About
Length (round trip)38 mi
ShapeOut-and-Back
DifficultyStrenuous
Elevation gain7,000 ft up
Typical time22 hr 30 min
TrailheadMauna Loa Road, end of the paved section
SurfaceRough lava, cairned route, extreme altitude
Best seasonYear round. The summit area is cool and wet; the coastal and Kau Desert sections are hot and exposed.
DogsNot allowed
PermitRequired
What you'll see ⛰️ Summit🌄 Big views🕳️ Cave or arch🎒 Backpacking

The park's hardest undertaking - a multi-day climb to a 13,681-foot volcanic summit.

Tips
Altitude sickness is the real danger and there is no water on the mountain. A backcountry permit and a cabin reservation are required. Snow and sub-freezing nights are possible year round.
Location

Mauna Loa Road, end of the paved section

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Trail data: USGS National Map / PAD-US, the National Park Service, state agencies, and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Access and conditions change — check with the managing agency before you go.