A Guided Hike Adventure Kilauea Iki and Lava Tube
Volcanoes Hiking Guides • Hiking • Volcano • Hawaii
Mauna Loa Hiking: Conquering Hawaii's Colossal Volcano
Experience Earth's largest active volcano where sacred stories meet scientific wonder
Written by a Local Expert
Leilani AkoStanding Before Earth's Greatest Fire Mountain
The night sky over the Big Island turned crimson on November 27, 2022. After 38 years of quiet sleep, Mauna Loa stirred awake. The glow painted clouds orange and red. People across Hawaii stopped what they were doing to watch.
I'm Leilani Ako, and I've spent my whole life on these islands. I've hiked many trails and surfed countless waves. But nothing compares to standing before Mauna Loa. This isn't just any mountain. It's Earth's largest active volcano. It makes up half of the Big Island. When Pele decides to wake up, the whole world pays attention.
This guide will take you deep into Mauna Loa's world. You'll learn about challenging hikes, sacred stories, and the science that helps us understand this giant. Whether you're planning an adventure or just want to know more, I'll share what these volcanic landscapes mean to those of us who call them home.
The Heart of Fire: Understanding Mauna Loa's Geology
Mauna Loa tells the story of fire and creation. This shield volcano rises gently from the ocean floor. Its slopes are soft and rolling, not sharp like other mountains. The reason lies in its lava. Hawaiian volcanoes produce fluid, runny lava that spreads far and wide. Over millions of years, these flows built a massive mountain.
The signs started in September 2022. Small earthquakes shook the mountain. Scientists watched their instruments carefully. They knew something was building. On November 27th, it began. Lava fountains shot up from Mokuʻāweoweo, the summit crater. The eruption was spectacular but contained. Within days, the action moved to the Northeast Rift Zone.
Lava Tubes: Hidden Highways
Beneath the surface, Mauna Loa hides secrets. Lava tubes snake through the mountain like underground highways. These form when lava flows create a crust on top. The hot lava inside keeps flowing, leaving empty tunnels behind.
These tubes can stretch for miles. They let lava travel far from the source. That's how Hawaiian volcanoes build such broad, gentle slopes. The tubes also create unique habitats. Some harbor rare species found nowhere else.
You can see lava tubes at Kaumana Caves State Park near Hilo. These formed during an 1881 Mauna Loa eruption. The tubes give you a taste of the hidden world beneath your feet.
🌋 Mokuʻāweoweo Crater
The massive summit crater spans over 3 miles long and 1.5 miles wide, reaching 600 feet deep in places.
🏔️ Shield Volcano Structure
Gentle slopes built by fluid lava flows over millions of years, creating Earth's most massive mountain.
🌊 Lava Tubes
Hidden underground highways where lava flows, creating unique habitats and extending the volcano's reach.
⚡ Active Monitoring
USGS scientists track every earthquake and ground movement to predict future eruptions.
Ready to Explore Mauna Loa?
From challenging summit hikes to sacred cultural sites, discover every aspect of Earth's largest volcano.
ℹ️ Quick Info
- Elevation: 13,677 feet
- Trail Distance: 19.5 miles RT
- Duration: 4 days/3 nights
- Difficulty: Very Challenging
- Permits: Required (2 agencies)
🚨 Current Status
- Main trail closed (post-eruption)
- ʻĀinapō Trail open with permits
- Observatory Trail available
- Check USGS for updates
⚠️ Safety Essentials
- Check eruption status
- Altitude acclimatization
- Water filtration system
- Navigation backup
When Pele Speaks: The 2022 Eruption
For weeks, we watched. Would the lava reach our main road across the island? Would it cut off access to Mauna Kea? The flows came within 1.7 miles of the highway before stopping. By mid-December, the eruption was over.
Today, the mountain looks different. Fresh black lava covers large areas. The rock is sharp and glassy. No plants grow there yet. It's a sterile, alien landscape. But it's also beautiful in its harsh way.
Living Mountain
The mountain isn't done, though. Deep beneath the surface, magma still moves. Small earthquakes continue.
Fresh Landscape
The 2022 eruption created thousands of acres of new land, changing the mountain's face forever.
Continuous Growth
The volcano slowly swells as pressure builds. Mauna Loa is just resting, not dead.
Hiking Mauna Loa means entering Pele's domain.
She's the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes. Even when she's quiet, dangers exist. The high altitude brings its own challenges. Weather changes fast. Temperatures can drop below freezing.
