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A leisurely path through an area that was devastated by the 1959 eruption.


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Map Key

0.5

Miles

0.9

KM

Point to Point

3,758' 1,146 m

High

3,710' 1,131 m

Low

81' 25 m

Up

37' 11 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

17%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views · Wildlife

Family Friendly This is a wheelchair and stroller accessible path with stunning views and a cool backstory!

Endangered nn (Hawaiian geese) frequent this area. Please use caution when parking. Don't feed the nn. Stay on the paved trail. Do not climb the Puu Puai cinder cone.

Description

This is an easy, stroller and wheelchair accessible paved path through a starkly beautiful recovering landscape that was buried by falling cinder from the spectacular lava fountains of the 1959 Klauea Iki eruption. It is interesting to see life recover in this once completely devastated space.

Access the trail from either the Pu'u Pua'i parking lot or the Devastation Trail parking lot, both of which are located off of Crater Rim Drive. Be sure to bring all of the necessities: water, sunscreen, hat, and possibly rain gear. Be prepared for all types of weather conditions from sunny and scorching to damp and windy.

Flora & Fauna

Although this area was completely destroyed during the 1959 eruption when it was buried in cinder, life is nevertheless regaining hold on the foreboding landscape.

Contacts

Shared By:

Brian Smith

Trail Ratings

  3.6 from 7 votes

#23503

Overall
  3.6 from 7 votes
5 Star
14%
4 Star
29%
3 Star
57%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#96

in Hawaii

#23,503

Overall
18 Views Last Month
820 Since Sep 17, 2015
Easy Easy

86%
14%
0%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Devastation Trail
Sep 17, 2015 near Volcano, HI
Devastation Trail--Volcanoes National Park
Sep 17, 2015 near Volcano, HI

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Nov 2, 2023
Margret de Guzman
0.5mi
Feb 24, 2023
George Vogel
Mar 5, 2022
Belinda Le
Aug 5, 2021
Karuna Venter
Pu'u Pua'i cinder cone and overlooking the Kīlauea Iki Crater's lava lake — 1h 04m
Jan 28, 2021
Tom Herr
Easy paved trail going by 1959 eruption that devastated nearby road. 0.5mi
Oct 28, 2018
Steve Jaccino
1mi
Oct 28, 2018
Jodi K
Rain and mist
Oct 6, 2018
Scott Thompson
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