12. Maui - Waihe‘e Ridge Trail

The first night on Maui is quiet and I can even sleep until 7 AM today. By 9 AM, we are in the car and starting our drive from Kahana Bay across to the Waihe‘e Ridge Trail. The hike is challenging: over a total distance of about 6.4 kilometers, we need to conquer nearly 460 steep meters in elevation.

The trail is considered one of the best viewpoints in Maui to admire the deep, green valley and the deep blue Pacific. However, nature shows its wild side for us. The path quickly turns into a slippery mudslide due to the rain, requiring full concentration with every step on the muddy ground. David slips multiple times but fortunately remains completely uninjured. With our sturdy hiking shoes and trekking poles, we have a clear advantage here. Many other tourists, however, are completely unprepared: they attempt to conquer the slippery grade in sandals or white sneakers with no tread – an absolutely adventurous sight. We witness a few falls.
Although dense clouds obscure almost our entire view, we have some luck along the way: for a brief moment, the cloud cover breaks and reveals a spectacular view of the dramatically descending, deep green valley beneath us.
Upon reaching the summit, the sky opens up even more, and it starts raining even harder. But we won't let that dampen our spirits: despite the heavy downpour, we stubbornly unpack our picnic and enjoy the well-deserved meal amidst the clouds.
The return journey demands everything from us once again. Since it keeps raining, the descent requires even more concentration than the ascent. The risk of slipping increases massively with the downward movement, and we have to navigate extremely carefully to return safely to the starting point. We are completely soaked and first change into our swimsuits to get out of our wet clothes. A true adventure that we won't forget anytime soon.

After the hike, we choose to continue westward along the infamous Kahekili Highway. This route is quite a challenge: the road winds along the steep cliffs with countless, narrow curves. At many points, the roadway becomes so extremely narrow that it is only one lane wide. Oncoming traffic here means absolute millimeter work and demands utmost concentration when maneuvering. In fact, this section of road is strictly prohibited by most rental car companies according to contract, as it is deemed too dangerous and offers little towing assistance in case of a breakdown. Despite the queasy feeling in our stomachs and the persistent rain, we successfully navigate the adventurous track and are continuously rewarded with wild, spectacular views.
Suddenly, in the midst of a blind curve, oncoming traffic appears out of nowhere. René has to slam on the brakes; the tires grip on the wet asphalt, and we fortunately manage to come to a stop just in time. The fright runs deep in our bones – the cliff is damn close and the margin for error minimal. Once the adrenaline begins to subside and we cautiously maneuver past each other, we continue our journey with even more caution.
René is truly an absolute super driver! He has brought us safely, deeply relaxed, and in good spirits to our hotel.
On the way, there are also tide pools and blowholes to see, but we lack the energy for a stop. Upon arriving at the hotel, we enjoy the pool and hot tub to relax. After dinner, René and I take a stroll to the beach.