Upper Waikani Falls (Hidden Gem on the road to Hana)
Hidden Gem on the road to Hana
The Upper Waikani Falls from the front view and side view | © ChrisGoldNY
Be prepared to witness a gorgeous 70-foot waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. The area at the waterfalls will bring you into a separate world of peace and tranquility. The Upper Waikani Falls, a.k.a. Three Bears, is the perfect stop-and-go waterfall for sightseeing on the road to Hana. The road to Hana is an incredible 54-mile drive that many travelers take that’s filled with picturesque bridges, curving roads, and eighteen gorgeous waterfalls.
Unlike other waterfalls in the area like Hanawi Falls, the Upper Waikani falls is unique because it is very easily accessible and doesn’t require a long hike or trek. This makes it the perfect waterfall destination for when you’re looking for a quick picture or if you’re traveling with people that aren’t as mobile.
The Three Bears moniker makes absolute sense when you first lay eyes on the waterfalls. There are three separate waterfalls on the same rock wall that are positioned side by side to each other. The three waterfall streams are known aptly as Papa bear, Mama bear, and Baby bear from left to right.
The Upper Waikani Falls features a 70-foot drop from its highest point to the pool below. The three separate flows have also been seen to combine after periods of heavy rainfall, creating just one large waterfall. The pool at the bottom of the waterfall is filled with crystal waters that are just begging for someone to come in and take a relaxing swim.
Key Information
Location: Hana Highway (Hwy 360), Mile Marker #19.6
Google Map Coordinates: 20.8323667, -156.141032
Parking: Sparse but possible
Hike Skill Level: Easy
Postcard-Worthy? Absolutely
Weather at Upper Waikani Falls
The Wailua Valley area surrounding the Upper Waikani Falls is one of the wettest in the region and receives a few hundred mm of rainfall annually. In the winter, perfect views are a little more hit-and-miss. You might find yourself standing at the bottom of a misty and rainy waterfall (still beautiful nonetheless but with a bit more mystery). The Falls, however, are usually accessible year-round, so feel free to drop by no matter when your trip takes place.
Our Recommendation
The serene Upper Waikani Falls | © Allie Caulfield
We recommend that you visit the falls after a period of heavy rainfall, or at least after some rainfall, if your schedule doesn’t allow for much waiting. Visiting the Upper Waikani Falls after periods of low rain might make the flow of water sparse and lean, so you have to be prepared for that possibility as well.
Go as early as you can in the day to ensure that you can get a parking spot. Parking on the road is not allowed as it is very narrow, so be sure to drive up north to get a parking spot at the designated area. If you absolutely can’t find a parking spot, please do not stop in the middle of the road to take pictures, as you’ll be blocking the narrow road for other cars.
Once you’ve parked, you’ll have to carefully walk on the road itself next to passing cars and buses to the bridge beside the waterfall. As there is no official trail to get to the Upper Waikani Falls, you’ll have to do a short bit of scrambling to get to the falls from the roadside. When getting off the road, the path may be blocked with barbed wire and no-trespassing signs, but you should be able to pass through it with no issues.
The bridge at Upper Waikani Falls from where you can take photos | © Phil Dokas
The two main paths down to the waterfalls from the road are from the mountainside and ocean side. Both paths are steep, but the mountainside can be steeper; please be careful of the barbed wire if you choose the path to the right of the bridge. Getting under the bridge is easy if you’re feeling adventurous and don’t mind a bit of climbing. Once you get past the initial few steps of steepness, it is a much easier short walk (about a hundred yards) to the waterfalls.
Once you reach the falls, be sure to take a swim in the beautiful pool with incredibly clear water. The pool is not considered safe for jumping or diving, so please exercise caution, as the surrounding rocks can be very slippery. You’ll be sure to have people watching you from the bridge, occasionally wondering how in the world you got down there. The slightly complicated journey from the parking spot to the waterfalls is definitely worth the reward. The relatively hidden and sketchy nature of the path filters out the less committed travelers and keeps the waterfall area uncrowded.
Parking at Upper Waikani Falls
As there is no official parking location at the falls, you’ll have to drive about 500 to 1000 feet north of the falls to a large road shoulder/overlook where there is a parking space for a few cars. There is also a secondary parking spot to the south of Upper Waikani Falls. Each parking spot can only take a few vehicles; please do not park on smaller road shoulders, as they are needed for emergencies.
The route & location of the parking spot in the North:
The route & location of the parking spot in the South:
Must-knows before Visiting
1. Proper footwear & water shoes (flip-flops are not recommended)
Please remember to wear proper footwear; the short hike to the waterfalls can sometimes be slippery and steep. There are also loose rocks and vegetation on the trek to the waterfall from the road. Proper hiking shoes with heel support or water shoes are recommended to avoid rolled ankles or worse. When swimming, the rocks on the bottom of the pool are also slippery, so you might want to keep your footwear on for that.
2. Appropriate Swimwear & Towel
The waterfall pool can get chilly, so you will definitely want a change of clothes after taking a swim for the walk back to your car. It’s going to be uncomfortable if you’re soaked in cold, wet clothes for the possibly 15-minute walk back to your vehicle.
3. Risk of Standing Under the Waterfalls
Please be warned that standing or swimming directly under the waterfall is not advisable, as any rockfall or solid debris that drops from the top of the waterfall can seriously injure you. It is a 70-foot drop from the top that can make even a tiny rock lethal. Although the ground under the waterfalls is slightly shallow and can be tempting, be extra careful and don’t linger for longer than you need to.
4. Slippery Moss
The rocks and boulders found at the waterfall’s base and the surrounding area may be covered in wet moss. Try to be careful and watch your step when stepping on moss, as it can be especially slippery. You do not want to get injured and have to call for help when it’s a tricky hike back up to the road.
Driving to Upper Waikani Falls
On the road to Hana
The Upper Waikani Falls is usually seen in addition to the other beautiful spots on the road to Hana. It’s located about 30 miles from the start of the road to Hana in Paia, but you’ll be stopping before it plenty of times to see everything else. The Upper Waikani Falls is a little past the Halfway to Hana rest stop, giving you the perfect spot to rest and take a break before continuing the journey. For reference: the closest town to the Upper Waikani Falls is Wailua.
Driving on the Hana Highway to the Upper Waikani Falls can be unnerving even for experienced drivers. Expect many single-lane bridge crossings, hundreds of curvy turns, hairpin turns, wet roads, and blind spots. However, suppose you can get over the slightly sketchy driving conditions. In that case, the journey is filled with incredible natural wonders and a sense of lushness that only the Hana Highway can offer.
The Driving Route to Upper Waikani Falls from Paia
If you can't drive or aren't driving
There isn’t really any public transportation available to get to the Upper Waikani Falls. The next best alternative would be to take a guided tour instead.
Gear Tips & Checklist
Hiking Shoes (Steep Approach)
Water Shoes
Swimwear & Towel
Bug Spray
Camera
Final Thoughts
Beautiful long exposure shot of the Upper Waikani Falls | © Joe Parks
The Upper Waikani Falls is a thing of natural beauty that you absolutely cannot miss if you find yourself in the area. It is the perfect blend of secludedness and accessibility. If you don’t want to take the short hike down to the falls, simply stopping nearby and taking photos from the bridge is also totally worth the trip.
Have you ever been to the falls? Let us know in the comments below if you think we’ve left something out. Let’s make it a safer destination for everyone.
Be sure to also check out our recently featured stories on Halona Beach Cove and Red Hill Haleakala. They are two absolutely gorgeous destinations that will totally make your trip to Hawaii that much more special.
