Maunaulu – Pu’u Huluhulu via the Napau Crater Trail

Maunaulu – Pu‘u Huluhulu via the Napau Crater Trail is a hiking trail that offers a unique experience of a lava landscape from the 1969-1974 Maunaulu flow. The trail takes you through a forested cinder cone, Pu‘uhuluhulu, and provides stunning views of Maunaulu's steaming shield, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, and the Pacific Ocean. Along the trail, you can see lava tree molds, vast oceans of new lava, and massive craters, including Makaopuhi Crater and Nāpau Crater. The trail also passes through a 150-year-old rainforest, where you can see native plants like ‘ōhi‘a trees and ‘ōhi‘a lehua flowers. The hike is approximately 12 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 1200 feet, and is considered moderate in difficulty. It's essential to be prepared with sturdy hiking shoes, plenty of water, and sun protection