Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park hiking guide
Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs Trail
A 9.9-mile out-and-back with 730 ft of climbing in Kīlauea Visitor Center Area, rated difficult.
Key facts
- Length
- 9.9 mi (16.0 km)
- Elevation gain
- 730 ft (224 m)
- Route type
- Out and back
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Area
- Kīlauea Visitor Center Area
About Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs Trail
Roughly 23,000 images are carved into the stone at this site, reached by a coastal path across a 500-to-550-year-old lava field. Many of the etchings can be seen from a boardwalk, which protects them from being damaged by footsteps. Off the boardwalk, the lava is uneven, cracked and razor-sharp, so sturdy shoes and water are essential. The carvings record the lives and beliefs of Native Hawaiian people.
