Can You Ride A Bicycle On Mauna Kea?

Mauna Kea is a volcano, and the gravel here is different from normal gravel. It consists of rocks mixed with dry and dusty volcanic ash which doesn't “pack” despite a lot of rain. The result is a gravel road that's more like sand, making it

extremely hard to get traction on a bicycle

.

Is Mauna Kea hard to climb?

Mauna Kea is so much harder

,” says self-proclaimed hill junkie Doug Jansen, 55, of Pelham, New Hampshire. Most people who ride this climb strongly recommend doing it with support. There are few amenities on the route, and you'll want a reliable extraction plan if you start getting altitude sickness.

Can you bike down a volcano in Hawaii?

Maui offers the longest downhill bike tour experience anywhere in the world

! The ride starts just outside the Haleakala National Park entrance at an elevation of 6500 feet and participants coast downhill through the famous mid-mountain switchbacks, the upcountry Kula area, and ride through the town of Makawao.

Is biking on the sidewalk illegal in Hawaii?

Where

it is legal to ride on the sidewalk

, bicyclists must yield to pedestrians, give an audible signal when passing, and ride 10 mph or less.

How long does it take to climb Mauna Kea?

Get to know this 13.40 mile, out and back trail near Hilo, Hawaii. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of

8 h 46 min

to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.

How steep is the road to Mauna Kea?

The Mauna Kea road includes a steep (

15% grade

) unpaved stretch that, beyond the visitor center at about 9300′, is restricted to 4-wheel-drive vehicles, and also has other restrictions to protect visitors and astronomers' work at the summit's many observatories (including a recommendation to hang around the visitor …

Can you ride your bike down Haleakala?

The Maui bike ride down Haleakala is approximately 24 miles from the drop-off point near the top of Haleakala to our shop in Paia

. Haleakala has an average grade of 5% and is 98% downhill. There are many switchbacks on the first portion of the Maui volcano bike ride that eliminate any excessive steepness.

How long is the Haleakala bike ride?

The bike route is a

23 mile

ride down Haleakala. Because our bike trips are self-guided, bikers will be coming down the mountain at various paces and therefore end up back at our shop at different times. But on average our Sunrise bike riders finish up around 10:30am including a stop for breakfast.

Can you bike in Maui?

Maui has some outstanding mountain bike paths, but if you want to ride on the best, you're going to need to head upcountry. Some people don't like road biking on Maui because dedicated bike lanes are rare. But, most of the roads do have wide shoulders and

biking is legal on highways

.

Can you drive to the summit of Mauna Kea?

Frequently Asked Questions about visiting MaunaKea

Q: Can you drive up to the MaunaKea summit?

Yes, but not with any car and only during daylight hours

. On the road from the visitor center to the summit only 4WD vehicles are allowed, and the summit is off-limits from half and hour after sunset.

What is cycling Fiets?

You can find

climbs listed by difficulty

(FIETS), elevation gained, highest peak, longest distance and steepest grade.

What is the weather in Mauna Kea?

Do you need a license to ride a bicycle in Hawaii?

Simple answer: Yes.

Any bicycle (with wheels over 20′′ in diameter) that will be operated on the roadways must be registered with the City & County of Honolulu to ride on O'ahu

(it's a $15 one-time fee that can really help HPD get your bike back to you in the case it gets stolen).

Can you bike around Hawaii?

Few places in the world offer the incredible freedom and scenic beauty of cycling on the Big Island of Hawaii

. Bicycle routes on the Big Island are as ubiquitous as the roads, with a new adventure around every turn.

Is biking in Honolulu safe?

Is biking in honolulu safe?

Honolulu was awarded a Bronze ranking as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the American League of Cyclist

. Currently, Oahu has 2 miles of protected bike lanes, 46 miles of bike paths, 59 miles of bike lanes, and 40 miles of bike routes.

Is the Mauna Kea hike worth it?

You miss the opportunity for an exceptionally challenging hike, but

the summit is absolutely worth seeing either way

. You also have the option to dayhike to Lake Waiau from the road to the summit. This route is about 1.5 miles and 400′ of gain (all starting around 13,000′, however).

Can you camp on Mauna Kea?

The Mauna Kea State Recreation Area has cabins that can accommodate up to 6 people

. The cabins are only available on weekends. They are equipped with a range, refrigerator and toilet. They don't have running water or cookware.

Can you climb Mauna Loa?

A hike up the 13,678 foot (4,170 m) Mauna Loa can be rewarding, but poses a significant challenge

. The summit is high altitude and the trail is over rough, jagged, and often loose lava. The trail is marked with ahu (stacked rocks) and can be very easy to lose in times of low visibility.

Is it worth driving to Mauna Kea?

Totally worth the trip

. You can feel the difference in the air. Very desert like surroundings and some areas that seem to be used for spiritual things…

Can AWD go up Mauna Kea?

According to the Mauna Kea Visitor information center:

2-wheel drive vehicles are not permitted above the Visitor Information Station

. A 4-wheel drive vehicle with Low Range is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. About 300 yards beyond the station, the pavement ends and the next 4 and a half miles are a steep graded-gravel road.

Are rental cars allowed on Mauna Kea?

One of the most important things to note when visiting Mauna Kea is that you must have a car with 4WD.

Not all rental companies allow you to take your rental up Mauna Kea

, so make sure to ask your car rental company. If you are renting from us, you must rent a Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator to get the summit.

What mountain do you bike down in Maui?

Maui bike tours with Mountain Riders takes you 26 miles down the slopes of Maui's

Haleakala Volcano

. You may choose Sunrise or day tours that are guided or self paced. As you begin your journey at the 6500 foot elevation downhill to Paia Bay you will descend the verdant green slopes of Haleakala.

Where can I ride my bike in Maui?

The Haleakala ride

is one of Maui's premier bike rides and also one of its most challenging. This route starts at sea level in Paia and travels up to 10,000 feet in 36 miles. Get started early as this is when the conditions are best. Plan on at least 4 to 5 hours to get to the top.

What do you wear to a Haleakala bike ride?

We recommend that Haleakalā bike riders wear

layers of clothing that can be taken off as they make their way down the mountain into warmer temperatures

. When you get all the way down to Paia, you'll probably only need a T-shirt and shorts.

How long does it take to bike to the top of Haleakala?

Biking Down Haleakala

Haleakala can be difficult to ascend, but the descent is less strenuous. However, it's a solid

hour to 1 1⁄2 hours

of descending, so make sure you have enough energy and have prepared for that long of a descent.

How high is Mount Haleakala?

10,023′