Short Hike to Leleiwi Overlook
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
You're standing at nearly 9,000 feet above sea level. If you drove up from sea level, altitude effects like dizziness and shortness of breath can hit fast — move slowly and don't push it if you feel lightheaded.
Temperatures at the summit area can drop 30 degrees below what you left at the beach. Bring a jacket even on a sunny day — wind chill at the overlook can make it genuinely cold.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Time your visit for mid-to-late afternoon when clouds often roll into the crater from the Ko'olau Gap — that's when you have the best chance of seeing your own Brocken spectre projected onto the mist below.
This overlook sits halfway between the park entrance and the summit, so pair it with the drive up or down rather than making a separate trip — stop here on your way to or from the Haleakala Visitor Center to break up the winding drive.
Look for the rare Haleakala silversword plants along the path — they only grow on this volcano and can live for 50 years before flowering a single time. The ones closest to the overlook tend to be the most photogenic against the crater backdrop.
Photos
NPS Photo
