Chain of Craters Lava Flow Viewing

Description and Directions >>

Description:
Chain of Craters Road is located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Views of current lava flows can be seen at the end of this road. Hiking on rough volcanic rock may be necessary. For more information on current lava flows, please visit the park's website at http://www.nps.gov/havo/visitor/lava.htm.

Activities:
hiking, lava flow viewing

Directions:
The directions provided are for the lava viewing spot featured in this story. From the Kilauea Visitor Center, follow Crater Rim Drive to the Chain of Craters Road intersection. Drive 20 miles to the turn-around at the end of the Chain of Craters Road and park along the mountain side of the roadway.

At the time of our hike, the lava flows were about 3 miles from the end of the road.

Story Date 6/17/2004
Publish Date 11/18/2004

Story Perspectives >>

According to Mikala: What would a visit to the Big Island be without an opportunity to view the current lava flows. We chose to try this viewing at night, when the red glows would be more dramatic.

Before we headed out on our hike, we stopped at the Visitors Center in Volcanoes National Park. They offer a lot of safety and general information available on the current lava flows. After viewing their safety video, I realized that this was a pretty serious hike, with the possibility of injury if we weren't careful and prepared.

We arrived at the end of Chain of Craters Road a little later than we should have. There was a long line of cars already parked along the side of the road. When we finally found a spot to park, we probably added about another mile to our hike. Per the recommendations, we were wearing long pants and our headlamps, and had plenty of water.

At the end of the road is where the older lava flow crossed (and totally covered) the road. It was amazing to see the enormity of the black lava spread across the landscape. We could see red glows on the distant hills where lava was flowing out. At the beginning of the hike, there were yellow reflectors taped to the lava rock to mark the trail. Of course, there isn't really any trail. You have to constantly find the best footing on the uneven and very rough surface. Eventually the yellow reflectors disappeared, and we were on our own to pick the best path. By this time, it was completely dark, and we were relying on our flashlights to guide us. I was amazed at how many people were also walking around us. Some of them didn't even have flashlights.

In the dark, some of the black lava looks very shiny, as if it was still wet. I was afraid to step on these areas, thinking that I would step through a very thin layer onto red-hot lava. Also, you could feel the heat coming from the ground. As we hiked further in, we began to see some molten lava glowing red underneath hardened black lava. I was afraid to hike right up to it, but there were many people doing so. Even further on, we saw steam casting a reddish glow from where the lava was flowing into the ocean. I couldn't actually see the lava that was entering the water.

By this time, it seemed as though we had been hiking forever, although it was probably about 3-4 miles from the end of the road. I was getting anxious because it looked like the black lava continued on and on, and the night was so dark! I really didn't want to go any further. We decided to turn around and head back. It was an adventure trying to find our way back to the yellow reflectors. I kept thinking that I would head the wrong way and end up in the hills somewhere. It was a good thing there were a lot of people. Everyone pretty much just kept following the previous people. We all hoped each of us knew where we were going!

It felt so wonderful to finally reach the road and be able to walk on an even surface. My feet were protesting from so many uneven surfaces, and my eyes were bugging out from trying to see past the darkness. Oh well, I am still glad that we made this hike. However, I think it would be more beneficial to me if I went on some kind of tour with a guide who actually knew where to go for the best viewing.