Devastation Trail
Devastation Trail
4
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Once a forest, this area is has been completely devastated by the volcanic eruption of 1959.
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4.0
248 reviews
Excellent
79
Very good
99
Average
60
Poor
9
Terrible
1
findcoop
Hamilton, Canada84 contributions
We hiked the Devastation Trail because we thought it was the only way to get to view the crater. When we got to the end of the trail we found the next parking lot. So if you're not the hiking type, you don't need to take this trail. However, the trail was nice and had a desert feel about it, it looks like Dino-bones are scattered around with brush plants.
Written 31 January 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HT0375
Chicago Heights, IL150 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
You will have to walk on the closed road (for cars) about 15-20 mins from the parking lot to where you will be able to have an open view the Crater of Mt Kilauea that is more picture friendly than at Steaming Bluff. The walk is pleasant and you will walk past a section of the road that was cracked due to the recent eruption/quake last year in 2018. It is a nice stroll and you will have plenty of opportunities to take pictures and enjoy the hike. Make sure to bring a bottle of water if you can and pee before you go on this road. Once you go past the section with tall tree and black lava rocks, you will see on the left the access path to look at the crater from a more closer vantage point than at Steaming Bluff. The view is quite impressive from there, and is perfect for a photo op. After that, the road will be closed off even for hikers on foot. Overall it is about a 25-30-min hike back and forth from the entrance of the closed off road. Well worth it if you don't mind the hike on a deserted highway road. Give it a try if you have time.
Written 5 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet W
Richmond Hill, Canada34 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
Parking spot near Devastation trail was easy to find.The trail took us about half hour. The trail starts and ends with tropical forest, with devastation hill in the middle. We are amazed to see little plants grow there.
Written 9 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracy D
Houston, TX272 contributions
Mar 2016 • Family
This was an interesting walk. We started out at the Puu Pauai overlook. There were no stairs but did have some grade change. It was cool because we started out with pretty foliage and then saw how different it was where the lava had devastated the landscape. The trail ends at the next parking area so if someone doesn't want to hike they can meet you there. Otherwise you turn around and hike back.
Written 26 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CanadianTraveler65
Burnaby, Canada227 contributions
Mar 2012 • Family
The fissure from which the lava erupted is very dramatic and explore-able. The different lava types are right there, too.
Written 27 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aloha2215
Alameda, CA83 contributions
Jan 2020
Nice easy and scenic hike to see a different view of volcano. Trail is paved so easy and relaxing hike
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chillyw
San francisco116 contributions
Jul 2019
The Devastation Trail walk is only 0.5 miles long. It has been cut short and roped off so hikers are not able to actually walk on the actual terrain. The landscape here is pretty much completely barren with an occasional tree limb or two. It is nice to walk though this trail to get a sense of how volcanic eruptions can leave the terrain. It is somewhat like walking through space with nothing alive in sight. A somewhat eerie feeling but definitely an experience in itself. To our amazement, we were able to spot several nene goose at the end of the trail, which was a nice surprise! Allow 45 min. to an hour for this walk. The trail is on a boardwalk plank. You must stay on the trail.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HOCKPOOH
Boonton, NJ478 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
During our visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, we did the quick hike along
Devastation Trail. This trail allowed us to explore the site of the 1959 eruption of Kīlauea Iki crater. Before the 1959 eruption, Devastation Trail was covered by a dense rain forest. When the eruption ended on December 20, 1959, the area was devastated. It was hard to imagine what it used to look like, compared to what we just recently saw. The trail was an easy half-mile walk each way.
Devastation Trail. This trail allowed us to explore the site of the 1959 eruption of Kīlauea Iki crater. Before the 1959 eruption, Devastation Trail was covered by a dense rain forest. When the eruption ended on December 20, 1959, the area was devastated. It was hard to imagine what it used to look like, compared to what we just recently saw. The trail was an easy half-mile walk each way.
Written 20 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tamgray
South Bend, Indiana35 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
This was an interesting point to visit. I enjoyed it, something to see. If you are running short on time, its not really a must see in my book. But glad I did.
Written 1 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tropicalsnowbird
Island of Hawaii, HI38 contributions
get chicken skin every visit. serious history extraordinary scenery
Written 29 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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