Big Island, the youngest of the Hawaiian island archipelago, offers diverse hiking landscapes ranging from volcano to snowcapped mountain tundra. Hiking is a great way to explore other islands in Hawaii (Kauai, Maui, or Oahu) as well.

You can easily guide yourself, especially if you are an experienced hiker. Alternatively, there are guided hawaii hiking tours available. An advantage to taking a hawaii hiking tour is that they can be educational... and you can support the local economy at the same time.

Big Island Hikes
South Kona - Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (easy)
South Kona - Manuka Nature Trail (easy)
Kalopa Native Forest Trail (easy)
Akaka Falls Trail (easy)
Kalopa Gulch Loop (easy)
Pu'u Huluhulu Trail (easy)

Iliahi Loop (easy, 1.5 hours)
The Earthquake - Caldera Floor Loop (2.7 miles, easy, 2 hours)
Devastation Trail (1 mile)
Kipuka Puaulu Trail
Kilauea Iki Loop (4 mile, 2.5 hours, harder)
Halema'uma'u - Byron Ledge (4 hour, harder)
Crater Rim rail (longest loop, 11.6 miles, 8 hours)
Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs Trail Sulphur banks (easy, 1 hour)

Easy
Kaumana Trail (3 miles; easy)
Mauna Loa Observatory Road (35 miles; easy)
Onomea Trail (0.5 miles; easy)
Puu Huluhulu Trail (0.6 miles; easy)
Puu Oo Trail (7.4 miles; moderate)

Moderate
Ainapo Road (16 miles; moderate) Ala Kahakai Trail (Kawaihae-Anaehoomalu) (15.4 miles; moderate)
Kaluakauka Trail (0.4 miles; moderate)
Mauna Kea Access Road (32 miles; moderate)
Pololu Trail (1 mile; moderate)
Puu Laau Road (8.4 miles; moderate)

Difficult
Ainapo Trail (20.4 miles; challenging)
Humuula Trail (10.5 miles; difficult)
Mauna Loa climbs (strenuous - park rangers - for more strenuous backpacking info)
Muliwai Trail (18 miles; difficult)
Waipi'o and Waimanu Valleys (2-3 day, camping permit required) (strenuous)