Kilauea Iki Crater Loop

From the Crater Rim Drive parking area, descend through a dense rainforest to the floor of the solidified, however still steaming, Klauea Iki Crater lava lake. Peer into the 1959 vent that erupted to a height of 1900 feet located below the Puu Puai cinder cone. Stops along the Kileauea Iki Trail reveal the story of a dramatic eruption in 1959. A well-marked path leads you through lush rain forest along the rim of Klauea Iki (little Klauea) and down to its still-steaming crater floor. Once you reach the end of the Kileauea Iki Trail, turn right onto Crater Rim Trail. Hiking the Crater Rim is an awe-inspiring journey around an active volcano. The breath of gasses and steam bear witness that Pelehonuamea (Pele of the sacred land) still resides here. Rich with native plant and animal life, active volcanism, and Hawaiian deities of a living culture, hikers will marvel at diverse scenic vistas, desert terrain, and lush rainforest.