Maunaulu via Nāpau Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The lava surface is almost entirely exposed with zero shade. Even on overcast days, reflected heat off dark rock pushes temperatures well above what the forecast suggests — carry more water than you think you need and wear sun protection.
Hardened lava is abrasive and uneven. A stumble here means scraping across what is essentially natural sandpaper. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes with good ankle support, not trail runners or sandals.
Stay on marked routes and away from any cracks or edges in the lava surface. Subsurface lava tubes can create thin, unstable ground that may collapse under body weight without warning.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start early in the morning before trade wind clouds roll in — visibility from the Pu'uhuluhulu summit drops dramatically by midday, and you'll lose the Mauna Kea and ocean views.
The trail crosses unmarked lava with cairns (ahu) as your only guide. Bring a GPS app with the trail downloaded offline — it's surprisingly easy to wander off route on the featureless flow field.
The lava tree molds are scattered in the first half-mile but easy to walk past if you're not looking. Slow down near the trailhead and scan both sides of the path — the most dramatic ones are hollow tubes you can peer straight down into.
Photos
NPS
