Circle M Ranch Maui · Kahekili Hwy
A working ranch on Kahekili Highway, formerly Mendes Ranch, where paniolo guides take you across green pastures toward Waihee Valley with the Pacific behind. Pick it for the ranch itself: real cowboys, horses matched to beginners, and the stories of how the place came to be.
Circle M Ranch, formerly Mendes Ranch, sits at 3530 Kahekili Highway on the Wailuku side of the West Maui Mountains. You wait in the parking lot until a wrangler fetches you for check-in. The guides are paniolos, Hawaiian cowboys who make their living ranching, roping and riding, and the listing promises "real ranching and real riding". There are morning and afternoon departures.
The ride crosses rolling green pastures down toward Waihee Valley, runs along the coast with the Pacific as a backdrop, then climbs back past taro patches and plantation homes to the corral. Guests single out two things: the care taken to match beginners to the right horse, and the ranch history the guides tell along the way. One guest adds that the ranch has cats, a pig and lots of peacocks.
The rules are strict. The weight limit is 230 lb, every guest is weighed before the ride, and the listing's notes, headed "NON-REFUNDABLE NO EXCEPTIONS", say anyone over it is denied and gets no refund. Viator's cancellation policy is separate: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Put your height, weight and riding level in the special requirements box at checkout. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory. The ranch can cancel or rebook for weather or horse availability, with a full refund or a new date; one February 2026 guest reported a cancellation with little warning, so watch your messages on the day.
Park at the ranch and stay in the lot: a wrangler comes to fetch you for check-in.
Guests are weighed, then meet the paniolos and their horse. Reviewers say the briefing is clear enough for first-timers.
Rolling green pastures down toward Waihee Valley.
A stretch along the coast with the Pacific behind you, and photo stops in the saddle.
A gradual climb back up to the corral.
★★★★★great experience! the staff were lovely and explained everything very thoroughly. the horses were amazing, you can really tell they take care of their animals.
★★★★★Beautiful scenery, great for beginners, friendly staff. My horse Poncho had the cutest moustache and was very responsive.
★★★★★Chase, Don and team are very knowledgeable and care about the safety and experience of their riders! Great stories of how the Circle M came to be.. great experience!
★★★★★Absolutely wonderful. Even got a little rain. Ranch hands are so kind and helpful. They took care of my 8yo making sure she was safe and having fun. Horses were fun and silly. Views were beautiful. [...]
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Yes. The listing gives the meeting point as "Circle M Ranch, formerly Mendes Ranch" at 3530 Kahekili Highway, Wailuku.
230 lb. Everyone is weighed before the ride, and riders over the limit cannot ride and are not refunded.
Yes, free up to 24 hours before, according to Viator's cancellation policy. The listing's notes add "NON-REFUNDABLE NO EXCEPTIONS" next to the weight rule: guests over 230 lb are denied and not refunded. If the ranch cancels for weather or horse availability, you get a full refund or a new date.
At least 7. One parent wrote that the ranch hands took good care of their 8-year-old.
On Kahekili Highway on the Wailuku side of the West Maui Mountains, the same highway as Maui Mountain Activities. It is not in Lahaina.
Ready to book
A ride with paniolo guides across ranch pastures toward Waihee Valley.
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