There's A Farm Trail In Hawaii And It's Everything You've Ever Dreamed Of
By Megan Shute|Published October 10, 2016
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Meandering through the beautiful countryside of Maui, on the slopes of Mount Haleakala, is a farm trail so incredible that it made Conde Nast Traveler’s “10 Food Trails Worth The Flight (and the Calories).” And while it may be simply because we are obsessed with Upcountry Maui, we totally agree that this trail is worth the effort it takes to get there. From famous farmers markets and farm-to-table restaurants to organic goat farms and pineapple plantations, this magnificent trail will take you to eight of Maui’s greatest farms, all with a drive time of just over an hour. For detailed driving directions, check out the Google Map we created.
There is no crop more famously connected to the Hawaiian Islands than the pineapple, and no trip to Hawaii would be complete without a visit to a pineapple plantation. While an official 1.5 hour tour through Maui Pineapple Tours is spendy, it does allow you to visit the harvesting fields, try the fruit in various stages of growth, tour the packing facility - and take home your own pineapple!
Though called a general store, this establishment is actually a critically-acclaimed restaurant that serves up seafood and eclectic American food with Asian overtones. Located on the MauiGold Pineapple Plantation, the beautiful plantation setting and quaint country ambiance make this a must-visit destination in Makawao, and an incredible addition to any tour through Maui’s greatest farm-to-table establishments.
As Maui’s oldest farmers’ market, this weekly marketplace has been operating for more than 40 years at various locations – and is currently held every Saturday from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Kulamalu Town Center. Attendees can find a variety of locally-grown produce, fresh seafood, chilled coconuts, tropical flowers, local honey, breads, candles, gifts and much more.
Ocean vodka - which is handcrafted on Maui - is the only vodka that is distilled from organic sugar cane, and the only spirit in the world made from deep ocean mineral water.
Producing more than two dozen varieties of goat cheeses, many of which have won national cheese awards, Surfing Goat Dairy is one of only two goat dairies in Hawaii, as of 2014. Located on the slopes of Mount Haleakala, the 42-acre farm was founded in 1998, and offers tours to visitors.
For an incredible farm-to-table experience in a setting reminiscent of a fairytale, head to O'o Farms for their wildly popular morning "Seed to Cup" tour where guests learn all about the coffee that is grown and roasted on site. If coffee isn't your thing, the lunch tour gives patrons an opportunity to harvest and create a beautiful salad to accompany their lunch.
Upcountry Maui, near Mount Haleakala, gets a great deal of rain, resulting in lush, green scenery, and flourishing lavender at the Kula Lavender Farm. But the beautiful, fragrant lavender isn’t the only thing to see at this gorgeous farm – visitors will also be rewarded with panoramic views of the entire western half of the island.
Wines include estate wines, rose ranch wines, and pineapple varieties, and are handmade by the community that has worked at Ulupalakua Ranch for generations. Formerly known as Tedeschi Winery, the vineyard is located 1,800 feet above sea level, and is perfect for a romantic escape or a friendly gathering.
Are you ready to view some of the most gorgeous places in Hawaii, all while snacking on some of the freshest produce + food you’ll ever find?
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