Big Island Lava Boat Tours
No visit to the Big Island is complete without heading out to see molten lava. There are many ways to see the flows but a Lava Boat tour is a real treat.
Great Hikes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Big Island Guide
Travel Guide
Overview of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Hikes
One of the major attractions in all of Hawaii, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island offers an incredible opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Hawaii in a protected setting.
Rife with extensive scenic drives, viewpoints, and activities, the park deserves to be explored over a multi-day adventure and there’s no better way to do so than by checking out the amazing hiking and walking trails. Easily accessible and with plenty of scenic lookouts, you’ll want to be well-equipped and prepared before setting out, but the memories (and photos) you’ll create promise to be a memorable part of your Hawaiian vacation.
Ha’akulamanu (Sulphur Banks)
Meaning “gathering place for birds,” Ha’akulamanu offers incredible access to natural wildlife, stunning rock and mineral deposits, and the destruction and reinvigoration that comes with such dramatic volcanic activity. Accessible via the Sulphur Banks Trail near the visitor’s center, the trail is mostly made from wooden planks and has plenty of railings, making for one of the easier, accessible Volcanoes National Park hikes with breathtaking features throughout. More Info
Earthquake Trail & Waldron Ledge
A one-mile jaunt along the stunning Kilauea Caldera, Earthquake Trail and Waldron Ledge offers easy access to one of the park’s most iconic features: a massive volcanic plume emitting from the center of the world’s most active volcanic caldera.You’ll see native plants and birds alongside massive cracks in the earth and have an opportunity to continue to the Kilauea Iki Crater. More Info
Devastation Trail
A brief walk that explores the devastation in the aftermath of the 1959 eruption at Kilauea Iki, this 30-minute adventure is paved and easily accessible for kids, families, and the disabled. While there are few native plants visible for the majority of the trail, visitors can gain a better understanding of the consequences and power of nature as well as the endurance of natural life following a volcanic eruption. More Info
Crater Rim Trail
Arguably the most iconic and famous hiking trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Crater Rim Trail is an extensive journey that encircles the entirety of the Kilauea Caldera along the summit. While sections of the trail are occasionally closed due to volcanic activity, visitors can witness the power of Pele and plenty of natural plant and wildlife throughout this adventure. More Info
Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs
Offering a rare glimpse at ancient Hawaiian culture, this Volcanoes National Park hike explores a sacred region of the Big Island along Kilauea’s southern flank. Home to over 23,000 petroglyphs carved upon ancient lava rock, this trail offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy and learn more about Hawaiian culture pre-colonization. More Info
Map of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Hikes and Chain of Craters Road
