The trail heads south through pioneer ʻōhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha) forest, brush and grassland in the direction of Volcano Village. It passes over the 1855 & 1881 lava flows and through several kīpuka (pockets of forest surrounded by lava) of mixed native species and older koa (Acacia koa). Hikers may return by way of Powerline Road, a hunter access road which intersects the trail at the 3.7 mile point and rejoins Daniel K. Inouye Highway about 0.5 mi. closer to Hilo. An interesting nature hike through a variety of mostly native vegetation, Puʻu ʻŌʻō Trail offers birders the opportunity to see ʻiʻiwi (Vestiaria coccinea), ʻapapane (Himatione sanguinea), ʻamakihi (Chlorodrepanis virens), ʻelepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis), ʻōmaʻo (Myadestes obscurus), ʻio (Buteo solitarius), ʻakiapōlāʻau (Hemignathus wilsoni) and nēnē (Branta sandvicensis). It was pioneered by early cattle ranchers to drive their stock to embarkation points on the coast. Rain, fog and cool temperatures are common.
Part of the Hawai‘i Island Birding Trail (see link below)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highest Point: 5,810 ft.
- Lowest Point: 5,650 ft.
