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 the visitors with several exciting hiking opportunities. The Crater Rim trail goes around Kilauea’s summit caldera, it covers a 11 mi/17.7 km long periphery and it is about 5 to 6 hours hiking, starting from Kilauea Visitor Center.
Hiking there is an amazing experience because you walk through desert and rainforest, steam vents and craters and an amazing variety of plants and insects. The trail is very well marked and it is easy to follow the markings, but the terrain is unstable with sharp rocks and slippery edges which makes it challenging and not suitable for beginners.
Hikers should wear good hiking boots and long pants, to protect their feet from lava flows and sharp rocks. Take a lot of water and food with you for one day, as well as sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat because the sun can be very intense. Due to the unstable terrain conditions, it is recommended before choosing Crater Rim Trail, to consult the Volcano National Park website for any park alerts that might prevent you from following this route.