Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is currently recovering from the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea volcano. Much of the park has re-opened, but several areas are still closed. Read more.

The Halema’uma’u Trail is closed.

Guests of the Volcano House have used this old trail since 1846. The Halema'uma'u Trail used to travel across Kīlauea Caldera to the edge of Halema'uma'u Crater before it began erupting in 2008.  Since then, the hike ends shortly after descending down into Kīlauea Caldera. Halema'uma'u means "house of the ʻāmaʻu fern." There has been a lava lake inside the Crater since 2008, and it issues tons of dangerous sulphur dioxide gas every day.

Big Island Hikes has several other hikes from the Visitor Center trailhead. See Sulphur Banks - 'Iliahi Trail Loop, The Crater Rim Trail, and Waldron Ledge Loop.

Trailhead: Find the entrance to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park a few miles to the west of the town of Volcano Village. Pass through the entrance and drive straight ahead for less than a 1/4 mile and park in the Visitor Center parking lot.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Overview

Weather

Gear: Standard hiking gear

Hike: From the Visitor Center parking lot, walk across Crater Rim Drive on the designated pedestrian crossing and walk toward the Volcano House. Walk around to the back side of the Volcano House and find Crater Rim Trail. Hike west for a short distance and find the 'Iliahi Trail. Hike south and quickly find the intersection with the Halema'uma'u Trail. Follow the trail down into Kīlauea Caldera. The trail is closed shortly after reaching the caldera floor. Return the way you came.