About Mauna Loa Summit Trail
Mauna Loa Summit Trail is a hard hiking trail near Captain Cook in Hawaii County, Hawaii.. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
Photo by Holly Mandarich on Unsplash
Hard
Mauna Loa Summit Trail
Captain Cook, Hawaii · Hawaii County
Mauna Loa Summit Trail is a hard hiking trail near Captain Cook in Hawaii County, Hawaii.. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
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19.49216, -155.59112
Open in OpenStreetMap5-Day Forecast
Weather at Mauna Loa Summit Trail
Live forecast for the trailhead. Use it to pack and time your hike.
Today
Overcast
48°/37°
🌬 14mph
↑ 5:58 AM ↓ 6:59 PM
Sat
Overcast
52°/37°
💧 1%🌬 10mph
↑ 5:58 AM ↓ 6:58 PM
Sun
Overcast
51°/37°
💧 13%🌬 9mph
↑ 5:59 AM ↓ 6:58 PM
Mon
Heavy Drizzle
50°/37°
💧 28%🌬 10mph
↑ 5:59 AM ↓ 6:57 PM
Tue
Rain Showers
46°/37°
💧 29%🌬 8mph
↑ 5:59 AM ↓ 6:57 PM
Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.
What “Hard” Means
Steep, technical, or long. Requires good fitness and experience.
Difficulty is derived from OpenStreetMap’s Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hiking scale, trail visibility, surface, distance, and elevation gain. Always verify current conditions before heading out.
What to Pack & Wear
Personalised to this trail’s length, elevation, difficulty, and the live forecast.
👔 What to Wear
- Light insulated jacketFleece or light puffy you can stash if you warm up.
- Hiking pantsQuick-dry softshell or fleece-lined.
- Light gloves + beanieEspecially if you start before sunrise.
- Sturdy hiking bootsWool or synthetic-blend socks.
🎒 What to Pack
- WaterBring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- High-energy snacksA snack for the trail.
- Sun protection (UV 10)SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
- Headlamp + spare batteriesLong days can run late — never rely on phone flashlight alone.
- First-aid kitBlister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- Offline mapDownload your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Trail Safety in Hawaii
Trail conditions in Hawaii change with weather, season, and fire activity. Closures, washouts, and rerouting are common. Before heading out:
- Check with the land manager for current conditions and closures
- Tell someone your plan and expected return time
- Know your turn-around limits — conditions can change fast
- Carry the 10 essentials: water, food, navigation, first aid, light, fire, shelter, knife, sun protection, extra clothes
References & Maps
Nearby
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