Mauna Kea Access Road

The ride up to the Access Rd from Hilo is a steady 6%, up to 2000 meters. It’s not hard just boring. The road is wide so can sometimes be disorienting as to if you’re going up or down. Trust me you’re going up. The hard shoulder is smooth, wide, away from the vehicles, with some stones etc but easy to dodge.

If you've made it this far (either from Hilo or Kailua Kona) head up Mauna Kea here. The road is paved up to the visitor center. There are also supply options there. Here at the junction you are at approx. 2010 m and climb up to the Visitor Center at approx. 2850 (warm change of clothing is required!). The route is about 10 kilometers long. After that it gets much steeper and gravelly until you reach the summit.