Hawaii

A Volcanic Exploration: Hiking on Hawai'i's “Big Island”

Program No. 24566RJ
Hike among the impressive volcanoes and varied landscapes of the island of Hawai'i while learning about its rich culture, geology and wildlife.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

8 days
7 nights
19 meals
7B 5L 7D
3
Kilauea Caldera Hike
Volcanoes National Park (Volcano), HI
4
Kilauea Iki Hike, Chain of Craters Road
Volcanoes National Park (Volcano), HI
7
Waterfall Hike in Kohala
Kona, Big Island of Hawaii
8
Program Concludes
Kona, Big Island of Hawaii
View Full Itinerary

At a Glance

Hawai'i is home to unique microclimates, incredible geology and fascinating wildlife — get up close and learn about this amazing place by hiking Hawai'i’s “Big Island.” Move from sea level rainforests to the Kilauea Volcano, where you’ll walk among dense tropical ferns, native ohia trees and lava deserts, before departing for the drier coast. Experience the heat of subsurface magma and the picturesque beauty of a waterfall in the Kohala mountains, all while learning from geologists and other experts about these astounding natural wonders and how the landscape is deeply intertwined with native Hawaiian culture and spiritual beliefs.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Daily hiking between 2 and 5 miles, with one day of 7 miles. Daily elevation gains up to 1,100 ft. Walking/hiking along irregular forest trails and through lava fields in varying weather conditions. Elevations up to 4,100 ft.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Hike along the caldera of Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
  • Learn about petroglyphs, wildlife and Hawaiian history as you hike throughout the island.
  • Stay at Kilauea Military Camp, located within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Will McGough
Will McGough has spent the better part of the last decade seeing the world as a travel writer. His contributions have appeared in many magazines and online publications, including Alaska Airlines Magazine, AFAR, Conde Nast and Forbes. In 2017, he was the Hawaii Ecotourism Association’s Travel Writer of the Year for his local travel publication, Wake and Wander Hawaii. Will graduated from Virginia Tech and now calls the windward side of Oahu home. When traveling, he enjoys a combination of culture, adventure, and scenic beauty.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Will McGough
Will McGough View biography
Will McGough has spent the better part of the last decade seeing the world as a travel writer. His contributions have appeared in many magazines and online publications, including Alaska Airlines Magazine, AFAR, Conde Nast and Forbes. In 2017, he was the Hawaii Ecotourism Association’s Travel Writer of the Year for his local travel publication, Wake and Wander Hawaii. Will graduated from Virginia Tech and now calls the windward side of Oahu home. When traveling, he enjoys a combination of culture, adventure, and scenic beauty.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Print All
Map details are not available for this location.
8 days
7 nights
19 meals
7 B 5 L 7 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Introductions
Hilo, Big Island of Hawaii
D
Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Activity note: Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon: Program Registration: 3:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead as we begin to explore Hawaii from an insider’s perspective. This Road Scholar program is designed for students of lifelong learning who may be first-time visitors as well as those returning to a place they love. Please read the daily schedule carefully to understand what is included. There is a limited amount of free time so that we can cover as much as possible. If you have special interests that are not part of the Road Scholar program, we recommend making plans to arrive early and/or stay on after its conclusion. Road Scholar Travel Services can assist you in making such plans. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
2
Orientation, Geology Class, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park (Volcano), HI
B,L,D
Kilauea Military Camp

Activity note: Getting on/off a bus for multiple stops throughout field trips; driving about 70 miles throughout the day; about 2 hours total riding time. Walking 2-3 miles throughout the day on varied terrain with some stairs; some areas can be wet and slippery.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Orientation: We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Travel and transfers will be via bus and/or van depending on local conditions and schedules at the time of the program. Periods in the schedule labeled and “Free Time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Please check out of the hotel before orientation and pay any incidental charges you may have incurred. After Orientation, we’ll hear a lecture by a local expert on the geologic formation and evolution of the Hawaiian Islands to prepare us for our field trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. After our lecture, we will board a bus and depart for Akaka Falls with the group leader. The 0.4-mile loop to see Akaka Falls takes us through lush rainforest. The walk is paved but includes stairs.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will depart via bus for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We will be joined by a local expert who will share with us the history of this geological wonder. From the National Park Service: “Hawaii Volcanoes National Park displays the results of at least 70 million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution in the Hawaiian Island-Emperor Seamount chain — processes that thrust a bare land from the sea and clothed it with complex and unique ecosystems and a distinct human culture.” We will hike 1.3 miles along the crater to until we reach our lodging. We’ll then check in at the Kilauea Military Camp.

Dinner: At our lodging.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
3
Kilauea Caldera Hike
Volcanoes National Park (Volcano), HI
B,L,D
Kilauea Military Camp

Activity note: Hiking about 6 miles throughout the day on forest trails and lava fields. Elevation change of 725 feet each way. Hiking on uneven/rocky terrain, sometimes wet and slippery.

Breakfast: At our lodging.

Morning: We will set out on foot with a local expert along the Crater Rim, then descend 425 feet through a rainforest to the caldera floor. After walking the edge of the caldera floor, we will continue to the upper Waldron’s Ledge of the crater and have a panoramic view of the caldera we just crossed. Due to an earthquake in 1983, parts of a damaged road were converted to this trail, which is now sometimes referred to as Earthquake Trail.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will continue with the local expert to hike 0.6 miles through a sulphur bank. Gases comprised of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide arise from the ground, giving off an odor like rotten eggs and creating beautiful colors in dirt. Those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, pregnant women, infants, and young children should avoid this hike.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
4
Kilauea Iki Hike, Chain of Craters Road
Volcanoes National Park (Volcano), HI
B,L,D
Kilauea Military Camp

Activity note: Hiking about 7 miles throughout the day or forest trails and lava fields. Elevation change of 1,100 feet total. Hiking on uneven/rocky terrain, sometimes wet and slippery. Getting on/off a bus; driving 132 miles, approximately 7 hours riding time with stops.

Breakfast: At our lodging.

Morning: We will hike the Kilauea Iki Trail with a local expert. This 5-mile loop travels through rainforest on the rim of the Kilauea volcano, then descends 400 feet through the rain forest, with native birds in the canopy, to the floor of Kilauea Iki crater. We will cross the still-steaming crater floor, past the gaping throat of the vent that built Pu`u Pua`i cinder cone and ascend the other side before completing the loop along the rim of Kilauea Iki and Kilauea.

Lunch: At our lodging.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will depart on a bus with the local expert and explore the 20-mile long Chain of Craters Road - a scenic route that goes all the way to sea level and passes through some of the park's recent eruptive activity. We will stop at various lookouts depending on the day's conditions.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. We will return back to the lodge and you may prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow morning.

DAY
5
Transfer to Kona, Cloud Forest, Kaloko Honokohau NHP
Kona, Big Island of Hawaii
B,L,D
Royal Kona Resort

Activity note: Getting on/off a bus; driving 125 miles, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Hiking about 4 miles throughout the day on forest trails at approximately 2,500 elevation, sand trail at sea level and lava. Hiking on uneven/rocky terrain, sometimes wet and slippery.

Breakfast: At our lodging.

Morning: After breakfast, we will check out and head to the Kona side of the island on a bus via the Saddle Road. We will arrive at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, an ancient Hawaiian settlement encompassing portions of four different ahupuaa, or traditional mountain-to- sea land divisions. We will hike 1.5 miles down a shoreline trail, led by a local expert, to an ancient Hawaiian fishpond which were engineered to use the ocean's energy and tides to catch fish.

Lunch: Bagged picnic style lunch.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will depart on a bus Kaloko Cloud Sanctuary, a privately-owned forest preserve on the slopes of Hualalai Volcano, where we will set out on a field trip led by a local expert. The mission of the Kaloko Cloud Forest Sanctuary is to protect the array of species that thrive here while inspiring appreciation and respect for tropical ecosystems. After our hike, we will head to the hotel and check in.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
6
Puuhonua o Honaunau NHP, Free Time, Luau
Kona, Big Island of Hawaii
B,D
Royal Kona Resort

Activity note: Getting on/off a bus; driving 50 miles, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Hiking approximately 2 miles throughout the day on sand and lava. Trails may be on uneven/rocky terrain and are mostly exposed to the sun.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, we will depart by bus to experience the historic site of Puuhonua (Place of Refuge) O Honaunau National Historical Park, which contains one of the most sacred heiau (traditional place of worship) in the islands. We will hike two miles roundtrip, led by a local expert, on the historic 1871 trail, the main artery for coastal travel in the 19th century, while learning from National Park Service displays about Hawaiian building construction, heiau, and the process through which ancient Hawaiians pardoned those who broke the kapu (laws). After our hike, we will return to Kailua-Kona.

Lunch: On your own to explore local fare.

Afternoon: Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

Dinner: We’ll enjoy a Hawaiian luau — a multicourse meal of traditional island fare with beverages included.

Evening: We’ll enjoy live music as we dine, followed by a performance of music, song, and dance conjuring myths and stories from throughout Polynesia.

DAY
7
Waterfall Hike in Kohala
Kona, Big Island of Hawaii
B,L,D
Royal Kona Resort

Activity note: Getting in/out of a van, driving 100 miles with short off road drives to the waterfall trailhead & lunch location, approximately 3.5 hours total riding time. Walking about 2 miles throughout the day on forested trail with approximately 100-200 feet of elevation change. Trails may be on uneven/rocky terrain with short climbs and slippery/wet.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will depart the hotel by vans for a private nature reserve in the Kohala region of the island. Our hike, led by a local expert, will take us through forests and along a cliffside overlook with views of remote valleys. We will pass multiple waterfalls with the opportunity to swim at one of them.

Lunch: On the trail.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will return back to the hotel with some time to shower and clean up before dinner.

Dinner: At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
8
Program Concludes
Kona, Big Island of Hawaii
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






Recommended For You

loading spinner