"This was most extraordinary hike to experience a most extraordinary and complex, diverse and spectacular mountain with a knowledgeable passionate guide"
Verified Review
Drive up the western flank of Hualālai and step onto private land few ever access. Over a 3–4-mile loop with 800–1,000 ft of elevation, you’ll cross three crater types, wander through fern-filled native forest, descend into a lava tube, and peer into fissures shaped by 1800–1801 eruptions—all guided by a naturalist with keys to restricted terrain. It’s geology, ecology, and Hawaiian history in one immersive, crowd-free hike.
GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For ages 8 and up, group size limited to 10 guests.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Intermediate activity with a 3–4 mile hike and moderate elevation gain.
WHAT TO BRING
Bring sturdy shoes, layered clothing, sunscreen, and a hat.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Receive a full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
4.9★ from 5,400+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Travelers consistently praise this experience as a hidden gem on the Big Island. Many highlight the small-group format and the guides, who are often described as passionate storytellers with deep knowledge of local geology, ecology, and Hawaiian culture. Guests love that the hike accesses private land and locked gates, offering a rare look at lesser-known volcanic features and dramatic lava landscapes. Reviews often mention the contrast of cool, misty mountain air with sweeping crater views — and plenty of photo-worthy moments along the way.
There's something unbelievably awe inspiring to be in a place so special to the Islands. Hiking along the crater edges of Hualalaī was magical - and a bit nerve wracking going across a few gorges and around some boulders - but the views and the feeling being in such a remote place was amazing.
Verified Review
Venture onto private land behind 3 locked gates to explore the upper slopes of Kona’s very own volcano – Hualalai. This journey provides intimate, unique access to volcanic sites.
What's included
- Snacks and beverages.
Gear Provided
- Trekking poles and rain jackets.
Itinerary
- Exclusive access onto Hualalai volcano and into a native forest
- Stand on the edge of precipitous volcanic craters that plunge deep into the earth below
- Make your way through an intact lava tube unaltered by humans.
What to bring
- Sturdy closed-toed shoes or hiking shoes, sweatshirt or light jacket reusable water bottle, and any personal sun protection (hat, sunglasses, etc.)
Restrictions
- Guests should be able to hike on uneven or rocky terrain with up to 1,000′ elevation gain & descent. We sometimes encounter cool, wet, or muddy conditions. Other tour restrictions may apply.
FAQs
- How much hiking do we do? This adventure includes 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. During the hike, you can expect approximately 800' to 1,000' elevation gain. 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.
- Are child safety seats required? Yes. Hawaii's Child Passenger Restraint Law requires that children up to age 10 who are under 4 feet 9 inches tall must be properly secured in a child safety or booster seat. Hawaii Forest & Trail provides booster seats for use upon request.Hawaii Forest & Trail has been guiding guests around the Big Island for over 30 years, founded by naturalist Rob Pacheco and his partner Cindy. Known for their small-group, fully outfitted adventures, they’re one of the few companies granted exclusive private access to remote Hualālai terrain and native forests. Their team of expert interpretive guides combines deep cultural knowledge and environmental stewardship, making every guided hike a truly immersive and meaningful Big Island experience.
Hawaii Forest & Trail Kona Headquarters
73-5593A Olowalu Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740Customers will receive a full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Private tours: Customers will receive a full refund with 72 hours notice of cancellation. Cancellations within the cancellation period, “no-shows”, or any guest not meeting the tour requirements will be charged the FULL AMOUNT of the tour.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Hidden Craters: Hualālai’s Secret Volcano Hike
If Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is the blockbuster, this is the under-the-radar film you recommend to friends who want something deeper, quieter, and closer to home base. Just 25 minutes above Kona, the Hidden Craters Hike brings you up the western flank of Hualālai—one of the Big Island’s three active volcanoes—into a private conservation area closed to the general public. No buses, no lookout platforms, no selfie lines. Just you, a small group, and a wild, living volcanic landscape.
The hike covers 3 to 4 miles with around 1,000 feet of elevation gain, but it’s the range of ecosystems that makes it feel like a full journey. You’ll move through upland dry forest with native koa and ʻōhiʻa, across young lava fields still sparsely vegetated, into shady zones where ferns blanket the trail and birds like the ʻapapane and ʻamakihi dart overhead. One minute you're walking over pahoehoe lava, the next you’re ducking into a collapsed lava tube—descending via carved earthen steps into the cooled remains of an underground river of fire. The trail loops across three distinct types of pit craters, each telling a story of eruptions that once shaped—and continue to shape—this side of the island.
No crowds, no roads—just sacred ground, lava scars, and living forest.
What sets this hike apart isn’t just the geology (which is world-class), or the history (1800’s Kaʻūpūlehu eruption reshaped much of Kona’s coastline), or even the ecology (with reforestation and conservation efforts quietly underway). It’s that you’re walking through all of it without the crowds. No signs of other hikers. No ambient traffic. Just volcanic silence, native birdsong, and the occasional gust of wind through twisted ʻōhiʻa branches. And on a clear day? Panoramic views down the slope to the Kona coastline, the kind that make you pause, take a breath, and remember how big and alive this island really is.
If you’ve already seen the volcanoes down south—or don’t have time for the drive—this is a powerful alternative. And in some ways, it’s even better: private access, richer variety in terrain, and a guide who knows the story of every crater, tree, and trail underfoot.
