Hawaii – Explore Pele’s Power On The Kīlauea Iki Volcano Crater Hike

Walking Across a Volcano Crater

When looking from one of the Kīlauea overlooks, the trail seems obvious – lightly colored and worn from all the hikers. However, being there is an entirely different experience. Looking across the relatively barren lava crater, it looks like the moon or mars. A few scattered small bushes have somehow managed to take root, but it feels empty compared to the lush rainforest surrounding the crater. While walking on the crater, I felt tiny in this immense landscape.

The dark color of the rock absorbs heat, and it reminded me of hot pavement in summer. I was grateful for the cool weather and breeze while making my way across the crater. The cooled lava grown is broken up with large cracks between large slabs of lava rock. You’ll want to watch your step while walking across the crater. The stone looks smooth at times but also is incredibly hard, pointed, and grippy. Such a unique substance to explore throughout the National Park.

Without the high vantage point, you can utilize large stacked stones to ensure you are heading in the correct direction. Since you are using the NPS-created stacked stones, it’s important not to create your own. Although it seems to go on forever, walking across the crater was so interesting that I felt like it flew by.

Make it a Loop

At the far side of the cater, the more-or-less even lava rock becomes broken up into a dangerous-looking lava rock field. Dangerous in that it is the kind of rocks that would be in Mordor – not somewhere you want to trip and fall. The trail leads to one side of the crater, which I believe was a vent. Then you begin to climb out of the crater and back into the lush rainforest. At this point, you can turn around and go back across the crater or make it a loop.

Mike and I decided to make it a loop! But first, we made a detour and headed toward the larger Kīlauea Caldera. The trail connects to Devastation Trail and Crater Rim Trail, and I wanted to see if we could easily see the Kīlauea Caldera. The park map does not explicitly show this connection, so please do additional research before taking my word about where they connect. Although it gets close, it is not an easy view. Without wanting to hike away from our car, we headed back toward the Kīlauea Iki Crater and took the path through the trees to make it a loop.

The path through the lush rainforest is a relatively gentle but consistent incline with a couple of sets of stairs. Along the way, signs highlight the various flora and numbers associated with the trail guide. Eventually, you gain enough elevation to be back at the Kīlauea Iki Crater rim with a couple of good rim views. Before I knew it, we were back at the Kīlauea Iki Overlook parking area. What a satisfying hike!