Mauna Kea

The summit stands 4,207 metres above sea level, but the mountain rises from a seafloor base around six thousand metres down, making it over ten thousand metres from base to top - taller than Everest by that measure. The dry air, altitude and stable atmosphere above the inversion layer make it one of the best optical astronomy sites on earth, and thirteen telescopes operate there. It is also sacred in Native Hawaiian tradition as the realm of deities and the place where earth meets sky, and the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope drew sustained protest and blockades from 2014 onward, with kupuna arrested on the access road in 2019; the dispute is unresolved. The visitor station at 2,800 metres runs public stargazing.

What you actually see

• Over ten thousand metres from base to summit - taller than Everest that way.
• Thirteen telescopes - on one of the best astronomy sites on earth.
• A sacred summit - and an unresolved dispute over building on it.
• Public stargazing at 2,800 metres - from the visitor station.

When to go

Year round; sunset and stargazing are the draw. An evening.

Honest expectations

The summit road requires four-wheel drive and most hire agreements prohibit it. Altitude at 4,200 metres is serious and the visitor station asks people to acclimatise. Summit access has been restricted during protests. Snow closes the road in winter.

Nearby

Mauna Loa is south; Hilo is east.