Kohala Mountain Road
Kohala Mountain Road
4.5
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4.5
201 reviews
Excellent
133
Very good
57
Average
10
Poor
0
Terrible
1
western u
Marysville, WA931 contributions
Jan 2023
This is the second time we have done this beautiful drive. Make sure to enjoy the pullouts.
The drive from the south goes through nice grassy fields that make me think of Ireland. You can see Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. Towards the top you are more in forest going past horse ranches then start dropping down to Hawi.
The drive from the south goes through nice grassy fields that make me think of Ireland. You can see Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. Towards the top you are more in forest going past horse ranches then start dropping down to Hawi.
Written 15 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom G
San Diego, CA243 contributions
Mar 2021
Pleasant, scenic drive from the Wiamea area over the mountain to Hawi, or the reverse, if you have driven north along the 270 to Hawi, Kapa'au and Pololu. Some spots to stop and take photos south toward Mauna Kea and Hapuna resorts. Windy roads, so take your time.
Written 26 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert J
5 contributions
June 2022
Take your time to enjoy the ride. Folks at the end of the road will direct you to roadside parking and give information about the valley. It's a steep hike down. Take water, use a stick. Enjoy a refreshment on weekends at the roadside stand. Picnic and watch the surfers at Keokea Park from the elevated shelter.
Written 27 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heidi W
Hawi, HI5 contributions
Apr 2016 • Solo
I purposely drive this road at least once a week and never tire of the constantly changing vistas. You go through multiple mini climate zones and the greens are amazing. Make sure to bring your camera and take your time - stop often and soak it in.
Written 14 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex V
Cincinnati, OH1 contribution
July 2012 • Family
If you are in search of breathtaking views, and Hawaiian charm on the Big Island, look no further than North Kohala, more specifically, the small town of Hawi. I visited the Hawaiian Islands last summer, and while I enjoyed all of the sites that I visited, Hawi stood out to me at the end of my trip as the perfect example of what Hawaii is known for. Hawi is a small town, littered with family owned art galleries, small restaurants and cafes, and most importantly, a view that will stay with you for a lifetime. Many local zip line companies showcase the beauty of Hawi, and the surrounding wildlife. We booked a tour with a local favorite, Big Island Eco Adventures. The tour, guided by Hawi natives, zips you along the treetops of a lush and spectacular forest, complete with waterfalls and exotic plants. I felt that it gave us a chance to get up close and personal with the wildlife in a way that we couldn’t have done without the knowledge of a guide. Make sure to bring your camera, because the zip lines make for some cool snapshots. After enjoying the zip line we made the short drive down the main road towards the Pololu Valley Overlook, stopping along the way at Marylou’s Market Place to grab a delicious fresh fish sandwich. If you have a camera this is where you will get some of the most breathtaking photos. The overlook, which is at the northernmost part of the Big Island, looks out at the northeastern coastline and the powerful waves crashing into the jagged cliffs below. It truly shows the power of nature and was the view that stuck with me, even on the long plane ride back to Cincinnati, Ohio. After taking plenty of poster-quality photos of the coast, we drove back into the town center to browse through a few of the stores and cafes, even picking up a ukulele at an art gallery. Hawi, Hawaii is a family-friendly, laid-back town where you can easliy spend a day taking in the "Aloha" spirit.
Written 10 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveling_with_kathy
Lake Stevens, WA1,613 contributions
Jan 2021 • Solo
What a lovely drive through acres upon acres of lush green pasture land. Saw lots of cattle. The Big Island is a land of diversity from lava fields to sandy beaches to lush countryside. It was a peaceful drive with quite the elevation gain.
Written 2 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CAD99
Kailua-Kona, HI89 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
This relatively short drive, from Waimea to Hawi, offers scenery
Found no where else on the island. This nicely paved road climbs rapidly over the west flank of the extinct Kohala
Volcano and cruises through some of the most scenic and pastoral views on North island. Horse & cattle country framed by beautiful trees and pastureland. Well worth the time and fuel.
Found no where else on the island. This nicely paved road climbs rapidly over the west flank of the extinct Kohala
Volcano and cruises through some of the most scenic and pastoral views on North island. Horse & cattle country framed by beautiful trees and pastureland. Well worth the time and fuel.
Written 23 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tzd60820
Vancouver, WA350 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
We drove road # 250 by accident. There weren't many cars, even it was during a rush hours and we hit a big traffic in Waimea. The recommendation to not drive during a peak hours goes to the left turn onto Hwy #19 just before Waimea. You will be on the mercy of the main highway drivers, cause no traffic light, and constant lane of cars.
The road is extremely scenic. The best is to see the pictures and judge by yourself. The most short parking spots for the views are on the south side of the road, so I would drive from Hawi to Waimea and frequently stop. Pictures, pictures, pictures.
The road is extremely scenic. The best is to see the pictures and judge by yourself. The most short parking spots for the views are on the south side of the road, so I would drive from Hawi to Waimea and frequently stop. Pictures, pictures, pictures.
Written 11 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SandstoneSprings
Rio Verde, AZ198 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
The Mountain Road is an easy to drive beautiful route between Hawi and Waimea. The 4000 foot elevation change and pretty much undeveloped land combine for many Kodak moments. The driving is not a bit scary and traffic levels are light. We loved every minute of it!
Written 27 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth W
Taiwan67 contributions
Aug 2019
Road is in good condition, some curves but nothing scary or difficult. Saw cows and goats along the way.
Written 27 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flutteringby
Surprise, Arizona
How many miles is the loop and approx. how long does it take to drive? Thank you!
Written 25 May 2020
I would have to look at a map to give you mileage but if you don't stop it may be 2 hours or so. We took about 5 hours to do this because we stopped and explored. Trips like this are best done without a time table. since you will miss some things that you could stop and look at when you see something interesting. We had a week on this island so we had time to mess around and we didn't really have a timetable. We set a destination and enjoyed the trip.
Written 26 May 2020
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