Hilo Hiking Tours

Hilo Hiking Tours - What to Know

Hikes in the rainforest around Hilo are stunning, but some of the most spectacular hikes are very remote. Choosing a guided hiking tour in Hilo will ensure you are prepared in this unpredictable volcanic landscape. They will help you you navigate the ever-changing terrain and point out hidden gems, but they'll also share the rich volcanic history and unique ecosystems that make this area so special. Plus, they are intimately familiar with the trails - from the well-known paths to the less-traveled routes, keeping you safe while making sure you get the most out of your adventure.

Why Choose Hilo for Hiking

Hiking in Hilo offers a truly unique glimpse into the dynamic and ever-changing landscapes of Hawaii’s Big Island. One of the highlights is witnessing the active volcanic activity in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park—even if lava isn’t visible, you can often see smoke rising from the caldera, providing a rare look at the raw power of the Earth in action. If you're lucky enough to catch the glow of molten lava, the experience feels completely otherworldly at night, lighting up the entire sky in a red glow that can be seen miles away. The vast lava fields, while stark and barren, also provide witness to new growth taking root, a reminder of how all the Hawaiian islands once looked before plants and seeds transformed them.

Hilo itself showcases this transformation, with its rainforests and features like the Kaumana Caves, where ancient lava flows carved massive tunnels beneath the earth. These caves are home to unique ecosystems and serve as a powerful reminder of the island’s volcanic origins.

While exploring, keep an eye out for the native nēnē, the Hawaiian goose, though remember not to feed them, even if they approach. Hiking in Hilo is a rare opportunity to see the birth of new land and understand how the islands came to be.

Where to Go Hiking in Hilo

Kaumana Caves

Formed by lava flows from the 1881 eruption of Mauna Loa, these caves are part of an extensive lava tube system that runs beneath the island’s surface. The entrance to the caves is surrounded by Hilo’s lush rainforest and entered using a metal ladder into a skylight of the tube. Once inside, you can explore the large, hollow tubes created by flowing molten lava, some of which stretch deep underground. Just be sure to bring a flashlight and sturdy shoes as the caves can be dark, slippery, and uneven.

Volcanoes National Park

The Halema'uma'u Trail in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park takes you from a lush rainforest down into the vast Kīlauea Caldera, offering a close-up view of the sacred Halema'uma'u Crater, home to the volcano goddess Pele. This 2-mile round-trip hike, with its steep and rocky descent, lets you experience diverse landscapes, from misty ferns to steaming volcanic vents. A local guide can enhance your hike by navigating the changing volcanic conditions while sharing the area's rich geological and cultural history.

Top Tips for Hiking in Hilo

• Best Time to Hike: The best time to hike in Hilo and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is during the drier months from May to October. However, if you visit during the wetter months, you’ll experience the greenery of the rainforest in full bloom, though you should be prepared for occasional rain showers. Also during those months, it will be significantly colder at higher elevations in the Volcanoes National Park.
• Follow Leave No Trace Principles: Keep all trash with you and secured in your bag to properly dispose of when you return back to town.
• Properly Layer Clothing: Choosing to layer clothing and making sure the clothing is moisture-wicking, lightweight, and fast drying is critical! You may be sweating a lot or it may be raining for short spurts and you will need to dry quickly. Weather can change rapidly, be sure to layer your clothing to avoid getting wet from sweat or being too cold on the trail. When you're hiking in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you’ll hit high elevations (13,680 ft or 4,170 m) where it can be cold and rainy at the top of Chain of Craters Road, only to warm up fast as you descend.
• Wear Proper Footwear: Broken in/Used before with closed toes and grippy tread! Comfortable socks to prevent blisters and small shoe gaiters are helpful to keep rocks and sand from getting into the shoe and causing blisters or cuts. 
• Sunscreen & Sun Protection: Sunscreen, brimmed hats, sunglasses, neck coverings (may attach to hats), and UV deflecting long sleeve shirts can all help to combat the harmful and strong Hawaiian sun rays!
• Mosquito Repellent: Remember to bring bug repellent when heading into the rainforest, swamp, bog, or waterfall areas of Hilo. There are plenty of mosquitos in those areas.
• Trail Etiquette: Yield to uphill hikers and try to step aside on rocks or wide areas on the trail to protect the landscape. Avoid shortcuts, especially ones that go straight up between switchbacks to protect fragile ecosystems and prevent erosion.
• Carry a Map or GPS: Cell service is especially spotty in remote areas of Hilo, so downloading offline maps or bringing GPS devices can become essential in emergencies.
• Respect Wildlife: Observe wildlife from a distance, never chase, harass, or feed them.
• Know your Limits: Monitor for dehydration or heat stroke symptoms such as headaches, disorientation, rapid heartbeat, and nausea or vomiting. Be also monitoring for hypothermia in high altitude places, especially with rain.
• Do Not Take Lava Rocks: First, these are a protected natural resource and an important part of Hawaiian culture, so please do not take them. Also, according to Hawaiian legend, taking lava rocks is considered bad luck, known as Pele’s Curse. You can visit the postal office that has a massive pile of returned rocks from people who stole the rocks and faced bad luck.

Other Hilo Adventures

Check out other Hilo Activities at Hilo, HI Outdoor Adventures! These include rappelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, and surfing!