Hidden Craters Hike
Overview
Join the Hidden Craters Hike for a Big Island off-road climb and hike up the cool and misty slopes of Hualalai volcano. 4 Wheel Drive vans carry you up most of the way to 6, 000 feet (1, 800 meters) elevation before you begin your on-foot ascent to visit a surreal scene of lava flows and a forest full of native birdsong. This adventure tour teaches you all about the best of Kona!
Inclusions
- Interpretative Naturalist Guide
- Refillable filtered water, Juices, Sparkling Flavored Waters
- Walking sticks, daypacks and rain gear
- Local taxes
- Access Fees
- Snacks
- Entry/Admission - Hawaii Forest and Trail
- Entry/Admission - Kona Coast State Park
- Entry/Admission - Hualalai
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Hawaii Forest and Trail, 73-5593A Olowalu St, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, HI 96740-2613
Travelers must meet at our Kailua-Kona Headquarters to check-in prior to the tour departure. Restrooms are available.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Hualalai, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, HI
Venture onto private land behind 3 locked gates to explore the upper slopes of Kona’s very own volcano – Hualalai. This journey provides intimate, unique access to volcanic sites
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Kona Coast State Park, Highway 19, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, HI 96740
Enjoy heavenly views of Kona's coast from atop Hualalai
Duration: 2 hours
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Hawaii Forest and Trail, 73-5593A Olowalu St, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, HI 96740-2613
Travelers must meet at our Kailua-Kona Headquarters to check-in prior to the tour departure. Restrooms are available.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Hualalai, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, HI
Venture onto private land behind 3 locked gates to explore the upper slopes of Kona’s very own volcano – Hualalai. This journey provides intimate, unique access to volcanic sites
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Kona Coast State Park, Highway 19, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, HI 96740
Enjoy heavenly views of Kona's coast from atop Hualalai
Duration: 2 hours
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- We require that guests wear closed-toe walking shoes or hiking boots. We recommend wearing shorts, short sleeved shirt, and bring a light sweatshirt or jacket
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
- Not recommended for child aged 7 and under
- Not recommended for participants with back or neck problems
- **We are unable to accommodate cruise ship guests on this adventure, due to timing restrictions**
- We have developed an approach that introduces a new standard of cleanliness and disinfection to ensure our guests enjoy an even cleaner and safer experience. Implementing strict protocols and using the latest disinfection technology, updated continuously to current State and Federal Guidelines.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 5 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Randy_M
May 2022
Loved it! Such a be peaceful day and a spectacular birthday!! The tour guide was humorous and well knowledged in Hawaiian culture and provided extra tid bits of knowledge. Definitely a must do hike!
Loved it! Such a be peaceful day and a spectacular birthday!! The tour guide was humorous and well knowledged in Hawaiian culture and provided extra tid bits of knowledge. Definitely a must do hike!suzannesJ6603GO
April 2022
This was the second tour we took in April with Hawaii Forest and Trail. Mark was our guide and what a guide!!! Note, this tour is best enjoyed by those who are active and like to hike and if you do, you are in for an experience you will not forget and which you will not find on your own. The ...
This was the second tour we took in April with Hawaii Forest and Trail. Mark was our guide and what a guide!!! Note, this tour is best enjoyed by those who are active and like to hike and if you do, you are in for an experience you will not forget and which you will not find on your own. The respect the land owner has for the company is a mark of how much Hawaii Forest and Trail as an enterprise cares about the land. . It is more than just a sight seeing tour, you actually can appreciate the wonder of the forest, the birds, the plants, the formation of the island and leave with a treasured memory of having not just been to a place but felt part of it.Marie_T
April 2022
My boyfriend and I loved this hike. We are avid hikers so we enjoy a challenge. This is a real hike and definitely not a stroll in the park. I would recommend this for someone that loves hiking and does not have an mobility issues. We learned so much and the views were amazing. The best part wa...
My boyfriend and I loved this hike. We are avid hikers so we enjoy a challenge. This is a real hike and definitely not a stroll in the park. I would recommend this for someone that loves hiking and does not have an mobility issues. We learned so much and the views were amazing. The best part was the lava tube. Our guide was Taro and he was very knowledgeable and engaging.Edwin_J
April 2022
It was a hike off of the beaten path. Saw the real natural part of the island that most never see. Would do it again!
It was a hike off of the beaten path. Saw the real natural part of the island that most never see. Would do it again!ColoradoBen1
March 2022
This was a great tour -- so close and yet so far away! From Kailua-Kona, the Hualalai volcano dominates the skyline, but visiting it is a different matter entirely! It was such a great day! Taro was our guide and his knowledge base was fantastic. As we drove higher and higher in our coach van...
This was a great tour -- so close and yet so far away! From Kailua-Kona, the Hualalai volcano dominates the skyline, but visiting it is a different matter entirely! It was such a great day! Taro was our guide and his knowledge base was fantastic. As we drove higher and higher in our coach van, he explained how the flora and fauna changed and why (trade winds and moisture). The moment we left the pavement for the 4WD road, we knew that this to be a spectacular adventure! We were not disappointed. The hiking is serious (wear good shoes and be ready) with ascent and descent -- but it was not frightening and was simply amazing! To see craters and fissures dating mostly back to the last eruptions in 1800-1801 were awe-inspiring! Taro led us expertly through the various areas. The views back to the ocean were fantastic -- and the cloud formations were beautiful. Seeing the craters and fissures made these mountains "come alive" for all of us. Taro showed us how the mountain and environment altered the Oh'ia and Koa trees and we had a wonderful time hiking and resting as he continued to hlep us understand what we were seeing! The hike up through a lava tube was very fun (not required) and one could get up and close and personal with lava, lava, lava! I don't know what I really expected from this tour -- but it was beyond my expectations! Pickup and drop off at the HFT headquarters was easy and simple. And our tour group was a great group of people!jeffreyshapiro
March 2022
This is the 2nd time we’ve used this company. Our great guide Taj had a plethora of information to share w/ us. His education, love for the island and all it has to offer exudes from him. He was fun and made the tour so interesting. So personable and approachable, any questions asked from the gr...
This is the 2nd time we’ve used this company. Our great guide Taj had a plethora of information to share w/ us. His education, love for the island and all it has to offer exudes from him. He was fun and made the tour so interesting. So personable and approachable, any questions asked from the group had an answer as well as showing us examples. Highly recommend this company. Would be pleased w/ any guide. They go through a lot of training, love what they do and it shows! The craters and lava tubes were very different. With natures colors coming through in some areas which were pointed out to us. The value of our experiences are priceless and become great memories for us.