About
Length (round trip)2 mi
ShapeOut-and-Back
DifficultyModerate
Elevation gain425 ft up
Typical time1 hr 30 min
TrailheadVolcano House or Kilauea Visitor Center
SurfaceSwitchbacks then caldera floor
Best seasonYear round. The summit area is cool and wet; the coastal and Kau Desert sections are hot and exposed.
DogsNot allowed
AccessibilityTrail is steep, uneven and occasionally narrow, descending nearly 425 feet (130m).
What you'll see 🌄 Big views🕳️ Cave or arch

Descend 425 feet (130m) through a rain forest that has been re-established numerous times to a panoramic view on the floor of Kaluapele (Klauea caldera). Difficulty: Moderate Distance and hiking time: 0.8 miles (1.3 km) one-way from Crater Rim Trail to the floor of Klauea caldera 1.3 miles (2.1 km) one-way from Crater Rim Trail to the top of Byron Ledge, allowing for longer hikes to Klauea Iki and Nhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) Trail begins: Behind the Volcano House off Crater Rim Trail. View the Halema'uma'u Trail Guide (pdf 2.98MB) .

Tips
The 2018 summit collapse dramatically reshaped this area and sections of the old trail are gone - check the current route and closures, which change with volcanic activity. Never cross a closure barrier here.
Location

Volcano House or Kilauea Visitor Center

Other Hikers
No one has logged this trail yet.
Your Hikes

🔒 Login or create an account to record the trails you've done, rate them, and tie them to a trip.

Trail data: USGS National Map / PAD-US, the National Park Service, state agencies, and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Access and conditions change — check with the managing agency before you go.