Upcountry Maui (Towns & Ranchlands)

Explore Maui’s charming towns and wide-open ranchlands

Spend a day Upcountry Maui Ulupalakua Ranch History of Upcountry Maui Tours of Upcountry Maui

Haleakala Sunrise Maui Tour
Experience a 9.5 hour majestic Haleakala Sunrise Tour. View Maui’s most beautiful sunrise and see stunning bi-coastal views.
- Continental breakfast (before sunrise)
- Sunrise viewing
- Island-style hot buffet (after sunrise)
- Photo opportunities to savor stunning bi-coastal views
179^.99 USD

Note

The largest towns that make up Upcountry are Pukalani, Makawao, Kula and Haiku.

Step away from the shoreline on the backside of Mount Haleakala, and you will find yourself amongst the laid-back charm and natural beauty of Upcountry Maui. The first thing you’ll notice is the cooling temperatures which offer a refreshing feel as you ascend into the misty mountains, while taking in panoramic views of rolling ranchlands.

The community of Upcountry has a lot to offer visitors from quaint shops and boutiques, to art galleries and unique restaurants and cafes. Exploring beautiful Upcountry Maui is the perfect way for solo visitors or families to spend the day, which has something for everyone.

Spend a day Upcountry Maui

Makawao is one of the most popular towns to visit in Upcountry Maui. What was once an old cowboy town complete with paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys), it now showcases a vibrant art scene with spectacular art galleries, which feature paintings, sculptures, blown glass, wood carvings and hand-crafted jewelry. Makawao also offers delicious places to eat, including freshly baked goods, and unique gift shops which come in handy when buying souvenirs for loved ones back home or even as a memento for yourself so you can take a piece of Maui home with you.

Pukalani means “window of heaven” in Hawaiian and it is easy to see why, with its rich natural scenic beauty. It is the largest town in all of Upcountry Maui and nestled on the slopes of Haleakala, at an elevation of 1,526 feet. Pukalani is also cooler than other temperatures in surrounding Upcountry towns. You will want to count Pukalani amongst your hot spots for shopping which features a grocery store and a variety of retail stores and popular food chains.

Kula means “open country” and is a quaint rustic area that sits on the slopes of Haleakala at an elevation between 1000 feet to 8000 feet. The rise in popularity of a farm to table way of life has benefitted many local gardens and farmers which feature tasting tours of their locally made products. Kula is known for its tropical gardens, lavender farm, sweet Maui onions, cattle, goat dairy, coffee and flowers for lei making. There are also many amazing eateries and cafes amongst the charming community of Kula.

Ulupalakua Ranch

The 20,000-acre Ulupalakua Ranch is located on the slopes of Haleakala, just below 2,000 feet elevation. Ulupalakua Ranch offers an extensive range of enjoyable activities for everyone from horseback riding to clay shooting and wine tasting at the Tedeschi Vineyard, along with guided tours of the winery itself. You can also enjoy dining and gift shopping at Ulupalakua Ranch Store & Grill or sit at the picnic tables on the expansive grounds of the winery, surrounded by nature as you absorb the natural beauty of Upcountry Maui.

History of Upcountry Maui

Upcountry Maui was once the old haunting grounds of the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys). In the 19th century, King Kamehameha III invited Mexican cowboys over to teach islanders how to round up cattle. This marked the beginning of the paniolo. Today the strength of Hawaii’s tourism industry has taken inspiration from paniolo culture by allowing visitors and locals to take a step back in time to the wild west where you will see beautiful old west architecture and ranch style homes.

Tours of Upcountry Maui

Join us for a real adventure day by experiencing the Haleakala Sunrise & Bike Tour where you can see the majestic Haleakala sunrise and bike down the volcano all the to the ocean. This is where you will see the beautiful countryside of Maui and small towns as you ride through Kula and Makawao Town and pass through pineapple fields.

You can also take a scenic sky tour by experiencing our Haleakala Helicopter Tour where you see the most incredible West Maui valleys, rainforests and waterfalls. This tour includes landing in a remote location at Ulupalakua Ranch and enjoying delicious refreshments in the laid-back vibe of Upcountry with spectacular views.

If you’re looking for history and adventure combined, you can join us for our Maui Volcanoes Day Tour where you can experience breathtaking cultural sites like Haleakala National Park, Iao Valley, forests & raches and see historical towns like Wailuku. This is where you will see Upcountry towns such as Kula and Makawao and enjoy a chance to shop.