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Glowing lava moving across rough volcanic rock on Hawaiʻi Island

Volcano Hiking Safety

Walking through an active volcanic landscape requires preparation, good judgment and a willingness to adjust when conditions change.

Depending on the route, hikers may encounter uneven lava, loose rocks, exposed roots, earth cracks, crater edges, volcanic gas, rain, wind, strong sun and sudden changes in visibility.
 

A professional guide can help select an appropriate route, monitor current conditions and manage the group’s pace, but no guide can remove every natural hazard.
 

Three decisions make the greatest difference:
 

  1. Choose a hike that genuinely matches your ability.

  2. Share relevant health or mobility concerns before booking.

  3. Follow your guide when the pace, route or plan needs to change.

Photo by: Yvonne Baur

Is Volcano Hiking Safe?

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has established trails and visitor areas, but it remains an active and changing volcanic landscape.
 

Hiking safely depends on:
 

  • Using marked, open routes

  • Choosing an appropriate hiking distance

  • Wearing reliable closed-toe footwear

  • Carrying enough water

  • Staying within your physical limits

  • Respecting barriers and closures

  • Monitoring weather, volcanic activity and air quality

  • Communicating with your guide when something feels wrong
     

The National Park Service advises hikers to stay on marked, open trails, avoid cliffs, cracks and steam vents, and remain alert on rough volcanic ground.

Two hikers viewing Kīlauea’s volcanic plume from a forested trail in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Photo by: Yvonne Baur

Six Rules Every Guest Should Follow

  1. Stay with your guide and group.

  2. Remain on the marked route.

  3. Watch each step, especially around lava and exposed roots.

  4. Drink water regularly.

  5. Tell your guide immediately if you feel unwell or begin struggling.

  6. Never move closer to a hazard or cross a barrier for a photograph.

Every Hike Begins With a Safety Briefing

Before leaving the meeting point, the guide reviews the conditions and the safety expectations for the route.
 

The three points Jennifer emphasizes are:
 

  • Stay on the trail

  • Watch your footing, including exposed roots

  • Keep drinking water throughout the hike
     

The briefing may also cover weather, volcanic gas, pacing or a route-specific concern that applies that day.

Jennifer Bell standing beside a lava-rock cairn.webp

​Choose a Hike That Matches Your Ability

Small group of volcano hikers carrying trekking poles and backpacks in a Hawaiian rainforest

Distance alone does not determine how difficult a hike will feel.
 

Walking several miles on pavement is different from covering the same distance over:
 

  • Lava rock

  • Loose stones

  • Exposed roots

  • Rainforest trails

  • Slopes

  • Wet or uneven ground
     

Balance, endurance, knee strength and previous trail experience can matter as much as mileage.
 

Age alone does not determine whether a route is suitable. A guest’s walking ability, comfort on natural terrain and current fitness are more useful considerations.
 

A private hike can provide greater flexibility for pacing and rest stops, but it does not remove the underlying terrain.
 

Contact Volcanoes Hiking Guides before booking if anyone in your group has:
 

  • Limited walking endurance

  • Balance concerns

  • Knee or back problems

  • A recent injury or surgery

  • Difficulty walking over rocks or slopes

  • A need for frequent rest stops

  • Respiratory, heart or circulation concerns

  • Uncertainty about completing the selected hike
     

Volcanic Ground Requires Your Full Attention

Sharp and Uneven Lava


Volcanic rock can be jagged, loose and uneven. Even a relatively small fall can cause cuts or other injuries.

Walk at a controlled pace and pay attention to where you place each foot.
 

Avoid:
 

  • Rushing to catch up

  • Walking while looking through a camera

  • Stepping backward for a photograph

  • Taking an unapproved shortcut

  • Moving onto easier-looking ground away from the route
     

Trekking poles may help with balance, but they do not make unstable terrain safe. Closed-toe shoes with reliable traction remain essential.

Earth Cracks and Unstable Ground


Earth cracks, thin volcanic crust and hidden openings can occur in volcanic areas.
 

What appears solid from a distance is not necessarily a safe place to stand. Stay on the approved route and follow your guide instead of stepping away to reach another viewpoint.
 

Crater Rims, Cliffs and Steam Vents


Edges around craters, cliffs, cracks and steam vents may be slippery, unstable or undercut.
 

Keep a safe distance from:
 

  • Cliff edges

  • Crater rims

  • Earth cracks

  • Steam vents

  • Fumaroles

  • Barriers

  • Closed areas
     

Never:
 

  • Cross a barrier

  • Stand on an unapproved crater edge

  • Reach into a steam vent

  • Stand directly over a crack

  • Leave the group for a photograph

  • Allow a child to approach a hazard independently

Glowing pāhoehoe lava spreading across a Hawaiʻi Island lava field at dusk

Photo by: Yvonne Baur

Children Must Remain Under Adult Supervision

A parent or guardian must keep the child within sight throughout the hike.
 

The accompanying adult is responsible for making sure the child:
 

  • Remains with the group

  • Follows the guide’s instructions

  • Stays on the trail

  • Respects barriers and park rules

  • Does not approach cracks, cliffs or vents independently
     

The guide’s presence does not replace the parent or guardian’s supervision.

Volcanic Gas, Vog and Air Quality

Volcanic gas may affect an area even when active lava is not visible.
 

Kīlauea releases gases that can include sulfur dioxide. Vog develops when volcanic emissions react in the atmosphere, creating a mixture of gases and fine particles.
 

Conditions can change with:
 

  • Volcanic emissions

  • Wind direction and speed

  • Weather

  • Distance from the source

  • The location of the route
     

Guides review current USGS information, National Park Service alerts and closures, park air-quality information, Windy and PurpleAir when considering the day’s route. These sources are used together because conditions may differ across the park.
 

Who Should Take Extra Care?


Volcanic gas and vog may create greater concerns for:
 

  • People with asthma

  • People with chronic respiratory conditions

  • People with heart or lung conditions

  • Infants and children

  • Older adults

  • Pregnant guests

  • Anyone with a previous sensitivity to vog or sulfur dioxide
     

If you have a health condition that could be affected by air quality or physical exertion, consult an appropriate healthcare professional when necessary and contact Volcanoes Hiking Guides before booking.
 

Bring all required medication and keep it accessible during the hike.
 

Tell Your Guide If You Feel Unwell


Notify your guide immediately if you experience:
 

  • Coughing

  • Wheezing

  • Chest tightness

  • Shortness of breath

  • Eye or throat irritation

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Nausea

  • Unusual weakness or fatigue


Do not continue quietly because you are worried about slowing the group. Early communication gives the guide more options to reduce the pace, add a rest stop or change the route.
 

If air quality becomes unsuitable, the guide may move the group to another area, select a different route or end the hike.

For current health information, review the USGS vog guidance.
 

Ordinary Masks Do Not Protect Against Volcanic Gas
 

Surgical, cloth, KF94, KN95 and N95 masks may help reduce exposure to volcanic ash particles, but they do not protect against gases such as sulfur dioxide.
 

Do not rely on an ordinary face covering as protection when volcanic gas conditions are unsuitable. Follow the guide, park alerts and current health guidance instead. Read the Hawaiʻi Department of Health guidance.

Weather Can Change the Trail

Weather affects more than comfort. It can change:

​

  • Visibility

  • Footing

  • Trail difficulty

  • Body temperature

  • Hydration needs

  • Walking pace

​

A clear beginning does not guarantee that the entire hike will remain dry or sunny.

​

Rain, Wind and Poor Visibility

​

Rain can make lava, rocks, roots, steps and slopes more slippery.

​

Fog may reduce visibility, while strong wind can make exposed areas more difficult to navigate. Depending on the conditions, the guide may need to:

​

  • Slow the pace

  • Add a rest

  • Choose a more protected route

  • Turn around

  • Shorten the hike

​

A cloudy or rainy forecast does not automatically mean the hike will be canceled.

​

Heat, Sun and Dehydration

​

Exposed lava can become extremely hot and may provide little or no shade.

​

Every guest must bring at least two quarts, approximately two liters, of water and drink regularly throughout the hike.

​

Tell your guide if you develop:

​

  • Headache

  • Weakness

  • Nausea

  • Dizziness

  • Muscle cramps

  • Unusual fatigue

  • Heavy sweating

​

Confusion, altered behavior, fainting, seizures or very hot skin may indicate heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. Call 911 and begin cooling the person while waiting for emergency assistance. Review CDC heat-illness guidance.

​

Cold, Rain and Wind

 

The Kīlauea summit can feel considerably cooler than many coastal areas of Hawaiʻi Island.

​

Rain, wind and wet clothing can cause body temperature to drop, particularly when a guest is tired or moving slowly.

Bring:

​

  • A lightweight warm layer

  • Clothing suitable for active hiking

  • Weather protection

​

Volcanoes Hiking Guides has rain jackets available, but guests should still arrive with clothing appropriate for changing temperatures.

​

Read the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Weather Guide

What We Ask From Every Guest?

A safe guided hike depends on communication and cooperation from everyone.

​

During the hike:

​

  • Stay with the guide and group

  • Follow route, pace and safety instructions

  • Remain on open, approved routes

  • Respect barriers and closures

  • Keep children under adult supervision

  • Report pain, breathing problems or fatigue early

  • Keep personal medication accessible

  • Avoid shortcuts

  • Stay back from cracks, cliffs and vents

  • Tell the guide before stopping or leaving the group

  • Accept necessary route changes

​

Recreational drugs and alcohol are not permitted during Volcanoes Hiking Guides experiences.

What Your Guide Helps Manage?

During the hike, the guide helps manage:

​

  • Route selection

  • Current trail and park conditions

  • Group pacing

  • Rest stops

  • Weather changes

  • Air quality and volcanic conditions

  • Route adjustments

  • Communication within the group

​​

A second guide is added when a public group includes more than eight guests from unrelated parties. This provides additional support for communication, pacing and group management.

What a Guide Cannot Guarante?

A guide cannot guarantee:

​

  • Active lava

  • One fixed route

  • Perfect weather

  • Clear air throughout the hike

  • A particular wildlife sighting

  • Access to every planned feature

  • That every guest will respond to the terrain in the same way

  • That park closures will not affect the experience

​

Responsible guiding means responding to the conditions that exist that day instead of following a plan that is no longer safe or appropriate.

When the Route Needs to Change?

Routes may change because of:

​

  • Weather

  • Volcanic gas

  • Volcanic activity

  • Falling ash or tephra

  • Poor air quality

  • Trail or road closures

  • Trail damage

  • Limited visibility

  • Group ability

  • Injury or illness

  • Time remaining

​

A changed route does not necessarily mean the complete hiking experience has been canceled.

​

When possible, the guide will choose another suitable open route. Safety and park regulations take priority over reaching a particular feature.

When a Guest Begins Struggling?

Tell the guide as soon as you begin having difficulty.

​

Jennifer watches for early changes such as:

​

  • A noticeably slower pace

  • Confusion

  • Unusual fatigue

  • Pale skin

  • Extremely red skin

  • Difficulty maintaining balance

  • Changes in breathing

​

Jennifer will normally slow the pace, add a rest or turn back before the problem becomes more serious.

​

Depending on the location and circumstances, the group may:

​

  • Stop at a safe resting place

  • Turn around together

  • Use a shorter route

  • Move toward a designated vehicle-access point

  • Coordinate with park rangers when assistance is needed

  • Divide responsibilities when two guides are present

​

A member of the guest’s party may sometimes return to retrieve the group’s vehicle when there is a safe and approved access point.

What Your Guide Helps Manage?

During the hike, the guide helps manage:

​

  • Route selection

  • Current trail and park conditions

  • Group pacing

  • Rest stops

  • Weather changes

  • Air quality and volcanic conditions

  • Route adjustments

  • Communication within the group

​​

A second guide is added when a public group includes more than eight guests from unrelated parties. This provides additional support for communication, pacing and group management.

01

Emergency Assistance

For an immediate emergency inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park:

​

Call 911

​

To report a lost, overdue or injured hiker, the National Park Service also lists:

​

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Dispatch:


(808) 985-6170

​

During a guided experience, tell your guide immediately when emergency assistance is needed.

​

Response and evacuation may take time because of distance, weather, terrain, darkness or current park operations. Review the National Park Service backcountry emergency information.

Injury or Illness During the Hike

If you become injured or unwell:

​

  1. Tell the guide immediately.

  2. Stop or reduce exertion when instructed.

  3. Keep personal medication accessible.

  4. Follow instructions about resting, turning back or requesting help.

  5. Do not continue only because you are concerned about delaying the group.

​

Jennifer Bell holds a current Wilderness First Responder certification. The guides follow a written incident-response process, and significant safety incidents are documented.

​

Individual guide backgrounds and verified qualifications are available on the Meet the Guides page.

Ignoring Safety Instruction

Guests must follow guide instructions, park regulations, barriers and closures.

​

If someone repeatedly leaves the group, crosses barriers, ignores safety directions or creates a serious risk, the guide may end that person’s participation.

​

The guide will handle the situation at the nearest safe and appropriate location. No guest may continue independently into a closed or unsafe area as part of a Volcanoes Hiking Guides experience.

Jennifer’s Most Important Safety Advice

Jennifer’s most common concern is heat exposure on open lava.

​

The lava can feel much hotter than visitors expect, and heat illness may develop before someone recognizes how much they are struggling.

​

Her advice is:​​​

  “Listen to your body and tell me as soon as something does not feel right. I can slow the pace, modify the hike or let the group rest while we talk. It is much easier to make a safe adjustment when I know early.”

Bring enough water, communicate honestly and never hide a health or comfort concern because you are worried about inconveniencing the group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Snow-covered alpine mountain rising above colorful wildflowers

Ready for Your Next Adventure?

Choose a Hike That Fits Your Ability

The safest starting point is choosing an experience that matches your group’s walking ability, balance, endurance and comfort on natural terrain.


If you are unsure, tell Volcanoes Hiking Guides who will be participating, how far they can comfortably walk and whether anyone has a relevant mobility, fitness or respiratory concern.

Can’t find a date for your preferred hike? Call or email us and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Reviewed for field accuracy by Jennifer Bell, Founder and Lead Guide at Volcanoes Hiking Guides.

​

Last reviewed: September 12, 2026

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