If you are ever on the Big Island, you MUST go to Hawaii Volcano National Park, and more specifically hike the Kilauea Iki Trail. It was such an amazing experience.
The last time I think I really thought about a volcano, I must’ve been in middle school learning the basics about geology. It’s one of those things you find fascinating when you’re younger, but never really think about again… until you find yourself in the middle of Kīlauea Iki Crater.
Kīlauea Iki is a pit crater that is created by the ground above a void below the earth’s surface giving way and sinking together, usually leaving nearly vertical walls. In 1959, lava shot some 1900 feet into the air from Pu’u Pua’i (literally gushing hill) and began filling Kīlauea Iki until it started to drain into the main Kīlauea Caldera.
Nowadays, you can actually hike the Kīlauea Iki Trail- it’s a moderate hike you can do as a day trip. It’s about a 4 mile trip, where you walk through the lush forest surrounding the crater, then actually walk directly across the floor of the crater lava lake.
For this hike, I’d recommend travelling light- just wear durable hiking sandals/sneakers, comfortable clothes, and a hat. Bring water too as you’ll definitely get thirsty walking up the steep terrains of the forest and crossing the no-shade crater. Last but not least, bring your camera as the views are unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
For more info, visit: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hike_day_kilaueaiki.htm or feel free to reach out to me :)