Crater Rim to Chain of Craters

We started our visit to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park by driving Crater Rim Drive. This is a fascinating drive that brought us from the park entrance and visitor centre to the Chain of Craters Road.

At the scenic stop points along Crater Rim Drive, we attempted to soften our skin with the natural steam vents and stood in awe at the size of the Halema'uma'u Crater. It is easy to compare the landscape here to an extra-terrestrial place. Along the Drive, we were provided with reminders of the continued activities of these volcanoes, labelling the various lava flows that we passed from before 1924 to a much more recent 1982.

Chain of Craters Road descends (3,700 foot elevation drop) to the south-eastern coast of the Big Island.