Kīlauea Iki Trail from Kīlauea Iki Overlook

Parking is Limited

Parking at Kīlauea Iki Overlook is extremely limited. During peak hours, there may be no parking available.

 

The red dotted line indicates the Kīlauea Iki Trail. The orange dotted line indicates an optional trail into Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube).

NPS Photo

Walk across a once-molten lake of lava in Kīlauea Iki Crater. This trail reveals the story of a dramatic eruption in 1959. A well-marked path leads you through lush rain forest along the rim of Kīlauea Iki (little Kīlauea) and down to its still-steaming crater floor.

• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging - Steep and rocky, descent & ascent 400 feet (122 m).

• Parking: Parking at Kīlauea Iki Overlook is extremely limited. During peak hours, there may be no parking available. If you are interested in a longer hike, you are strongly encouraged to begin your hike at Kīlauea Visitor Center, or Devastation Trailhead.

• Distance and hiking time: From Kīlauea Iki Overlook: 3.3 mile (5.3 km) loop. Plan for approximately 2 to 3 hours. Connecting Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) Trail (indicated by the orange dotted line) will add another 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to your hike.

• Bring: Water, food, hat, sunscreen and rain gear. Be prepared for hot, dry, wet, windy weather conditions and steep and rocky terrain.
  

Download the Kīlauea Iki Trail Guide (pdf 921KB)

 

1959 Eruption of Kīlauea Iki

 

Walk across a once-molten lake of lava in Kīlauea Iki Crater. This trail reveals the story of a dramatic eruption in 1959. A well-marked path leads you through lush rain forest along the rim of Kīlauea Iki (little Kīlauea) and down to its still-steaming crater floor.

• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging - Steep and rocky, descent & ascent 400 feet (122 m).

• Parking: Parking at Kīlauea Iki Overlook is extremely limited. During peak hours, there may be no parking available. If you are interested in a longer hike, you are strongly encouraged to begin your hike at Kīlauea Visitor Center, or Devastation Trailhead.

• Distance and hiking time: From Kīlauea Iki Overlook: 3.3 mile (5.3 km) loop. Plan for approximately 2 to 3 hours. Connecting Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) Trail (indicated by the orange dotted line) will add another 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to your hike.

• Bring: Water, food, hat, sunscreen and rain gear. Be prepared for hot, dry, wet, windy weather conditions and steep and rocky terrain.

Download the Kīlauea Iki Trail Guide (pdf 921KB)