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Explore attractions along the Chain of Craters Road. Chain of Craters
Road
passes through historic lava flows and offers breathtaking ocean views.
Morning
Hilina Pali Trail -
Pu’u Huluhulu trail
Hilina Pali Overlook:
Drive down the Chain of
Craters Road and turn
onto Hilina Pali Road. Approximately 5 miles
off Chain of Craters Road,
Hilina Pali Overlook offers spectacular views of Hilina Pali and the coast
2,200 feet bellow. The overlook is a perfect spot for lunch. (Picnic box
lunches can be purchased from the Volcano House before you
set out in the
morning).
Hilina Pali Trail:
The Hilina Pali Trail descends
2,300 feet to the coast and
requires an overnight backpacking trip. However
dramatic views of the
Hilina Pali Fault and
the
Coast can be seen by hiking the beginning portion of
the Hilina Pali to Halape
Trail.
Pu’u Huluhulu
Trail Drive down the Chain of
Craters Road and turn to the
Mauna Ulu parking area
where
the pu’u
Huluhulu trail starts. The round trip
takes about 2 hours.
Mauna Ulu Lava Shield:
Repeated flows and the accumulation of spatter
and
cinder
from major
eruptions along the east rift of Kilauea in 1969 created
400 feet Mauna Ulu (growing mountain), a volcanic shield with a lava lake.
Pu’u Huluhulu Summit:
Cross 1973 and 1974 lava flows and climb 150
feet
to the summit of Pu’u Huluhulu. Enjoy panoramic view of Kilauea
Volcano, Mauna
Loa, Pu’u O’o and the Pacific Ocean. From Puu Huluhulu,
the Napau trail
continues for 5.5 miles to the Napau Crater.
Lava Flow from Pu'u O'o (1986)
Photo: U.S Geological Survey
Afternoon Pu’uloa
Petroglyphs – Ho’lei Sea Arch - The end of Chain
of Craters Road
Pu’u Loa
Petroglyphs: The
walkout to Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs takes 1.5
hours. The trail traverse lava flows to this extensive petroglyph field
(Petroglyph
is an ancient Hawaiian art form). The Big Island has the largest
concentration of this
ancient art form in the state.
Ho’lei Sea Arch:
Scenic spot to watch the coast.
End of the road:
Drive to the end of the Chain of Craters Road and see huge
steam plumes as lava enters the ocean, as well as the paths of past lava flows
down the cliffs and over the Chain of Craters Road and former visitor center.
Depending on the direction and character of the current lava flow, lava can be
viewed
flowing down the Pali (Cliff), spilling into the ocean, or up close in
slow moving
surface flows. The viewing area’s location which changes as the
flow changes may be
accessed with a 1-4 hours hike. Viewing is the best in
the evening or at night, so
don’t forget your flashlight (available at
the Volcano
House gift shop).
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