Rano Kau Crater on Easter Island

Easter Island – Te Ara O Te Ao Trail

An impressive hike on Easter Island, the Te Ara O Te Ao Trail from Hanga Road town up to Rano Kau crater, via the Manavai Garden is a moderate to challenging day trek depending on weather.

Most people hire a car or simply hop in a taxi for the ride up the hill to the edge of the crater and nearby Orongo ruins. But doing that  you miss out on some great seaside scenery, a botanical garden, ocean-side caves and an enjoyable uphill hike through grassy fields and tree patches that offer a beautiful panoramic view of the island.

Easter Island Trail Marker - Pie del Rano Kau
Pie del Rano Kau Tuki Marker on Easter Island

 

I started my hike at Camping Mihinoa, where I was staying. It is a bit on the edge of town, so I was already between hike marker (or ‘TUKI’) 10 and 11 when I got on the road. From there, you follow the road towards the mountain that looms in the distance. The full trail, one-way is slightly more than 3.5km long and takes roughly 2 hours at a decent pace, but stopping to enjoy the highlights.

Highlight 1: Fishing Harbour

On the outskirts of town is the lively fishing harbour. This is where so many Easter Islanders make their living, heading out to sea each day to catch some fish. No tourist facilities here, this is all business.

Fishing Boats on Easter Island
Easter Island - Fishing Boats on the Outskirts of Hanga Roa

 

Highlight 2: Flowers and Trees

Flowering hibiscus are among the more colourful sights you’ll see on a hike up to Rano Kau.

 

Hibiscus Flower
There are plenty of trees and flowers along the Te Ara O Te Ao trail

 

Highlight 3: Ahu Riata

A fairly simple Ahu. You can find Ahu Riata across the road from the harbour and just before the airport. As you can see in the photo here, airplanes fly in pretty close!

Ahu Riata, Easter Island
Ahu Riata on Easter Island, with Moa Statues and Airplane in the Background

 

Highlight 4: Manavai Exhibition Garden

Dozens of different plants are on exhibit in this botanical garden. They’re mostly protected with circular rock structures surrounding them, to keep them safe from rodents. Easter Island was once nearly all forest, before the early inhabitants wiped it clear. Today, efforts are under way to re-forest the island with endemic plant species.

Manavai Exhibition Garden - Mandioca
Mandioca, a native plant, at the Manavai Exhibition Garden

 

Highlight 5: Observacion Geologica

A great view of the island and Hanga Roa town. You can stop for a break, have a picnic on a bench or just enjoy the view here.

Te Ara O Te Ao Trail - View of Hanga Roa
View of Hanga Roa from the Observacion Geologica

 

Highlight 6: Cooling off in a Rainstorm

I had a big rainstorm blow in halfway between the  Observacion Geologica and Rano Kau. Considering I was dumb and had run out of water in the 35C heat it was a welcome relief. Did I mention I only ran across two other people on the entire hike? A local father and his daughter who were hiking down the mountain. They seemed surprise to see me, a visitor, bothering to enjoy some nature on Easter Island.

Storm Clouds Clearing on Easter Island
Storms Roll in Quick on Easter Island, but Give Welcome Relief to the Heat

 

Highlight 7: Mirador Rano Kau

This is the reward at the top of the hill and edge of the ocean. One of the most amazing views I’ve ever enjoyed! Hiking inside the crater is technically not allowed and can be quite dangerous, but some people venture further.

Rano Kau Crater on Easter Island
Crater of Rano Kau Lookout on Easter Island

 

Highlight 8: Taking the Easy Road back to Town

On the way down I took the easier route and hiked down the main road. It goes more inland and is actually a longer route that allows you to pass by a few farms and through some forest and rural parts of the island before swinging back to the coast, around the airport.

Road from Rano Kau and Orongo to Hanga Roa
Road to Hanga Roa from Rano Kau Crater

 

It was not nearly as scenic a hike as the way up was, but if you feel like taking it easy, it still gives you a better appreciation of the island than driving does. Just be wary of the local farm animals, I had a stare down with a rather intimidating cow on this remote road!

5 thoughts on “Easter Island – Te Ara O Te Ao Trail”

  1. Neat sights. I guess I probably should have known, but didn’t realize that Easter Island is volcanic. I like the tree at the end with the storm clouds behind it.

    We did a hike similar to this around a Greek island a few years ago. The rocky coasts and sights along the beach out and the straight across through farmland back.
    Andrew recently posted..Fiordland Park : Forests, Mountains and Waterfalls

    1. Hey Linda! Indeed…the head shots of the Moai are classic, but Easter Island does have more to see and do. It’s a great little island to explore if you ever have the chance.

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