Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park guide · 1 min read
Hiking the Kīlauea Iki Trail
The Kīlauea Iki Trail is a loop of 3.3 miles, or 5.3 kilometers, that begins at the Kīlauea Iki Overlook.
Most hikers should plan on two to three hours for the full circuit. The path drops through a lush rainforest toward the floor of Kīlauea Iki crater.
The footing is steep and rocky, and the trail changes elevation by 400 feet, or 122 meters, on the way down and again on the way back up. The park rates the hike as moderate to challenging.
Once you reach the floor, you will cross a solidified lava lake left by the 1959 eruption. Peer into the vent below Puʻupuaʻi cinder cone, which erupted to a height of 1,900 feet during that eruption.
Parking at the Kīlauea Iki Overlook is very limited, and during peak hours there may be none available. For a longer outing, the park strongly recommends starting at the Kīlauea Visitor Center, the Devastation Trailhead, or the Puʻupuaʻi Parking Area. From the visitor center, the round trip covers 5.3 miles and takes three to four hours, following the Crater Rim Trail to reach the loop.
You can also add the Thurston Lava Tube to your day if you want a second stop in the park. The tube is an optional extra, so the Kīlauea Iki hike stands on its own.
