The world is a beautiful place. You get to see breathtaking sights in pictures captured by the lucky people who get to view the sights with their eyes. The truth is, the reality is always much better than a photograph. If you want to explore one such scenic places, the Kilauea Iki trail is among the best options. It isn’t just a breathtaking view, it is also adjacent to one of the most famous volcanoes that simmer to this day, Kilauea.
Lava-licious
Back in 1959, multiple volcanoes erupted in the Kilauea Iki area. From November to December, lava exploded from within the Earth to the sky. It was over a 5-week duration in which over 380 million gallons of lava sizzled and flew from the ground to the sky and back again! Thinking of this, you may imagine an island still drowned in lava. However, today, Kilauea Iki is a dry lava lake bed. There are no more active lava sites but a number of steam vents remain. If you have a free day, going to hike on this land will be more than perfect!
Heading to the spot
Getting to the Kilauea Iki crater is easy if you’re aware of the area. Towards the south of Crater Rim Drive, you’ll find the Kilauea Iki Overlook. This is the starting point where you can admire the expanse. A remarkable spot overlooking a volcanic crater will be beyond your imagination. While you’re overlooking the crater, imagine the times when this place was full of oozing lava. That definitely would have been a lake of fire worth seeing. To compensate for what isn’t present anymore, you can find a smoky view towards the west side. Here you’ll be able to spot the Halema’uma’u Crater.
You can also start your hike from the right side if this doesn’t sound like the ideal starting point. On this right side, you’ll first go through a descending slope that is basically located towards the north of the Kilauea Iki crater. After about a mile, you’ll enter a lush rainforest with many species of greenery. This is where the slope becomes a bit steeper. Going through the forest will be an experience unmatched to anything else in your life. From sounds of the birds to the tranquility in the fresh atmosphere, everything will energize your mind. You’ll go through a refreshingly smelling place with a slight, cool breeze. This part of the hike will give you all the energy you need to continue the rest of your journey.
The rest of your hike will be towards the western side of the trail. It will be a descending hike for the most part which makes is less physically straining. By the end of the rainforest bit, you’ll be almost on the surface of the crater. You’ll be physically standing on an ancient volcano! A fun thing to do is to keep an eye out for steam vents. You’ll find plenty of them here.
Be sure to visit this over 50 years old volcanic land for an experience unlike any other!
