Hiking

Hike to beautiful places. Photo by Kirk Lee Aeder, Big Island Visitor Bureau.

Hawaii Island is heaven for hikers, with hundreds of miles criss-crossing the island. One trail goes to the remote, forbidding lava fields at the 13,677-foot summit of Maunaloa. Another ancient trail traces the rocky coast. Others take you across steaming volcanic craters, through dripping rain forests or over sun-baked deserts. Some trails are challenging 20-mile treks, and others are easy strolls of less than a mile. Take your pick.

But wherever you hike, please be sure to wear sunscreen and bring rain gear and plenty of water. It’s also a good idea to hike with a partner and, if possible, carry a cell phone in case of emergency.

Family hikes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

• For more information about trails in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, visit www.nps.gov.
• Or learn about Alu Kahakai National Historic Trail at www.nps.gov/alka/.
• For more information about trails outside the national parks, visit www.hawaiitrails.org.