Kilauea Crater Trails, Big Island HI

• 5-star hike
• 8 mile loop
• Moderate | Gain 1,200 feet
• Big Island, HI | Hawaii
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The image shows a collection of flowers and a pineapple placed on the edge of an active volcanic caldera. The caldera has steep, rocky walls with visible layers of volcanic rock and ash. The ground inside the caldera appears dark and rugged, likely composed of solidified lava. The presence of the flowers and pineapple suggests a memorial or offering, adding a poignant human element to the stark, natural landscape.

Offerings to Pele, at the rim of this crater-within-a-crater.

The volcanic forces that built the Hawaiian islands are still at work on the Big Island. Lava flows and gas eruptions from Kilauea, on the island's southeast side, are proof that this landscape is far from finished, and the results are visible up close inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The park has plenty to see without leaving your car, including short walks near the visitor center and views over the caldera from several roadside overlooks. Hikers looking for something longer can park near Thurston Lava Tube, walk through the short lava tunnel there, and pick up the trail that leads down into the Kilauea pit crater itself.

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⬤ 5★ Craters Trail 7.6 mi loop, moderate, gain 1,200 ft
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$ NPS entrance fee

From the rim, the trail drops onto the floor of the crater and crosses wide stretches of hardened lava with rippled, ropy patterns underfoot. Rock cairns mark the route across the open ground, which eventually passes near Halema'uma'u, a smaller crater within the larger one that has been the site of more recent activity.

Crossing the open crater floor has an otherworldly feel. Steam and sulfuric gas rise from cracks and vents in the rock, a reminder that you're standing on top of an active volcano, while patches of flowers and low vegetation pushing up through the lava are signs that the ground here is older than it looks. There's little shade once you're out on the crater floor, so bring more water than you think you'll need, since the dark rock tends to hold onto heat.

A delicate white and purple orchid stands in stark contrast against a rugged, dark lava flow background. The orchid's petals are white with a vibrant purple and yellow center, creating a striking visual against the barren, textured lava landscape. The scene is interesting and relevant as it showcases the resilience of nature, with a beautiful flower thriving in an otherwise harsh and desolate environment.

Life finds a way.

Conditions around an active volcano can change without much warning. Trails close and reopen depending on gas levels and ground activity, so check the park website or ask a ranger before setting out to find out what's currently open.

Parking at Thurston Lava Tube fills up, particularly later in the day, so an early arrival makes for an easier start. The trailhead itself is easy to find, just off the main road that loops through the park.

External links:
National Park Website