The slopes of Haleakala descend gently to the lower altitudes of central Maui. The area about halfway down is known as the Upcountry, Maui's cowboy district: Ranches, horses, wooden fences and fields of wildflowers dot the landscape, away from the bustle of commercial activity on the island. If you seek tranquility, hike or ride horseback in these hills and look down to see the glittering coastline of Kihei and Wailea.
Hawaiian cowboys (paniolos) ride herd on several large ranches in the Upcountry. The paniolo mystique draws visitors to the town of Makawao. Settled by Portuguese immigrants in the late 1800s, it retains a friendly, rural flavor. The town's Old West facade includes hitching posts.
