Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Although there are myriad waterfalls at Twin Falls, the two main ones are most ac-
cessible for visitors. For a more thorough exploration into the hinterlands of the rainforest,
Hike Maui offers an informative guided tour. For casual visitors, however, the 1.3-mile
trail begins in the gravel parking lot and makes its way through a small gate in a lush and
forested orchard area. There are port-a-potties on the right side of the trail, and visitors
are encouraged to leave a donation for their maintenance and upkeep. After five minutes
of walking along the gravel road, you'll hear some waterfalls off to your left. While these
are nice for a quick photo, the main waterfalls are still farther down the trail. After 10
minutes of walking, you'll come to a stream crossing that can flood during periods of high
rain. If the water appears to be rushing violently, it's best to turn around. Five minutes past
the stream crossing, you'll come to a three-way fork in the road: Go straight. After five
more minutes you'll come to another fork, where the trail to your left has a wooden plank
crossing over a small stream. Go straight, and after two minutes of clambering around an
irrigation flume, you'll reach a waterfall that has a small pool for swimming. While this
waterfall is nice enough, there's a second waterfall known as Caveman that is far more
dramatic, although it can be a little tougher to reach.
To get to Caveman, turn around and go back to the fork in the trail where there was the
wooden plank. Cross over the wooden plank, ascend a small hill, take the fork to the left,
and then a take a right 50 yards later. You'll now find yourself walking downhill, and a few
minutes later you'll reach a concrete irrigation structure with steps leading up and over it.
From here you'll begin to see the waterfall in the distance, although to reach the base of
the falls you must wade across a stream that is usually about knee-deep. If the stream is
manageable, a short scramble past it will bring you to a cavernous waterfall begging you to
take your photo behind it. Since the water isn't clear enough to see the bottom, don't even
think about jumping off the top. Adjacent to the pool at Caveman you'll notice a thin trail
which switchbacks its way up the hill. Following this trail will bring you to more pools
and waterfalls, although since it's easy to get lost back here it's best to have a guide if you
plan on venturing any farther. On your way out from Caveman, after you climb up and
over the irrigation structure and ascend the hill, by following the trail to the right when it
forks you'll end up at the three-way fork in the trail you originally encountered on your
walk in, ultimately having done a full loop. From here it's a short walk back to the parking
lot and the rest of East Maui's treasures.
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NA'ILI'ILI HAELE (BAMBOO FOREST)
There was once a time when—like many other places on Maui—this trail was known only
to locals, overlooked by all but the most well-connected of island visitors. Today, the wa-
