Hiking Mauna Loa the World's Largest Active Volcano | Hikes on the Big Island | HAWAII Hiking

Hiking the Mauna Loa Observatory Trail to the summit of Mauna Loa was one of the most incredible—and challenging—adventures I’ve had on the Big Island of Hawaii. This high-altitude hike climbs across endless fields of jagged volcanic rock, with no shade and sweeping views of the island’s other massive volcanoes along the way. Since the trail starts at over 11,000 feet and gains even more elevation on the way to the top, I decided to leave my wife Hailey and our toddler Zoey at home and joined a group of fellow hikers for this summit push.

The landscape is otherworldly. The entire route traverses dark lava flows, making you feel like you’re walking on a different planet as you make your way toward the summit. At the top, we reached the edge of Mauna Loa’s enormous caldera, one of the largest volcanic craters on Earth, and peered down into a vast expanse of hardened lava that stretches for miles. The thin air and rugged terrain made this hike a true test of endurance, but the payoff—standing on the world’s largest volcano and taking in views that span from Mauna Kea to the Pacific Ocean—was unforgettable.

If you’re planning a Mauna Loa hike, be prepared for intense sun exposure, unpredictable weather, and the effects of high elevation. This is a trail for experienced hikers, but the reward of reaching the summit of Hawaii’s tallest volcano by land area is worth every step.

HIKE STATS:
Summit Elevation: 13,679'
Distance: 13 Miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 2700’
Temperature: 40'S (F) during the first week of January with full sun

Gear used for this video:
🎒: Hiking Backpack: Osprey Talon 22 - https://amzn.to/3AIjzSS
👟: Gerald's Trail Runners - Saucony Peregrine - https://amzn.to/2YVccL0

Other gear:
🤿: Mask/Snorkel - get it at https://amzn.to/3vhAaf5
🤿: Toddler/Kids Mask - get it at https://amzn.to/3BL3PzI
👟: Gerald's Hiking sandals - Keen Newport - https://amzn.to/3BJpyrX
👟: Hailey's Hiking sandals - Chaco - https://amzn.to/3lIZOGu

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