Important: As of September 2024, the Napau Trail beyond Makaopuhi Crater is closed due to volcanic eruptions that inundated Napau Crater with lava and created hazardous ground fractures and steam vents. Only the section to Pu'u Huluhulu (approximately 2 miles round-trip) remains open. Check with the National Park Service for current trail status.
After passing Pauahi crater on Chain of Craters Road, look for a spur road to the left at Mile Marker 3.6. Follow it about half a mile to a parking lot with a restroom. At the end of the road there is a path that leads to the Napau Crater Trailhead. The entire trail is over seven miles long and requires a permit. However, the first leg, a little over a mile will take you to Pu’u Huluhulu, a tree-draped cinder cone. This area is the site of Kilauea’s second longest flank eruption in known history.
The trail zig zags through a field of jagged a’a and smooth pahoehoe lava from 1974 flows. The path is fairly well worn but make sure to follow the small reflective trail makers set out on the lava. Take a moment to observe this varied landscape. There will be small groupings of trees and plant life that seem to spring out of nowhere amidst a field of pitch black lava. These areas, called kipukas, are parcels of land that by luck were spared from the lava flows. Several lava trees and massive lava bombs also dot the trail.
After about a mile of trekking across lava (follow the cairns; or stacks of rocks), you will reach Pu’u Huluhulu, which is literally translated “hairy hill” because of the wealth of vegetation that has overgrown the crater. The trail snakes up the side of the crater in a series of switchbacks eventually leading to an observation area. When Pu'u O'o was erupting, from 1984-2018, you could see it from this location.
From the top of Pu’u Huluhulu you can also see Mauna Ulu to your right which flooded this area with lava from 1969-1974. From the bottom of the crater, the Napau Trail continues on to Napau Crater and Camp.
The journey to Napau is seven miles one way over wild and fascinating landscape. The trail skirts around the mouth of Makaopuhi Crater and eventually ends at Napau Camp which has neither water nor shelter. NPS recommends four quarts of water per person per day; no drinking water is available along these trails.
Before planning an overnight hike, check current park closures and follow the NPS backcountry permit instructions. Reservations are available through Recreation.gov; permit pickup and the safety briefing take place at the Backcountry Office, open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kīlauea Visitor Center remains closed for renovation. General visitor information is available at the temporary Welcome Center at Kilauea Military Camp, open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. NPS expects the visitor center to reopen in late 2026; check the current notice before traveling.
