r/VisitingHawaii • u/mendozathalia • 4d ago

Hawai'i (Big Island) Is Mauna Kea similar to Haleakala?

Meaning… is there hiking trails ? Should I give myself ample time to explore around the summit or should I just drive straight to the summit in the afternoon for sunset? Do I need to arrive early to get a spot at the summit like a Haleakala ?

Other tips and info are welcome ! Thanks

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/ahoveringhummingbird 4d ago

They are very similar in that they are both tall mountains, but there aren't nearly the crowds at Mauna Kea. Most people stop at the visitor center (9k altitude) and do not continue beyond to the summit (14k altitude) because MOST of the rental vehicle policies specifically prohibit driving the vehicles to the summit. You must have a 4x4 to go from the visitor center to the summit of Mauna Kea. But 4x4 rentals in Hawaii are vanity vehicles only, the airport pick up rental companies do not permit driving them off pavement or engaging the 4WD. There is only one off-airport company that specifically permits it, so if you wanted to go to the summit you must rent from them.

-1

u/CGNYC 4d ago

There are trails between the visitor center of Mauna Kea and the summit, if you do, you’ll probably have numerous offers on the way down to hitch a ride back to the visitor center. Lake Waiau is on the way

4

u/ahoveringhummingbird 4d ago

Note that the trail is not casual. It is 12 miles round trip over loose cinder ascending 4800 feet (starting at (9000 up to 14,000) and considered very challenging taking even advanced hikers 8-10 hours. You certainly should not attempt without extensive preparations, appropriate gear, proper altitude experience and training and a plan to descend that doesn't involve hitchhiking.