Strenuous Hike Across the Crater Floor

For experienced and prepared hikers, there's no better way to appreciate the challenge and the joy of the crater than to hike into it, across the floor, and out the other side. This hike is extremely strenous, crossing 11.2 miles (17.7 km) of rugged terrain, and involving several thousand feet of elevation change. Anyone undertaking this hike should be familiar with extreme mountain environments. The entire hike is in the remote Wilderness Area, where assistance may be hours away or unaccessible altogether. Most thru hikers prefer to start at the Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) Trailhead, located in a corner of the Haleakalā Visitor Center parking lot. Be advised that the thru hike is not a loop, and hikers will conclude their hike at the Halemauʻu Trailhead, several miles down the road from their starting point. Hikers are responsible for coordinating their own transportation between trailheads. The park cannot offer hiker shuttles, so consider using the “hiker pick-up” near here. Points of Interest: The "crater floor" is 3.9 miles (6.3 km) down one way. The elevation change is almost 2,500 ft/762 m. Kawilinau is about 5.7 miles in (9.2 km) was formerly called the "bottomless pit." The volcanic pit is 65 feet deep. Hike around the Halāli'i pu'u to catch the view of Kawilinau, and explore this colorful cinder cone.