Mauna Kea Hike
13,803 ft | Hawaii
13 mi round trip
4,700 ft
6.5 hr
Strenuous
Mauna Kea Hike at a Glance
The Mauna Kea hike via the Humu'ula Trail is 13 mi round trip with 4,700 ft of elevation gain, about 6.5 hr of hiking.
| Summit elevation | 13,803 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Humu'ula Trail |
| Distance | 13 mi round trip |
| Elevation gain | 4,700 ft |
| Hiking time | About 6.5 hr |
| Difficulty | Strenuous |
| Route last checked | October 25, 2026 |
Your time: about 6 h 40 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 8 h 20 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 3,780 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 13 mi distance and 4,700 ft of gain for this hike are verified (highpoint.guide), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea is the highest point in Hawaii, at 13,803 feet, on land managed by University of Hawaiʻi (Center for Maunakea Stewardship), Maunakea Visitor Information Station.
The Hike
The standard route is the Humu'ula Trail: 13 miles round trip with about 4,700 feet of elevation gain, from Maunakea Visitor Information Station (Onizuka Center). Distance from highpoint.guide. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Strenuous.
Before You Go
- Because of altitude sickness, pregnant women, people in poor health and children under 13 should not go above the Visitor Information Station. (hilo.hawaii.edu)
- Drivers must use four-wheel-drive vehicles above the Visitor Information Station. (hilo.hawaii.edu)
- Summit hours run from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. (hilo.hawaii.edu)
- Maunakea weather varies widely and sometimes changes very quickly. (hilo.hawaii.edu)
- All visitors should follow Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules, Title 20, on public and commercial activities on Mauna Kea lands. (hilo.hawaii.edu)
- Check University of Hawaiʻi (Center for Maunakea Stewardship), Maunakea Visitor Information Station for current conditions, closures and rules before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to the top of Mauna Kea?
The Humu'ula Trail is 13 miles round trip with about 4,700 feet of elevation gain.
How tall is Mauna Kea?
Mauna Kea rises to 13,803 feet, the highest point in Hawaii.
Where does the Mauna Kea hike start?
It starts from Maunakea Visitor Information Station (Onizuka Center).
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Rapidly changing weather
- Ice possible on summit
- Wet leaves on trails
Turn-Around Time
1:00 PM (2:00 PM summer)
Plan to reach the summit by this time to allow safe descent before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Summit Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Mauna Kea Guide
Route last checked October 25, 2026.
- Verified against
- highpoint.guide
- Distance
- highpoint.guide
- Elevation
- NAVD 88 summit elevation (List of U.S. states and territories by elevation)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.