Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park · Hawaii

Fuel Break

2.1 mi of trail, end to end · Kīpukapuaulu Trail: 1.2 mi loop in the Service's write-up · about 150 ft of climbing · 3,943 ft–4,026 ft · native surface · trail class Moderately Developed · hiking

3,943 ft 4,026 ft · 1.4 mi high 4,026 ft

Kīpukapuaulu Trail 1.2 mi loop · the Park Service's write-up

60-90 Minutes · no dogs

Start Kipukapuaulu Trailhead

Rays of sunlight through trees

This 1.2 mile (1.9km) loop trail reveals a story of struggle and survival for some of the rarest plants and animals in Hawaiʻi.

The walk will take you through a " kīpuka ", an area of older vegetation surrounded by a more recent lava flow from Mauna Loa.

Difficulty: Easy

Distance and hiking time: 1.2 mile (1.9km) loop, 1.0 - 1.5 hours.

Trailhead: Kīpukapuaulu, located approximately 5.0 miles (8.0km). South on Highway 11, turn right on Mauna Loa Road and travel 1.5 miles (2.4km) to the Kīpukapuaulu parking area.

The trail is a dirt path with gentle inclines and declines. Note: dogs, horses and bicycles are prohibited on this trail.

Bring: Water, hat, sunscreen and rain gear. Be prepared for sometimes hot, wet or windy weather conditions.

Restrooms (pit toilets) are available nearby at the picnic area.

Kīpukapuaulu Trail Guide (pdf 6.18MB)

Accessibility The trail is a narrow dirt path with gentle inclines and declines. Note: dogs, horses and bicycles are prohibited on this trail.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 50 trails in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.