memorable and easy scenic stop. - 3
Ke'anae Peninsula
A highly rated scenic stop on the Road to Hana known for dramatic lava shoreline views, historic church, and local banana bread. - 4
Upper Waikani Falls
One of the most photographed waterfalls on the Road to Hana, offering an easy and rewarding roadside viewpoint.
- 5
Wai'anapanapa State Park
Visit for its striking black sand beach, rugged lava coast, sea caves, blowholes, and dramatic coastal scenery that make it one of the most distinctive stops on the Road to Hana. - 6
Hana Lava Tube
Visit to walk through a fascinating underground lava cave, see ancient rock formations up close, and add a unique volcanic experience to the Road to Hana.
- 7
Ohe'o Gulch (Pools of Ohe'o)
Visit for its beautiful series of stream pools and waterfalls, scenic coastal setting, and access to the Kipahulu area’s trails and viewpoints in Haleakala National Park. - 8
Pipiwai Trail
A top activity in the Kipahulu area featuring bamboo forest, large banyan trees, and the spectacular Waimoku Falls.
- 9
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Visit to experience one of the world’s most remarkable volcanic landscapes, with craters, lava fields, steam vents, scenic drives, and outstanding opportunities to learn about Hawaii’s active geology. - 10
Kilauea Visitor Center
A great starting point in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for current eruption conditions, exhibits, and ranger guidance.
- 11
Steam Vents
A popular geothermal stop in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where visitors can see volcanic steam rising from the ground. - 12
Kilauea Iki Trail
Visit for one of the park’s most rewarding hikes, where you descend through rainforest onto a solidified crater floor and see dramatic volcanic terrain up close.
- 13
Nahuku - Thurston Lava Tube
Visit to walk through a lush rainforest and into a massive lava tube, offering an easy and memorable look at how volcanic landscapes are formed. - 14
Chain of Craters Road
Visit for a scenic drive through striking lava fields, coastal viewpoints, and dramatic remnants of past eruptions, making it one of the best ways to experience the scale of the volcano.
Restaurants
- Trending now
Koast Maui
A newly opened Wailea restaurant that has been getting strong early buzz in local food coverage and Maui Reddit chatter, with people calling it one of the island’s standout new dining spots. It’s especially relevant for a Road to Hana / South Maui itinerary because it’s a fresh, hype-driven reservation target rather than an old standby. - Trending now
Aurum Maui
A recent Wailea opening that food media highlighted as the newest addition to the area’s dining scene, with early buzz around its polished contemporary-American menu and resort-adjacent location. It fits the 'new and talked-about' brief better than legacy options, and it’s been surfacing in Maui dining discussions since opening.
Mama's Fish House
A classic Maui splurge stop often praised for ultra-fresh local seafood, polished service, and a memorable oceanfront setting near the start of the Road to Hana.$$$$Flatbread Company
A favorite in Paia for wood-fired pizzas made with local ingredients, with a lively atmosphere that makes it a dependable pre- or post-Hana meal.$$$$Hana Farms Roadside Stand & Pizza Oven
A convenient and well-liked Hana stop for relaxed outdoor dining, fresh local products, and tasty pizzas that work especially well during a full day on the Road to Hana.$$$$Moon and Turtle
One of Hilo's most recommended dinner spots, known for creative island-inspired cooking, carefully prepared seafood, and a more intimate local feel.$$$$Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay
A popular Hilo choice for a comfortable sit-down meal with seafood, pasta, and pizza, plus a convenient location for travelers heading to or from Volcanoes National Park.$$$$
Hotels
Local Events & Happenings
Brad Williams: The Tall Tales Tour
The event will take place at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea.
Travel Gems from Reddit
Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Haleakal National Park in one trip?
Are there beaches for snorkeling, swimming, relaxing nearby these national parks? ... Easy to do stay in Maui the first few days then fly to the Big Island and stay there a fe...
How to go about visiting Volcano National Park?
I would suggest going to the visitor center. Lots of information there. You can see a map of the entire park there. I would recommend doing the "hike" right outside visitor ce...
Volcanoes National Park Itinerary
Then research and choose 1-2 (or more?) day hikes that appeal to you to slot in between sites on the drive. https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hikes_day.htm ... I suggest ...
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - help planning day trip?
There are many other things to see in the park that you won't be able to see at night such as the steam bluffs trail, Holei Sea Arch at the end of Chain of Craters Road, and m...
Tips for Road to Hana and Haleakala over an 8 day period?
For Hana take Hana HWY Paia Haiku Hana Kipahulu and return on Hana HWY Hana Haiku Paia. Get guide along Gypsy app download at home and review for stops interested in . Kipahul...
Hawaii Itinerary
Spend 7 nights at the Wailea resort of your choice (I am a sucker for the pools at the Grand Wailea for kids and for myself who is a big kid, but the FS and the Fairmont are t...
Half day trip to Hawaii Volcano National Park
Whether it is erupting or not, my strategy is the same -- leave predawn and take the Saddle Road so that I arrive either just before dawn (activity) or just as the sun is risi...
One Day Big Island Trip
Flip the itinerary. Arrive at night, rent a car, drive to the park, see the show, and fly back the next morning after seeing the daylight attractions at VNP. And Ken's = Denny...
Road to Hana itinerary check
[ ] -Koki beach south of Hana has cool view of Alau Island a sea arch and red hill behind(Ka Iwi o Pele) contains bones of volcano goddess Pele after she got in a fight with h...
How to travel Hawaii and their National Parks
Sunday: Get to Volcano around 8. Take the last flight to Maui which is at 6:30. Gives us about 5 hours to spend at the park, head back to the Airbnb, shower, and head to the a...
Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in 1-day with 2 kids (am I crazy?)
Early dinner inside the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (e.g.,Ohelo Cafe or Kilauea Lodge) or Hana Hou Restaurant along the way. Drive to Papakolea Green Sand Beach, 45- to 1-h...
Full Road to Hana Tour or Road to Hana Halfway & Haleakala National Park Tour (both 10 hours)
Thanks for your input. ... Just drive to the summit early one morning. Don't hassle with either sunrise or sunset. It could be socked in or dull. In the morning, after 7 AM, t...
Road to Hana Tips?
19 votes, 60 comments. Hi all! I'm planning to do the Road to Hana on our visit to Maui next month. I have a rough itinerary based on research I've
Road to Hana full loop?
The backside drive is rough at first with blind curves so honk, rough surface, but views are great, and road gets smooth since they extended the paved part. Stop at the Winery...
How do one visit the 2 national parks in Hawaii coming from mainland US? Need specifics.
HNL -> Hilo for volcanoes and Hilo -> Maui for Haleakala. Fly back home from Maui. Use Hawaiian airlines ... How many days total is your itinerary including days of flying fro...
Road to Hana Itinerary
One of the best decisions we made was to break all there is to do/see up into two days. If thats not feasible for you then a 7am stop at Kuau store then a scenic stop or two a...
Anyone here been to Hawaii Volcanoes?
... The best place to look is on the park's website. It was recently erupting for a day or two, although only in the remote backcountry so you couldn't see any lava, and that ...
[Big Island] Question about the road and lines to Volcanoes National Park in June
Our plan is to visit the park during the day to learn/see what all we can, then return at night after dark to view the lava (if it's visible). I also considered heading into H...
Volcano National Park - Recommendations and Status
one full day is prob enough for most people but if youre an outdoorsy/nature person then 2 might be better. no active lava flow since 2018. the park is open 24/7 so its cool t...
Which stops are actually worth stopping at on the Road to Hana? And my itinerary if you want to review it.
While on the road to Hana i recommend some fresh Hana bananas, best banana I've ever had. People grow them in their yards and sell them everywhere along the road. Support Maui...