About
Length (round trip)4 mi
ShapeOut-and-Back
DifficultyStrenuous
Elevation gain1,400 ft up
Typical time6 hr 15 min
TrailheadHaleakala Visitor Center, summit area
SurfaceDeep loose volcanic cinder
Best seasonTemperatures generally start off cool in the morning and warm up in the afternoon all year. Winter is the rainy season in Hawaii, and there may be an increased chance for fog or storms in the after...
DogsNot allowed
AccessibilityThis trail is not accessible to wheelchairs. The first quarter-mile is rocky but flat. Beyond that point, the trail is steep and the loose cinder trail can be challenging.
What you'll see ⛰️ Summit🌄 Big views

The main descent route into Haleakala's summit basin. The surface is loose volcanic cinder that slides underfoot, which makes the descent quick and the climb back out much harder than the distance suggests. The first mile alone gets you below the rim and into the cinder-cone landscape.

Tips
The park's own guidance: the first mile down and back takes about an hour, but budget twice as long coming up as going down. You are at 9,800 feet - altitude affects most people. Sunrise at the summit requires an advance reservation.
Location

Haleakala Visitor Center, summit area

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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.