Kīlauea Iki Crater, Hawaii 96778, USA
(808) 464-0840
Kilauea Iki Trail
Descend through a lush rain forest to the floor of the solidified, however still steaming Kīlauea Iki Crater lava lake. Peer into the 1959 vent that erupted to a height of 1900 feet located below the Pu‘u Pua‘i cinder cone.
Of interest: Walking through a rain forest, viewing native birds, walk on the 1959 lava lake, view steam vents, cinder cones and spatter cones.
♦Difficulty: Moderate to challenging - Steep and rocky, descent & ascent 400 feet (122m).
♦Distance and hiking time: 4 mile (6.4km) loop. Approximately 2 to 3 hours.
♦Distance from Visitor Center to trailhead: 2 miles (3.2km).
♦Trail begins: At the Kīlauea Iki parking lot on Crater Rim Drive. You may go either way from the trailhead. Going left will take you to the Thurston Lava Tube parking lot and then down to the floor of Kīlauea Iki. Going right will take hikers through the rain forest on the crater rim and down to the crater floor.
♦Bring: Water, food, hat, sunscreen and rain gear. Be prepared for hot, dry, wet, windy weather conditions and steep and rocky terrain.