Pele’s Paint Pot

Pele’s Paint Pot is an informally named area of colorful volcanic ground near the north side of Halāliʻi cinder cone. It’s about 5.7 miles into Haleakalā’s 11-mile, full-day crossing from Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) to Halemauʻu. The red and dark cinder slopes make a worthwhile waypoint if you’re already making that crossing; I’d treat this as a stop along the full hike, not plan the hike around this patch alone.

Start at Keoneheʻeheʻe Trailhead in the Haleakalā Visitor Center parking lot and cross the crater toward Halemauʻu. The complete route is a full-day hike, and there’s no park shuttle between the two trailheads. For a one-way crossing, the park suggests staging your vehicle at Halemauʻu and arranging a ride up to the start. Bad weather can make that ride harder to find, so sort out the car plan before setting off.

If you’re considering turning around, remember you still have a substantial climb back to the rim. The Sliding Sands trail drops almost 2,500 feet to the crater floor; that downhill start can make the effort feel easier than it is.

The name is unofficial, and the color is the draw: red, brown, and dark volcanic material breaks across the slope beside the path. Nearby Kawilinau is a separate volcanic pit, 65 feet deep. For a photo, keep the trail in the foreground; it gives the cinder slopes a sense of scale.

Hawaiian ecosystems are fragile, and staying on marked trails is required by law. Keep to the trail here. There’s no food or supplies for sale in the park, so bring what you’ll need for the hike; drinking water is available at park visitor centers.