This pleasant Nā Ala Hele trail travels through the Waihou Spring Forest Reserve, but the best part of this hike is the descent to Waihou Spring where you’ll find a boulder-strewn basin underneath a mossy wall with old irrigation tunnels carved into the lava. The amount of water issuing from the spring can vary, but there are sometimes small waterfalls along the wall. It’s a very beautiful spot. Waihou Spring Forest Reserve was established in 1909 to protect Waihou Spring, one of the only perennial springs on the west slope of Haleakalā. The forest reserve borders a century-old experimental tree plantation.

Trailhead: From the upcountry town of Makawao, find Olinda Road departing mauka (uphill). Follow Olinda for about five miles. Just past the Olinda Endangered Species Propagation Facility, find ample trailhead parking on the side of the road. The trailhead is open from 7am to 7pm.

Weather

Gear: Standard hiking gear. It’s cooler in the Waihou Spring Forest Reserve at 4000’ above sea level. Bring your raingear, and wear sturdy shoes.

Hike: From the trailhead, walk the broad Waihou Spring State Forest Reserve tree plantation road, pass some portable toilets, and soon find the beginning of the loop portion of the trail. Going counter-clockwise, you quickly find the spur trail that travels to Waihou Spring. On the way, you’ll pass an overlook that is quite overgrown. Descend steeply into Kailua Gulch along switch-backs and drop 600’ to the streambed, crowded with large boulders. Watch your step - there are several spots that could produce a nasty fall. At the end of the trail, you’ll see several old irrigation tunnels carved into the lava rock wall. Stay on the trail. When ready, ascend the steep 600’ back to the Loop Trail. Complete the loop among myriad tree species such as Monterey, Cypress, Eucalyptus, ‘Ala’a, Halapepe, and Koa. Return to the Waihou Spring State Forest Reserve tree plantation road after completing the loop and return the trailhead the way you came.