Hike to Pu’u Ahumoa (dryland forests of Mauna Kea)

Hike to  Pu’u Ahumoa

Hike to  Pu’u Ahumoa

The large cinder cone that dominates the western flank of Mauna Kea is called Pu’u Ahumoa which in Hawaiian translates as Chicken Hill. Created over 200,000 years ago on the side of Mauna Kea, the cinder cone is now a crater in the middle area and from the top commands stunning views of Moana Loa, Mauna Kea and Pu’u wa’awa’a along with nice coastal views of the west coast of Kona to Kohala. Also, worth visiting in the same area is the bird sanctuary at Palila Forest Hiking Trail located a few miles above this pu’u on Road R1.

How to get to the main trail head

Spring wildflower blooms and the trail area

Spring wildflower blooms and the trail area

How to get to the main trail head

From Kona or Hilo and driving down the Saddle Road to the old Saddle Road heading towards Waimea about 1 mile uphill. You’ll reach the Pilohana Hunters station located between mile markers 43 and 44 and turn right and drive past the hunters check in station. You can park here at the check in station or continue driving uphill on road R1 until you can get close to the cinder cone and park at any turnoff and then continue walking uphill towards the cinder cone.

Continue walking uphill on R1 until you hit R15 and turn into R15 for a tenth of a mile to the junction where you take the left fork and eventually walk along the sides of Mauna Kea. At the next intersection head right going uphill and again on the sides of the mountain on a grade and levels off at certain points before it becomes and incline again all the way to the top of the cinder cone. As you walk towards the summit, you will notice the crater portion on the left-hand side until you finally reach the top. 

Even though the hike is steep at points, there are many spots where it levels off so you can take your time to enjoy the views before it starts to climb up again.

Once above, you’ll get fantastic views of the Saddle Road area below along with views of Moana Loa and further out the Kohala range along with Mauna Kea further uphill.

Return to the bottom from Pu'u Ahumoa

Close up view of Mamane trees growing in the area

Return to the bottom from Pu'u Ahumoa

Return to the bottom from Pu’u Ahumoa

You can go back down the same direction where you came from or walk around around the crater rim which eventually connects back to the main path and head downhill. The loop around the crater rim isn’t marked easily as a trail but it isn’t difficult to walk across the rim area where a trail picks up again and then connects to the main trail going back downhill.

Return to the bottom from Pu'u Ahumoa

Views from the crater rim area of Pu’u Ahumoa

Return to the bottom from Pu'u Ahumoa

Distance traveled

7.6 miles roundtrip from the check in station, If you continue driving up towards R15, you can avoid the dusty trails below and have a shorter uphill hike to the crater rim.

Difficulty

Moderate and mostly uphill

Elevation gain – 1489 feet

Return to the bottom from Pu'u Ahumoa

Details to hiking Pu’u Ahumoa

The road uphill is mostly dusty so if you want to avoid the dust of passing trucks then try to drive up as much as you can to R15 turnoff and walk from that junction area

This is an ATV / motor bike and also an active hunting zone so wear bright clothing to avoid any accidents to your group.

The area is exposed so bring water, food and any cover for sunny and exposed weather.

Areas of the Big Island have unique indigenous trees that are being damaged by viruses, make sure to use the cleaning stations for your hiking shoes to prevent any viruses to attach to your shoes.

Remember to leave no trace behind and bring out everything you pack in.

Details to hiking Pu’u Ahumoa

Gear and things to bring

The hike going up towards Pu’u Ahumoa is exposed so you might want to bring the following gear for the hike.

Hi vision binoculars for bird watching

SPF 50 Reef Safe Sunscreen

Extra wide hat cover – sun and water proof

Additional topics on the Saddle road or nearby areas

Additional topics on the Saddle road or nearby areas

Once you are finished this quick hike you can also do a variety of attractions like the Palila Forest Discovery trail, the Mauna Kea visitors center or even the cinder cone below at Pu’u Huluhulu trail head.

Palila Forest Discovery Trail

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Best hikes around the Big Island

Hike to Pu’u Wa’a Wa’a

Conclusion to hiking Pu'u Ahumoa

Conclusion to hiking Pu’u Ahumoa

Hiking the Big Island is filled with so much diverse terrain from coastline areas to cinder cones and lush valleys or cool mountain areas to explore on the island . The hike to Pu’u Ahumoa is challenging but very fast with spectacular views to enjoy from the crater rim. If you enjoyed this hike, please do share it with any of the social media buttons below this post, thank you.

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Meet Noel Morata

Noel Morata is the creator of This Hawaii Life along with a small team of contributors. Living on the Big Island and traveling regularly to the neighbor islands, Noel and team actively search and share the latest information and updates to Hawaii travel, food, adventure and various lifestyle activities on the islands for your planning and vacation. Aloha and enjoy This Hawaii Life.