| Top Walks - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park | |
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Submitted by: rockhopper
My Choice: The 12 kilometer year-round volksmarch at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii.
This walk is incredible and diverse. It starts off on a beautiful rain forest trail, with blooming ohi'a trees and lots of bird calls. It proceeds down into and across a lava-floored crater, where steam rises from cracks in the lava. It is so black, and looks so desolate. But if you take a moment to look into some of the cracks in the lava, you will see green plants growing and forming a miniature jungle beneath the crater floor.
Although most of the walk is on a smooth trail, scrambling over the occasional chunks of lava presents a fun challenge. This walk is one of the most unique of the many volksmarches and other walks I have done.
Walk Information
Register and get your map and directions from the self-service YRE activities box at the Kilauea Visitor Center, 1/4 mile from the park entrance on the right. It is approximately 30 miles from Hilo and 95 miles from Kailua-Kona.
The Center opens daily from 7:45a.m. to 5:00p.m.
Water and bathrooms located at the visitor's center, at the Thurston Lava Tube and at the Volcano House on the rim of the caldera.
The National park charges an entrance fee of $10.00 (USD) per car into the park and the pass is good for 7 days.
Host Club Contacts: Joan and Vernon King (808)967-7380 or write to them at: P.O. Box 1171 Volcano, HI 96785.
Web site of the Menehune Marchers with full information about this walk and their other year-round and weekend events.
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