_For safety reasons, all visitors are required to obtain permits from
the rangers for all trips into the crater, other than those with
Silversword Inn guides._
_Short Walks for the Day Visitor_: (1) Along Halemauu Trail from the
highway to the Crater Rim, three-quarters of a mile. Views down Keanae
Valley, across Koolau Gap to Hanakauhi, and of Halemauu Trail. (2) A
short distance down the Sliding Sands Trail. _Be careful not to travel
too far down._ The return climb is exhausting at this high altitude. (3)
To the top of White Hill. The trail winds among ancient Hawaiian
stonewalled encampment sites.
_One-day hikes into crater_: (1) Down Halemauu Trail to Holua Cabin and
return to the highway, a scenic trip of eight miles that can be taken by
any reasonably good hiker. It is not recommended when clouds blanket the
pali and Koolau Gap. Allow a half-day for hiking. (2) Down Sliding Sands
Trail to the crater floor, across Ka Moa o Pele Trail to Halemauu Trail
at Pele's Paint Pot or Bottomless Pit, and return to the highway via
Holua and the Halemauu Trail. This colorful, spectacular twelve-mile
trip is recommended only for good hikers. Allow eight hours of hiking
time. _At your risk_, rangers can often arrange to move your car for you
to the place at which the Halemauu Trail emerges on the highway.
_Overnight crater hikes_: Hike down Sliding Sands Trail; spend the night
at either Paliku, Kapalaoa, or Holua Cabin; return via Halemauu Trail.
The choice overnight hike to Paliku, a 20-mile round-trip, is
recommended for good hikers only. The trip with an overnight stop at
Kapalaoa is 14 miles long. The shortest route from the foot of Sliding
Sands Trail to Holua via Ka Moa o Pele leaves only the four-mile climb
via Halemauu Trail for the second day. _The Sliding Sands Trail is not
recommended for return from a crater trip._ The long climb to an
elevation of 10,000 feet is too exhausting for most people.
_Two and three day crater hikes_: Entry via the Sliding Sands and return
via Halemauu Trail is recommended. A three-night trip stopping at
Kapalaoa, Paliku, and Holua allows leisurely enjoyment of the crater.
Good health and fair walking ability are all that are required for these
longer trips.
[Illustration: 1. Koolau Gap; 2. Waikau; 3. Hanakauhi Peak; 4.
Paliku; 5. Puu Maile; 6. Kaupo Gap; 7. Haleakala Peak; 8. Puu Kumu;
9. Puu Naue; 10. Ka Moa o Pele; 11. Puu o Maui; 12. Kamohoalii; 13.
Ka Lua o ka Oo; 14. Puu o Pele.]
No guide service is available or necessary for parties hiking or riding
their own stock into the crater. However, a permit is required before
you start your trip within the crater. For details, consult the section
labelled "Park Cabins."