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Hiking and Backpacking

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a popular destination for hiking enthusiasts. The park offers 100 miles (161 km) of trails that cater to different skill levels and interests. Due to volcanic activity, the trials may or not be open.  A full list of trails is available at the NPS website.  Here are five of the top hikes in the park:

Kilauea Iki Trail is 4-mile (6.4 km) round trip hike takes you through the Kilauea Iki Crater, which was formed during a volcanic eruption in 1959. The elevation gain is 400 feet (122 m). The trailhead for the Kilauea Iki Trail is located at the Kilauea Iki Overlook, which is around 1.5 miles from the entrance of the park.  Parking at the Kilauea Iki Overlook is extremely limited, especially during peak hours. If you are interested in a longer hike, you can begin your hike at Kilauea Visitor Center, Devastation Trailhead, or Puʻupuaʻi Parking Area. The Kilauea Visitor Center is located approximately 5 miles (8 km) from the entrance of the park and offers a 5.3-mile (8.5 km) round-trip hike that includes the Kilauea Iki Trail loop.

The Devastation Trail is a 1-mile round trip hike in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that takes you through a landscape that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1959. The trail is easy and takes about 30 minutes to complete. The elevation gain is 50 feet (15 m). The trailhead for the Devastation Trail is located at either the Pu'upua'i parking lot or the Devastation Trail parking lot, both off of Crater Rim Drive . The parking lot at the Devastation Trailhead is located a few miles to the west of the town of Volcano Village. To get there, enter the park entrance and gate and make the first left to Crater Rim Drive. Follow Crater Rim drive until it intersects Chain of Craters Road. Follow the road until you see the sign for the Devastation Trail and parking lot.

The Thurston Lava Tube is a 500-year-old lava cave in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that was formed by a river of molten lava. The trail is 0.3-mile .48 km) round trip hike. The tube is located on the Kilauea Crater and is one of many such tubes on the island. The tube is named after Lorrin Thurston, a local newspaper publisher who played a key role in the annexation of Hawaii by the United States. The trailhead for the Thurston Lava Tube is located at the Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) parking area or the Kīlauea Iki Overlook. Parking is very limited.

The Mauna Ulu Trail is a 4.5-mile (7.25 km) round trip hike in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that takes you through a lava field that was formed during a volcanic eruption in 1969. The elevation gain is 500 feet (152 m). The trailhead for the Mauna Ulu Trail is located at the Mauna Ulu parking area, which is off of Chain of Craters Road. The parking lot is located a few miles to the west of the town of Volcano Village. To get there, enter the park entrance and gate and make the first left to Crater Rim Drive. Follow Crater Rim drive until it intersects Chain of Craters Road. Follow the road until you see the sign for the Mauna Ulu Trail and parking lot.

The Halema'uma'u Trail is a moderately difficult 3.2-mile (5.15 km) round trip hike, with and elevation gain of 425 feet (130 m). The trail that takes you to the edge of the Kilauea Caldera, where you can see the Halema'uma'u Crater. The trailhead for the Halema'uma'u Trail is located behind the Volcano House off Crater Rim Trail.

Strenuous Hike/Backpacking

Permits are required for all back country hikes.

Summit of Mauna Loa.  Please, do not under estimate this hike.  We have personally been denied, due to the weather and high wind. It is also at a very high altitude.  Be ready for lack of oxygen, while having to carry a pack on your shoulders.  If all goes well you will reach the summit of one of the largest active volcanoes in the world. It is recommended that you take four days to complete the trek, which entails over 40 miles (64,4 km) of hiking over mostly hard rock at high elevation, gaining over 7,000 feet (2,133 m) along the way. The trailhead for the Mauna Loa Trail is located at the Mauna Loa Lookout picnic area, which is accessible via paved roads. The trail is marked with cairns (stacked rocks) and can be very easy to lose in times of low visibility.

There are two main backcountry sites on Mauna Loa: Puʻuʻulaʻula (Red Hill) Cabin and Mauna Loa Summit Cabin. Puʻuʻulaʻula Cabin is situated along the Mauna Loa Trail and is nestled at 10,035 feet (3,059 m) offering a serene view of Mauna Loa. Reservations can be made at the Hawaii State Park.  The cabin provides basic amenities such as a sheltered space, sleeping quarters, a cooking area, and a pit toilet. Water is available at the cabin, but must be treated before drinking. Mauna Loa Summit Cabin is situated along the Mauna Loa Trail, reachable by the ʻĀinapō Trail and Kapāpala Ranch. The cabin provides basic amenities such as a sheltered space, sleeping quarters, a cooking area, and a pit toilet.

The Nāpau Crater via Napau Trail is a 4.6-mile (7.4 km)hike in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that has an elevation gain of 1,476 feet (450 m). The trailhead is located at the end of Chain of Craters Road. The trail takes you through a variety of terrains, including lava fields, rainforests, and the Nāpau Crater. There is a campground and pit toilet near Nāpau Crater overlook. Stays are limited to 3 consecutive nights. Reservations can be made at recreation.gov.

Campground and Lodging

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has two drive-in campgrounds: Nāmakanipaio and Kulanaokuaiki. Camping is available on a first-come basis, and no reservations, permits, or check-ins are necessary.  For more information go to the NPS website

Nāmakanipaio Campground is operated by Hawai'i Volcanoes Lodge Company and is located 31.5 miles (50.7 km) south of Hilo on Highway-11 at 4,000' (1,219 m) elevation. It is a large, open grassy area with tall eucalyptus and 'ōhi'a trees. The campground has restrooms, water, picnic tables, and barbecue pits. Campfires are permitted in the barbecue pits only. Maximum stay is 7 days.

Kulanaokuaiki Campground is located about 5 miles (8 km) down the Hilina Pali Road at 2,700' (823 m) elevation. The nine designated campsites at Kulanaokuaiki have picnic tables and tent pads and are available on a first-come basis. There is no water at this location. There is a vault-type toilet (no running water). Checkout time is 11:00 a.m. Fires are not permitted.  Maximum stay is 7 days.  All sites are first come, first served.

Lodging

Volcano House Lodge is a historic hotel located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, on the edge of the Kīlauea crater. It is the oldest hotel site on the Big Island of Hawaii, dating back to 1846. The lodge offers 33 guest rooms, a dining room, a snack bar, a lounge, and a gift shop.

Volcano House also manages 10 camper cabins and 16 campsites in the nearby Nāmakanipaio Campground. Volcano House Lodge is a great place to enjoy the spectacular views of the active volcano, the unique geologic ecosystem, and the cultural landscape of the park. The cabins sleep 4 guests each, and have a picnic table, an outdoor barbecue grill, and an outdoor firepit. Linens are provided, and guests can use the community bathroom with hot showers and toilets. The cabins offer a camping experience without setting up a tent, and are close to the park’s attractions, such as the Kīlauea crater and the lava tubes.

Reservations can be made at the Volcano House website.

Driving Tours

A great way to explore the park is by driving along two of the scenic driving tours.  

The Crater Rim Drive Tour is a scenic loop around the Kīlauea caldera, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The tour covers about 11 miles (18 km) and takes about 3 hours to complete, depending on how long you spend at each stop. Here are some of the highlights of the tour:

·        Kīlauea Visitor Center is where you can get the latest information on the park, watch a short film, and join ranger-led programs. You can also view exhibits, maps, and models of the volcano.

·        Uekahuna offers incredible views of Kaluapele and Mauna Loa.

·        Kīlauea Overlook: This is the first stop on the tour, and it offers a panoramic view of the Kīlauea caldera and the Halemaʻumaʻu crater. You can also see the plume of gas and steam rising from the crater, which is a sign of the ongoing eruption.

·        Wahinekapu Steam Vents and Sulphur Banks are two the next two stops where you can see the effects of the heat and gas from the volcano. Both areas have boardwalks and interpretive signs for visitors.

·        Kīlauea Iki Overlook and Trail allows a view of the lava fountains and lake formed in 1959. This is also the trailhead of the most popular hikes in the park, as it takes you across the floor of a crater. The hike is about 4 miles (6.4 km) long and takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete.

·        Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube): This is a natural tunnel formed by lava flowing underground. The tube is about 500 feet (152 m) long and 20 feet (6 m) high, and it is lit by electric lights. You can walk through the tube and experience the dark and cool environment. The tube is accessible by a short walk from the parking lot, which also passes through a lush fern forest.

·        Puʻu Puaʻi Overlook and Devastation Trail: This is where you can see the aftermath of the 1959 eruption that created the Kīlauea Iki crater. The overlook offers a view of the Puʻu Puaʻi cinder cone, which was the source of the eruption, and the surrounding area that was covered by ash and cinders. The Devastation Trail is a 0.5 mile (0.8 km) paved path that takes you through the barren landscape, where you can see how plants and animals are slowly recovering.

·        Keanakākoʻi Crater is another crater that was formed by the 1959 eruption, and it is still active today. You can see the crater from a small parking lot, or you can walk along a 0.8 mile (1.3 km) dirt road that circles the crater. Along the way, you can see cracks, fissures, and lava flows from recent eruptions. You can also see the remains of an old observatory that was destroyed by lava in 1982.

Chain of Craters Road was built in 1928 at a cost of $148,000, it ended at the rim of Makaopuhi Crater. Chain of Craters Road to the coast (to Kalapana) from Makaopuhi was opened in 1965, and then partly buried in 1969 at the start of the Maunaulu eruption. Post-Maunaulu eruption, Chain of Craters Road was realigned and reopened in June 1979.  The road is 18.8 miles (30.3 km) long. Stops include:

·        Luamanu, meaning Bird Crater.  Great place to stop and see the lava flow from 1974.

·        Puhimau Crater.  A pit crater.

·        Pauahi Crater has hosted three eruptions.

·        Puʻuhuluhulu cinder cone provide views of the Maunaulu lava shield and lava flows from the 1969-1974 eruption.

·        Mau Loa o Maunaulu.  View of lava flows from the 1969-1974 eruption.

·        Muliwai a Pele provides a view of a lava channel.

·        Kealakomo Overlook has a beautiful view of the ocean and lava plains.

·        Alanui Kahiko offers a view of the old Chain of Craters road.

·        Pu’uloa Petroglyphs is a sacred site offering petroglyphs.

·        Holei Sea Arch is a great place to see where lava from eruptions enter the sea.

Biking

Biking in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park offers adventurous cyclists dramatic views of volcanic landscapes. To protect the fragile lava features, rare plants, and archaeological sites, it's essential to ride only on designated bike routes.  For more information, visit the NPS website. Here are the locations where you can enjoy biking within the park:

1. Crater Rim Drive: Explore this scenic route that encircles the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano.

2. Chain of Craters Road: Ride along this road that descends from the summit area to the coast, passing through diverse volcanic terrain.

3. All paved roads open to vehicles in the Kīlauea District and Kahuku Unit: These areas are accessible for biking.

4. Paved portions of Crater Rim Trail between Kilauea Military Camp and Kilauea Overlook: Enjoy stunning vistas along this trail.

5. The “Escape Road”: Connects Crater Rim Drive and Highway 11 to access Chain of Craters Road at Maunaulu.

6. Old Crater Rim Drive between Chain of Craters Road intersection and Keanakāko‘i Crater: A historic route.

7. Gravel portion of the Chain of Craters-Kalapana Road: Recommended for experienced bikers; it runs along the coast.

8. Crater Rim Trail between Volcano House and the Resource Management road: Take in the beauty of upcountry Maui.

9. Mauna Loa Stable Service Road: Start on the Tree Molds Road.

10. Fuel break road: Branches east from the stable service road and ends at the Volcano Winery fence. The section branching west ends at the Kīpukapuaulu Picnic Area.

11. Kahuku Unit: Explore Kahuku Road from Highway 11 to the upper junction of Palm Trail, Palm Trail, and Old Mamalahoa Highway spur road.