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Kilauea Iki Trail – Hiking Into the Heart of Kilauea Crater in Hawaii

Home » Kilauea Iki Trail – Hiking Into the Heart of Kilauea Crater in Hawaii

Last Modified: January 6, 2021 //  by Anda //  32 Comments

One of my favorite hiking places in Hawaii is the Kilauea Iki trail in the Volcanoes National Park. It’s a first hand encounter with the raw nature of Hawaii. It’s also one of the free things to do on the Big Island, and ‘free’ is always good!

The trail is next to the main summit caldera of Kilauea, an active volcano that has been causing damages to the Big Island for many years. From 1983 to 2018 the Kilauea erupted almost continuously, destroying properties and even entire towns (like the Puna District in 1990.)

Overview

  • Visiting the Volcanoes National Park
  • Hiking the Kilauea Iki Trail
  • What to Expect on the Kilauea Iki Trail
  • The Thurston Lava Tube
  • Tips for Hiking the Kilauea Iki Trail

Visiting the Volcanoes National Park

The Volcanoes National Park is one of the top destinations for a great family vacation. We first discovered this beautiful spot while driving around the Big Island, in search of some exciting things to do.

You can visit the park by car in just a couple of hours, via the Crater Rim Drive. The 11 miles road that encircles the caldera and has access to several scenic stops and short walks. But if you want to fully appreciate the power of this volcano, you should stop and walk around.

There are quite a few trails around the park. The most famous one of them is the Kilauea Iki trail, that takes you inside the Kilauea Iki crater.

Overlook on Kilauea Iki trail
Kilauea Iki Trail – Overlook Point

Kilauea Iki crater has been dormant since 1959, so it’s safe to visit now. You can choose to simply observed it from above, from one of the many overlooks around the crater, or by hiking the Kilauea Iki trail down to the caldera.

Hiking the Kilauea Iki Trail

The hike begins at the Overlook, where you can actually see what you are about to experience. This hike is a pretty good workout and can be somewhat challenging, depending on your fitness level.

The first part of the hike is mostly level and very pretty. The trail goes through a gorgeous tropical forest and continues down 400 feet with a mixture of stairs and steep terrain. You walk through a canopy of trees and tropical plants, populated with insects and colorful birds.

Vegetation on Kilauea Iki trail
Kilauea Iki trail at the top

There are interesting flowers and scenic spots to take pictures all around. Then the Kilauea Iki trail continues down to the crater floor which was once a lake of lava.

What to Expect on the Kilauea Iki Trail

Even after 50 years, some parts of the surface are still warm to the touch. You’ll notice steam coming out in some places. This is caused by rainwater that seeps into the cracks and creates steam when it gets in contact with the hot rocks below. The steam and some rocks are hot enough to cause serious burns, so you need to be careful.

Fumaroles along the Kilauea Iki crater
Fumaroles along the volcanic cracks

After reaching the crater, the trail continues for about one mile across the caldera floor, through a very scenic landscape of fumaroles, volcanic rock and volcanic vegetation. In the crater the air is very hot and dry, so you will need some sun protection, but the view is absolutely grandiose.

Walk the Kilauea Iki trail through the caldera
Following the Kilauea Iki Trail through the caldera

We expected the crater to be an arid and barren area, but to our amazement we saw a great deal of plants coming out of the hardened, cracked lava.

Vegetation growing from lava rock
Plants growing in the lava rock

After crossing the caldera, the trail starts climbing up again. The ascent seems more difficult, although it’s almost entirely shaded by the tropical vegetation. On some uphill sections the road is pretty steep, so you might need to take a break or two.

hiking the Kilauea Iki trail
Hiking the Kilauea Iki trail

Once you reach the top, you’ll have to continue walking around to reach your starting point, if you parked your car there. There are several other trails in the area, so if you like hiking the Volcanoes National Park is a real paradise. Most trails are well maintained and easy to follow.  

The Thurston Lava Tube

Another attraction for visitors to the park is the Thurston Lava Tube. Walking through the lava tube is a short but impressive hike. A real “journey to the center of the earth!” It looks pretty much like walking through a cave.

Lava tubes are formed when the lava flows down towards the ocean and the outer crust begins to harden while the inner lava continues to flow. Once the flow stops, the tunnel formation remains. Thurston Lava Tube dates back some 350-500 years.

Lava Tube next to the Kilauea Iki Trail
Lava Tube next to the Kilauea Iki Trail

The first part is lit by electric lights and is high enough in the center to allow upright walking. But after this short corridor, there is another segment that is completely dark and has a very uneven floor.

Tree roots are hanging down from the ceiling and water is dripping through the cracks forming small, slippery pods. This  segment is very difficult to walk without a good flashlight.  

Entrance to the Lava tube
Entrance to the Lava Tube

The entrance to the lava tube is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and is close to the parking lot away from the Kilauea crater. At the other end of the tube there are stairs leading back to the surface. The Big Island has the longest and highest lava tubes in the world. 

Tips for Hiking the Kilauea Iki Trail

The Kilauea Iki Trail is 2.4 miles and will take approximately 2-3 hours to hike, depending on how fast you are and how often you stop. There are two entrances for Kilauea Iki Trail.

The main entrance is next to the parking lot on Central Rim Drive, close to the Visitor Center (the upper entrance). The other is next to the Lava Tube (the lower entrance). You can start in either director, but after hiking this trail many times I would advise you to take the upper entrance and return at the Lava Tube.

The upper entrance goes around the crater and has some view points (looking down into the crater), then follows down into the crater. The hike is much steeper here, but you are on your way down so you won’t feel it. On the way up (after you crossed the crater) there are a few parts that are a little steep, but overall the trail is shorter so it will be quick.

The Volcanoes National Park is so spectacular that it will make you forget that you are in the middle of nowhere, facing raw nature. Bring lots of water, snacks, sunscreen and a hat. Also bring sturdy hiking shoes and some rain gear, in case it rains. Bottom line, be prepared for all weather conditions and steep, rocky terrain.

The drive from Kona to the Volcanoes National Park takes about 3.5 hours, but totally worth it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Category: Destinations, Island of Hawaii, Pacific IslandsTag: Hiking trips

About Anda

Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. John David

    July 30, 2020 at 1:25 am

    I did that hike . We had a guide which was helpful . He told use about the area and plants.

    Reply
  2. Janice and George

    October 16, 2019 at 11:25 am

    We’ve also really enjoyed exploring and walking around Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. It’s a long day though, if driving from Kona… Next time (hopefully there’ll be a next time!), it would be worth staying overnight closer to the park, maybe Hilo? That would give 2 days — so one could take in more of the park, or do it at a more leisurely pace…

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      October 16, 2019 at 6:55 pm

      Yea, you would definitely have more time to explore the National Park if you stayed in Hilo overnight.

      Reply
  3. Summer

    October 7, 2019 at 5:06 am

    This hike looks like it has very classic Hawaii scenery. I love the contrast of lush vegetation and volcanic areas. It would be very interesting to visit the volcanic tubes, you are right it does look like a cave. It’s nice that you can complete the hike in just a few hours and see so much.

    Reply
  4. Amrita Sen

    October 6, 2019 at 6:23 pm

    Wow, lava tubes sounds so interesting. It really looks as the f you are inside the centre of the earth. I have been near any volcano till date. Only seen them from a distance. This journey would be quite interesting. The trail is really beautiful.

    Reply
  5. Soumya Gayatri

    October 3, 2019 at 12:01 am

    Hiking into a crater is such a novel and unique thing for me. I have never planned a crater hike before. But the Kilauea Iki trail looks so beautiful and photogenic. Like you, I would have expected a lot of dryness and barrenness near craters but this place has so much greenery. It is almost like a regular nature trail but with a more dramatic end to it. My family would absolutely love this hike.

    Reply
  6. Yukti Agrawal

    October 2, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    I have been to volcanic island Santorini but there were no tubes and such a sight Kilauea Iki trail in the Volcanoes National Park, really looks interesting as till now also steam comes out and rocks are warm. That Thurston Lava tube is wonderful which was created 300 to 500 years ago and it looks like if we follow it till the end, we will reach to the center of earth. Thanks for sharing wonderful place.

    Reply
  7. Paula

    October 2, 2019 at 1:56 pm

    We love Volcanoes NP! We have been there twice now and I could go many more times if I could. We didn’t do long hikes though since we had a toddler with us and first time I was pregnant. But we did go to the lava tube and do some shorter trails. We had wonderful time there.

    Reply
  8. Lisa

    October 1, 2019 at 11:25 am

    Now this is something you don’t read about everyday. Hawaii is one of my dream destinations to visit, but I’d never think about hiking into a crater! The crater of Kilauea Iki Crater is mesmerizing, and I wish I was more adventurous to try these kinds of trips. I’ll add this to my Hawaii bucket list should I ever get to visit one day.

    Reply
  9. Arnav Mathur

    October 1, 2019 at 6:23 am

    This definitely seems my kind of adventure, as I prefer to be in the outdoors, whenever I travel. Am really glad I stumbled across this, as its going to help me plan my trip to the States soon. Hiking into the heart of Kilauea Creator, is such an exciting thing to do for sure.

    Reply
  10. Leah

    September 30, 2019 at 1:46 pm

    This is great timing- we are planning a trip to the island of Hawaii soon! The Kilauea Iki trail sounds perfect for our family. We hike with little ones, so the distance isn’t too long. The lava tubes look really incredible! I’ve never seen anything quite like that!

    Reply
  11. sindhu

    May 17, 2018 at 10:56 am

    Wow, Nice Photographs. I can see the cooled lava on the floor

    Reply
  12. Scrap

    July 22, 2015 at 11:26 pm

    You should credit the photographer by name instead of just “Canstock”.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      July 23, 2015 at 11:58 am

      I would if I knew who the photographer is. When you sell your pictures to Canstock Photo you loose your rights to them, so your name doesn’t appear anywhere.

      Reply
  13. Jane

    March 10, 2015 at 5:45 am

    Wow, what I see there? cooled and hardened lava? it really looks like you are walking on the surface of the Moon or on an alien planet.

    Reply
  14. Ashley @ A Southern Gypsy

    June 16, 2014 at 4:50 am

    This looks amazing and is right up my alley! I’ll definitely be doing this whenever I finally make it to Hawaii 🙂 Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTRaveler!

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 16, 2014 at 11:05 am

      Thank you for your beautiful comments, Ashley.

      Reply
  15. Michele {Malaysian Meanders}\

    June 11, 2014 at 1:58 am

    We didn’t get to hike the crater when we were in Volcanoes NP. Too bad as your description and photos make it seem like a great hike. We did the Thurston Lava Tubes dark segment which was a big hit with the kids.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 11, 2014 at 2:15 am

      Thank you for your comment. It’s not a difficult hike if you are in a decent shape.

      Reply
  16. Jessica @ Independent Travel Cats

    June 10, 2014 at 6:49 pm

    Done both of these – twice! The crater hike is great although I’d recommend trying to see a different lava tube as this one is pretty sterile compared to those less touristed we visited. But this one is very accessible with stairs, rails, lights, etc.

    Reply
  17. Frank

    June 9, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    Wow, this looks like absolutely great hike. The vegetation is pretty. And I would really love to experience that journey to the center of the earth. Thurston Lava Tube is now on my bucket list.

    Reply
  18. Lauren

    June 9, 2014 at 11:15 am

    Wow that is so cool! Very lovely photos. I would love to go a “lava tube” – that sounds so cool. It’s also really neat how plants are growing out of the cracked lava rocks!!

    Reply
  19. Samantha

    June 8, 2014 at 8:18 pm

    Wow the lava tube looks amazing! The hike looks like it may get a bit difficult but I’m sure it was definitely worth it. Any hike in Hawaii is worth it!

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 8, 2014 at 9:19 pm

      Thank you for nice comment.

      Reply
  20. Margherita

    June 8, 2014 at 12:22 pm

    Beautiful pos and amazing pics. I really want to visit now!

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 8, 2014 at 2:24 pm

      Thanks, Margherita, I appreciate your comment.

      Reply
  21. Rachel

    June 8, 2014 at 7:00 am

    What an amazing trek! Walking through the lava tube looks like it’s certainly and experience. Great photos 🙂

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 8, 2014 at 1:05 pm

      Thanks, Rachael.It’s very beautiful there.

      Reply
  22. Patricia

    June 8, 2014 at 3:21 am

    Wow. This is one hike I would love to take. A journey to the center of the earth. I’ve seen few craters. Mount Vesuvius in Italy, one on Azores, Crater Lake in Oregon, US, Mount St Helens. And we are planning on hiking Mount Edna later this summer in Sicily.
    Your pictures are breathtaking.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 8, 2014 at 1:07 pm

      It seems to me you’ve seen way more beautiful craters, but Maui is worth a visit anyway. Thanks for your comment.

      Reply
  23. Corinne

    June 8, 2014 at 12:34 am

    Volcanoes, lava tubes…and beautiful photos…oh my! I would love to do this…but I have to admit everyone looks hot. Love your photos.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 8, 2014 at 12:41 am

      Thank you, Corinne, for the nice comments. It is hot indeed, but not as bad as you might think, just around 84 F degrees.

      Reply

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