Volcano National park is located at 30 mi/48 km in the southwest of Hilo Town in Hawaii. The park was established in 1916 and is a combination of unique ecosystems and diverse environments that range from the sea to the summit of the world's biggest volcano, Mauna Loa, as well as Kilauea witch is the world's most active volcano.
The park is an international World Heritage site and provides visitors with several exciting hiking opportunities. Halape Trail is 11.3 mi/18 km long, two days hiking round trip and starts at the Puu Loa parking area on Chains of Craters road.
Hiking there is an amazing experience because the trail leads you to Halape beach, a small and beautiful sandy cove with coconut trees, where you can spend the night camping. The trail is long, grueling and hot, not suitable for beginners. Hikers should wear hiking boots, take a lot of water and food for at least two days, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat because the sun can be very intense.
If you are planning to spend the night, you need a permit from the Visitor Emergency Operations Center. Due to the unstable terrain conditions, it is recommended, before choosing Halape Trail, to consult the Volcano National Park website for any park alerts that might prevent you from following this route.
