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 Winding its way between the two highest points on the Big Island---Mauna Kea to the north and Mauna Loa to the south---Saddle Rd. (Rte. 200) is an adventurous journey through a topographical cross-section of Hawaii.
From the Kona Coast, the road first climbs the slopes of Mauna Kea. As the road climbs out of the rolling grasslands of Parker Ranch, the vegetation becomes gradually more sparse. About 19 mi. from the intersection of Rte. 190 and Saddle Rd. lies Mauna Kea State Recreation Area. John A. Burns Way, 7 mi. farther on the north side of the highway, leads up Mauna Kea to the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy. A graded track continues on to the mountain's summit. Once the road reaches Mauna Loa, there is an abrupt change in landscape. The gradual incline up to the distant summit of Mauna Loa is a mishmash of a'a and pahoehoe fields, punctuated only by a few brave 'ohi'a. A few hundred yards from the turn to the Mauna Kea summit, a rough track heads south to the Mauna Loa Weather Observatory on the upper slopes of the mountain. From here, Saddle Rd. begins to drop down toward Hilo in a series of heart-pounding twists and turns. The challenge of driving is increased by the fog---it can be so thick that it's hard to see the road in front of you. The flora is luxuriant and deep, deep green with the addition of all this moisture as the road descends toward the Pacific.
On the Kona side, Saddle Rd. leaves Rte. 190 about 6 mi. south of Waimea and 33 mi. northeast of Kailua-Kona. On the windward side, Waianuenue Ave. splits just above downtown Hilo and forms Kaumana Dr., which becomes Saddle Rd. in the foothills outside of town. Saddle Rd. stretches 54 mi. from end to end.
 Be prepared for a rough ride; the highway gets heavy use from tanks and other military vehicles commuting between Kawaihae Harbor and Pohakuloa Military Training Area, located along the lower slopes of both mountains. Almost all rental car companies, except for local Harper Car and Truck Rentals, forbid travel on Saddle Rd. While this scares away many visitors, the restriction has little to do with the condition of the road and much more with its distance from towing companies, who charge $300 for any job there. If you're willing to foot the bill in the event of a road emergency, this drive should not be missed. Come well prepared with plenty of gas, water, and warm clothes. Oh, and four wheel drive might not be a bad idea... just in case.
I really don't think you'll have a big issue driving it. There is a lot of hype about the road past Hana in Maui for example, saying how dangerous it is and all. Sure it rode the edge of a cliff a lot, and was narrow, but it wasn't THAT bad. I'd have felt cheated if I had missed it. It was one of my favorite parts of Maui. Basically what I'm getting at is don't let people scare you out of this drive. It's worth it, and that's why so many people talk about it. Where else can you drive between the world largest mountains; Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
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Same as seen above. On the Kona side, Saddle Rd. leaves Rte. 190 about 6 mi. south of Waimea and 33 mi. northeast of Kailua-Kona. On the windward side, Waianuenue Ave. splits just above downtown Hilo and forms Kaumana Dr., which becomes Saddle Rd. in the foothills outside of town. Saddle Rd. stretches 54 mi. from end to end. |
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