This Easy Trail In Hawaii Leads To The Summit Of A Volcanic Cinder Cone
By Megan Shute|Published May 01, 2019
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
The Hawaiian Islands are not only home to magnificent beaches, but world-class hiking as well. And with near-perfect summer weather year-round, there’s nowhere better to lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails than our beautiful islands. And while we love coastal trails and waterfall hikes as much as the next person, today, we’re heading off the beaten path to a little-known trail that’s unlike any other you’ll find in the Aloha State. Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Lace up those hiking boots, because we’re headed to Mauna Ulu.
As the youngest Hawaiian Island, the Big Island is not only home to an active volcano, but various volcanic formations sure to impress, from lava tubes and rugged lava coastlines to lava trees and cinder cones. The hike to Puu Huluhulu is no exception.
Situated between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea where the Mauna Kea Access Road intersects with the Saddle Road, Pu’u Huluhulu is a forested cinder cone, or volcanic hill, covered with vegetation and surrounded by younger lava flow.
Translating to "hairy hill" in the Hawaiian language, the 1-mile Puu Huluhulu Trail takes hikers on a journey through a protected natural area sure to leave you speechless.
As you climb 210 feet to the top of Pu’u Huluhulu, you’ll walk by lava tree molds, view Mauna Ulu’s steaming shield, and experience a volcanic landscape that was formed as a result of the 1969-1974 Mauna Ulu flow.
On a clear day, the panoramic, 360-degree view from the summit will allow you to see Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, and the Pacific Ocean. Don’t forget your camera!
The lava rock can be sharp, so we suggest wearing hiking boots and bringing some water. The koa leaves that blanket the trail are slippery when wet, so it’s best to avoid this trail during or after rain.
So, what are you waiting for? Puu Huluhulu is not only an excellent spot for a picnic, but it's a wonderful place to stop and acclimate yourself to the elevation before continuing on to the summit of Mauna Kea.
The Pu’u Huluhulu Trailhead is located at the intersection of Saddle Road and the Mauna Kea Access Road on Hawaii Island. For more information, head on over to AllTrails or visit the National Park Service website.
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