One of Liesa's many favorite Day Trips on the Big Island
Kona Coast – Mauna Kea Saddle – Hilo – Pahoa – South Puna – Hilo – Akaka Falls – Kona Coast
Stunning scenery
Incredible cinder cones along Saddle Road
This drive is full of great diversity with many stunning views. The drive over the saddle in the shadow of Mauna Kea is unbelievably amazing. Cinder Cones rise out of the earth with goats and sheep along the road. The weather changes dramatically along the way. Hawaii’s Route 200 goes through many climates– tropical forests, arid desert, lush grasslands and misty mountaintop fog. The highway reaches an elevation of 6,632 feet and after descending to the South Pacific town of Hilo, you will find a warm tropical old town that is lost in the sixties. Have a quick stop at Rainbow Falls. Cute shops, juice bars and galleries are fun to wander through before continuing on your way.
Hilo views
Continue your drive through Pahoa on Highways 130 to Highway 137, the route that many believe is the most scenic road in all of Hawaii. This famous ‘Red Road’ to New Kalapana Beach runs along the coast and passes by a few beach parks, fruit, flower and farm stands and some truly amazing coastal scenery.
The enchanted Kapoho Kalapana Road, also known as the Red Road.
The gorgeous coastal along the famous Red Road in the Puna district.
The first ‘must-do” stop is New Kalapana Beach (Kaimu Beach Park). After a ten minute walk from Kaimu you will find a new black sand beach forming after being overrun by lava in 1990. The second stop is the brand new Pohoiki Black Sand Beach in Isaac Hale Beach Park. This beach was formed after the recent lava flow in August 2018.
Kalapana Beach (Kaimu Beach Park)
Scenic walk to the beautiful black sand beach (Kalapana)
New Pohoiki Black Sand Beach (as of August 2018)
From Puna, it’s back home via Hilo. If you want to extend your day you could head home via the Hamakua Coast with a stop at Akaka Falls (Hwy 19) just a few minutes north of town.
Roadside Flowers