Mauna Kea: Hiking Hawaii's Highest Peak
- Stephen Warner
- Nov 25, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 3
Towering 13,807 feet (4,207 meters) above sea level, Mauna Kea is the highest peak in all of the Hawaiian Islands. But summiting this mountain is no easy feat. Between the altitude, rugged terrain, and occasional snow, it’s a serious challenge. Conquer it, though, and you can confidently say you’ve hiked to the very top of Hawaii.
Trail Info
Trailhead Name | Humu'ula Trail |
Distance | 13.4 miles / 21.6 km (out and back) |
Estimated time | 7+ hours |
Elevation gain | 4,800 ft / 1,450 m |
Highest point | 13,807 ft / 4,207 m (Mauna Kea) |
Permits / fees | None |
Parking | Lot at Visitor's Center |
Toilets? | At Visitor's Center and lot near summit |
Dog friendly? | No (prohibited) |
Know before you go
Altitude sickness is a real risk. Mauna Kea is one of the few places in the world where you can go from sea level to nearly 14,000 feet in a single day. That gives your body little time to acclimate, making acute mountain sickness (AMS) a serious concern. Go slow, drink water, and descend if symptoms hit.
This trail is physically demanding. Expect rocky, loose terrain and a steady 12% incline nearly the whole way. Even if you’re fit and unaffected by altitude, your legs are going to feel it.
Standing on the summit is culturally sensitive. Maunakea holds deep spiritual significance to Hawaiians as the “piko,” or umbilical cord, connecting the island to the heavens. Be respectful as you approach the peak.
Alternate trails and adventures
You can drive to the summit. Not my style, but if the full hike isn’t feasible, driving is an option. Just keep in mind, altitude sickness doesn’t care if you hiked or drove—it can still hit hard at 13,000+ feet.
Lake Waiau is accessible via a short trail from the summit road. It’s a 1.5-mile round trip with a few hundred feet of elevation gain. If your body can handle it, it’s a beautiful and culturally significant detour.
The Trail
My adventure began around 7 a.m. at the Visitor Information Station, elevation 9,200 feet. I HIGHLY recommend starting early—not just for cooler temps and daylight, but to give your body more time to acclimate. Even if you’re in shape, you’ll move slower than you think.
Right away, the scenery is striking. It's like stepping onto another planet. Lava rock, cinder cones, and rusty red hues from this dormant volcano (which last erupted 4,500 years ago) make the terrain feel truly otherworldly.
To the south, you’ll catch views of Mauna Kea’s massive neighbor, Mauna Loa, rising to 13,681 feet (4,170 m). That one’s also hikeable, though arguably even harder, since you start higher with less time to adjust.
Unlike Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa most recently erupted in late 2022, and some areas are still closed. These eruptions are rare, but if you’re planning to explore the area, check updates on the U.S. Geological Survey.
One of my favorite breaks came around the 11,000-foot mark at this painted rock. It's a perfect spot to rest, snack, and snap a photo.
This hike isn’t just physically tough, it’s mentally challenging too. Around this elevation, I could feel my heart pounding and a dull pressure growing in my head. But every time I looked out at the clouds below, I felt like I was hiking toward the edge of the sky. So I kept going.
There are only two main junctions on the trail. The first comes around 12,000 ft—stay left to continue on the Humuʻula Trail. Heading right will take you to the road.
The second junction is just above 13,000 feet, about 4.5 miles in. This is your option for the short out-and-back to Lake Waiau. If you have the energy, I recommend it. Go left for the lake. (Right will continue along the trail to the summit).
Lake Waiau has a soft green glow that makes it feel almost magical. Fun fact: it’s the highest lake in the entire Pacific Rim, and it’s believed to have healing powers. Please don’t disturb the water or any cultural offerings you see.
Backtrack from the lake to the previous fork and go right to continue toward the summit. At this point, you’re likely above the clouds, so soak in the views whenever you stop to rest.
Eventually, the trail opens up and the finish line comes into view. You’ll see the Mauna Kea Observatory and a paved road that the trail soon parallels. You’re almost there.
I’ll be honest, this last stretch was rather disheartening. Watching cars cruise by while you’ve spent hours grinding uphill isn’t the most inspiring feeling. But hey, that’s type 2 fun for you.
The roadside trail ends at the summit parking lot near the observatory. From here, a short trail leads up another 100 feet to the true summit.
And just like that, you’ve summited the highest point in all of Hawaii. If your experience was anything like mine, your main thought might be “get me back to sea level and a nap.” But give yourself a second to pause and take it in. You did it.
SS Reflections
When I did this hike, I was 26, working out 3–4 times a week, and hiking nearly every weekend on Oʻahu. I thought I was in great shape. I was a little cocky, to be honest.
But Mauna Kea humbled me.
High-altitude hiking was a new beast. It took me over 5 hours to summit and 2.5 hours to descend. My head was pounding by the time I got back, and by the time I returned to
Kona, I crashed. I was fully out by 7 p.m. and slept 12 hours straight. Definitely some minor altitude sickness.
But the next day, once the fog lifted, I realized just how special this hike was. You don’t get to climb the tallest thing in a state—or the Pacific—every day. And on a mountain that looks like Mars? That’s one for the memory bank.
🎥 Quick Trail Look
Want a better feel for the climb? Check out this short GoPro-style video for a first-person look at the trail and summit ridge.
Other Helpful Resources
Big Island Hikes description of this hike and many others on the Big Island