Hidden Craters Hiking Tour

Enter Exclusive Areas & Explore The Hualālai Volcano

5/5 (356 Reviews)

When you think of volcanoes on the Big Island, likely the first two that come to mind are Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. While we highly recommend touring those volcanoes, this tour will take you to a spectacular and less known active volcano near Kona called Hualālai. Less traveled to, and as a result more untouched, this volcanic experience is every bit as magnificent as the better known volcanos, but while offering you an experience few ever get.

This exciting 5 hour-guided tour will allow guests to see exclusive areas that are not accessible to the general public. You will be able to see craters and multiple eruption sights from volcanic activity that happened in the 1800s, as well as climb inside an expansive lava tube.

Starting At
$185 USD
Age
8 yrs+
Duration
5-hour
Location
Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaiʻi

What's Included
- Explore Hualālai Volcano and Cloud Forest
- 3–4 Mile Hike with Stunning Kona Coast Views
- Stand on Volcanic Crater Edges
- Discover Lava Tubes
- Expert Guided Tours
- Walking sticks, day packs and rain jackets.

From: $185^.00

BOOK YOUR HIKE

Choose Your Tour Style

5-Hour Hualalai Hidden Crater Hike From Kailua-Kona Town

Starting at
$185^.00
per adult

Adult Age 13yrs+

$ 185^.00

Child Age 8-12yrs

$ 160^.00

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We'll pick you up at 7:30 AM from Hawaii Forest & Trail Kona Headquarters.
Please check in 15 minutes prior to your tour start time.
Please meet us across the street from Home Depot at our Kona Headquarters. Our address is 73-5593 Olowalu St. Kailua Kona, HI 96740.
Driving Directions: From Queen Kaahumanu Hwy (Hwy 19) turn up Hina Lani street. Take the second right onto Kamanu street and then the next right onto Olowalu Street. Our tan-colored building will be on your right.
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Starting At: $0 USD
With taxes & fees: $202.58

Hidden Craters Hiking Tour Features

Climb Through a Lava Tube Hidden Craters Hike Hawaii Forest And Trail

hawaii forest and trail hidden craters hiker

hawaii forest and trail hidden craters hike hiking experience

hawaii forest and trail hidden craters hike waterfall

A Special Big Island Hiking Experience

This hike takes you through beautiful native forests, up recent volcanic flows and around rims of craters. Your guides are passionate about what they do and you will love the stories while learning a ton about the world, volcanoes, native plant life and cultures. Take in the sights of volcanic rocks and formations on a 5 hour hike in beautiful Hawaiʻi.

Explore The Hualalai Volcano Hidden Craters Hike Tour

hawaii forest and trail hidden craters hike volcano

hawaii forest and trail hidden craters hike visit volcano

Visit a Slumbering Active Volcano

Hualālai (pronounced [huwəˈlaːlɐi] in Hawaiʻian) is the westernmost, third youngest and the third-most active of the five volcanoes that form the island of Hawaiʻi, following Kīlauea and the much larger Mauna Loa. Hualālai may have been in a deep slumber for two millennia – but experts predict it may awaken before long! Despite very little activity since 1801 this volcano is still considered active; an eruption within the next century could be in the cards. This journey provides intimate, unique access to the site of multiple volcanic eruptions from the 1800’s, all within a short distance.

Visitors And The Native Plants At The Hualalai Volcano

Hikers Enjoy Exclusive Private Access Onto Hualalai

Hikers Climb To The Top Of The Mountain Hidden Craters Hike Tour

Learn The History of this Hallowed Place

Hualālai is “Wahi Pana” – a sacred place – and her summit and upper slopes have long been off-limits to all but a few. At an awe-inspiring 8,000 ft., ‘she’ stands as a symbol of protection and mystery in Kailua-Kona. According to legend, her name was inspired by the wife of Hawai’i Loa – a renowned Polynesian navigator who concealed Hualālai atop this majestic peak for safekeeping during his seafaring journeys. You will experience incredible views from her summit that span centuries-old history up until present day landmarks.

Hidden Craters Hiking Tour Details

Highlights

Take part in an interactive 5-hour hike
Enjoy exclusive private access to Hualālai and the surrounding forest
An intimate tour with a maximum of 10 guests
See massive volcanic craters

Climb through a lava tube
Take in the views of the majestic Kona coast
Experienced and Certified Guide
Learn Real History

Description

No visit to the Big Island is ever truly complete without seeing a volcano. On this exclusive guided tour, guests will have access to Kona’s Hualālai volcano for an unforgettable hiking experience. With a maximum of 10 people per tour, you will be able to experience Hualālai in a much more intimate way, and your tour guide will be able to educate you on the volcano's history, the native plants, and the local wildlife.

During the tour, guests will see multiple craters and eruption sites from volcanic activity that happened sometime in the 1800s. As if craters weren’t enough, you will also be able to, under your guide’s supervision, climb into a portion of a lava tube. The backdrop to these amazing sights is an immaculate cloud forest that opens up periodically to massive views of the Kona coastline. This is a moderately difficult, 3-4 mile round-trip hike over rocky, sometimes muddy terrain. Return time is expected to be 5 hours after departure.

Price & Availability

5-Hour Hualalai Hidden Crater Hike From Kailua-Kona Town

AdultAge 13yrs+	$185^.00
ChildAge 8-12yrs	$160^.00

Instructions

Join us at 7:30 AM, departing from Hawaiʻi Forest and Trail Headquarters in Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, for an exciting five-hour round trip

Additional Information

Restrictions: Guests should be able to hike on uneven or rocky terrain with up to 1,000′ elevation gain & descent. We may encounter cool and wet conditions. Other tour restrictions may apply.
What to Bring & Wear: Hiking or sturdy closed-toe shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and a light sweatshirt or jacket.
Included: Trail bar snack and water refills (Please bring your own reusable bottle!).
Gear Provided: Walking sticks, day packs and rain jackets.

Cancellation

We have a strict 72-hour cancellation policy, and we do not offer refunds after that time. Any cancellations made in advance will receive a 100% refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Hiking Do We Do?

3-4 miles along uneven terrain with some steep inclines and declines with elevation gains & descents. Rated moderate.
Is There Elevation Gain?

Our tour ranges from sea level to 6,000 feet. We will meander on a single-track trail through native forest with an elevation change of approximately 800 to 1,000 feet. While exploring the lava tube, expect to descend and ascend approximately 30-40 feet.
How Many Different Types Of Volcanic Features Will I See?

Along the tour, we’ll see a 200 year old lava flow, spatter cones, fissures and collapsed pits.
Do We Need Any Special Type Of Equipment To Explore The Lava Tube?

The lava tube we visit is perfect for the casual adventurer. We’ll descend via earthen steps with a rope to assist and there’s enough ambient light to see all of the major features inside the cave.
Is Hualalai Volcano Active?

Technically speaking, yes. Hualalai’s last eruption ended in 1801 so it is considered active. However, magma is not close to the surface so we won't see any geothermal activity.
Is this an intense hiking experience?

Many hiking tours are relatively moderate and you will not build up much of a sweat. This hike is almost entirely uphill and takes in a lot of amazing views. It is not a technical hike and tends to be hot as it is exposed on the Kona side of the island.