Sliding Sands Descent
Workout - Sliding Sands Descent
- 12min @ 7'30''/km
- 4.5km @ 6'30''/km
- 7min 30s rest
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Intro
Check out Trail Run Down into the Haleakala Crater on Maui! from Vo2maxProductions. The essentials are below so you can tackle this run yourself. Watch the full video for the rest.
Key points
- High-altitude volcanic terrain. Starting at the summit (around 8,000 ft), the trail drops into the crater through volcanic sand, dry desert conditions, and increasingly lush terrain.
- Variable distance and elevation. About ½ mile from the visitor center to the trailhead, then roughly 2 to 3 miles (3 to 5 km) of downhill until you reach the crater floor.
- Temperature shift. Cold and windy at the top. Drop into the crater and you’ll find warmth, sunshine, and natural shelter.
- Technical sections. Sand and rocks demand careful footwork, especially on the “sliding sands” section.
- Logistics. Parking is limited, bring enough water, and prepare for a tough climb back up.
Workout example
Structure this as a 3-mile (5 km) downhill run:
- Warm-up: easy jog or brisk walk for 0.5 mi on flat ground at the visitor center.
- Main set: run the Sliding Sands Trail into the crater (roughly 2.5 to 3 mi). Keep a comfortable effort, stay smooth on the downhill, and take in how the landscape changes.
- Cool-down: light jog or walk for 0.5 mi at the crater floor before the climb back.
Adjust the mileage to your current fitness. Use the Pacing app to set effort-based targets rather than fixed speeds. Technical terrain works better that way.
Closing note
Try this volcanic descent on your next run. Customize the mileage and effort to your plan, and log it in the Pacing app.
References
- Trail Run Down into the Haleakala Crater on Maui! - YouTube (YouTube Video)