If you’re looking for a trail that includes sweeping views, lush vegetation and some cool volcanic activity, this hike on the Big Island is perfect!
The Crater Rim Trail at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park once encompassed the entire Kīlauea Caldera, making an 11-mile loop.
Scott Carpenter/flickr A portion of the loop has been closed since 2008, when the vent in the Halema‘uma‘u Crater opened, spewing sulfur dioxide gas. However, you can still hike the seven-mile section from Jaggar Museum clockwise to the Keanakākoʻi Crater.
Before you take this hike, make sure you’re prepared.
J. Stephen Conn/flickr You may encounter concentrated sulfur fumes along this trail. If you have asthma, heart or breathing problems, you might want to skip this one.
Be prepared for all kind of weather.
Adrienne Reid/flickr The Crater Rim Trail sits at 4,000 feet, and is subject to wildly changing weather. During the course of the day, you might experience blistering sun, drenching rain, calm skies or wild winds. Dress in layers and be prepared for just about anything!
Lush vegetation is also found along the Crater Rim Trail.
Scott Carpenter/flickr A portion of the trail takes you through a koa forest.
Scott Carpenter/flickr
Spend a little time at the Jaggar Museum.
National Park Service Learn about the different types of lava you’ll see here and explore the field of volcanology (the study of volcanoes). Catch this view of the Ka’u Desert Wilderness, too. The museum is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The diversity along this trail is just stunning. Not far from the Jaggar Museum, you’ll see steam vents.
National Park Service
Past the steam vents, consider branching off onto the ʻIliahi trail.
Scott Carpenter/flickr This short little trail make a 1.5-mile loop and provides some amazing views.
All along this trail, you’ll see some amazing views.
National Park Service
Here, you’ll see plumes of steam from Halema‘uma‘u Crater.
Rosa Say/flickr This photo was taken from the adjoining Devastation Trail.
If you started at the Jaggar Museum, the Keanakākoʻi Crater overlook is the end of the seven-mile trail.
Ansih Patel/flickr From Jaggar Museum to the Keanakākoʻi Crater overlook is seven miles, one way.
Have you hiked this trail before? Tell us about your experience! For more great hiking trails, check out these 14 Trails With An Undeniably Amazing Final Destination.
Scott Carpenter/flickr
A portion of the loop has been closed since 2008, when the vent in the Halema‘uma‘u Crater opened, spewing sulfur dioxide gas. However, you can still hike the seven-mile section from Jaggar Museum clockwise to the Keanakākoʻi Crater.
J. Stephen Conn/flickr
You may encounter concentrated sulfur fumes along this trail. If you have asthma, heart or breathing problems, you might want to skip this one.
Adrienne Reid/flickr
The Crater Rim Trail sits at 4,000 feet, and is subject to wildly changing weather. During the course of the day, you might experience blistering sun, drenching rain, calm skies or wild winds. Dress in layers and be prepared for just about anything!
A portion of the trail takes you through a koa forest.
National Park Service
Learn about the different types of lava you’ll see here and explore the field of volcanology (the study of volcanoes). Catch this view of the Ka’u Desert Wilderness, too. The museum is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
This short little trail make a 1.5-mile loop and provides some amazing views.
Rosa Say/flickr
This photo was taken from the adjoining Devastation Trail.
Ansih Patel/flickr
From Jaggar Museum to the Keanakākoʻi Crater overlook is seven miles, one way.
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