Readers offered up a variety of trails within the park as their favorite. The summit area of Haleakala alone has over 30 miles of ‘em, from 10 minute walks to overnight trek. But our favorite is the Kaluuoakaoo Trail, a 5-mile roundtrip descent straight to the crater floor. The trailhead starts at the Haleakala visitor center parking lot at the summit and descends through a cinder forest of caverns, ash flows and cinder cones. Just keep in mind that the high altitude—10,000-plus feet above sea level—and uphill switchbacks can make the return trip to your car quite strenuous.




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