Chain of Craters Road, located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, is a 20-mile journey that showcases a natural landscape shaped by volcanoes. Whether driving or hiking, visitors can see craters, lava flows, tropical rain forests, mountains, and coastal areas.
Visitors can drive the 11-mile Crater Rim Drive that circles Kilauea Caldera, one of Hawaii's most active volcanoes. Lava flows display the liveliness of Kilauea Caldera, and after nightfall, luminescent red lava creates a pyrotechnic spectacle for viewing areas along Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road.
Near the road is Mauna Ulu, site of the 1969-1974 eruption that covered twelve miles of Chain of Craters Road and appended 200 acres to the coastline. When lava flowed from Mauna Ulu, it covered the trees in surrounding areas, creating lava trees. The trees' cool temperature hardened the lava and created a coating as the lava burned away the trees, crafting a flawless mold.
Chain of Craters Road has overlooks and trails displaying craters and lava flows. Along a two-mile hike around Pu'u Huluhulu, visitors can observe the lava trees and the cone of Pu'u O'o. At Pu'u Loa, over 15,000 petroglyphs were engraved into pahoehoe lava. These places, and many more, provide visitors with opportunities to hike and stroll near the natural formations.
A series of natural wonders grace the paths along Chain of Craters Road, inviting visitors to experience and explore the spectacular surroundings of one of the most exciting roads on the Big Island.
