A Horseback Riding experience by Ironwood Ranch. Back to all Maui tours.
Tour Summary: The only horseback ride in West Maui, on old pineapple plantation land in the foothills above Nāpili. Kids ride horses from age 9, and children from age 4 can take a hand-led pony ride.
Horseback riders crossing open fields in the West Maui foothills above Nāpili, with the ocean and a neighbor island beyond. 
The trail runs through tree tunnels like this one before opening onto the ocean view. The forest section crosses a rocky creek, and this stretch gets muddy after rain. The rides walk single file on narrow trails like this one through the ranch forest. The upper trail crosses open grass fields below the West Maui Mountains. The pony ride is hand-led: a guide walks the horse on a lead rope the whole way. Two riders on a grassy ranch trail at Ironwood Ranch, from the operator's gallery.
6 Tour Highlights:
- Horse matched to your size and riding experience
- Guides' stories about the old pineapple plantation land
- View of Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi from the high point
- Ironwood and eucalyptus forest trail with a creek crossing
- Tree tunnel that opens onto the ocean
- Hand-led pony ride for kids ages 4 to 10
Important: Horse riders must be at least 9 years old and 4 feet tall and weigh no more than 190 lb, and no one rides double.
Tour Information:
| Price: | Adult |
|---|---|
| (excluding taxes & fees) | $160 |
Price note: The listed price is the 1-hour group ride. The 1.5-hour group ride is $230 per person (minimum 2 riders), the private ride is $240 per person for 1 hour or $320 for 1.5 hours, and the pony ride for ages 4 to 10 is $60; all prices are before tax and booking fees.
Tour Provider: Ironwood Ranch
Activity: Horseback Riding
Tour start time: 8:00 AM (group ride, check-in 7:30 AM), 10:00 AM (group ride, check-in 9:30 AM), 11:30 AM (pony ride, Tuesday and Thursday), 1:30 PM (private ride)
Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
Location: West Maui
Included: Guided walking trail ride. Safety briefing before mounting
Cancellations: Groups of fewer than 4 must cancel at least 24 hours before the ride, and groups of 5 or more at least 48 hours before. Cancel by phone at (808) 669-4991. The ranch charges late cancellations and no-shows in full to the card on file. If the ranch cancels for weather or other unforeseen circumstances, you get a full refund or credit.
Read more: about horseback riding in our Maui horseback riding guide.
About this tour
Ironwood Ranch is the only horseback operator in West Maui. It has run trail rides in the foothills above Nāpili since 1983. The trail crosses old pineapple plantation fields and ironwood and eucalyptus forest, then climbs to a high point with the ocean below and Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi across the channel.
Check-in is 30 minutes before the ride. The guides ask about your riding experience, then pick a horse to match it and your size. A guide gives a safety briefing before anyone mounts. The group rides single file at a walk, nose to tail, while a guide talks about the old plantation land and the island.
The trail runs single-track through tall grass fields and a tree tunnel that opens onto the ocean, and it crosses a rocky creek in the forest. Guides often take photos and video of riders along the way, so a phone can stay zipped in a pocket. After rain the trails get muddy, so wear long pants and closed-toe shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.
The closest horseback ride for families staying in West Maui
The other Maui trail rides start near Waiheʻe on the Kahekili Highway, in Upcountry, or on Haleakalā. Ironwood Ranch is up the hill from Nāpili, and a 1.5-hour ride that starts at 10 AM finishes by 11:30. Kids can join the trail ride from age 9 and the pony ride from age 4.
First-time riders and kids are comfortable at this pace, which never goes past a walk. We’d send experienced riders who want to trot or canter elsewhere. The scenery is mostly forest and old plantation fields, and you see the ocean from the top of the trail, not from a beach. If you want coastline or a faster ride, our Maui horseback riding guide compares every horseback ride on the island.
Comparing the group ride, private ride and pony ride
The group ride leaves daily at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM, with check-in at 7:30 and 9:30. The 1-hour ride is $160 per person, and the 1.5-hour ride is $230 with a minimum of two riders. It’s the right pick for most families. We’d book the 1.5-hour ride if the budget allows: ride times include mounting and dismounting, so the 1-hour option leaves less time on the trail.
The private ride leaves daily at 1:30 PM and takes your party only, up to six people. It costs $240 per person for 1 hour and $320 per person for 1.5 hours, with the same age, height and weight limits as the group ride. For a family of four, the private hour costs $960. Book it if you want the afternoon slot or don’t want to share the trail with strangers.
The pony ride is for kids ages 4 to 10 and lasts 30 minutes. A guide walks the horse on a lead rope with the child aboard, along a ranch trail under tall trees. It runs Tuesday and Thursday at 11:30 AM for $60 per child, with check-in 30 minutes before. Call the ranch at (808) 669-4991 to ask about other times.
Rider rules and getting to the ranch
Horse riders must be 9 or older and at least 4 feet tall, with a 190 lb weight limit. No one rides double, and children need an adult in the group. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and some cash if you want to tip your guide.
The ranch is at 741 Hui Rd A in Nāpili, 1.5 miles up Hui Road from Napilihau Street off Highway 30. The road is gravel and dirt and rough in places, and during road work you follow the detour signs and arrows up to the ranch. The operator puts the drive at 20 minutes or more from the Kāʻanapali resorts, 30 minutes from Lahaina, an hour from Kīhei and 90 minutes or more from Wailea, longer in July and August.
The ranch can shorten or cancel rides for weather and refunds or credits any ride it cancels. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a group under four, or 48 hours ahead for five or more; late cancellations and no-shows pay in full. If your group is exactly four, call (808) 669-4991 to confirm which window applies.
About Ironwood Ranch
Ironwood Ranch has run horseback rides in the West Maui foothills above Nāpili since 1983, on ranch land 1.5 miles up Hui Road. It sends riders out in small groups, with up to six riders per guide, and also runs guided nature walks.
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