Summary:
Dramatically contrasting scenery at the summit of Kilauea volcano.

From the visitor center, cross the road towards Volcano House Hotel and keep left at the fork for the short distance to Crater Rim Trail. Keeping left, follow this trail for 1 mile/1.6 km, which takes you along the north-east rim of Kilauea Caldera above a cliff called Waldron Ledge. This section of Crater Rim Trail, which makes an 11.6-mile circuit of the volcano’s summit, offers excellent views into the caldera.

At the junction, Crater Rim Trail heads east to Kilauea Iki Overlook, but you turn sharp right towards the caldera. Ignore the trail branching off to the left after a few minutes, a short connector to the rim of Kilauea Iki Crater. Continue ahead to join forested Byron Ledge Trail after a few more minutes.

Turn right, descend from the ledge, and bear north for the 0.5 mile/0.8 km to the junction with Halema’uma’u Trail. Keep right to continue north, and begin the climb out of the caldera.

After 0.4 miles/0.6 km, turn left to complete the climb on Iliahi (Sandalwood) Trail. On this 0.4-mile stretch to the north rim, there are more great caldera views through the green rainforest. You may even spot some sandalwood trees along the way, although only a few remain.

At the top, you connect with Crater Rim Trail – consider extending the hike by a mile or so, as the Rim Trail to the west (left) of here is another interesting section, passing steam vents above aptly named Steaming Bluff.

It is all easy walking from now on, and no more than 1 mile/1.6 km to the visitor center. To return via Sulphur Banks, cross the Rim Trail and Crater Rim Drive a couple of minutes later. The final part of the hike is a real contrast to the dramatic caldera views and beautiful rainforest that has come before. You may well smell the banks before you see the steam or bright yellow mineral deposits – this is one of the few places on Kilauea where the vents give off the foul, rotten-egg smell of hydrogen sulphide.

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.

Length: 3.75 miles / 6.0 km

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change: 400 ft / 122 m

Duration: 2 hours

Trail Condition: Well maintained.

Features: Caldera views, lava, rainforest, steam vents.

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). Be aware of volcanic fumes at Sulphur Banks.

Summary:
Cross the floor of ‘Little Kilauea’ Crater, the site of Hawaii’s most furious eruption.

The trail winds down the wall of Kilauea Iki and heads west across the eerie crater floor, covered by hardened lava flows and surrounded by cliffs. After passing the vent of the 1959 eruption, the trail climbs out of the crater and reaches a junction shortly after, at the 2.4 mile/3.9 km mark.

Left is the very short connecting trail to Byron Ledge which, joined with Halema’uma’u Trail, forms a larger circuit through the main caldera. Byron Ledge also accesses the Waldron Ledge loop, which can be combined with Kilauea Iki for an excellent loop trail of 6 miles/9.6 km.

To continue on the 4-mile Kilauea Iki Trail, turn right at the junction, keep right at the next, and join Crater Rim Trail in 0.4 mile/0.6 km.

Follow the rim east (right) for 0.7 mile/1.1 km to Kilauea Iki Overlook, enjoying views into the crater from breaks in the beautiful rainforest. From the overlook, the trail continues along the rim through a forest of tree ferns for a further 0.5 mile/0.8 km to your starting point.

Before leaving the parking area, be sure to cross the road and walk the 0.3 mile/0.5 km loop trail through a lush jungle of ohi’a trees and giant ferns to Thurston Lava Tube. It is best to time this for first thing in the morning or late afternoon, as it gets very busy during the middle of the day.

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: Thurston Lava Tube parking area on Crater Rim Drive. Alternative access at Kilauea Iki Overlook.

Length: 4 miles / 6.4 km

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change: 400 ft / 122 m

Duration: 2 hours

Trail Condition: Well maintained.

Features: Crater views, hardened lava flows, cliffs, 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). Carry water and keep to the trail to avoid hidden cracks and thin lava crust.

Summary:
Cross the floor of Kilauea Caldera and peer into the depths of steaming Halema’uma’u Crater, home of Pele the fire goddess.

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.

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
Total ascent approx 800 ft/244 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.