Elite Volcano Hike from Hilo

The Elite Volcano Hike from Hilo is an exciting small group tour to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that features a moderate 3-mile round-trip hike into Kilauea's caldera and a short walk across the caldera floor before hiking back up the rim. Stops at the park's main attractions are also included, as is a picnic lunch, a sit-down dinner, and hotel pick-ups/drop-offs.

You could research the park’s attractions, natural history, volcanology, geology, flora, and fauna on your own, but who has time for that? Instead, let a National Park Service-certified guide take you to all the best spots and provide you with the essential background information—the stories, in-depth information, and cultural context that will enhance your experience and appreciation for the natural wonders around you.

The Elite Volcano Hike from Hilo is led by park-certified naturalist guides ready to share their knowledge about Hawaii's geology, history, and culture. And they’ll even pick you up right at your hotel so that you can leave the driving to a pro, too! 

Elite Volcano Hike From Hilo: Itinerary

The first stop on the Elite Volcano Hike from Hilo tour will be at Kaumana Caves, just outside of Hilo. Kaumana is a massive lava tube created by Mauna Loa’s destructive 1881 eruption. Once you're done exploring the lava tube, you’ll head to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to continue the adventure. Your tour will include stops at the park’s must-see attractions and a short, three-mile hike into Kilauea’s Caldera. 

Halema’uma’u Trail Hike: At just under three miles, this will be your longest hike of the day.  Starting from just behind the historic Volcano House hotel, the Crater Rim Trail has long been used by adventurers to hike into Kilauea’s caldera since it was first established in 1846. The trail slowly descends about 425 feet to the caldera floor, which recently doubled in size during the 2018 eruption.

The trail begins with a walk through ancient tree ferns, which is a great place to spot native birds such as the yellow ‘amakihi and the red ‘apapane. As the landscape gradually becomes more barren as you approach the caldera, you’ll encounter boulders that came to rest along the trail during past rock slides and eruptions. You’ll also spot some of the marks left behind by the earliest tourists and historical figures, dating back to the early 1850s.

Once you reach the caldera floor, you’ll have an opportunity to take in the massive, steaming, 1,000-foot-deep pit. You’ll then hike up out of the caldera, skirting around the edge via the Byron Ledge Trail. This is a fairly steep ascent, about 400 feet in under half a mile, but it offers sweeping views and plenty of places where you’ll want to stop for photos and benches where you can sit and catch your breath if needed. And once you reach the top, you’ll enjoy a well-earned view of the caldera below.

Next, you’ll hike to Waldron Overlook and enjoy views of Pu’u Pua’i and Iki Crater. Then, you’ll return to the Volcano House via the Old Crater Rim Drive, a closed park road which is slowly being consumed by vegetation and lava flows. You’ll enjoy a short break and great views once back at the Volcano House. Then your guide will take you to some of the other amazing sites and activities that the park has to offer, including:

• Kilauea Visitor Center
• Nahuku Lava Tube
• Look for Pele’s tears and lava trees in the lava flow of Mauna Ulu
• Option to return to the park after dinner for lava viewing (if it is present and conditions permit)       

Meals: A picnic lunch in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and a casual dinner at a cafe in Volcano Village, just outside of the park, are included in the tour. There are several meal options available for both lunch and dinner. (You’ll be asked to pre-order during the checkout process when making your reservation.) 

Schedule:  The Elite Volcano Hike from Hilo runs five days a week, year-round. Hilo area hotel pick-ups begin at 8:00 am, and guests can expect to return between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm. 

Elite Volcano Hike from Hilo: Safety Warning

Volcanic gases are hazardous, especially to people with heart or respiratory problems, infants, young children, and pregnant women. If you are sensitive to poor air quality, please check the air quality alert before booking the Elite Volcano Hike from Hilo.

Staying in the Kona area? There's also an Elite Volcano Hike from Kona!