Top 8 Natural Monuments around Mauna Kea

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and challenging experiences one can have on a bicycle and in the middle of the ocean! Setting off early in the morning from the quiet beach to reach the 4,207-meter summit of Mauna Kea is an immense satisfaction. The first part, from the city of Hilo up to a few kilometers before the Visitor Center at 2,700 meters, is relatively easy but also a bit monotonous. However, about a kilometer after taking the Mauna Kea Access Road, the gradient starts to rise steeply, often reaching double digits. Once you arrive at the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station, after the mandatory stop at the Ranger Checkpoint, you can enjoy a well-deserved break and stock up on water before facing the toughest section of the entire climb. Immediately after the VIS begins a long stretch of unpaved road with sharp gradients and a surface that often offers little grip, putting even the strongest legs to the test. After this grueling segment, the ascent continues on asphalt again, but the slopes remain steep and the altitude begins to take its toll, making the final conquest of the summit truly a feat within a feat. Once you reach the long-awaited summit sign, you can finally take a deep breath of relief and admire—with a huge smile—the breathtaking view that awaits you. I traveled 31 hours to conquer this gem, and every bit of effort was more than worth it!

A superb experience. The highest point should not be climbed out of respect for the local religions.

easily accessible viewpoint with super panoramic views

This legendary climb begins in the city of Hilo and ascends to the summit of Mauna Kea. It's a breathtaking 13,800-foot climb into the clouds, a challenging 42-mile undertaking. Leaving Hilo's streets, you transition onto Kumana Drive, which merges into Saddle Road, or Hawaii Route 200. This scenic highway, a twisting two-lane road connecting the east to the west, takes you through a stunning array of landscapes: verdant rainforests, lava fields, desert-like plains, rolling grasslands, and ocean views. The saddle marks the point where you rise into the clouds. The last ten miles are a moon-like terrain where you'll find telescope and viewpoints. The summit's thin air and the road's steepness create a brutal final push, demanding every last bit of your energy!

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 Akaka Falls are worth seeing even when it rains.

Akaka Falls State Park is located on the northeastern Hilo Coast and features two magnificent waterfalls. The 0.6 km long, gently ascending hiking trail takes you through a lush rainforest with wild orchids, bamboo groves and hanging ferns. If you continue following the paved footpath, you will first come across the 30 m high Kahuna Falls. Behind the next bend in the circular route you can already see the towering Akaka Falls, which plunge over 135 m into a gorge. The beautiful waterfall is probably the most famous of its kind on Hawaii Island. The pleasant hike takes less than an hour. https://www.gohawaii.com/de/islands/hawaii-big-island/regions/hilo/akaka-falls-state-park

Laupāhoehoe Beach Park is on the Hamakua coastline, with Laupahoehoe Point as the main attraction. The name translates to “leaf of lava" and was formed by ancient pāhoehoe, or smooth lava, where the small town of Laupahoehoe was built. This park has ocean views, breaking surf, lava rocks, and lush plant life. On April 1st, 1946, there was an earthquake in Alaska that caused a tsunami with three tidal waves that hut here, wrecked a lot of Hilo, and killed 159 people, including 21 schoolchildren and three teachers in Laupahoehoe. Here it is. a memory for them.