Best trails in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Want to find the best trails in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 46 great trails for hiking, walking, and backpacking and more. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Explore one of 14 easy hiking trails in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park that are great for the whole family. Looking for a more strenuous hike? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 3 to 7,139 feet in elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Top trails
1
(11503)
•Moderate
•3.2 mi
Great day hike down into and across a solid lava lake in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The Kilauea Iki Trail starts in the rainforest on the crater's rim. The crater is a mile wide. The trail descends through the rainforest to the crater floor. You can still see steam from the vent that built the Pu'u Pua'i cinder cone.
2
(2654)
•Easy
•0.4 mi
•Est. 10m
Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube), one of many such tubes on the island, was created by a river of molten lava. When a lava tube is active, lava travels along its floor at temperatures that exceed 2,000º F (1090º C). When the supply of lava stops at the end of an eruption, or if it gets diverted elsewhere, it leaves behind an empty cave. When this lava tube was discovered in 1913, the roof of the tube was covered with lava drippings. Unfortunately, those soon disappeared due to souvenir collectors....
3
(1872)
•Easy
•1.4 mi
•Est. 30m
This is a nice hike around the Crater Rim and Sulfur Banks Trails, with dramatic views of steam vents and sulfur deposits. Interpretive signage is available along the way.
Accessibility: Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers may need all-terrain tires or adaptive/motorized equipment for the surface type and grade. There are 5 designated van-accessible parking spaces with striped access aisles in the paved parking lot of the visitor center and 1 designated...
4
(1017)
•Moderate
•4.8 mi
•Est. 2h 29m
The volcanic activity that created the Hawaiian island chain hasn't yet finished working on what's know as the 'Big Island' called Hawaii. If you need evidence, look no further than the lava flows and gas eruptions that spill from the Kilauea volcano located on the south-east side of the Big Island.
You'll find Kilauea at Volcanoes National Park where there's plenty to see even without stepping far from your vehicle. However, being hikers we'd suggest leaving your car by Thurston Lava Tube...
5
(1844)
•Easy
•2.1 mi
•Est. 48m
This trail is a formerly paved road that was damaged due to earthquakes by the 2018 volcanic eruptions. Use caution. There are views of several craters as you make your way down the road.
According to wheelchairtraveling.com: Earthquake Trail is a two-mile round trip located near the visitor center across the street from it and behind the volcano house through the parking lot. This trail is an old section of crater rim drive that was damaged during a 6.6 magnitude earthquake in 1983 and the...
6
(788)
•Moderate
•3.7 mi
•Est. 1h 38m
Explore the beauty of the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park with this spectacular hike. The trail features a nice variety of terrain, including lush vegetation and lava crust in the caldera. Traverse past steam vents and sulphur banks.
There are moderate ups and downs along the way and a nice mix of shade and sun. The trails are well-maintained, and the visitor's centre has plenty of parking spaces and restrooms.
7
(1049)
•Easy
•1.0 mi
•Est. 25m
On this short paved trail, you can view a large cinder cone that was created by the lava fountains in the eruption of Kīlauea Iki in 1959. Puʻupuaʻi means "gushing hill" in Hawaiian. From the overlook, you can look into Kīlauea Iki crater and join the Devastation Trail or continue on to visit the Byron Ledge (Uēaloha), Kīlauea Iki, and Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube). Depending on trail conditions portions may be overgrown.
According to wheelchairtraveling.com: Devastation Trail is an amazing...
8
(993)
•Easy
•1.2 mi
•Est. 26m
This trail travels across a lava field to a petroglyph site. A small loop travels past the series of petroglyphs with interpretive signs in place telling the story of the site. While the trail is relatively short, there is no shade so be sure to bring plenty of water since it can be very hot. Good hiking shoes are needed to hike across uneven terrain.
9
(537)
•Moderate
•1.6 mi
•Est. 59m
The trail is mostly wooded and heads towards the crater. After about a mile you exit the woods and arrive at the edge of an open landscape covered in volcanic rock. The trail starts near the Kilauea Visitor Center which is a great place to stop and learn more about the area before or after your hike.
10
(461)
•Moderate
•1.9 mi
•Est. 46m
This relatively easy hike explores a variety of scenery within the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The trail begins with the Devestation Trail through the desert and then descends into a lush rainforest with beautiful Ōhi'a trees and large fern trees.
There are several overlooks offering fantastic views of two volcano craters. The elevation changes are isolated to certain parts, meaning the remainder of the trail is fairly flat or has gradual inclines.
Showing results 1–10 of 46
Trail reviews for Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
I started just after 10:00 on a weekday morning, and there was plenty of parking at the trailhead. I went clockwise, but counter-clockwise is probably easier. Regardless, it's not that difficult a hike, aside from a few rocky spots. There are great views of the crater along the lush Rim Trail. Once you get down to the bottom, the walk through the crater is really cool and unique. I added on the lava tube, as well as a short detour to Kilauea Crater via the Byron Ledge Trail. Overall, this is a awesome, well-maintained trail and probably the signature hike at Hawai'i Volcanoes NP.
Parking: Entry fee, Free, Medium lot
Difficulty: Moderate
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to hike in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park?
According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is Kīlauea Iki & Crater Rim Trail, which has a 4.9 star rating from 11,503 reviews. This trail is 3.2 mi long with an elevation gain of 741 ft.
What is the longest trail in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is Mauna Loa Trail. This trail is estimated to be 36.1 mi long.
How many trails are in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park?
There are 46 trails in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. These trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 28,504 AllTrails community reviews.
Which trail has the most elevation gain in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park?
If you're looking for elevation gain, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has you covered. Mauna Loa Trail boasts the most elevation gain with 7,139 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Hawai'i Chain of Craters Drive, which will get you 5,360 ft of elevation gain.
Are there camping trails available in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 7 camping trails in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and the most popular is Napau Crater via Napau Trail with an average 4.6 star rating from 304 community reviews.
Are there running trails available in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 3 running trails in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and the most popular is Crater Rim Trail and July 1974 Lava Flow with an average 4.6 star rating from 53 community reviews.
Are there biking trails available in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there is 1 biking trail in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park which is Hilina Pali Overlook with an average 4.2 star rating from 32 community reviews.