Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hiking is the park's main activity, and there are trails to suit all abilities. Once you've
taken it all in, you might also want to consider the park's vast Kahuku Unit (
Click here
)
in Ka'u, which offers excellent hiking of its own, including guided hikes and junior
ranger programs.
Cyclists can enjoy circumnavigating Kilauea Caldera along Crater Rim Dr, and moun-
tain bikes are allowed on a few firebreak roads, such as Escape Rd past Thurston Lava
Tube. For helicopter tours,
Click here
.
Hiking
If variety is the spice of life, park trails are a feast. You can hike to secluded beaches or
the snowcapped 13,677ft summit of Mauna Loa, through lush native rainforests or barren
lava wastelands, across the hardened top of the world's most active volcano or, some-
times, to the glowing flow itself. There are excellent trails of every length and level of
difficulty. Plus, many trails intersect, allowing the flexibility to design your own routes
(many one-way hikers choose to leave their vehicle at the trail's end, then hitch to the
trailhead). Most of the park is accessible to day hikers, while most backcountry destina-
tions require only a single overnight. However, if you wish, you can wander backcountry
trails for days. Whatever you choose, prepare for variable weather.
If you're interested in overnight backpacking, note that
backcountry camping
is lim-
ited and entirely first come, first served; backcountry trails contain hiking shelters,
simple cabins or primitive campgrounds. All have pit toilets. Bring a stove, as open fires
are prohibited. Almost no freshwater is available anywhere; some campgrounds have
catchment water (always treat before drinking), and the visitor center posts a daily log of
water levels. Overnight hikers must get a free permit (and register) at the Visitor Emer-
gency Operations Center (
Click here
) no sooner than the day before their hike; each site
has a three-day limit.
Following are some of the most popular and/or recommended day hikes, along with a
few backcountry possibilities and variations. Some of the park's shortest hikes are men-
tioned in the descriptions of the park's main roads.
Kipukapuaulu
HIKING
(Bird Park)
Kipukapuaulu is a
kipuka
, an island of ancient forest amidst a 400-year-old sea
of lava. It is also a 100-acre sanctuary for rare endemic plants, insects and birds. An easy
1-mile loop trail makes for a meditative walk, particularly in the morning, when you are
surrounded by birdsong.
Common native forest birds like apapane are high in the canopy; ʻelepaio can be spot-
ted closer to eye level chasing insects. Many introduced Kalij pheasants in the grass be-
