Keauhou Trail

Keauhou Trail is a rugged out-and-back from the Mau Loa o Maunaulu trailhead down to the park’s southern shore. The documented distance is 7.6 miles one way, so returning to the same start makes it 15.2 miles. Expect a full day on foot, about 8 to 10 hours for the return, over a long descent and the same climb back. The payoff is a small rocky bay where freshwater seeps up and mixes with the ocean; this is a remote backcountry hike, not a quick coastal stroll.

The route crosses mostly non-native grasses and rough volcanic ground. The park describes sections as steep, rocky, uneven and locally overgrown, with little shade and strong sun along the coast. Stone cairns, or ahu, mark the way. They can be difficult to spot in mist or rain and are hard to follow after dark, so start early and stay on the marked line rather than cutting across the lava.

At the end, the rocky bay and freshwater seep are the draw. The campsite has a three-sided primitive shelter, a roof catchment tank and a composting toilet. The tank is not a dependable water source: check its level with a ranger before setting out and treat any water you collect. Camping at Keauhou requires a backcountry permit. From the open slope, a photo with broken lava in the foreground and the ocean beyond captures the exposed landscape better than a frame filled only with sky.

The trail is hot and exposed, and the return climbs back to the high trailhead. Avoid the hottest part of the day and carry at least four quarts of water per person per day; there are no streams along this coast. Pets are not allowed on park trails or in wilderness areas. Trailhead parking capacity and facilities are not confirmed, so plan around the named access on Chain of Craters Road.