Discover Hawaii's Big Island which is famous for volcanoes—on an off-road craters Tour. Hop aboard a 4 Wheel Drive van for a breathtaking ride up the side of the Hualalai volcano. You'll pass giant craters and among both rainforest and lunar landscapes climbing 6,000 feet to explore an incredible lava tube on foot.

Hualalai Holoholo 4x4 adventure tour on the Big Island
Breathtaking panoramic views of the Hawaiian landscape
Explore the volcano on foot
Off-road travel up the side of Hualalai
Learn about the Big Island's distinct geology and rock formations

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

This tour takes you on a thrilling off-road ride up the side of Hulalai Volcano.

What's Included

Interpretative Naturalist Guide
Refillable filtered water, Juices, Sparkling Flavored Waters
Walking sticks, daypacks and rain gear
Local taxes
Access Fees
Snacks

Gratuities
Hotel pick-up and drop off

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Hawaii Forest & Trail Kona Headquarters
73-5593 A, 73-5593 Olowalu St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Across from Home Depot

Start time

07:30 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Hawaii Forest and Trail

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Hualalai

3 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Kona Coast State Park

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 5 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

We require that guests wear closed-toe walking shoes or hiking boots. We recommend wearing shorts, short sleeved shirt, and bring a light sweatshirt or jacket
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Not recommended for child aged 7 and under
Not recommended for participants with back or neck problems
**We are unable to accommodate cruise ship guests on this adventure, due to timing restrictions**
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Victoria_J

My daughter and I had the most amazing Crater hike experience lead by our guide Taro! He was very knowledgeable of the history and nature along the trails, and considerate of his fellow hikers. We learned so much from start to finish. He answered all of my questions, and I had a lot!! LOL! We look forward to taking another tour through this company.

Reviews

5.0

111 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 111 reviews

Nice hike and great experience!

Richard_S, Sep 2023

It was a nice hike with the tour guide Mattheo. He told us a lot about the landscape and the history of Hawaii. We saw many cool craters and climbed through a lava tunnel. Mattheo provided us with equipment and beverages. It was a great experience.

Guide was great. And on...

Julienne_S, Aug 2023

Guide was great. And on the hike you see some many types of landscapes - lava tubes, craters, new forest, old forest. It was amazing!

A Must do tour

Victoria_J, Jul 2023

Best hike!

Tonya_T, Mar 2023

Best hike on the island. Rob was full of great information. We got to see such beautiful untouched land. Great experience!

Fun hike - learned a lot with great scenery

Joe_B, Feb 2023

This was a really fun hike. Our guide, Jon, was very experienced and knowledgeable. We learned a lot about the plants and topography on the hike. The old growth forest is pretty special. The lava tube was fairly easy to navigate - felt safe at all times. The departure point at HF&T is very easy to find and has adequate parking.

Amazing and worth seeing

Joyanne_B, Jan 2023

walking so close to cinder, caves, etc...great viewings..better understanding and knowledge of volcanoes

You need to book this hike!

Kristy_M, Oct 2022

Mark was fantastic! He made the experience unforgettable. He was very passionate about the land and knowledgeable about the area we were exploring. He made it as difficult or easy as we wanted along the way. The tour provided extra bags, walking sticks, snacks, drinks, and other options which was a great added bonus to the tour because the walking sticks were definitely needed. Would recommend this to anyone looking for an amazing hike with an amazing tour guide around Kona.

Recommended!

Cin_W, Sep 2022

I wish the weather wasn't so overcast during the day of our tour, but the craters were still breathtaking anyway! Mateo (our guide) was very knowledgeable and made sure that everyone was safe and comfortable. Without saying so, he was very aware when to stop and let folks who had a little more difficulty hiking catch their breath and rest. This isn't an intense hike, but the terrain can be tricky depending on recent rain/trail conditions. My wife and I are in decent shape, but when we were descending the trail (it was slippery) that my knees were definitely throbbing! This tour definitely isn't for you if you have bum knees or are not in good physical condition. I thank the crew for providing ample snacks, drinks, and especially, hiking poles, to make sure the guests were taken care of! I also appreciate Mateo for sharing local stories and legends to give us a newfound appreciation of the land.

Fun and interesting!

Brynn_L, Jul 2022

Great hike! Challenging but not too strenuous. Adam was a great guide who gave us a lot of topical information and interesting stories. Highly recommend

Adventure, Experience and Views

dominicjoe2004, Jul 2022

We had a splendid experience. The hike was a little more than moderate. There was some challenging terrain and steepness. Awesome views up on the elevation. Our guide Mark and Nick were great. Knowledgeble and safe concious. This hike can be slippery, there are lots of loose gravel. I would recommend this activity to anyone.

Mark was the best guide! Take the tour

porshawna_m, Jul 2022

Mark was a great guide. Very acknowledgeable about the big island and the land. He made sure we left no trace of us being up there gave us breaks when he could see we were tired. I recommend anyone wanting a great physical push to do this hike! It was amazing they gave us protein bars juice and Water to keep us going. Mark also had options for those that didn’t want a hard trail and those who wanted the hard trail. We still were able to keep together and be safe but push ourselves if we wanted to. We were wrapping up in the forest and there was a moment our group just wanted to be still and take in the land quiet and Mark gave us that moment and let us take in all in. It’s not a tour For someone who hasn’t hiked before or isn’t an outdoors person.

Highly recommend booking this!

Lacey_C, Jun 2022

This was an amazing experience I’m so grateful to have had on our trip to the Big Island. This is a unique chance to hike very sacred, ancestral land. Our guide Mark was wonderful- very knowledgeable about the land and Hawaiian culture, great personality and holds space for feedback and expectations you have for your hike. I just can’t say enough about what it meant to have this experience. If you love nature, like to hike (this isn’t an easy, paved walk I will warn you), are interested in Hawaiian culture don’t think twice and book it! You won’t regret it. Thank you!!

Breath taking

Randy_M, May 2022

Loved it! Such a be peaceful day and a spectacular birthday!! The tour guide was humorous and well knowledged in Hawaiian culture and provided extra tid bits of knowledge. Definitely a must do hike!

Amazing technical hike

Marie_T, Apr 2022

My boyfriend and I loved this hike. We are avid hikers so we enjoy a challenge. This is a real hike and definitely not a stroll in the park. I would recommend this for someone that loves hiking and does not have an mobility issues. We learned so much and the views were amazing. The best part was the lava tube. Our guide was Taro and he was very knowledgeable and engaging.

Great adventure with terrific guide.

Edwin_J, Apr 2022

It was a hike off of the beaten path. Saw the real natural part of the island that most never see. Would do it again!

Beautiful worthwhile adventure

Muriel_R, Feb 2022

Mystical in the old woods, listening and watching the birds. The old craters along the rift zone was unexpected but beautiful.

Experience of a life time !!!!!!!!

Barbara_T, Feb 2022

I booked with the intent of having a good time on a hike but I actually had a hiking experience I will never forget ! It was exhilarating and magical. I completely was not expecting to be blown away by the views of the crators. Our guide Mark was extremely knowledgeable and elevated the entire experience by pointing out rare and endangered birds. ASK for Mark as your guide !!! As a hiking enthusiast you WILL NOT regret this experience. IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!!!!

Highly recommend!!! Great way to spend a morning in Kona!

RaeA_W, Feb 2022

Excellent tour! Other reviewers mentioned a “bumpy ride” on the way to the hike and they meant it!!! Jon was an excellent guide and lots of fun (5 star tour guide and 1 star for his jokes—haha). This hike is not for the novice—wear your hiking shoes and bring a few layers of clothing which you will need to peel off as you work your way up the mountain. Use the walking sticks which are provided—they were a huge help for our group. Excellent views from the mountain and climbing through the lava tube was a highlight. Would highly recommend!

Awesome excursion

Sharie_N, Feb 2022

What an awesome excursion - so worth it. How many times does a person get to climb into a Lava tube and walk along the ridge of a crater? Once in a lifetime!!! Marc the guide was knowledgeable about Hawaiian culture and the natural environment. It was a delight being on his tour. Loved and appreciated his Aloha spirit.

Beautiful & Informational

William_G, Jan 2022

Our guide, Dave, was both accommodating and entertaining. The hike was filled with scenery that put me on my heals....a visual sensation.