An interesting diversion from the lazy, tropical indulgences of a typical Big Island day might be a drive on Route 200. Called the Saddle Road, this drive is for the adventurous.
The road cuts boldly across the high valley, or saddle, between the two great mountains, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, creating an interior shortcut between East and West Hawaii, and leads through a wide variety of eco, climactic, and geologic zones as you climb up to 6,000 feet and back down again.
In good weather, the trip requires a little over an hour of concentrated driving. There's no charge for the show, but there are some limitations and guidelines. Many of the car rental companies on the island discourage or forbid drivers to take their vehicles on the Saddle Road, so please check first.
There are no gas stations or stores. Visibility can be atrocious when fog blankets the area for miles, so motorists are required to keep their headlights on at all times. Bring warm clothes and a camera, especially if you venture out of your car and explore sights along the way.
