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Mauna Kea Summit
Driving Destination~2 hr from Kona (includes summit road)Scenic4WD Needed
At 13,796 feet, Mauna Kea is the tallest peak in Hawaii and, measured from its base on the ocean floor, the tallest mountain on Earth. The summit hosts world-class observatories, and the sunset above the clouds here is genuinely otherworldly. The road above the Visitor Center is steep and unpaved.
Tip: A 4WD vehicle is required above the Visitor Information Station. Spend 30 minutes at the 9,200-ft station to acclimatize before driving up. Bring warm layers — summit temperatures can dip below freezing.
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