Easy hikes and walks in Mauna Loa Forest Reserve

Visitor center and checkpoint for car travelers. From here, further travel is only permitted with four-wheel drive.

easily accessible viewpoint with super panoramic views

Great Hike

This is a phenomenal place to watch the sunrise, sunset, or to stargaze. The hike is only about a quarter mile from the visitor center, but it does get steep and good shoes are recommended for the volcanic terrain. In the daytime you can see all across the island, from Hilo to Mauna Loa and beyond. Regardless of when you go, perching on the indomitable slopes of Mauna Kea is always an awesome experience.

The visitor center has restrooms, water, trail information, and a gift shop. There are plenty of short walks just out the door of the center that grant panoramic views south across the island to Mauna Loa. If you are hiking up to the summit of Mauna Kea, this is the perfect to start your adventure.

The Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station is located at 9,200 feet on Mauna Kea on Hawaii's Big Island, and serves as a crucial hub for visitors exploring this iconic mountain. There are restrooms, educational exhibits, a gift shop, and ranger-led programs, helping visitors acclimate to the high altitude and learn about the mountain's significance. Mauna Kea is sacred to Native Hawaiians, so be respectul of the area as if you were visiting a church or other religious site. There are several popular hiking trails around the visitor center including the Humuʻula Trail, which takes you to the summit of the mountain. Bikers can ride up the Mauna Kea Access Road to the summit, which is an amazing, unique experience for any cyclist. The road is a mix of paved and unpaved sections. Although it is not a technical trail, it is highly demanding, featuring steep inclines and loose gravel, making it suitable only for experienced bikers. Safety is paramount; bikers should prepare for sudden weather changes, cold temperatures, and the risk of altitude sickness by carrying adequate water, and food. You can also access the Kahinahina Road, or Mauna Kea Hunters Road, which circumnavigates the mountain, just south of the visitors center. If riding this extremely challenging road, the visitor center makes for a nice start/end point for a car shuttle.

This marks the start of Mauna Kea! From here you can enjoy the views of the absolutely gargantuan mountain overhead. By this point whether you rode from Hilo or the west coast, you've already done enough climbing to put most cyclists to shame. You can give yourself a pat on the back and enjoy the long descent back into town, or drop a gear and head up the mountain!

Here in this area is the end of the pavement on Mauna Kea Access Rd. In this area, cyclists can find the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy's Mid-Level Facility, Maunakea Visitor Information Station, Mauna Kea Humu'ula Trailhead, and Halepohaku. Visitors should be careful while visiting due to the chances of getting altitude sickness due to this point being at 9,200 feet above sea level, and often visitors are coming from sea level. From here the road continues on but it is unpaved. The road is dirt and 4x4 cars are recommended. If cyclists are choosing to ride to the Mauna Kea summit, they should have a bike with the proper tires. Otherwise this is a great turn around spot, with great views!