Kipuka Puaulu Trail - Volcano, Hawaii

Address: Mauna Loa Rd, Volcano, HI 96785.

Website: nps.gov
Specialties: Park, Tourist attraction.
Other points of interest: Onsite services, Hiking, Good for kids, Kid-friendly hikes, Dogs allowed.
Opinions: This company has 95 reviews on Google My Business.
Average opinion: 4.7/5.

📌 Location of Kipuka Puaulu Trail

⏰ Open Hours of Kipuka Puaulu Trail

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Kipuka Puaulu Trail: A Hidden Gem in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Located on Mauna Loa Road in Volcano, Hawaii, the Kipuka Puaulu Trail is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful escape within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This park, a renowned tourist attraction, offers a range of onsite services and facilities to enhance your experience.

Specialties and Points of Interest

This trail is a perfect blend of natural beauty and educational value, showcasing unique ecosystems and diverse flora and fauna
The trail is suitable for all ages, making it an excellent choice for families with kids
Dogs are welcome on the trail, adding to the inclusive nature of the experience

Trail Description

The Kipuka Puaulu Trail, also known as the Bird Park Trail, is a short, easy hike that winds through a protected forest. The well-maintained trail is approximately 0.7 miles long and takes about 45 minutes to complete at a leisurely pace. This makes it an ideal choice for those looking for a brief escape into nature without committing to a lengthy hike.

Along the trail, hikers are greeted by a diverse array of native Hawaiian birds, including the 'apapane, 'i'iwi, and Hawaii 'elepaio. The forest floor is adorned with vibrant native plants and the occasional Kamehameha butterfly, adding to the visual richness of the experience. The trail's location within the park offers a quiet and serene atmosphere, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the sounds of nature.

Accessibility and Facilities

Access to the Kipuka Puaulu Trail is straightforward, with easy parking options near the entrance station. The trail's proximity to the park's main facilities ensures that visitors can easily enjoy additional attractions and services within the park.

Reviews and Opinions

With a impressive 95 reviews on Google My Business, the Kipuka Puaulu Trail boasts an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Visitors consistently praise the trail's pleasant atmosphere, well-maintained condition, and the chance to spot native Hawaiian birds and plants. The combination of educational value, scenic beauty, and accessibility has made this trail a standout attraction within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Recommendation

If you're planning a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and seeking a delightful nature experience, be sure to include the Kipuka Puaulu Trail on your itinerary. With its family-friendly atmosphere, dog-friendly policy, and stunning natural surroundings, this trail offers a unique opportunity to explore the heart of Hawaii's natural beauty. For more information, including trail conditions and updates, please visit the official park website at nps.gov.

👍 Reviews of Kipuka Puaulu Trail

Jean W.

5/5

This pleasant, well-maintained trail through a protected forest was a nice break. We heard many birds, although we saw very few, however, it was only early afternoon. We also saw Kamehameha butterflies flitting in the tall shrubs. The trail hike took us about 45 minutes.

Kathy H.

5/5

Good birding trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Short, easy trail in quiet part of park. Easy to get to, easy to park, not far from entrance station, but no line of cars to wait in.
Picnic area with vault toilet nearby.

Kimberly G.

5/5

Amazing. It is a bit of an up and down because the trail is on the side of the mountain but there are a lot of neat info plaques about plant species. Definitely download the trail guide before you go. There is no restroom at the trailhead but there's a day use area just before you get here that has one as well as picnic tables.

Heather S.

5/5

Great, non-strenuous hike through indigenous flora of the Big Island. Lots of Kalij pheasants on trail, beautiful birds. Heard but didn't see the 'apapane singing in the trees. Not on the standard tourist radar, but definitely worth seeking out!

potato S.

5/5

This is a great, easy trail that is a 1.2 mile loop. There are a lot of plants and snimals here. I could hear many birds and even saw several kalij pheasants.
There is a bench along the trailer to rest or sit and listen to the birds. There is a lava tube with a sign saying not to enter.
I recommend buying the $2 pamplet at the entrance. It is very imformative and makes a great keepsake of the walk.

Gregg K.

5/5

A perfect trail for anybody with limited physical ability. With a really bad back I still had no problems walking the entire 1.2 mile trail, and there were many spots along the trail where you can stop and sit quietly while watching for birds. The weather in late May was perfect: partly sunny with a cool breeze and the occasional misting from passing clouds. The trail is shaded more often than not, and the slope going up is very gradual as it is going down on the other side. We heard lots of birds, including cardinals, but most kept out of sight in the canopy. The exceptions were the numerous kalij pheasant that are very friendly and will approach without fear. We also saw an 'apapane and numerous small birds that were too far away to identify. Plenty of interesting and beautiful flora if you are not into birds. We encountered only a few other hikers during our visit and the parking at the trailhead was empty.

Rick P.

4/5

A well maintained walk in the tropical forest with lots of signage to identify trees and plants. I really liked it!

It can be a bit strenuous on the first half of the loop because of going uphill, but it's not bad for most people. Note that the trail is uneven terrain, so I don't recommend it for wheelchairs or other wheeled devices such as strollers.

William ?. K.

4/5

Not spectacular, but a nice place to go to enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature. It is a big loop walk with many birds chirping and singing. If you want to enjoy a more peaceful and tranquil experience (with fewer noisy people) go on a weekday since more people tend to show up on the weekends. The road to Mauna Loa lookout starts here, but the gate was closed when we visited in January 2019.