Rano Raraku Moai Quarry Trail
Explore the volcanic nursery where nearly all 900 moai were carved — a haunting landscape of half-finished statues embedded in the hillside.
- 1
Rano Raraku Entrance
The extinct volcanic cone of Rano Raraku contains the quarry where Rapa Nui carvers created 95% of all moai over five centuries of continuous work.
- 2
Outer Slope Moai Field
Dozens of moai stand half-buried up to their necks on the outer slopes — statues in transit, planted upright while their backs were finished.
- 3
Carving Face of the Cliff
The quarry face shows moai at every stage of completion — some still attached to the rock by a narrow spine of tuff, awaiting the final separation.
- 4
El Gigante — Largest Moai
The largest moai ever carved lies unfinished in the quarry, measuring 21.6 metres long — had it been completed, it would have weighed 270 tonnes.
- 5
Crater Lake Interior
A trail climbs inside the crater to a serene reed-fringed lake, where additional moai stand on the inner slopes in various states of completion.
- 6
Moai Removal Ramp
The stone ramp at the base of the quarry is where completed moai were lowered and then walked upright to their platforms across the island.
Walk this route with audio
Stories play automatically as you reach each stop — no tapping needed.
