This track was identified and mapped via high-resolution satellite imagery.
Kilauea Iki Trail Loop
A loop through rainforest and across the floor of Kīlauea Iki, a crater that held a lake of lava in 1959. From the Kīlauea Iki Overlook the trail follows the forested rim past the Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku), descends to the still-steaming crater floor, crosses it beneath the cinder cone of Puʻu Puaʻi and climbs back to the rim. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Trail Map
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Trail Profile
General Instructions
About 5 km as a loop with roughly 100 m of descent and climb. The crater floor is uneven lava with no shade: follow the cairns (ahu) and carry water, sun protection and a rain layer. Volcanic gas (vog) can be a problem for people with breathing or heart conditions.
Weather check
Sampling Micro-Climate...
19.4156, -155.2427
Slide to preview conditions across the entire route • Point: 19.4156, -155.2427 @ 1191m
Quick Stats
Highlights
- Walk across the solidified 1959 lava lake
- Walk through the Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku)
- Look for steam vents and ʻōhiʻa lehua plants growing through the lava
- Visit the Kīlauea summit viewpoints nearby
Field Radio Protocol
VHF-UHF Communication
Propagation Telemetry
Ridge Line
92%Gorge Floor
18%Sector Relay: Sector Alpha Relay• 12-18 KM Range
Regulatory Compliance
VHF/UHF frequencies are for monitoring and emergency coordination only. Transmitting on these bands may require an Amateur Radio License or regional government permits. Check local telecommunications laws before operation.
Technical Analysis
Total Ascent
+90 m
Total Descent
-105 m
Ruggedness Index
Terrain Roughness Index
Vertical displacement per km. Typical range: 0 (Smooth) to 100+ (Extreme Mountain).
37.9
Tortuosity Index
Route Curviness Index
Ratio of actual path to straight line. Typical range: 1.0 (Direct) to 3.0+ (Switchbacks).
1.89
Gradient Distribution
Surface & Hydrology
Surface Spectrum Analysis
Includes only technical water fords where the vehicle actively enters a stream or riverbed. Permanent bridges are excluded from this count.
Difficulty Analysis
Difficulty is determined by a technical multi-vector analysis of elevation profile, surface quality, and topographic intensity.
Bounding Box (WGS84)
Point Spacing: 15.4 m • Engine: TrailX Precision GPX ANALYTICS v1.0.0
Reviews & Discussion0
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Plan this trip
Before you go: Kilauea Iki Trail Loop
Best time to go
Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Spring and fall suit most of the country; summer is prime time for the Rockies and Cascades once snow melts, typically July to September, while desert Southwest and Texas routes are best from October to April.
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