Sliding Sands Trail into Haleakalā Crater

The walk starts at the Haleakalā Visitor Center parking lot, near the top of Haleakalā at about 9,740 feet. The Keoneheʻeheʻe Trail, also called Sliding Sands, begins beside the road, passes below the hill of Pā Kaʻoao, and then drops in long sweeps down open slopes of red, grey and black cinder into the crater. Our line goes on to about 8,500 feet, level with Ka Luʻu o ka ʻŌʻō, a cinder cone on the north side of the trail, and turns back there, with the crater floor still far below. Return the same way.

It is 4.1 miles (6.6 km) round trip with 1,190 feet (364 m) of climbing; allow about 3 hours. The grade is Moderate: a good path, but high, and every foot of climbing comes on the way back.

The park says to allow twice as long to climb out as to walk in. The air is thin, and altitude sickness and hypothermia are real risks; the sun is harsh, and cold, wind and rain can come at any time of year. Carry water and food, as there is none on the trail, and stay on the marked path.

The park charges $30 a vehicle, valid for three days and paid by card. Driving in between 3 and 7 am for the sunrise needs a reservation; a daytime visit does not.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.