Saddle Road, Big Island

Saddle Road at a Glance

Buckle up! Saddle Road takes you on the road trip of a lifetime-a 53-mile thrill ride along peaks and valleys, bustling towns and miles of undeveloped coastline. Officially, it is known as the Hawaii Route 200, and starts from downtown Hilo all the way to Highway 190 just outside Waimea. The road pretty much cuts through the Big Island, like a giant belt.

Saddle Road gets its name from the stretch of road that passes between the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes. This “saddle” area is marked by small crosses to commemorate the people who have died while traversing the road, and perhaps to remind drivers to take extra caution. Heavy mist is common in this area, so before setting out, make sure there’s enough visibility to get you through the sharp turns.

The highest point on the road is at 6,321 feet. People have described this area as much like the moon, with long stretches of bare lava and very little vegetation. There’s not much to see on ground, but look down and you’ve got a great lookout point overlooking the mountains and the winding road you have just passed. You can make a stop and hike to the observatory on Mauna Kea-it’s great for star-gazing.

There aren’t many shops along the road, so plan ahead and pack all the necessities. Make sure to bring lots of drinking water, and enough food to keep you awake on the long drive. And don’t forget your camera, because you’re in for one scenic ride!

Saddle Road in Bullet Points

Saddle Road Location

Address: Hawaii Highway 200, Kailua-Kona, 96740

Saddle Road Map (top)

Kailua Kona Weather (top)

Now
77°F
Windchill:
77°F
Fair
Location: Kailua Kona, HI, US
Wind: 9 mph SE
Humidity: 62%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 29.97 in steady
Sunrise: 6:35 am
Sunset: 5:44 pm Fri
Hi: 83°F
Low: 73°F
Partly Cloudy
Sat
Hi: 84°F
Low: 74°F
Partly Cloudy