ʻĀinapō Trail Access Road

NOTICE: The Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has closed the Mauna Loa summit area due to high winds and severe winter weather conditions.

This infrequently maintained, unpaved, 4-wheel drive public access route passes through Kapāpala Ranch for 5.7 miles before entering the Kapāpala Forest Reserve and continuing another 2.3 miles to the ʻĀinapō Trailhead. Except for non-native grasses, the forest reserve is an excellent example of native mixed mesic koa (Acacia koa)/ʻōhiʻa (Metrosideros polyphorpha) forest, offering many opportunities to observe native forest birds such as ʻapapane (Himatione sanguinea), ʻiʻiwi (Drepanis coccinea), ʻamakihi (Chlorodrepanis virens), and ʻelepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis).

Additional Information

Allowed Access

Bicycles

Dogs

Horses

Motor Vehicles

Pedestrians

Activities

Bow Hunting

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Mountain Biking

Road Biking

Walking

Rules & Regulations

Carry Out Trash

Dogs On Leash

No Campfires

Pack Out Dog Waste

Stay On Trail

Dog Owners

Hunting may be in progress on or near this hiking trail. Hunting dogs may be off-leash while engaged in the hunt. Hikers must keep their dogs leashed at all times and remove dog waste while on this trail.

Gate code

Day use of ʻĀinapō trail does not require a permit, however, hikers are required to contact Kapāpala Ranch by text message at 808-937-8391 THE DAY BEFORE entering. The gate code will be sent back via text no later than 4:30 am the day of entry. Everyone using this public access will sign in and out on the log sheet located in the mailbox on the gate.

Prohibited

No Open Fires
No Plant Sand Dirt Rock Removal

Hazards

Hunting Area
Cattle

Features

Nature Study
4-Wheel Drive
Scenic Viewpoint
Sensitive Area

Simple Trail Tips

Stay on the trail
Check the weather
Watch the time
Avoid undue risk
Read all posted signs
Respect other trail users
Pack out at least what you pack in

Activities

Hiking
Dog Hunting
Pedestrian
Tours
Equine
Archery
Bicycle
4-Wheel Drive

Mountain Bikers

Always yield to hikers. Do not slide around corners or slide down the trail. Careless mountain biking damages the trail and causes erosion. If accidents are reported or damage to the trail is extreme, the trail may be closed to mountain bikers. This trail is not an easy mountain bike trail.

Special Conditions

Kapāpala Forest Reserve and Ranch are open to public hunting year round. Bright clothing is recommended. Reservations and permits for camping at the trail shelter may be obtained from Hawaii District Division of Forestry and Wildlife, at 808-974-4221 or the link below. Hikers continuing to the summit need to register with the National Park Rangers (808 985-6000). Do not use any trail or access road that is not delineated by name and color and that may also be displayed on these maps. The marked features are managed for public recreational use. Other trails or roads that branch off from the public features may be on private property, and are not managed for any public recreational use. Access is subject to adjacent landowner approval, and if used without authorization, you will be trespassing and possibly putting yourself at risk. Downloadable resources are provided below.