Hawaii Volcanoes National Park's three main roads offer motorists and cyclists great opportunities to get acquainted with the natural wonders of the Park. For example, those with cars or bikes can take one of the short drives around Kilauea Crater via Crater Rim Drive. This 11-mile drive circles Kilauea's summit caldera and craters, passes through rain forest and desert, and provides access to well marked scenic stops and short walks. Highlights include Sulphur Banks, Steam Vents, Jaggar Museum, Halema'uma'u Crater, Devastation Trail, Kilauea Iki Crater, and Thurston Lava Tube.

Kilauea's Pahoehoe Lava
Photo Credit: J. Kauahikaua, USGS

Don't forget, the general rule is that trails are closed to bicycles, so the Park will be a road touring experience, not a mountain bike adventure. However, do check with the rangers, because there are occasional exceptions to the rule.

Chain of Craters Road is a 40-mile round-trip drive that intersects with Crater Rim Drive, descending 3,700 feet to the coast. It dead-ends where a 1995 lava flow crossed the road. Points of interest include Lua Manu and Pauahi craters, Mauna Ulu Lava Shield, Kealakomo Overlook and Ho1ei Sea Arch. Allow three or more hours for a car trip, depending on how often you stop.

Mauna Loa Strip Road connects the Kilauea area with the Mauna Loa trailhead, by way of the Hawaii Belt Highway. Stop along Mauna Loa Strip Road and explore the Tree Molds, just after you've turned off the highway. Move on to Kipuka Puaula, 1.5 miles further along. It's a one-hour, one mile loop trail through an"island" in the lava flows, rife with rare plants and an astonishing variety flowers, shrubs, vines, and ferns. Continuing along Mauna Loa Strip Road will take you through another oasis of mature forest, with magnificent old trees lining the road. At the end of the road lies the trailhead for the 18-mile trek to the summit of Mauna Loa. There also you will find a fine view of Kilauea and the ocean in the distance.

The Mauna Loa Observatory is accessible via Route 200/Saddle Road, a two-hour drive from the Kilauea Visitor Center.

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