When it comes to hikes in Indonesia, there are just so many to choose from. In a country with over 17,000 islands, mostly covered with jungle and volcanoes, it is only to be expected. The problem is, most hiking articles and guides will only really tell you about the most popular, well known and easy to access hikes. But there is SO MUCH more to hikes in Indonesia than just that.
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During our explorations of the country over the past couple of years, we have found many hikes in Indonesia that we didn’t even know existed. The great benefit of actually living in the country, is that this sort of thing tends to happen all of the time. Even in places that we visit frequently, we STILL find new and exciting trails to explore.
So I decided to sit down and write an article about some of the great hikes that we have discovered. Some of them are only short, half hour treks to great viewpoints. Others will likely take a few hours, and some will need even longer. Most of them are established trails as well. They are just not as publicized as places like Mount Batur, or Mount Ijen.
Here, I plan to remedy that.
So let’s take a look at my list of 10 Hikes in Indonesia that you’ve probably never heard of.
Table of Contents
- Gunung Api Purba
- Batu Kursi
- The Munduk Waterfalls Hike
- Nepal Van Java Basecamp Hike
- Mount Sumbing
- Mount Abang
- Munduk Twin Lakes
- Trunyan Hill
- Bukit Mende
- Tumpak Sewu Canyon
- Summary
Gunung Api Purba
I will start with one of my very favorite hikes in Indonesia. Gunung Api Purba.
This hike is not too far from Yogyakarta, in Java. If you have never been to Yogyakarta (Jogja) then you really need to try and get there someday. It’s an amazing city, and has an ambience that you will not find anywhere else in Indonesia. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to hike and explore the incredible areas around the city such as the hills, volcanoes and beaches.
Gunung Api Purba comes under the classification of Volcano. This one though, is a lot different to the other volcanoes that you will find across Indonesia. Simply because Gunung Api Purba is an Ancient Volcano, known as Nglanggeran Ancient Volcano.
The hike itself, if done without a break, will only take about an hour from bottom to the top. Trust me though, when I say that it will take you a LOT longer. The landscapes and views on this trek are incredible.
The hike starts out up some old, stone stairs covered in moss, with a troupe of monkeys playing in the trees above you. Almost immediately, the track dives under and between some massive boulders, before emerging and climbing rapidly up and around ancient rock cliffs. This really sets the tone for what is to come.
Slot Canyons, Alien landscapes and incredible views abound on this trek. You really have to see it to believe it. After my first trek up Gunung Api Purba, I was so taken by it, that I wrote an entire article about it. You can read about it HERE.
Of all the Hikes in Indonesia that I have done, this hike has stuck with me the most. There is even a really, spooky supernatural element to it. But you will have to read my article to find out more!
Batu Kursi
Batu Kursi is one of the shorter hikes in Indonesia on this list. In fact, it actually only takes about 25 minutes to reach the top, at a comfortable pace.
The great thing about this little hike is the incredible views. Essentially, it is a viewpoint located on the hills behind Pemuteran, in Western Bali. The locals love it, and many young people can be seen making the trek late in the day to take in the glorious sunsets.
The other interesting thing to note about Batu Kursi, is that almost the entire trek is made up of concrete stairs. This is because the path was essentially created to reach the small temple on the hilltop. What it also did though, was make the wonderful views available to everyone that has the desire to make the climb.
Batu Kursi is easy to find, and there is ample parking behind the large temple at the foot of the staircase. Start late in the day, and give yourself enough time to settle in for one of the most amazing sunsets that you will witness in Indonesia, as it disappears behind the peaks of the Volcanoes in nearby Java.
To read a bit more about Batu Kursi, check out THIS article.
You can find Batu Kursi at THIS Google maps location.
The Munduk Waterfalls Hike
One of my favorite hikes in Indonesia is the Munduk Waterfalls Hike. I know this, because I have done it multiple times, and just keep going back!
This was never really billed as an actual hike. Basically, there are four incredible waterfalls within several kilometers of each other in Munduk. All located within the same valley, on the same river. After having been to Munduk several times, and hiking to each waterfall from different directions, it occurred to me that you could actually start at one, and hike right through all four of them. It is a very beautiful and rewarding trek, even if the hike BACK is a bit tougher.
To start this hike, park nearby to Golden Valley Waterfall at THIS location. Start the trek by hiking down and enjoying one of the best, privately owned waterfalls that you will ever see! Enjoy a quick snack in the café, and then continue on toward Munduk Waterfall.
It will take 25 minutes or so to get to Munduk Waterfall, but the path is well defined and easy to follow. There are also a lot more signs now than there were when I first did it myself.
Munduk Waterfall is beautiful, and is a popular spot for wedding photos. You will understand as soon as you see it with your own eyes. I must have personally visited this waterfall over a dozen times in the last couple of years. To make it easy, our favorite homestay is only a short stroll away down the local path.
From Munduk Waterfall, you then continue downstream, stopping by at Labuan Kebo and Melanting Waterfalls. Both are glorious, and reached by long flights of stairs. Melanting in particular has about 500 stairs, so be ready for the haul back up them on the return trip!
There ARE a couple of nice little warungs/coffee shops on the path between Munduk and Labuan Kebo Waterfalls if you need a quick break.
You can read more about the Munduk Waterfalls by checking out THIS article, or clicking the link below.
Nepal Van Java Basecamp Hike
Nepal Van Java is a village located in Central Java, on the slopes of Mount Sumbing. It is honestly one of my favorite places in Indonesia. I fell in love with it on my very first visit, and that was BEFORE I even tackled the hike.
The village is traditionally an agricultural and farming village. Strewn all along the slopes of the mountain are fields that the locals work for a living. In recent times, the village itself has become famous, and a tourist attraction in its own right.
The reason?
Someone had the great idea to paint their homes in a myriad of bright colors. This, combined with the dramatic setting of the volcano looming in the background, has seen visitors flocking to their doorstep from all over Indonesia and worldwide. What it has also done though, is open up the incredible natural surroundings to many who never even knew it existed. In particular, the hike through Nepal Van Java, and up the slopes of Mount Sumbing.
The hike at Nepal Van Java is not technically a hike. When you arrive, you park in the carpark at the bottom of the village. The slopes of the mountain, and the streets of the village itself, are so steep that it is virtually impossible to get cars and normal scooters up them. Only a few well tuned trail bikes can make the trip, with riders and passengers hanging on for grim death!
To get up to the viewpoints, visitors must hike up the streets and trails from the carpark far below. On many occasions, especially later in the day, you will find yourself doing it in the clouds. You are THAT high.
Along the way through the village you will find a few warungs and places to stop. Then, as you get to the top of the village, you will find that the occasional warung is all that remains. Follow the staircase and bike track up the slopes, past some lookouts, until you eventually reach “Basecamp 1”. This is a LONG way up the mountain, and not many visitors even think about trekking that high. Especially not without good walking gear.
If you want to witness the views, but can’t quite handle the slope, then take a trail bike ride up. It is a really incredible experience! On my last visit I took one DOWN the mountain, and I would have to say those riders are crazy, if it wasn’t obvious that they are experts, and know what they are doing!
Nepal Van Java can be found at THIS Google Maps location.
Read more about Nepal Van Java in THIS article, or click the link below.
Mount Sumbing
Mount Sumbing is the hardest of the hikes in Indonesia on this list. This is a true mountain climb, up an active volcano. Don’t worry to much though, it hasn’t recorded an eruption in a couple of centuries.
Mount Sumbing is the second highest volcano in Central Java, at an imposing 3371 meters above sea level. It is a stratovolcano, and has the distinct slopes and appearance of other such volcanos.
To climb Mount Sumbing, you really should have a guide. There are several tour companies that run hikes up the mountain, usually on overnight treks. You can book these easily from nearby cities such as Yogyakarta.
When arriving at Nepal Van Java, hikers must report to the Basecamp within the village. Here, they sign the book and leave their details so that everyone knows they are on the mountain. Being an active volcano, and a possibly hostile environment, this is just common sense safety.
From Basecamp, you then have the choice to jump on the back of one of the trail bikes that will take you to Basecamp 1, high above the village. From here on though, it is your own two feet and stamina that will get you to the summit.
Experienced hikers will classify this hike as moderate. I personally would not attempt to tackle it without a little experience though. Use a bit of common sense, and do your research beforehand.
Remember – safety first!
You can find Nepal Van Java at the link above, or Basecamp at THIS Google Maps link.
Mount Abang
Mount Abang is the forgotten mountain of Bali. It is also one of the hikes in Indonesia that never really gets mentioned, due to it being overshadowed by other famous hikes nearby.
This is because of Abang’s proximity to the very famous Mount Batur and Mount Agung. Everyone knows about these popular and iconic Balinese peaks. Very few would be able to tell you where Mount Abang is, though.
It is for this reason that Abang was on the very top of my list of things to do when I first moved to Bali. It didn’t take me long to find the opportunity to climb it, and was I happy with the results!
Mount Abang sits proudly right between Mount Batur and Mount Agung. It is also right in between them when it comes to height, as well. This is actually quite deceiving. I have climbed Mount Batur on several occasions, and Abang doesn’t seem like it is any bigger. When I climbed Abang though, I was distinctly looking DOWN onto Mount Batur.
Abang is a totally different climb to her neighboring volcanoes. When you climb Batur or Agung, the forests give way to the typical scree covered and barren slopes distinctive to volcanoes. Mount Abang though is covered with forest and jungles all the way to the very peak, where it thins out just enough to allow you to take in the amazing views.
The reason for this difference is that Mount Abang isn’t technically a mountain, and not even a volcano. It is actually just the highest point of the ancient Batur Caldera Rim.
Aside from the great views and unique experience, the other reason to climb Abang is for a sunrise that you will most likely be sharing with only a small group of people. Not many climb Mount Abang, which is surprising as it is really no harder than climbing Mount Batur, although there are a couple of tricky little sections, especially in the wet. Nearby Mount Batur though, sees hundreds summiting every morning awaiting the dawn.
So do yourself a favor, and check out Mount Abang next time you visit Bali. You can it at THIS Google Maps location.
You can read more about Mount Abang in THIS article, or click the link below.
Munduk Twin Lakes
Once again we are back at Munduk. There is a good reason though, and that is the simple fact that some of the best Jungle hikes in Indonesia can be found in the area. In this case though, it is a wonderful hike around the Munduk Lakes.
The Twin Lakes of Munduk are actually located in an ancient volcano. A massive landslide split them in two millions of years ago, and these days they exist as two separate lakes.
Hiking around the lakes is a beautiful, and not even strenuous experience. For the most part the area is flat, and switches back and forth from lake side trail to jungle and back again several times. If you give yourself somewhere between several hours and a full day, you can really take the time to see some really beautiful, rarely seen sights.
For the most part, a hike will start before dawn at Tamblingan Temple, on the shores of Lake Tamblingan. The temple is iconic, and the sun rising up behind it is incredible. Begin your hike around to the right hand side of the lake, following the trail close to the water.
You will find yourself passing several other temples along the way, crossing the jungle covered strip of land between the lakes and emerging again at Buyan Lake. Here, you can follow the track right around to the far end, before heading back again.
There is plenty of camping around the lakes, and you will find in the dry season especially that many locals enjoy doing just that. You can also hire a boat and a guide, which I really recommend, that will take you out to several temples that are not possible to access on foot. If you want to see some “hidden” Bali that none of your friends will have seen, then this is your chance!
You can find the trailhead at Tamblingan Temple at THIS location.
Trunyan Hill
Trunyan Hill is a very, very little known hike that only locals talk about. It is located on the Caldera Rim right above the Village of Trunyan, which in itself is well known for another, more morbid reason.
The locals of Trunyan have a traditional method of burial that differs to anything you will see anywhere else. Instead of burying their dead, they take the bodies by boat along the lake to a spot that is inaccessible by any other means. Here is located a sweet smelling tree, and they leave the bodies at its base to decompose. The burial ground is a fascinating place to visit, with stark white bones and skulls plain to see.
High above though, there is a great hiking trail that winds from the village up to the caldera rim, not far away from Mount Abang, but on the opposite side to that which you would ascend Abang. Locals love coming up to Trunyan Hill, and often will camp overnight, enjoying an evening bonfire, singing and laughing, and then waking in the morning to the glorious sunrise over distant Lombok.
The views from Trunyan Hill are also amazing, with the beautiful lake below, and Mount Batur right behind. Mount Abang looms close by, and Mount Agung stark and dominant alongside. The views then sweep around past Lombok and Mount Rinjani, and across the magnificent blue ocean.
This is one of the hikes in Indonesia that will not stay secret for very long, and for good reason. Get there before the crowd find out about it!
To find Trunyan Hill, you will have to navigate your way to Trunyan Village. There IS a road around the lake to THIS location, but sometimes the single bridge is washed out. In this instance, you will need to hire a boat to take you across the lake.
NB: There WAS a road coming up the back side of the hill from Kubu on the North Shore. It is a very bad road, but last time I was there they were doing major works. So you MAY be able to navigate your way up to THIS location. The hike is a lot shorter, but if you are only interested in the views, this might be an option for you.
To find Trunyan Hill, HERE is a handy Google Maps location.
Bukit Mende
Bukit Mende is another of my favorite places in Bali. It is hard to find – in fact, we took several hours locating it the first time ourselves. Now that we know where it is, we have been back several times!
This is one of the short hikes in Indonesia on this list, but I HAD to include it.
Located out at the back of Kintamani, the views are 180 degrees, from Singaraja, all along the coastline towards Amed. A trek out to Bukit Mende will see you standing in the clouds on a normal day, but the views are still breathtaking.
Even though this Bukit (hill) is located right above the coastline of North Bali, the only way to access it is via the road down the mountain from Kintamani. This seems strange, and I once tried to find another way. As the crow flies, it is only a few kilometers from the village of Tejakula on the Coast. But there literally is NO way, unless you want to hike UP the mountain to get to it. In which case I have no idea how to help you!
Coming from above, the ride can be a little confusing, but I did write an article that will help you out at THIS link.
Be careful coming down the hill on a scooter, as it is rather steep. The views are amazing though. When you get close to the Bukit, the road becomes potholed and horrible to ride, so take care. The trailhead isn’t exactly visible either, but there is a good photo in my article to help you out.
The hike itself is not very long, but I have spent several hours doing it on numerous occasions. You will literally be walking in the clouds most days. The trail goes downhill at first, and then steeply up hill again. When you reach the Indonesian flag on the peak, continue on to a small orchard out on the true peak. Here is where you will get some really outstanding views.
Please also be mindful of the locals. There are several out at Bukit Mende that work the land, and do some really, really tough work. Give them right of way, and be polite.
HERE is a Google Maps location for Bukit Mende.
Tumpak Sewu Canyon
Tumpak Sewu is probably the most famous Waterfall in Indonesia. The name itself translates to “Thousand Waterfalls”, and it doesn’t take a genius to understand how it got its name. The river above flows toward the curved cliff face and spreads itself out before cascading over the rim in hundreds of separate torrents. It truly is a sight to behold, and thousands of people make the trek to see it from all over the world.
What many visitors miss out on though, is the absolutely incredible hike to the base of the falls. This is the canyon that the falls plummet into, and it truly is like descending into another world.
You can access the canyon from either side of the falls, but only one side is actually “safe”. If you try from the Coban Sewu side, be ready for many dodgy ladders and possible life risking scenarios. Not for me, I’m afraid.
On the Tumpak Sewu side (owned by a different village) there is a clearly defined descent. It is still quite an adventure, with wooden ladders, steel walkways, and at one point a descent down a mini waterfall whilst holding onto a rope. After all that, you reach the bottom, and the fun has only just begun.
Trek along the bottom of the canyon to the base of the falls, and be blown away by how amazing and absolutely massive they actually are! There are great places for photos, and several spots you can climb to to get some really wonderful views of the area.
When you are done, trek back past where you came in, and find even more beautiful waterfalls, swimming holes, and the river itself. Just beyond that, you have the option to climb up to some cool caves, and then ascend from the canyon once again. Otherwise, you can head back up the way you came.
This is truly a trek not to be missed. To read more, check out my full Guide in THIS article, or click the button below.
You can find Tumpak Sewu at THIS Google Maps link.
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Summary
There are some really amazing hikes in Indonesia. So many of them are written about and blogged about on a daily basis, while so many other, just as wonderful hikes are left out in the cold. I hope that next time you come to Indonesia, you will try some of these gorgeous adventures, and leave the more popular hikes in Indonesia to those with less imagination!
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