Iao Valley State Park

Visitors from across the world come to the striking 'Iao Valley State Park to see its vertiginous peaks and abundant green rainforest. One of the park's most popular landmarks is the 'Iao Needle, a verdant ridge that forms part of the extinct West Maui Mountains volcano. Towering 370 metres above the valley below, it truly is a sight to behold.

Although the needle sits in the heart of a tropical mountain range, it's easy to get a good vantage point. Visitors young and old should be able to manage the paved 'Iao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop. This 800 meter trail starts at the parking area (where you'll also find a bathroom) and slopes gently towards the lookout point, following the course of the 'Iao River.

The spectacular views of the 'Iao Needle are at their best in the morning, before the clouds descend. It's these very clouds that give the needle its name ("cloud supreme") and you should come prepared for a good deal of rain. The park is also known for its clouds of mosquitoes, which congregate in large numbers around freshwater pools repellent should be worn at all times. Before you leave, take the Ethnobotanical Loop to the park's delightful botanical garden, which is full of native plant species.

It may seem hard to imagine now, but this peaceful valley was the site of one of the most important battles in Maui's history. In 1790, as part of his campaign to unite the Hawaiian Islands, King Kamehameha defeated Maui's army here, and legend has it that the bodies of hundreds of fallen soldiers dammed the 'Iao River.

To reach 'Iao Valley State Park from Wailuku, head west along the 'Iao Valley Road (Highway 32) for around five kilometres.