Pu'u O'o Trail

Fantastic park with many diverse ecosystems and large older trees perfect for birds. We went during a drizzly and misty day and there was nobody else there. It gave the trail a playful and almost sinister feeling. It was really, really cool.

Fantastic trail for birding! If you’re looking for birds, I recommend hiking to the old growth forest first and beginning your birding there. There will be birds in the trees growing out of the lava flow, but you can get the same species much closer to your eyes in the old growth areas. You’ll know when you hit it—it’s a breathtaking canopy. Difficulty Moderate Route type Out-and-Back Recommended activities Hiking, Birdwatching

It was a great day for a hike, fog drifted in close by, but did not detain the sunshine. I was pleasantly surprised by how forested the area was with so much lava rock. The trail is marked with rock piles. I met up with people birding, they were saying this was an as good place to see indigenous birds.

Incredible spot to bird. The kipuka are a fascinating occurrence on Hawaii, and truly like entering another world. I was happy I packed a windbreaker and pants, as the temps stayed below 40 for most of my walk (I arrived at dawn) I got to see many of the islands endemic birds and can’t wait to return. My recommendation to birders would be to study the calls and songs of your target species before hand. I found the majority of time I was birding by ear even though most of the habitat is relatively easy to observe with binoculars. The shear density of bird song is overwhelming, having a couple calls dialed would have made identifying species faster, especially skulky birds who were trickier to see in the canopy. Overall an incredible spot, I’ll never forget it. Difficulty Easy Route type Out-and-Back Time spent 2-3 hr Recommended activities Birdwatching 0:12 0:14

There is no elevation gain but I still found to be a moderately difficult hike. You are constantly going up and down, and path is often rocky and the weather turns on a dime. But seeing Old Growth Hawaiian forest is breathtaking. Difficulty Moderate Route type Out-and-Back Time spent 2-3 hr Recommended activities Hiking, Birdwatching, Walking

Beautiful trail and beautiful place! I think it was in a cloud forest so prepare for being wet. We got to see an i’iwi bird - maybe 2 - so they are around if you know what to look for.

Stunning trail. Endemic birds in the 2 grooves about 2 miles in. Saw i'iwi, eleipaio, amakhihi and apapane. 0:28

Very nice trail with an outstanding landscape. Wear good shoes. Bring water and sunscreen, and remember you're always at an altitude of almost 5000 feet. Difficulty Moderate Route type Loop Time spent 3-4 hr Recommended activities Hiking

A hike that takes you through arrid areas having desert-like foliage, to rain forest-type areas, to Lava fields. Difficulty Moderate Route type Out-and-Back Time spent 2-3 hr Recommended activities Hiking, Birdwatching, Walking Parking space Somewhat difficult to find parking Parking options Free parking lot Fees No fees. All free. Restrooms No toilet facilities. Public Transportation None. Dog-friendliness May not be the friendliest for dogs with the magma/ lava fields.

Love this trail for getting above the humidity of Hilo especially during the rainy season. It can be wet too. This trail has cultural significance and two forests with native birds before leading onto the desert plains, that’s where I turn around, just after the second forest Difficulty Moderate Route type Out-and-Back Time spent 2-3 hr Recommended activities Hiking, Birdwatching Parking space Plenty of parking Parking options Free parking lot Parking About ten spots, on a hill, not graded, relatively safe Fees No fees Restrooms No restrooms 0:06