Walk across the floor of a volcanic crater that erupted in 1959. The Kilauea Iki Trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park drops you through a lush ohia rainforest and then right onto the solidified lava lake — a flat, moonscape-like expanse where steam still rises from cracks in the rock. It's one of the most surreal hiking experiences on the Big Island.
The 4-mile loop takes about 2–3 hours and is moderate in difficulty, but those stairs at the end are brutal if you go clockwise. The contrast between the dense rainforest on the rim and the barren crater floor is striking. Weather changes fast here — sunny to pouring rain in minutes — so come prepared. Follow the rock cairns across the crater floor and bring a hat that won't blow away (it gets crazy windy down there).
💡 Insider Tip
Start early — the small parking lot at Kilauea Iki Overlook fills up fast. Go counterclockwise to avoid the killer stair climb at the end, and bring a hat that straps on because the wind in the crater will steal anything loose.
Daylight hours (park open 24/7)
$30 per vehicle park entrance fee
Free at Kilauea Iki Overlook
Morning before clouds roll in
