View of the Bonito Lava Flow from the A’a Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Length: .2-mile
Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆

The A’a Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is a .2-mile trail that crosses through a section of the Bonito Lava Flow. Its name comes from the Hawaiian word for “stony, rough lava,” which describes the type of lava in the Bonito Lava Flow. Two wayside exhibits at the parking lot provide information about the area’s plant life and geology.

The trail is C-shaped, with trailheads at either end of the parking lot. On the western side is a gap in the fence and a sign that identifies the trail. On the eastern side is simply a sign with the word TRAIL written on it. It makes no difference which end you start at. Either way, there is a steep descent of about 50 yards before coming to the bottom where the terrain is fairly level. I started the hike at the western trailhead, and this report is written from that perspective.

Western trailhead of the A’a Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Eastern trailhead of the A’a Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

The first fifty yards of the A’a Trail descends gradually along a rough path of lava rocks. The overall grade of the slope is 12% (strenuous hiking begins at 15%), though there are a couple of short, steeper sections. Like other trails in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, be careful not to slip on any loose lava rocks when hiking downhill.

Typical terrain on the A’a Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Once at the bottom of the hill, the A’a Trail continues through the Bonito Lava Flow, passing large, jagged blocks of rough basalt lava. The path stays fairly level for the next tenth of a mile, which is probably why the National Park Service describes the hike as easy, and it may very well be cardiovascular-wise. However, the rough terrain—not to mention the steep hills at the start and finish—does not make it suitable for those with mobility issues. Anyone who steps wrong and ends up falling on the sharp lava rocks is going to be in a lot of pain.

Typical terrain on the A’a Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Rough terrain on the A’a Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

The last fifty yards of the A’a Trail is the climb back to the parking lot. This hill has an average grade of 14.5%, but the trail is much wider and smoother on this side.

Uphill section at the eastern end of the A’a Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Terrain of the A’a Trail just before reaching the parking lot at the eastern trailhead, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Overall, the A’a Trail is a quick hike that gets you up close and personal with the Bonito Lava Flow. If you don’t have the time for the much longer Lava’s Edge Trail, which also passes through the lava flow, the short A’a Trail is a good alternative.

View of Sunset Crater from the A’a Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

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