Elite Volcano Hike from Hilo

Discover Hawaii Island’s dynamic volcanic landscape on foot during this immersive hiking adventure. The first stop is Kaumana Caves, part of the lava tube system that once carried molten lava within 1.5 miles of downtown Hilo in 1881. Step inside the striking, cathedral-like chamber before continuing to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to witness the dramatic aftermath of the 2018 eruption.

After a picnic lunch surrounded by the sounds of native birds, begin a three-mile trek along the historic Halemaumau Trail. Starting behind the Volcano House, the path descends through ancient forests of towering tree ferns, some more than a thousand years old, before reaching the caldera floor transformed by recent volcanic activity. This trail, established in 1846 and once used by Mark Twain with the help of native guide Alex Lancaster, offers both geological history and natural beauty. Along the way, spot native species like the yellow amakihi and red apapane, and look for markings left by early visitors such as Benjamin Boyd and John Webster in 1851.

At the floor of Kilauea Caldera, observe evidence of the 2018 eruption — an immense rock slide to the left and the expanded Halemaumau Crater, now a vast, 1,000-foot-deep pit left behind after the lava lake drained. Follow the trail along the caldera’s rim across old lava flows, where resilient ohia lehua trees are beginning to reclaim the landscape. The climb to Byron Ledge gains roughly 400 feet over half a mile, rewarding hikers with sweeping views of the caldera and the lava-filled pit below. Stop for photos and rest at a scenic overlook that offers a bird’s-eye view of the route just traveled.

Continue along a gradual incline through native forest toward Waldron Overlook, with glimpses of Puu Puai and Kilauea Iki. The trail ends along the former Crater Rim Drive, now slowly overtaken by vegetation, returning to Volcano House for a moment of rest and reflection.

The journey continues to other remarkable sites within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, including the Mauna Ulu lava fields, where glistening Pele’s tears and lava trees mark the landscape, and the ancient Nahuku lava tube hidden within lush rainforest. Conclude the day with a well-earned dinner at a favorite local restaurant in Volcano Village — and, if conditions allow, view the mesmerizing glow of active lava lighting up the night sky.