Trail Run Project Logo

Partake in grand caldera views from the eastern rim where forests offer welcome shade.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

1.3

Miles

2.1

KM

93%

Runnable

3,695' 1,126 m

High

3,548' 1,081 m

Low

138' 42 m

Up

159' 49 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views

The section of Byron Ledge Trail crossing the Kilauea caldera is often closed. Check with park rangers for current conditions.

Runner Notes

More tree cover and shade here than most places in the park.

Description

Starting from the caldera rim just south of the Volcano House, the Byron Ledge Trail heads south through forested terrain. After an initial, short climb, the path stays atop the cliff on mostly level ground. Pass intersections with the Byron Ledge Spur Trail and the Kilauea Iki Spur Trail as they head east to explore the Kilauea Iki Crater.

The Byron Ledge Trail offers benches to rest on and great views of the vast steaming Kilauea cauldron. Learn about the native plants by reading the interpretive signs along the trail. Soon, you reach the junction of the Devastation to Byron Ledge Connector Trail that heads southeast.

After just over a mile of running the Byron Ledge Trail, the route normally makes an abrupt turn to the west and dips down into the crater, but for the past several years the trail has been closed beyond this point. If the trail is reopened, you'll cross the lava pooled in the bottom of the crater using lava rock cairns to navigate. Enjoy seeing the crazily contorted lava formations and interesting surface textures on display. The trail terminates at an intersection with the Halema'uma'u Trail.

Contacts

Shared By:

Megan W

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#29407

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
100%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#135

in Hawaii

#29,407

Overall
6 Views Last Month
1,604 Since Mar 6, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

View into the Kilauea caldera from the Byron Ledges Trail.  You can see the instrumentation that monitors geologic activity out in the caldera.
Jan 23, 2022 near Volcano, HI
The Halema'uma'u Trail is closed at the caldera floor.  You can walk out on it a little bit on the Byron Ledges Trail, but the main trail is closed beyond this point.
Jan 23, 2022 near Volcano, HI
Iki Kilauea.
Mar 6, 2016 near Volcano, HI

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 97 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.