Photograph courtesy of Shutterstock.
This text was written with enter from John Alford, the proprietor of Oʻahu-based bike tour firm, Bike Hawaii.
Seeking to expertise the islands on two wheels? Hawaiʻi biking excursions provide an unforgettable journey — from breezy coastal rides to adrenaline-pumping downhill volcano descents. Whether or not you’re after a family-friendly bike path or a guided summit-to-sea experience, Hawaiʻi has a path (and a tour) for you.
This text is meant for vacationers glad to lease a motorcycle on-island or be a part of an organized biking tour. (For those who’re a severe mountain biker touring with your individual mountain bike, we suggest downloading or choosing up John Alford’s guide, “Mountain Biking in the Hawaiian Islands”.)
The place to Go Biking in Hawaiʻi
If biking in Hawaiʻi is in your agenda, the primary determination you must make is which island to go to. “Every island has one thing completely different to supply,” Alford stated “from technical rides to van-assisted downhill coasts. Using in Hawaiʻi is a good way to see the sights, get some train and expertise the fantastic thing about Hawaiʻi.”
Right here’s a fast abstract of what the islands are greatest recognized for in terms of biking in Hawaiʻi:
Oʻahu
Maui
Photograph courtesy of @kejtijay
Hawaiʻi Island (Massive Island)
- Dwelling to Bike Volcano tours, which mix sightseeing with guided biking round Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Nationwide Park.
- Technical trails at Decrease Waiākea (Kulani) Trails close to Hilo.
- Lengthy-distance highway biking alongside Saddle Highway and coastal routes.
Kauaʻi
- The Kapaʻa Bike Path (Ke Ala Hele Makālae) is among the hottest biking excursions in Hawaiʻi — a secure, scenic, and simple experience good for households. Simply rent a bike and go.
- Mountain biking choices embody Kuilau–Moalepe trails and Kalepa Ridge.
Lānaʻi
- Fewer organized excursions, however quiet nation roads make for intimate, off-the-beaten-path biking experiences.
Downhill Volcano Bike Excursions
No dialogue of bike excursions in Hawaiʻi is full with out Maui’s Haleakalā. Right here’s what you may count on:
- Shuttle to the volcano summit for dawn. Pickup will be as early as 1am.
- On the high, you’ll have a security briefing. Put together for chilly temperatures.
- You’ll begin the experience a couple of miles from the summit. It’s largely a downhill experience via switchbacks and scenic upcountry roads.
- Van help and kit included (helmets, gloves, jackets).
Essential updates:
- Since 2023, industrial excursions are restricted to a 6.5-mile part of Haleakalā Crater Highway.
- No biking via residential neighborhoods.
- Minimal age: 15.
- Some routes are detoured as a consequence of wildfire restoration.
Controversies & Security Considerations
Like many Hawaiʻi biking excursions, downhill rides have sparked debate:
- Resident considerations: Maui locals say tour teams clog slim roads and disrupt commutes.
- Security report: Incidents, together with a 2024 customer fatality, spotlight the dangers of high-speed descents.
- Environmental points: Unlawful mountain biking trails on state land hurt native ecosystems.
Native authorities now regulate industrial excursions extra strictly to steadiness tourism with group security.
Ideas for Vacationers
- Ebook your Hawaiʻi bike tour early — spots promote out quick.
- Verify your operator is licensed and compliant with county guidelines.
- Select a tour suited to your health degree (informal path vs. downhill experience).
- At all times put on security gear.
- Respect native visitors, keep on approved trails and experience with aloha.
From the light shoreline path of Kauaʻi to the thrilling descent of Haleakalā, Hawaiʻi biking excursions ship unforgettable methods to see the islands. Simply keep in mind: the perfect rides steadiness journey with security and respect for native communities. Try this, and paradise really unfolds on two wheels.
