Hawaii: Maui, Piiholo Ranch Family Fun – Harness Natural Energy Ziplining Island Style. 
The Upcountry of Maui is the location for the newest and longest zipline on the island. The newest eco-adventure provides the means for participants to glide over the 800-acre historic Piiholo Ranch above Makawao, Maui.
I am thrilled to learn that there’s a new ziplining spot on the planet. Piiholo Ranch Zipline is one of the country’s longest and most ecologically sensitive ziplines. The energizing course spans three miles of scenic thrills, with the longest line at 2800 feet. Heights range from 42 feet to 600 feet, and speeds can reach 40 miles per hour.
The course includes a zipline of four lines side-by-side (the only one in Hawaii) and five ziplines of two lines side-by-side; a suspension bridge; and seven-station, 42-foot tall climbing tower and ropes course (Tango Tower) covering approximately 100 acres.
Guests are outfitted with the latest ziplining equipment including the top state-of-the-art zipline harness available and offering maximum comfort, safety helmet, and tethered trolley. Knowledgeable guides lead them through a fun and challenging bird’s eye view of the rain forest. All tours start by crossing a 317-foot long suspension bridge which leads from the parking lot to the course. Ziplines criss-cross over verdant, deep gulches and zipliners soar over a beautiful forest canopy, including koa, ohi`a, halapepe and kukui trees, while taking in bi-coastal views and the grandeur of Haleakala summit.
Participants must be at least 10 years old and weigh between 75 pounds and 275 pounds for ziplining and at least 60 pounds for Tango Tower. The tour is not for pregnant women, people with back problems or any serious medical condition. Closed toed shoes are required. Some moderate to advanced physical activity and stair climbing is expected.
Make it happen. Piiholo Ranch Zipline operates daily. For reservations or information, call (808) 572-1717, or visit
http://piiholozipline.com
About Piiholo Ranch. The ranch is an 800-acre working cattle ranch owned by Peter Baldwin and his sons Jeff, Duke (natural resource manager) and Chris (cattle operations manager) in keeping with seven generations of the Baldwin ranching tradition on Maui. The Ranch tour operations include horseback trail rides and lessons, and Hawaii’s newest and longest zipline eco-adventure. Situated on Piiholo Road near the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) town of Makawao, the ranch is at an elevation of 2000 feet on Mt. Haleakala with bi-coastal Pacific Ocean views. A towering eucalyptus forest with many native plant and tree species dot the countryside, and common wildlife sightings include axis deer, mountain boar, the endangered Hawaiian Pueo (owl) and Nene geese. A nursery and preserve for Hawaii’s state bird, the endangered Nene, is located on the ranch and is the first and only on Maui listed under the State Safe Harbor Agreement. More than 300 head of cattle roam the ranch, and 40 horses are corralled on the property. A rodeo arena onsite hosts state-wide roping events. (Piiholo Ranch Waiahiwi Ro
ad (808) 572-1717 or
www.piiholo.com)
Editor’s note: I like the guys at
Piiholo Ranch because they lare passionate about Maui, horses, and sharing their love of both with guests. The ranch is loaded with positive energy. My family and I have had the good fortune to enjoy feel the energy and enjoy the beauty of Piiholo Ranch on horseback (before the zipline trail). It was a people to people experience on horseback. The ranch atmosphere is family-friendly reflecting six generations of Baldwins and their love of the land. For our two girls the time was special because they were introduced to and matched perfectly with horses that suited them. Our guide talked horses and cattle with my husband and named every bird and flower I pointed to. He told stories that made all of us laugh – kids included. We rode under towering trees, through Eucalyptus forests and across verdant green pastures dotted with happy cows and their babies. To say the views were awesome is an understatement - trails overlook the entire valley and its patchwork of pineapple and sugarcane fields framed by the West Maui Mountains. The whole place is first class so I am thrilled to learn about the new adventure – ziplining.
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