The 5 Best Hiking Trails on Hawaiʻi Island
From paved paths to waterfalls and trekking through a volcanic crater, you’ll want to add these hiking trails to your Big Island bucket list.
Hawaiʻi Island attracts adventurous travelers and outdoor enthusiasts with its incredibly diverse terrain. Across the island, you’ll find a range of trails that put its unique beauty on display.
From walking through a volcanic crater to making the journey to a green-colored beach, these are the best hiking trails on the Big Island that you’ll want to bookmark.
READ MORE: The Ultimate Weekend in Hilo for Outdoor Enthusiasts
1. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Kīlauea Iki Trail
The Kīlauea Iki Trail descends to the solidified lava lake on the floor of Kīlauea Iki crater.
Photo: Getty Images/Yiming Chen
The best hike on the Big Island, according to HAWAIʻI Magazine readers, is the Kīlauea Iki Trail in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. So, it’s no surprise the trail is also one of the most popular hikes in the park. Roughly three miles, the trail begins at the Kīlauea Iki Overlook and weaves through a lush rainforest with native ʻōhiaʻia trees and hāpuʻu (Hawaiian tree fern). The trail descends to the solidified lava lake on the floor of Kīlauea Iki crater.
READ MORE: The Most Popular Trails in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, According to Hikers
2. ʻAkaka Falls Loop Trail
The short and beautiful trail at ʻAkaka Falls State Park leads to the impressive 442-foot falls.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
About a half-hour drive from Downtown Hilo, this short and beautiful trail at ʻAkaka Falls State Park leads to the impressive 442-foot ʻAkaka Falls. Hikers can also see a second waterfall, Kahuna Falls. This 0.4 paved path loops around through a lush rainforest filled with bamboo and wild orchids.
READ MORE: Your Guide to ʻAkaka Falls State Park on Hawaiʻi Island
3. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Devastation Trail
This 1-mile hike leads park visitors along a paved path through a dramatic landscape.
Photo: Getty Images/Anna Richard
Also located in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is the popular Devastation Trail. The 1-mile hike leads park visitors along a paved path through a dramatic landscape once buried by falling cinder from the lava fountains of the Kīlauea Iki eruption in 1959. It’s beautiful to see the landscape recovering. You can start the hike at either the Devastation Trail or Puʻupuaʻi parking lots, both off Crater Rim Drive.
4. Papokōlea Green Sand Beach
This trail leads hikers to the unique, green-colored sand of Papokōlea.
Photo: Getty Images/Damien VERRIER
The trail to Papokōlea gives hikers a window into the raw beauty and rugged terrain of Hawaiʻi Island’s southern coastline. The 5.6-mile out-and-back trail leads hikers to the unique, green-colored sand of Papokōlea—a rare and incredible sight. The green color is a result of olivine, a green mineral that crystallizes in magma. The trail is relatively flat but there is a lack of shade. So, be sure to bring lots of water to stay hydrated and sun protection to stay safe.
5. Pololū Valley
Pololū Valley offers scenic views.
Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Heather Goodman
Near the northern tip of Hawaiʻi Island, the 1-mile trail to the Pololū Valley Lookout offers dramatic views of an incredible black sand beach. Here, you can take in the scenic view of the lush valley and Pacific Ocean.
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