Broken Top Loop Trail

The Broken Top Loop Trail is one of the most outstanding hiking trails in Craters of the Moon National Monument. In addition to fantastic views over the park, you can explore almost all of the volcanic features left by the eruptions that occur around every 2,000 years.

If you want to delve deep into the geology and history of the trail, you can pick up the Broken Top Loop hiking guide in advance at the Visitor Center. You start at the parking lot, which is also the trailhead for the Wilderness Trail and the Tree Molds Trail. The volcano you are now hiking around is part of the youngest lava in the Snake River Plain, which covers around 20,000 square kilometers. It is also the main source of the massive lava field around you.

Along the way you will always find information boards that tell you a lot of exciting things about the history and rocks of the area. A short detour takes you to a viewpoint over the Blue Dragon Flow, where the lava shines like black-blue dragon skin. He is just 2,100 years young. On the horizon you can see Big Southern Butte, a massive lava dome that was formed by lava breaking through the earth's surface about 300,000 years ago.

As you walk, keep an eye out for special lava formations like the “bread crust bomb”: round lava rocks that formed when hot lava was thrown into the air, cooled, and the exterior cracked like a loaf of bread. The final stop is Buffalo Cave, although it may be closed to protect the bats.