Trail Review: Kilauea Iki and Crater Rim Trail Loop, Hawaii

Trailhead: Kīlauea Iki Trailhead, Crater Rim Drive, Pāhoa, HI 96778

Parking: There is free parking in a small lot at the trailhead but it can fill up quickly. There is also parking in a lot a short walk away at the Kilauea Iki Overlook. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park does require a park pass. The park pass is $30 and more information can be found HERE.

Distance: 3.2 mile loop

Difficulty: Moderate

NOTE: We hiked this trail a week before the Kilauea eruption in December 2024. Please check with the National Park Service for any updated trail closures.

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Kilauea Iki, meaning "Little Kilauea", is a smaller crater next to the main caldera crater of Kilauea. Famous for an eruption in 1959 that created a lava lake, Kilauea Iki has cooled and is now a popular hiking area inside Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

The start of the trail, if you are doing it clockwise, starts with a 0.6 mile walk descending to the crater floor through a lovely tropical forest area. The highlight of this section is really the native flora and the shade.

After winding your way down on the trail, you'll suddenly step out of the forest and into a vast rocky crater! It's quite a stark difference from the lush, greenery. And you'll have to be careful where you step as you head out onto the crater floor. There are lots of cracks and raised edges of the igneous rock that covers the ground. Luckily, the park has created 'Ahu' or stacked rocks to follow for the path across the crater.

This mostly straight shot across the crater floor is about 1 mile total before you start ascending to the ridge on the other side. On the way, be sure to check out the flora that has still managed to grow even in this harsh environment!

Once you hit the opposite side of the crater, the path back up to the top of the ridge is fairly steep as it zigzags back and forth. They have steps built into the trail which helps, but we certainly had to rest a few times because of the climb.

At the top of the ridge and once the stairs have come to an end, you'll continue on the path ahead of you that veers to the right. From here, the trail remains fairly flat and follows along the ridge of the crater. The path will join with the Crater Rim Trail and bring you back around to the parking lots. It's a nice walk through the woods with lots of views of the giant crater below. Be sure to keep an eye and an ear out for the many tropical birds that live in the area!

Once back at the parking lot, you've not completed the loop! While you're over there, be sure to check out the Nāhuku Lava Tube which is a short walk away!

Bottom Line: A very cool hike that puts you right on the hardened lava flow of a volcano as well as gives you great views from above.