Wow! And I am NOT talking about anything the Park Service will tell you about "seeing" lava, which right now to the NPS means seeing the glow from 2 miles away. The Park Service thinks even that kind of hike--with a long-distance view-- is for "crazy people". What we did--twice the distance-- must make us certifiable!

The lava flow changes locations depending on where a surface breakout might occur. While sometimes in the past they have occurred closer to the end of Chain of Craters Rd, now they are quite a distance. It paid to go with someone who knew where to find it.

We saw the glowing and flowing red lava from 2 feet away, felt the heat, heard the hisssss. Amazing!

We arranged it online through Arnott's Lodge in Hilo (we were staying at Volcano Artist Cottage but you can still get on the Arnott's adventures at a slightly higher fee if not a lodge guest).
This was one of the most strenuous hikes we have ever made and NOT for sissies. When we read the Arnott's Lodge website info about the hike we were almost laughing because it is just 4 pages of dire warnings. We signed up anyway. After 6 1/2 hours we weren't laughing, just stinky and sore but exhilarated!

This is a 9 mile round trip hike in the sun and humidity, over 90 degrees, up and down and up and down over the pahoehoe lava formations. We were the oldest (42 and 49) and slowest in the group. We took breaks about every mile or mile and a half. Then after 3 1/2 miles we started veering up the slope of Kilauea just in case it wasn't hard enough already!

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and if you think you fit enough, go for it!! But DO follow all the warnings: carry a backpack with at least 2 liters of water per person and high-energy snacks; wear long pants and proper footwear; carry a flashlight for the last part of the hike; wear a pair of garden gloves; keep hands free for balance in climbing over lava mounds! If you slip and fall the lava will cut and scrape up whatever skin hits it. You might also carry a few bandaids and sterile wipes or antibacterial ointment. The guide has first aid supplies but I was glad I had my own so I could take care of my cut and scraped hand quickly (and then I put the gloves on, duh). Do not try this by yourself-- go with someone who has a GPS with the most recent lava spotting info.

Take another entire day or two to explore the other areas of the park, crater rim drive and overlooks, wonderful trails and views to be found all over the park. Spend some time in the park's visitor center to learn about the volcanoes and the seismology. Just to clear it all up for us after we had read at the center all about the island's frequent earthquakes, we experienced one in Waimea our last night on the island, a 3.4--strong enough to feel unmistakably.

One question - did you pee on it?

Inquiring Fodorite minds want to know.

Where IS that thread by the way?

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34847006

No, starrs, I'm sure they just replaced the bottled stuff!

If you were 2 feet away from red flowing lava, you were irresponsibly close. It is nice for you that you felt the heat, hear the hisses, etc, but you were not at all in a safe area and either you or your guide should not have been there. If Arnott's is sponsoring this kind of stuff, they need to call their lawyer. Lava is like Playdo on a hot day.

I disagree Ag3046 and I live here. Several times when I went out, the NP rangers took us walking OVER the "red lava". The guides and rangers know what they're doing. Noone is allowed out on the bench, but getting "close enough to touch" is done on a daily basis by Arnott's and the NP. service.

Yes, safety was paramount, the guide was well-prepared and knowledgeable, and the hikers were not foolish. Also remember we were traveling upslope, not toward the bench. We did not enter any area that had been roped off by the NPS. Check the Arnott's Lodge adventure tours description for this hike and you will see that precautions are many. There are also photos on the homepage.