Cycling ranks among the most popular outdoor activities in the United States, with more than 51 million Americans cycling at least once in 2023. Cyclists enjoy a range of physical and psychological benefits, from lower levels of stress and anxiety to a decreased risk for serious health conditions such as stroke, heart attack, and certain kinds of cancers. Cycling is also an effective tool for maintaining a healthy weight.
American cyclists take part in a diversity of cycling disciplines, from road biking to BMX riding. In 2022, nearly 9 million cyclists went riding on a non-paved surface, a style of riding commonly referred to as mountain biking. This represents a 2.6 percent increase from the year prior. Mountain biking enthusiasts take on many different types of terrain, including sandy desert paths and muddy river trails. American cyclists can even ride down the face of a volcano.
Mount Haleakala is a shield volcano located in Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui in Hawaii. The active volcano constitutes over 75 percent of the island’s mass, while the remaining 25 percent of the island consists of the volcano Mauna Kahalawai. Individuals who reach the summit of Haleakala are met by a massive crater measuring nearly seven miles across. The volcano’s highest point sits at 10,023 feet.
As a shield volcano, Mount Haleakala resembles a dome with gently sloping sides that were formed over long periods by the flow of basaltic lava. Unlike Mauna Kahalawai, which has eroded into a series of sharp, narrow ridges known as the West Maui Mountains, Haleakala remains intact. The terrain is stable enough to support a stream of climbers, hikers, and cyclists.
Cyclists can mountain bike on Mount Haleakala in either direction. Various Maui bike tour service providers can guide cyclists down the volcano, with rides starting at elevations of about 6,500 feet. The relatively easy ride provides spectacular views of Paia Bay and the lush mountainside. The ride is 98 percent downhill, mostly on paved, well-traveled country roads, with a gradient between 5 and 6 percent.
Cyclists interested in a more physically demanding journey can opt to ride up the volcano. The sea-to-summit route begins at the bay in lower Paia and travels for 36 miles to the volcano’s summit. The mild gradient is forgiving, especially on paved roads, but the route hits several steeper pitches. Riders will ultimately climb more than 10,000 feet during the ride.
Individuals cycling on or near a volcano likely share a similar concern: What if the mountain erupts? Haleakala last erupted between 1480 and 1600. In 2017, geologists reported that the mountain demonstrated zero precursors for an eruption and may not be on schedule to erupt until after 2100. Even so, cyclists should exercise the same caution they do with any potential weather hazards, such as trails vulnerable to flooding or forest fires.
While cycling down the side of a volcano may sound like the experience of a lifetime to some, Mount Haleakala is not the only location that provides the opportunity. Chimborazo is a stratovolcano in Ecuador. The highest point in the country, Chimborazo consists of several downhill biking trails. Riders can also find numerous trails at Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument in Washington.
