Halemaumau Trail
Halemaumau Trail
4.5
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Hike down the world's largest volcanic crater.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
9 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
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Matt A
Hermosa Beach, CA585 contributions
Apr 2021
One of the VNP park rangers recommended this hike to me and I’m glad he did - i loved it, almost as much as Kiluea’Iki trail.
You hike downhill through an absolutely beautiful rainforest, then after about 1/2 hr you’re inside the active Kilauea crater! I didn’t think I’d ever be inside an active volcano, but there I was. You can see the smoke from the crater, but no lava.
It’s absolutely otherworldly down there.
From the bottom, you can continue on to other hikes, or hike back uphill, which is a moderate climb.
As a bonus, for some reason no one else does this hike - it’s almost like they’re trying to hide it - so you might be the only one there.
You hike downhill through an absolutely beautiful rainforest, then after about 1/2 hr you’re inside the active Kilauea crater! I didn’t think I’d ever be inside an active volcano, but there I was. You can see the smoke from the crater, but no lava.
It’s absolutely otherworldly down there.
From the bottom, you can continue on to other hikes, or hike back uphill, which is a moderate climb.
As a bonus, for some reason no one else does this hike - it’s almost like they’re trying to hide it - so you might be the only one there.
Written April 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas L
Silverthorne, Colorado, United States8 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
Three years ago, we hiked down sliding sands trail, across the crater & then up the Halemau'u trail. That whole hike was great but a little long at 12 miles. We definitely earned our post hike beers that day. Or favorite part of the hike was the Halemau'u trail,so this year we decided to hike that trail as an out and back. The trail is 3 miles long and descends about 1400 feet down a ridge line. The trail alternates sides of the ridge as it switchbacks it's way down. Since it alternates sides on the ridge, it provides views of the crater and Ko'olau Gap.
Written June 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rayrest
Fenton, UK7,984 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
On Crater rim Drive and go as far as you can Untill the road closed signs appear and here is a car park where you can veiw the Halemaumau crater and get a fantastic chance to see lava in the crater.
Written July 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Palladin54
Milwaukee, WI30 contributions
May 2019
Just a big hole of old and new lava, not much to see. There are many paths you can walk around the edge and you can see steam vents, but no lava.
Written September 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whitney C
Costa Mesa, CA89 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
my husband and i have hiked this trail twice now and love it! gorgeous scenery and a really unique hike - most of it looks like something out of jurassic park! be warned though - it is fairly strenuous, as the trail is completely downhill the whole way there, which means you are going back uphill the whole way back. little over 8 miles to the cabin and back.
Written May 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Duckster22
Gloucester, MA20 contributions
Oct 2022
Great hike. Bring plenty of water it gets hot. But very worth the effort climbing down. The atmosphere standing on the lava is really something. We started at the visitor center and the way back up is not very well marked. Bring your map reading skills.
Written October 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LSUTraveller
Watson, LA1,925 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
It's optioned for either a self-guided or ranger led experience to the crater floor. It's a little over 400 feet down, but it's only a moderate hike. Well marked and with a number of areas with little grade/elevation change. There are a handful of spots with rock steps - which can be slick in the rainforest - so be mindful of where one puts one's feet. A bottle of water per person is sufficient to do this trail.
Written April 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RangerBear73
Gorham, New Hampshire, United States533 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
Currently the complete trail is not open due to strong volcanic gases in the caldera. However, you can take this trail from the Volcano House all the way down to the cLdera floor. Once you reach the floor there are numerous signs indicating that the trail I closed. The part of the trail that is open gently (except for the very last bit) defends through a stunning rainforest full of amazing history. The $2 trail guide is useful in understanding some of the culture and history surrounding the magnificent caldera. The current trail is about 1.5 miles and certainly worth the time.
Written October 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Appears to be listed on the wrong island ?
Written February 21, 2018
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