About
Length0.4 mi
ShapeLoop
DifficultyEasy
Elevation gain100 ft up
Typical time15 min
TrailheadNahuku parking area, Crater Rim Drive
SurfacePaved path with steps, lit tube floor
Best seasonYear round. The summit area is cool and wet; the coastal and Kau Desert sections are hot and exposed.
DogsNot allowed
AccessibilityTrail in and out of the lava tube is steep, and often slippery. There are also low ceilings, standing water, and tripping hazards
What you'll see 🕳️ Cave or arch🌲 Old growth

Walk through a verdant rainforest and listen for the calls of native birds before entering a 500-year old lava tube where a river of 2000 degree fahrenheit (1093 deg celsius) lava once flowed. Its Hawaiian name, Nahuku, means "the protuberances," which possibly refers to the lava drippings that once hung from the ceiling. Unfortunately, those disappeared due to souvenir collectors after the tube was discovered in 1913. Entire ecosystems of creatures live in these fragile environments found throughout the Island of Hawaii. Please be respectful and do not touch the walls or any hanging roots. For a longer and more scenic adventure, explore Devastation Trail, Byron Ledge, the Kilauea Iki loop, and Nahuku all in one hike by parking at the Devastation Trailhead or Puupuai. Parking at the lava tube and Kilauea Iki Overlook is extremely limited and is likely to be full during peak hours. Want to avoid the crowds? Start your lava tube adventure before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Trailheads: Kilauea Iki Overlook, Devastation Trailhead, or Puupuai Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 1.5 mi (2.4 km) round-trip walk from Kilauea Iki Overlook, 6.0 mi (9.7 km) round-trip from Devastation Trailhead (including the Kilauea Iki loop), an additional 1.0 mi (1.6 km) from Puupuai Bring: Water, snacks, sturdy footwear, and rain gear The lava tube is lit 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Flashlights are recommended outside of those hours. Help protect this incredible resource by not touching the walls or delicate tree root systems hanging down. Use only your eyes to experience the lava tube. Enter the lava tube at your own risk. Potential hazards include: Rockfall Low ceilings Standing water Tripping hazards Low light or no light - lava tube is lit 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Tips
Lit inside, but the floor is wet and uneven. Parking is tiny and fills constantly - the overflow lot is a short walk up the road. Combine with Kilauea Iki.
Location

Nahuku parking area, Crater Rim Drive

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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.