Devastation Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Stay on the paved path at all times — the cinder fields look inviting to explore, but the volcanic terrain is fragile and culturally significant. Stepping off-trail damages decades of slow plant recovery.
Check current volcanic air quality conditions before heading out. Vog (volcanic smog) from Kilauea can drift through this area, and people with respiratory sensitivities may want to carry a mask or skip the trail on high-sulfur-dioxide days.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Park at the Devastation Trailhead lot off Crater Rim Drive rather than starting from the Kilauea Iki Overlook end — the dedicated lot is smaller and fills up less predictably, but it drops you right into the most dramatic section of the cinder field first.
Pair this with the Kilauea Iki Trail for a half-day combo — start with the strenuous crater floor hike, then cool down with this easy stroll as a reward. The Devastation Trail connects to the Kilauea Iki Overlook, making the transition seamless.
Overcast or misty days are actually the best time to photograph this trail — the diffused light deepens the contrast between the dark cinder and the vivid green regrowth, and wisps of fog threading through the skeletal ohia trees give the whole scene an otherworldly quality.
Photos
NPS
