10 Hiking Tours on the Big Island for a Free Day

1.Hidden Craters Hike of Kona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $198Our pick

Join Hawaii Forest & Trail for a small-group hike on Hualalai’s upper slopes. Guides such as Mark, Matteo, Taro, and others explain volcanic geology, native plants, Hawaiian culture, and local stories as you cross rough lava, visit craters, and enter a lava tube. Expect about four miles of uneven terrain, steep sections, and up to 1,000 feet of elevation change.

“Mark was a great guide. Very acknowledgeable about the big island and the land. He made sure we left no trace of us being up there gave us breaks when he could see we were tired. I recommend anyone wanting a great physical push to do this hike! It was amazing they gave us protein bars juice and Water to keep us going. Mark also had options for those that didn’t want a hard trail and those who wanted the hard trail. We still were able to keep together and be safe but push ourselves if we wanted to. We were wrapping up in the forest and there was a…”

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2.Secret Tide Pool Hike – Jungle & Coast – Private

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 92 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $100Best value

Join Josh or Kat for a private 2.5-hour hike near Pāhoa through jungle, boulder fields, and jagged lava rock to a secluded tide pool. You’ll need sturdy hiking shoes, separate water shoes, a towel, and moderate fitness. Pool access depends on tides and weather, and a nearby coastal spot replaces swimming if conditions are poor.

“This is a real wild exploration experience that you can meet the true environment of Big Island. The trial is not able to find on a map but local people may know. Climbing up and down on lava rocks is challenging and exciting. Josh is a very experienced tour guide and excellent hiker can always bring you to the secret pool safely.”

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3.Kilauea: Volcanoes National Park Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 61 reviews · 3 hours · from $120

Join a certified English-speaking guide for a 3-hour, 4-mile loop through native Hawaiian rainforest and around a hardened lava lake. Guides such as Jennifer and Yvonne explain geology, plants, wildlife, Hawaiian traditions, and eruption data. Lava viewing depends on Kilauea’s activity and weather. Meet at the Kilauea Visitor Center.

“Absolutely recommendable! Jennifer, such an incredibly kind person, shared so many fascinating insights about the volcano, the local plants, and wildlife with us. Since the volcano erupted earlier than our scheduled tour time, she reached out to us and arranged to meet earlier so we could witness it. Truly an experience I can’t recommend enough!”

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4.Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 30 reviews · 6h 30m · from $230

Spend about 6.5 hours with an English-speaking guide such as Jennifer, hiking rainforest trails, crossing Kilauea Iki Crater, visiting volcanic steam vents, and walking through Thurston Lava Tube. Breakfast and a gourmet picnic are included, but park entry costs extra.

“The Guide Jennifer was absolutely great and Sweet. We loved to here her storys and legends about the Volcanoe.”

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5.Off the Beaten Path Volcano Crater Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 5 hours · from $198

Join Hawaii Forest & Trail for a five-hour hike on Hualalai’s upper slopes, where private access leads through native cloud forest, volcanic craters, fissures, and an optional lava tube. Guides such as Toro and Rob have provided local stories, gear, drinks, and steady support. Expect rocky ground, changing weather, and a small group of up to 10.

“First time, excellent for beginners! Just pay attn to the requirements and wear good hiking apparel. Tour guides are excellent in treating us with educational stories of the area and care!”

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6.Hilo: Elite Volcano Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 8 reviews · 8h 30m · from $189

Spend about 8.5 hours exploring the 2018 eruption zone and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a small group of up to 13. Walk old lava flows, see Fissure 8 and Halema’uma’u Crater, and enjoy lunch, drinks, hotel pickup, and guides such as Ray or Nick.

“Tour was interesting and traveling van was nice and comfortable. Drive to Hilo from the opposite side of island is long. Our tour guide was wonderful, very accomodating and well prepared. For as long as the drive is, It would have been nice to have a recorded video/audio of the history of the Hawaiian islands, instead of the guide having to talk the whole time (sure he would have appreciated a break). The places that we were taken to were as expected with some unexpected and wonderful stops. Tour is great for older, less able people. Younger, more adventurous people may want more.”

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7.Hilo: Waterfall Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 8 reviews · 4 hours · from $150

Join Christian of Kalaninuimehameha for a four-hour, small-group hike through Hilo’s waterfall country. Visit Waiānuenue, Peʻepeʻe, Waiʻale, and Waiʻlima Falls, swim at Waiʻale, hear Hawaiian language, and learn cultural practices connected to water. Expect wet trails, steep sections, rock scrambling, and a group limited to six.

“Had a fantastic day with Christian learning about the Hawaiian culture, history and vision. The experience is much more than beauty of the waterfalls, it’s about the true nature and passion of the Hawaiian people to preserve paradise and live together. If you want to truly experience Hawaii and its beginning, Christian is your guide.”

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8.Native Bird Watching & Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 12 hours · from $287

Join Hawaii Forest & Trail for a small-group day at restricted-access Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. Guide Gary leads up to four miles of hiking and bird tracking, with chances to see Iʻiwi, ʻAkiapōlāʻau, ʻAmakihi, ʻElepaio, ʻIo, and other Hawaiian endemics. A 4WD Mercedes Sprinter, lunch, binoculars, rain gear, and daypacks are included.

“I researched guided tours for birding. This one is amazing! Our tour guide, Garry, was so knowledgeable! We not only saw many birds (12 lifers for me) but learned about the history of the island of Hawaii and the ongoing conservation efforts being carried out. I highly recommend.”

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9.Small Group Rainforest Trail Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $105

Ride with Ola Nani Ranch through the lush Wao Kele o Puna Forest Reserve on a quiet one-hour trail for intermediate and advanced riders. Kimberly and her team adjust the pace to your ability, provide helmets and ride photos, then offer cold drinks and time to browse local products at the ranch.

“Jazda na koni bola úžasná. Dievčatá nám všetko vysvetlili a našu vychádzku prispôsobili našim schopnostiam. Majitelia boli veľmi zlatí a dobrí ľudia.”

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10.Hilo: Kilauea Fissure 8 Hiking, Volcanoes and Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3 reviews · 8 hours · from $239

Spend eight hours with Aloha Aina Tours exploring Fissure 8, Kīlauea and historic Hilo. Guide Steve has been praised for his local stories. Expect easy walking, scenic drives, lava fields, waterfalls, a sandwich lunch, Hawaiian drinks and several park stops. Kona pickup is available but adds 1.5 to 2 hours of return travel.

“Not 5 stars cos unfortunately the fissure 8 was unavailable due to roads being blocked by construction. However we received a partial refund and we visited a beautiful waterfall instead. The tour guide -Steve was wonderful. Very interesting with local insight .”

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