The Kīlauea Iki Path is a good expertise so as to add to your Hawai’i Volcanoes Nationwide Park to-do checklist. On this comparatively quick hike, stroll by means of a rainforest, cross a solidified lava lake, and gaze out on the crater from the rim. You even have the choice so as to add on the Thurston Lava Tube.
This hike was one among our favourite experiences in Hawaii Volcanoes Nationwide Park. Right here’s how one can do it.
Mountain climbing Stats
Under are the mountain climbing stats for mountain climbing the Kīlauea Iki path as a loop and including on the Thurston Lava Tube.
Distance: 3.5 miles
Whole Ascent: 725 toes
Issue: Reasonable
Size of Time: 2 to three hours
When to Go: You are able to do this hike all 12 months
That is the elevation profile beginning on the Kilauea Iki Trailhead, mountain climbing by means of the Thurston Lava Tube, after which mountain climbing clockwise by means of Kilauea Iki Crater.
Please follow the seven ideas of Go away No Hint: plan forward, keep on the path, pack out what you carry to the mountain climbing path, correctly get rid of waste, depart areas as you discovered them, decrease campfire impacts, be thoughtful of different hikers, and don’t strategy or feed wildlife.
Mountain climbing the Kīlauea Iki Crater Path
Route Choices
There are a number of ways in which you are able to do this hike.
As a Loop with the Thurston Lava Tube
One of the best ways to do that hike, in my view, is to do it as a loop and add on the Thurston Lava Tube. The path runs proper subsequent to the Thurston Lava Tube, so including it on to this hike saves you the trouble of getting a parking spot for the Lava Tube, which could be difficult, because the car parking zone is so small.
On this information, we describe how one can hike the Kīlauea Iki Path as a loop, including on the Thurston Lava Tube.
As a Loop with out the Thurston Lava Tube
You probably have no need to go to the Thurston Lava Tube, you’ll be able to hike the Kīlauea Iki Path with out including on the tube. The hike can be 3 miles spherical journey and take 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Out-and-Again
From the Kīlauea Iki Trailhead car parking zone, you’ll be able to hike down into the crater, go so far as you want, after which flip round and retrace your steps to the car parking zone. If you happen to do it this fashion, you’ll hike between 2 and three miles, relying on how far you select to go.
Attending to the Trailhead
There are two parking areas for this hike.
The Kīlauea Iki Trailhead car parking zone (additionally known as the Kīlauea Iki Overlook on the nationwide park map) is one of the best place to park. The car parking zone is giant and there are restrooms right here.
There may be additionally a small car parking zone situated subsequent to the Thurston Lava Tube. This lot could be very small so you must be extraordinarily fortunate to get a spot right here. Parking right here doesn’t shorten the loop hike, however in the event you solely plan on mountain climbing down into the crater as an out-and-back hike, this car parking zone will prevent some steps, because you don’t need to hike the connector path alongside the crater rim (see the map above for clarification).
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Each of those parking tons, even the bigger lot on the Kīlauea Iki Trailhead, refill early within the day. I like to recommend doing this hike very first thing, so that you get a parking house.
Which Course Ought to You Go?
Since it is a loop hike, you’ll be able to go in both route.
The Nationwide Park Service has a wonderful information for this hike. You’ll be able to obtain it earlier than you go, since mobile service is restricted contained in the park.
Alongside the path are numbered markers which correspond to info supplied within the information. If you happen to observe this information, you’ll hike the loop in a counter-clockwise route, beginning on Crater Rim Path after which crossing the crater on the return stroll to your automotive. When you hike up the rim, you’ll be able to cross the road and go to the Thurston Lava Tube. Then take the path again to the car parking zone.
We did this in a clockwise route, since we didn’t know concerning the Nationwide Park Service’s mountain climbing information till I wrote this information. We hiked the connector path, visited the Thurston Lava Tube, then crossed the crater and hiked again to our automotive on the Crater Rim Path. I actually appreciated doing it this fashion, since I feel the views throughout the crater are higher on this route. You’ll be able to nonetheless observe the information, since there are numbers alongside the path that correspond with information within the information.
Each instructions work nice, however if you wish to observe the NPS Path Information, you’ll do that hike in a counter-clockwise route.
Under is the Kīlauea Iki Path loop, described in a clockwise route, beginning on the Kīlauea Iki Trailhead.
Connector Path
This path is 0.4 miles lengthy, flat, and runs alongside the rim of the Kīlauea Iki Crater. It’s shady for its whole distance and it may be muddy if it has just lately rained. From the path, there are some openings within the timber that provide nice views of the Kīlauea Iki crater.
Connector Path
View of the Kilauea Iki Crater from the Connector Path.
Thurston Lava Tube
The Connector Path ends at Crater Rim Drive and the smaller car parking zone for the Thurston Lava Tube. To go to the Lava Tube, cross the road and observe the quick loop path into the tube.
Thurston Lava Tube
As soon as completed on the Thurston Lava Tube, cross the road and search for the Kīlauea Iki Path signal. It’s to the far left of the car parking zone and the path heads downhill into the timber.
IMPORTANT: Clear off your footwear earlier than beginning this hike.
ʻŌhiʻa timber are lovely timber which can be endemic to Hawaii. They’re one of many first vegetation to colonize lava beds so they’re important in beginning the expansion of latest forests. In recent times, a fungus is infecting these timber, killing them. Referred to as Fast ʻŌhiʻa Loss of life (ROD), there are issues you are able to do as a customer to Hawaii to assist forestall the unfold of this fungus. Don’t contact the timber, clear your mountain climbing boots and garments after mountain climbing in areas with ʻŌhiʻa timber, and report diseased timber to the Nationwide Park Service. Study extra right here.
Crossing the Kīlauea Iki Crater
The Kīlauea Iki Path quickly descends down the rim to get to the crater ground. There are a number of switchbacks alongside the way in which. This primary a part of the path takes you thru a dense forest. You’ll be mountain climbing over some rocks and tree roots, and just like the connector path, it may be muddy if it just lately rained. By the point we obtained to the crater ground, my legs have been very muddy.
When you get to the Kīlauea Iki ground, the path ranges out and actually will get fascinating.
Now, you’re crossing a dry lava mattress. This was a molten lake of lava in 1959, when Kīlauea erupted. In some locations, the lava plates have been damaged aside and lifted up. You may even see cracks within the floor that also vent steam.
To remain on the path, observe the ahu (stacked rocks), however don’t disturb them or construct new ones. You too can observe the numbered path markers.
ʻŌhiʻa Tree
When you get to the far finish of the crater, Pu’u Pua’i can be to your left. This hill was fashioned throughout the 1959 eruption and the lava that stuffed the crater got here from the vent on the base of this cinder cone.
As you get close to the rim, the lava turns into tough and jagged. That is splattered lava that cooled into these chunks of rock.
Trying again on the crater and Pu’u Pa’i
From the crater ground, you’ll hike again up the rim on a steep, quick path with a number of units of stairs.
Crater Rim Path
On the prime of the steps, observe indicators for the Crater Rim Path in the direction of the Thurston Lava Tube. From this level, it’s a 0.6 mile stroll again to the car parking zone.
This path, for essentially the most half is flat, with a number of quick climbs and descents alongside the way in which. It’s a wonderful stroll by means of the forest. There are a number of overlooks of the Kīlauea Iki Crater alongside this a part of the hike.
The path ends on the Kīlauea Iki Trailhead and car parking zone.
What to Pack
Mountain climbing footwear. If it has just lately rained, the path can be muddy. Assume that you can be strolling by means of mud, so put on a pair of footwear that you just don’t thoughts getting soiled. Mountain climbing footwear are superb since they supply a variety of traction however you can even get by with operating or strolling footwear.
Water. Convey no less than one liter of water per individual however extra is even higher. It might probably get sizzling on the hike, particularly on a sunny day.
Sunblock, sun shades, and a hat. This path does have some shade however there are sections the place you can be uncovered to the solar.
