3 day itinerary in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

Hawaii

1 - 5 days

3 day

itinerary in

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

Alanui Kahiko

View old road at Hōlei Pali, reclaimed by Pele in 1972.

At the base of the lava-draped Hōlei Pali, see a remnant of the old Chain of Craters Road, which was reclaimed by Pele in 1972.

Devastation Trail

Devastation Trail meanders through landscaped cinders, 1959 eruption remnants.

The Devastation Trail meanders gently through a landscaped covered in cinders from the 1959 eruption of Kīlauea Iki

Footprints Shelter

Explore exhibits and shelter with footprints from Native Hawaiians.

See exhibits and a shelter preserving footprints left by Native Hawaiians long ago

Forested Pit Crater

Steep crater protects native species.

A steep pit crater that has harbored and protected treasured native species from outside threats.

Haʻakulamanu (Sulphur Banks)

View volcanic gases deposit colorful sulfur crystals on trail/boardwalk.

See where volcanic gases deposited colorful sulfur crystals and other minerals along this paved trail and boardwalk.

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Entrance Station

Access point, purchase pass, essential for park visit.

The entrance station at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is an essential starting point for any park visit and is where you are required to purchase an entrance pass or present an existing pass to gain access to the park.

Hilina Pali Overlook

Stone shelter with views of ocean and coast on Kīlauea.

This CCC-era stone shelter sits on the southern flank of Kīlauea with dramatic, sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and coast below.

Hōlei Sea Arch

Lava rock arch over ocean.

An arch of lava rock extending from steep cliffs into the Pacific Ocean.

ʻĀloʻi

Kaʻauea

Kaʻauea on Kīlauea rim has hula platform and hale.

Kaʻauea is a place on the northern rim of Kīlauea, referenced in Hawaiian chants and oral histories going back hundreds of years.Today it is home to a kahua hula platform and a newly constructed hale, a traditional-style Hawaiian house.

Kamakapaʻa

Small cone, grassy meadows.

A small cinder cone surrounded by rolling, grassy meadows.

Kealakomo Overlook

Scenic overlook with views of lava plain, Pacific Ocean.

A scenic overlook above a vast lava plain with views toward the Pacific Ocean

Keanakākoʻi Crater

Pit crater on Old Crater Rim Drive with rich history.

Along a section of Old Crater Rim Drive, Keanakākoʻi is a pit crater that has been witness to dramatic geologic events over the centuries.

Kīlauea Iki Overlook

Kīlauea Iki Overlook: view volcanic crater, lava fountains 1959 eruption.

The Kīlauea Iki Overlook peers into the volcanic crater that hosted the jawdropping lava fountains and lava lake in 1959.

Kīlauea Overlook

Kīlauea Overlook: Dramatic views of caldera and crater, walking time.

Kīlauea Overlook provides the most dramatic views of Kīlauea caldera and Halemaʻumaʻu crater

Kīpukapuaulu

Kīpuka island for native species, short hiking trail available.

An "island within an island", this kīpuka is home to treasured and endangered native species and features a short hiking trail.

Kīpukapuaulu Picnic Area

Day-use picnic area with three-sided shelter.

A day-use picnic area with amenities including a three-sided shelter

Kona Trail

Kahuku relics, pasture land, lava flow trek, walking time optional.

Relics of Kahuku’s ranching era, pasture land and the 1887 lava flow define this trek.

Kūpinaʻi Pali (Waldron Ledge)

Hike old road damaged in 1983, panoramic views of Kaluapele.

Trail along an old road damaged by an earthquake in 1983 with panoramic views of Kaluapele

Luamanu and July 1974 Flow

Lava last entered crater in 1974, "bird crater".

Meaning "bird crater", lava most recently entered this pit crater in 1974

Mau Loa o Maunaulu

View lava flows at Chain of Craters Road pullout, 1969-1974.

Witness the dramatic expanse of the lava flows of Maunaulu that blanketed the landscape from 1969 to 1974 at this pullout on Chain of Craters Road

Mauna Loa Lookout

Scenic overlook on Mauna Loa Road with short trail available.

A scenic overlook atop the narrow, winding Mauna Loa Road. It also marks the start of the Mauna Loa Trail and provides a short trail to a silversword plant exclosure.

Mauna Loa Observatory Trailhead

Remote, difficult trail through lava fields to Mauna Loa summit.

This remote and difficult trail through jagged lava fields leads to the summit of Mauna Loa.

Muliwai a Pele

Platform offers view of lava channel remnants, walking time available.

The platform provides a vantage point with a view of the remnants of a lava channel that once carried a massive river of molten lava.

Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube)

Ancient lava cave with river flow, 500 years old.

A 500-year old cave where a river of lava once flowed.

Other Lava Shields Along the East Rift Zone

Pauahi Crater

Large pit crater, three recent eruptions.

This large pit crater has hosted three eruptions in recent decades.

Puhimau Crater

Deep chasm along road, typical of pit crater phenomenon.

A dramatic chasm representative of the pit crater phenomenon that occurs many places along Chain of Craters Road.

Puʻu o Lokuana

Steep hill with historic quarry offering sweeping ranchland views.

A steep hill with a historic cinder quarry and sweeping views of surrounding ranchlands.

Puʻuhuluhulu

Puʻuhuluhulu Cinder Cone

Day hike to cinder cone with views of lava flows.

A short day hike to Puʻuhuluhulu cinder cone provides views of the Maunaulu lava shield and lava flows from the 1969-1974 eruption

Puʻuloa Petroglyphs

Largest petroglyph site in Hawaii.

A sacred site and the largest grouping of petroglyphs in Hawaiʻi.

Puʻupuaʻi Overlook

View Kīlauea Iki from nearby perch, lava fountain crater.

Look into Kīlauea Iki crater from a perch next to the massive cinder cone created by lava fountains in 1959

Ranger Tips For A Successful Visit

Plan trip with park ranger at volcano national park.

Plan Like A Park Ranger at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Stop 1- Kīpukapuaulu

Stop 1- Puʻuloa Petroglyphs

Stop 10- Kīpukapuaulu

Stop 11- Kīpukapuaulu

Stop 2- Kīpukapuaulu

Stop 2- Puʻuloa Petroglyphs

Stop 3- Kīpukapuaulu

Stop 3- Puʻuloa Petroglyphs

Stop 4- Kīpukapuaulu

Stop 4- Puʻuloa Petroglyphs

Stop 5- Kīpukapuaulu

Stop 5- Puʻuloa Petroglyphs

Stop 6- Kīpukapuaulu

Stop 7- Kīpukapuaulu

Stop 8- Kīpukapuaulu

Stop 9- Kīpukapuaulu

The Kahuku Unit

Kahuku ranch on Mauna Loa - former cattle ranch, 150 years.

Located on the volatile shoulders of Mauna Loa, the Kahuku ranch was once one of the biggest cattle ranches in Hawaiʻi, producing beef and hides for more than 150 years.

The Kaʻū Field System

Ancient structures from Kaʻū era still visible today.

Walls and mounds that helped support agriculture for the people of Kaʻū are still visible today

The Maunaulu Eruption

The Palm Trail

Trail follows fissure from 1868 eruption, through scenic ranching pastures.

A trail along the fissure from the 1868 Mauna Loa eruption and through scenic ranching pastures

Tree Molds

Rock cavities where trees stood in lava flow path.

Cavities in rock where trees once stood in the path of lava flows

Uēkahuna

Uēkahuna important site for Native Hawaiian culture, offers spectacular vistas.

Uēkahuna is an important site for Native Hawaiian ritual and cultural practice. At the highest point on the rim it presents visitors with spectacular vistas of Kaluapele, Mauna Loa, and surrounding areas.