Waldron Ledge Hike, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Written and Produced by Donald B MacGowan
Narrated by Frank Burgess
Video and Still Photography by Donnie MacGowan and Frank Burgess

A short, 20 minute-or-so hike on a section of Crater Rim Drive abandoned after an earthquake made the crater edge unstable. Strolling through lush fern and o'hia forest brings one to spectacular views of the Kilauea Caldera, Waldron Ledge and Pu'u Pai at the mouth of Kilauea Iki Crater. This hike is one of the few places where bicycles are allowed, and the generally shaded road makes for a pleasant, but short, ride or hike. This trail is a great way to get away from noise and traffic and experience the lush, high altitude fern forest firsthand.

The overlook at Waldron Ledge is a particularly spectacular place, perched on the edge of the vast wasteland of Kilauea Caldera. It's a good place to observe the current eruption in Halema'uma'u, especially early in the morning when the rising sun lights up the eruption cloud, or in the evening when the setting sun shines through it.

No services are available once you leave the area of the Visitor's Center and Volcano House.

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