Distance: 28-mile circle
Riding time: Day ride
Difficulty: Challenging
Terrain: Steady climb to 3,370 feet
Trail: Good dirt track but slippery when wet
Connecting tours: All Lanai rides

The Munro Trail traces Lanai's highest ridgeline to Lanaihale, the island's 3,370-foot peak. The trail is named for George Munro, a visionary New Zealander who planted the trees along the ridgeline and set aside protected tracts of Lanai's native forest. The trail (actually the width and quality of a jeep road) does not simply run straight along, it twists and turns, always keeping you eager to see what comes next. Its smooth surface permits hybrids or even road bikes equipped with knobby tires to pass, although the clay can become treacherously slick in wet conditions. On a good day, all the Hawaiian Islands except Kauai are visible from Lanaihale, although on a bad day you might be lucky to see as far as West Maui.

This high ridgeline is the last point on the island to shake itself free of clouds, so choose your day carefully if you have several to spend on Lanai. From Manele Bay, a full loop around the Munro Trail measures 28 mi. (18 mi. from Lanai City), 13 of them on the dirt track. No matter when you set out to conquer the trail, you are likely to have the entire length to yourself, feeling far, far away from"civilization."

The Munro Trail

From the center of Lanai City, follow Lanai Avenue toward and past the Lodge at Koele. Just 1 mi. beyond the lodge, turn right onto a paved side road with a stop sign. The pavement ends at a Japanese cemetery 0.3 mi. later. From the three dirt roads that branch out from there, follow the left branch marked MUNRO TRAIL TEMPORARY ACCESS. The original trail began along the middle track, but visitors are now forced into a slight detour since the Koele Golf Course now stands in the way.

Therefore follow the left fork, bearing left 0.3 mi. later (not right through a white gate to the golf course). Initially, the trail bends far east and runs downhill before turning back on course along a ridgeline. The first half of the trail is a steady succession of uphills interspersed with short, level sections for a breather.

The road surface is good enough for bikers to free their eyes from their usual fixed position a few feet in front of their tires. For the most part, the trail is nicely carpeted with scattered pine boughs (fortunately George Munro did not devote his efforts to planting kiawes), with only a few patches of gravel.

For the first 6 mi. the trail steadily gains elevation until peaking at Lanaihale, the island's highest point (3,370 feet). From the top, 360-degree views will have you spinning in circles, looking over central or southwest Lanai, then Maui and Auau Channel. In perfect conditions, even Oahu and the Big Island can be seen from Lanaihale, with only Kauai too distant to see. There is no better place to picnic, rest, and soak in the scenery on a nice day. However, you might be in danger of soaking in another way, since the high ridge is often shrouded in rain clouds.

From Lanaihale, Munro Trail descends in fairly steep jumps, so proceed cautiously. After an overlook point marked Kapoho, the trail bends right and comes to a sign for Puumanu. Turn right on the bottom of this hill and then ride straight toward the crater's center point and the flat metal roof of the pig farm. At the next intersection, turn left to bend around an ancient cinder cone and continue riding down. hill toward the pig farm.

Pedal straight past the farm to reach paved Manele Road (440) and return to your base in Lanai City or Manele Bay. Unless you are impatient to move on, however, this is a perfect time to add the Luahiwa Petroglyphs to your itinerary as they are located only 1 mi. past the pig farm. To do so, take the first right after passing the driveway of the farm, then take the next right, which puts you on the zag part of the petroglyph directions (see Additional Suggested Rides).

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