Travel: Maui's wilderness delivers variety of adventures

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Many people, when traveling to Maui, envision miles of resorts rimming white sand beaches, island music and pia coladas. There is a different Maui, however, that appeals to the adventure traveler.|ret||ret||tab|

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Biking|ret||ret||tab|

Maui County has been building bicycle lanes on all its major roads since 1991. Visitors can unload their bikes at the airport and cycle to their hotels. |ret||ret||tab|

For those who don't have bikes, they can be rented. One of Maui's most popular outdoor activities is biking Haleakala. The 38-mile trip begins at the 10,023-foot high summit of the volcano and is all downhill. The trip takes approximately three hours at slow pace with frequent rest stops. There also are tours that go into the back road areas.|ret||ret||tab|

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Camping|ret||ret||tab|

There are three county, two state, and four national campgrounds on Maui. Permits are needed to camp in most places. Cabins are very popular and must have reservations. Camping in a volcano at Haleakala National Park or in a misty forest at the 6,200-foot level of Haleakala can be a beautiful, inspiring experience. |ret||ret||tab|

If you prefer oceanfront camping, Kipahulu is one of the prettiest areas of the island. It is located in Haleakala National Park. No permits are needed.|ret||ret||tab|

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Hiking|ret||ret||tab|

Hiking allows you to see the extraordinary diversity of Mauilava deserts, tropical jungles, bamboo forests and towering mountains. There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails on Maui.|ret||ret||tab|

Guided hikes are led by national park rangers at Haleakala and Ohe'o Gulch.|ret||ret||tab|

The best-known guide service on the island is Hike Maui. Naturalist Ken Schmitt started the company after living off of the land for several years in Maui's jungles, studying nature. He founded Hike Maui in an effort to help people understand Hawaii's fragile ecosystem.|ret||ret||tab|

Ancient Lahaina Pali Trail, a five-mile path along the ocean cliffs from Mo Alaea to Ukumehame has been reopened. The state's goal is to eventually clear a trail that goes all around Maui, which will duplicate the 16th century Pi'ilani Highway. It was the first walking path build around the island.|ret||ret||tab|

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Whale watching|ret||ret||tab|

Humpback whales live in Maui waters from mid-December to mid-May. During that time, whale watching is the island's top visitor activity.|ret||ret||tab|

The humpbacks migrate 3,000 to 4,000 miles from their summer home in Alaska. They eat tons of fish in Alaska, but don't eat again until they return. While fasting in Hawaii waters, they give birth and nurse their young.|ret||ret||tab|

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Horseback riding|ret||ret||tab|

Horses can take you into the inner regions of Maui where Jeeps cannot go. There are many stables on the island, accommodating many levels of riding ability. |ret||ret||tab|

Choices of trails would be through a rain forest, along a rocky coast-line, or down the crater of a volcano.|ret||ret||tab|

Snorkeling and diving|ret||ret||tab|

There are numerous spots in Maui to see wonderful underwater sights.|ret||ret||tab|

Scuba diving is extraordinary the Cathedrals off Lanai is reported to be one of the best dive spots in the world. For experienced divers, cave and lava tube diving are grand adventures.|ret||ret||tab|

Maui is wild and wonderful beyond the beaches, but you must seek it out.|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|(Linda Strait is president of House of Travel Inc., a full-service travel agency in Springfield.)|ret||ret||tab|

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