Big Island Fire & Diversity
Journey through 10 climate zones from volcanic deserts to lush valleys on the island of fire
Written by a Local Travel Expert
Leilani AkoA Land of Fire and Diversity
The island of Hawaiʻi, or the Big Island, is a land of superlatives. It is the youngest and largest in the archipelago, boasting 10 of the world's 14 climate zones. Its scenic drives are journeys of dramatic contrast, taking you from lush, waterfall-filled coastlines to stark volcanic deserts, and from the heart of coffee country to the star-filled heavens.
10 of the world's 14 climate zones exist on this single island. From snow-capped peaks to tropical rainforests, from arid deserts to lush coffee farms - the Big Island offers the most diverse driving experiences in Hawaii.
Saddle Road: Between Giants
Officially the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Route 200), Saddle Road is an engineering marvel and an otherworldly experience. This 51-mile highway connects the east and west sides of the island, cutting through the high-altitude "saddle" between the two colossal volcanoes, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The drive is a journey through a stark and beautiful landscape, climbing to an elevation of 6,632 feet. You'll pass through miles of hardened lava flows, rolling grasslands, and often, thick banks of mist and clouds that give the drive a mystical quality.
Key Stops & Lookouts
The primary purpose of Saddle Road is transit, but it offers one stop of global significance: the Mauna Kea Access Road. This turnoff, located about halfway along the highway, leads up the slopes of the world's tallest mountain (when measured from its base on the ocean floor). While a 4WD vehicle is required to go to the summit, any car can make the drive to the Visitor Information Station (VIS) at 9,200 feet. The VIS is a world-class destination for stargazing, with ranger-led programs often available. Another worthwhile stop is the Puʻu Huluhulu Cinder Cone, a short, easy hike that takes you to the top of a forested "island" in a sea of lava, offering incredible 360-degree views of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and the surrounding landscape.
🏔️ Mauna Kea Access
World's tallest mountain base-to-peak. Visitor station at 9,200 feet offers world-class stargazing with ranger programs.
🌋 Puʻu Huluhulu
Short hike to a forested "island" in lava sea with 360-degree views of both massive volcanoes.
🌌 Sacred Mauna Kea
One of Polynesia's most sacred places - approach with respect (hōʻihi) and stay on marked paths.
⚠️ Safety First
No services along 51 miles. Full gas tank required. Wildlife on road, fog possible, drive with headlights.
Explore the Big Island's Legendary Routes
From volcanic craters to coffee country, waterfalls to stargazing - experience the most diverse island drives.
🗺️ Big Island Routes
🍽️ Local Eats & Markets
Daily 8am-3pm • Huge variety
World-famous malasadas
Original Hawaiian sweetbread
Tours & tastings available
⚠️ Critical Safety
- Full gas tank - no services on Saddle Road
- Drive with headlights on
- Watch for wildlife crossing
- Fog can reduce visibility to zero
- Respect sacred Mauna Kea
🌋 Big Island Drives
Chain of Craters Road: A Descent into Pele's Domain
Within the boundaries of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park lies one of the most dramatic drives on Earth. The Chain of Craters Road is an 18.8-mile journey that descends 3,700 feet from the summit of Kīlauea volcano down to the sea cliffs on its southern flank. It is a drive through a landscape actively being born and reborn, a testament to the raw power of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes.
Must-See Stops & Lookouts
The road is a linear museum of volcanic features. Starting from Crater Rim Drive, you'll pass a series of pit craters, including Lua Manu and Pauahi Crater. A short detour leads to the trailhead for Puʻu Huluhulu, where a hike across a 1974 lava flow offers views of the Mauna Ulu shield cone and, on clear days, the distant steam plume of Puʻu ʻŌʻō. Further down, the Kealakomo Overlook provides a stunning coastal vista from the top of a massive cliff, or pali.
One of the most significant stops is the Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs, where a 1.4-mile roundtrip walk leads to a boardwalk overlooking a field with over 23,000 ancient Hawaiian stone carvings. The road ends abruptly near the coast, where a short walk reveals the magnificent Hōlei Sea Arch, carved by the relentless power of the ocean from a lava cliff.
Moʻolelo & Mana
This entire drive is Pele's story written in stone. Pelehonuamea (Pele of the sacred earth) is the creator of this landscape. Legends describe her journey across the islands, seeking a home, and finally settling in the Halemaʻumaʻu crater at Kīlauea's summit. Every lava flow is an expression of her presence. The Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs are a direct link to the kūpuna (ancestors) who lived, worshipped, and recorded their lives on this dynamic land. The name Puʻu Loa means "long hill" but is also interpreted as "hill of long life," as it was a tradition to place the umbilical cord of a newborn in a small hole in the rock to ensure a long life.
📷 Photography Tips
Golden hour light brings out lava textures. Wide-angle lens essential. Polarizing filter cuts ocean glare. Tripod needed for night shots.
🪨 Petroglyphs
23,000+ ancient Hawaiian carvings at Puʻu Loa. Boardwalk protects this sacred site - stay on designated paths.
🚫 Drone Policy
Strictly prohibited within all areas of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. No exceptions - illegal and disrespectful.
Important: The road is a linear museum of volcanic features descending 3,700 feet. Early morning or late afternoon light brings out the dramatic textures of the lava fields and casts stunning shadows across the landscape.