| Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii |
 Trail Name:Halema’uma’u-Byron Ledge Summary: |
| Trail Description |
| Hawaii Volcanoes National Park encompasses two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Of the 150 miles of trails in the Park, some of the best (particularly for day hikers) run through and around Kilauea Caldera, the massive depression of barren lava, cinder cones and craters at the volcano’s summit. As Kilauea’s volcanic activity is currently concentrated far to the east of the caldera, hikers are free to explore this fascinating place and get a close-up look at the legacy of eruptions from years gone by.
Many of the Kilauea Caldera trails interconnect, giving lots of different loop options. This circuit leads across the center of the caldera though old lava flows, with a short spur to the edge of steaming Halema’uma’u Crater. From the visitor center, take the short footpath towards Volcano Art Center, cross Crater Rim Drive and quickly join Crater Rim Trail to the right of Volcano House Hotel. Turn right for Halema’uma’u Trail, which soon branches off the Rim Trail. Keep left at the junction with Sandalwood Trail a few minutes later. The trail heads down into the caldera through rainforest, reaching the junction with Byron Ledge Trail and the start of the loop proper in 0.4 mile/0.6 km. Taking it counter-clockwise, keep right on Halema’uma’u Trail. The arid expanse of the caldera and the black pahoehoe lava that covers it is a real contrast to the vegetation on the rim. The trail heads through the center of the massive caldera, past lava flows from eruptions as recent as 1982. In 1.8 miles/2.9 km, you reach the junction with Byron Ledge. The loop continues left along this trail, but first continue on Halema’uma’u for another 0.4 mile, to the edge of the crater for which the trail is named. Once a lake of red-hot molten lava, in 1924 the lava drained away from Halema’uma’u Crater, but sulfurous fumes continue to rise from the surface. The crater is home to Pele, the fire goddess. She is still revered by many native Hawaiians, and you may well see offerings of flowers and fruit at the crater’s edge. Expect there to be plenty of people here – Halema’uma’u parking area on Crater Rim Drive is just 0.2 mile away. Backtrack to the trail junction and turn right onto Byron Ledge Trail. Now heading east across the caldera floor, you approach the forested ledge in about 1.2 miles/1.9 km. Climb up and follow the ledge northwards for 1 mile/1.6 km. To your left lies the expanse of Kilauea Caldera; to your right the cinder cone of Pu’u Pua’i and the crater of Kilauea Iki. Three trails branch off to the right as you walk along the ledge. The final two, 0.8 and 1 mile along respectively, are short connections to Kilauea Iki and the north-east rim of the caldera on Waldron Ledge. They offer an alternative return route. Staying on Byron Ledge Trail, bear left and descend from the ledge, then continue northwards. The loop is now almost completed. In around 10 minutes, rejoin Halema’uma’u Trail and keep right to climb back up to the rim the same way that you descended. Near the top, rather than heading straight for the visitor center, you may choose to turn left and return via the Sandalwood and Sulphur Banks Trails. This will add 1 mile to the overall distance. |
| FACT FILE |
| Location: The Big Island of Hawaii. The Park is located in the south of the island. Entrance fee $10 per vehicle, good for 7 days.
Directions: The Park entrance station is just off Hwy 11, 95 miles south-east of Kona and 30 miles south-west of Hilo. Keep right onto Crater Rim Drive for Kilauea visitor center in 0.3 mile. Trailhead: Visitor center. Alternative access from Halema’uma’u parking area on Crater Rim Drive (reduces overall trail length by 1 mile). Length: 6.6 miles / 10.6 km Trail Type: Loop Elevation Change: 400 ft / 122 m Duration: 3.5 hours Trail Condition: Well maintained. Features: Crater, cinder cone, steaming lava fields, native forest. Climate: Changeable, with temperatures around 60 F at Kilauea’s summit. It is often overcast and rainy. Accommodation: Volcano House Hotel (tel. 808 967-7321) is on the caldera rim opposite the visitor center. Two free drive-in campgrounds, first-come, first-served – the most convenient is Namakani Paio, clearly signed off Hwy 11, 3 miles west of the entrance station. The village of Volcano, 1 mile east of the Park on Hwy 11, has lodges, cottages and B&Bs. Trail Notes: Obtain maps and information on trails and current volcanic activity from the visitor center (tel. 808 985-6000). Take water and sunscreen – there is no shade on the lava fields. Keep to the trail to avoid hidden cracks and thin lava crust and be aware of volcanic fumes at Halema’uma’u Crater. |
Popularity: 64% [?]
