Maui Trailblazer 2/E: Where to Hike Snorkel Paddle Surf Drive

My wife and I jsut got back from a trip to Maui. This book is an essential guide for active people on their way to Maui. It covers the island comprehensively. I liked that this book doesn't try to be everything. It doesn't disuss where to stay or where to eat. This is an outdoor activities guide and is very descriptive and helpful. It definitely enhanced our trip and was well worth the price. Incidentally, I also highly recommend taking a look at Maui Revealed by Andrew Doughty for frank recommendations on restaurants and many other activities. It isn't as devoted to outdoor activities, but we found the recommendations to be very honest and helpful.

I was in Maui for twelve days and Maui Trailblazer was the best thing I could have ever purchased for my vacation. It was my first choice just thumbing through it at the bookstore and I have no regrets. It's best feature: it prioritizes what to see and chops the island into manageable pieces that I was able to bite off in a day (except for the Haleakala section that took two). After my overview drive around, I went back to hike the choice trails that the authors put their Best Of stamp on. Even though I went solo I never felt alone. The swamp, in particular, was for me the most interesting hike (views + vegetation) I've ever been on. One you won't stumble upon unless you're guided there. For snorkeling it contains a long list too. I just didn't have enough time for everything.

Everything about this book was totally wonderful. We preplanned all our hikes weeks ahead of getting to Maui which ended up saving us so much time. On our previous visit we were snagged by activity salespeople who made us believe the only way to see Maui was by guided package tours $$$. This time we made a pact to see archeological ruins and areas of the island that were off the organized tour circuit.These authors have got it right when it comes to writing a guidebook for the unsedentary visitor. The Molokai ferry ride and drive around that they describe on pages 180 to 190 was worth the trip over alone. We spent an entire afternoon exploring the moody west side of Haleakala that hardly anyone goes to...Polipoli Springs State Park. Don't leave home without it.

This book has been a wonderful eye-opener for me. I suppose like many people, I was inclined to think that "outdoors" on Maui meant "on the beach." Then I found Maui Trailblazer. The subtitle is "where to hike, snorkel, paddle, surf, drive," and even that's an understatement.Before I got two paragraphs into the introduction, I found myself feeling better about Maui and more eager to get out and see it...all of it. The writing is gently conversational and downright seductive. My advice, no matter how you want to see Maui, no matter how well you already know the island, read Maui Trailblazer. It's actually a love story with a fine beginning, plenty of middle and no end in sight.

Even though I have owned a second home on Maui for many years, the Sprout's Maui Trailblazer helped me discover delightful places I didn't know existed, even in my own neighborhood. The authors' writing style is relaxed and humorous, in keeping with the Island experience. Even hard to find locations are described well and I particularly like the sensitivity shown by the authors to the land and to local residents. The hikes and activities included in the book are geared to a variety of audiences, taking into account all levels of physical fitness and interests. In fact, I keep a supply of Maui Trailbalzer on hand at our house for guests so they can explore Maui beyond what is offered in the typical tourist guide book. If you are looking for a thorough Maui guide book with many interesting options, and even inspiration to get out and about, whether for your first or your fifteenth visit, Maui Trailblazer is your best choice among a host of books available.