Pohakuloa Training Area Perimeter Road

This rugged military access road skirts the edge of Pohakuloa Training Area at 6,500 feet elevation, crossing the high desert saddle between Hawaii’s two massive volcanoes on loose cinder and weathered pahoehoe lava flows. The route connects Saddle Road to restricted training areas, passing abandoned military structures and offering unobstructed views of both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa summits, with the notorious Pu’u Huluhulu cinder cone marking the halfway point where the road gets seriously technical.

Difficult terrain demands modified 4WD with rock sliders and aggressive tires — the sharp volcanic cinder will find every weakness in your rig. Military training schedules can close access without warning, so check with PTA before heading out. Best conditions are during dry months (April-October), though altitude means cold nights year-round. Bring layers, extra fuel, and GPS backup since landmarks disappear in the volcanic moonscape. You’ll experience Hawaii’s hidden high desert that most tourists never see.