Mount Abang is located in the Bangli Regency, and presides over the glorious lake, Danau Batur. The mountain forms a section of the Batur caldera rim, and in it’s own right is the third highest peak in Bali, behind Mount Agung and Mount Batukaru. Abang is not as well known as it’s neighbor, Mt Batur, however visitors and hikers are more recently looking toward the Mount Abang hike as a fresh and challenging alternative to the highly populated Batur trail.
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The head of the trail to Mount Abang hike can be easily found by just a quick search on Google maps. The relatively new Mount Abang Trekking Office will put you only a short drive of a few minutes from the trail head. You will find ample parking for your car or scooter at the trail head, however the road in can be very rocky, so if you have a small car and don’t want to risk the drive right to the beginning of the path, you will find a small warung about 300 metres prior where you can park your car and sign the visitor’s book.
Remember, if you want to drive your car or ride a scooter in Bali, make sure you have your International Drivers Permit, as well as your license from back home. You can get you IDP at THIS link.
Is there a fee for Mount Abang hike?
If you stop at the Trekking office beware! We drove to the trail head the day prior to make certain of it’s location and were stopped at the office by scammers. They claimed that for a foreigner (Bule) to do the Mount Abang hike it would cost 650k Rupe. When we questioned them they could not provide any proof or reason beyond their own self importance and claim that it was a “government regulation”. When asked for documentation of such, they said it was only available in Denpasar, and the ticket that they brandished only read 150k rupe. Be aware that no such fee exists and these people are scammers, even if the Trekking Office staff go along with the “story”.
As it turned out we started our Mount Abang hike early the next morning. The Trekking Office was not open and we were only asked to pay a donation at the Warung car park. The amount was up to us. Our advice, there fore, is to go early in the morning or even while still dark for the sunrise experience on the peak. The staff at the Warung assured us no extra fee was payable.
UPDATE AUGUST 2023 – With a lot of bad publicity in recent times of bad behavior on the Bali Mountains, steps have been put into place on Abang to limit such actions on the mountain. Whilst hikers are still not required to register before climbing, they are asked to witness a prayer ceremony before the hike, and wear some pieces of traditional clothing throughout the hike. This means a headpiece for men and sarong for women. How to do this without registering and being open to “scammers” is unknown at this time. I encourage you to check at the office the day before to find out current requirements.
The Mount Abang Hike
The Mount Abang hike begins as a gradual slope upwards, and for the better part of the first hour you will find yourself enjoying the walk and the views. After a short while you will arrive at the first of two temples located on the pathway up the climb. This is a great spot to stop and catch your breath, as the path to the second temple raises the bar slightly and becomes more challenging.
At this point we should mention that this trek is nothing like the Mt Batur trek. Batur is made for tourists, and anyone that has hiked that mountain will know about the constant switchbacks, zigging and zagging across the mountain. You can climb Batur literally without getting your hands dirty. The Mount Abang hike is nothing like that, and you can expect to be dirty, dusty, muddy and scratched up by the end of it! When we hiked Abang it was covered in cloud, which while it added a ghostly and eerie feel to the trek, it also presented a lot of moisture and light rain turning the path to mud and clay.
As a result of this the second section of the hike from the first temple was a lot more challenging than the first. The slope increased and the path became wetter and more slippery. Also, on the Mount Abang hike you will find that there are often several path options as they shoot off to the right or left. Usually this is only an alternative path to get around a difficult section, and whichever path way you take they always come back to the main path after a short while.
The rule of thumb we climbed with was to stick to the left hand paths. The thinking was that so long as they continued up, we were heading the right way. The only other option for a path on this side was to dive steeply down toward the lakes edge far below, which none ever did. At times, however, the path was too degraded by heavy rains and overgrown as the right hand path had become the favored option. Use your common sense and take the easier road when it presents itself. Eventually there will be only one path, and no other options.
Once you reach the second temple on the Mount Abang hike you will be getting a good feel for the mountain. The last section, however, is the most challenging. In the wet weather we found ourselves constantly scrambling on all fours, muddy, wet and frustrated as we searched for vines and roots to hold onto as we slipped our way up the mountain path. It is a challenge, but nothing that an experienced hiker cannot handle if some common sense is used. Experience will help too!
Once on the peak of the climb you will find a small temple and a couple of signs stating the peak name and height – great for a photo opportunity. If the weather is clear you will find yourself looking down upon the brilliant sight of Mount Batur below you, just across the Lake that dominates the East side of the Caldera. In the other direction Mount Agung looms close, and if you had a clear climb you would have seen a lot of it on the way up as well. The sunrise, for those keen enough to have braved the dark, is brilliant over nearby Lombok and Mount Rinjani.
The scramble back down the slope can be just as hard as the climb up, so beware. Loose scree, dirt and slippery mud can make it challenging and slow, however unless this is your first Indonesian climb you should be aware of that feature by now!
The Mount Abang hike can take anywhere from 2.5 hours to 4 hours to complete depending upon the conditions and experience of the hikers. Also, the equipment you bring along and how many in your party can matter as well. The trek back down, while shorter, can also be time consuming. Just remember to be careful and put safety before speed.
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What to bring on the Mount Abang hike
Rope – If you are doing the trek with a small group of people, having a decent length of rope will save you a lot of time and frustration. Several sections can become frustrating as you try to work out a way through, with slippery clay the biggest villain. Have your best trekker do the work and throw the rope back down!
Fresh Clothes – Face it. You are going to get dirty. Throw in a fresh set just in case.
Walking Stick – A stick will be invaluable, and if you don’t have one of your own, have a look around the parking lot. Many discarded sticks that other people have cut before you can be found.
Hiking Shoes/boots – Most serious hikers will have them already, however on this hike with the slippery conditions, the extra grip and toughness can save a lot of frustration and possibly injury.
International Driver’s Permit – If you plan to drive your car or ride your scooter!
Where to stay for Mount Abang hike
You can stay literally anywhere if you have your own transport. Staying in the Kintamani area is great if you want to do some other activities whilst there, or else you can just as easy stay in Ubud. Mount Abang is only about 60 minutes drive from Ubud, but is a good couple of hours from Kuta or Seminyak.
It is also possible to camp at the peak of Abang. Several locals can be found each week carting their small tents and sleeping bags up the trail to stay overnight and enjoy the next morning sunrise.
What else can you do near Mount Abang?
Why not follow up your Mount Abang hike with a hike of Mount Batur? Not as challenging and able to be used as a warm up or an easier follow up, it is a trek that any hiker must do when in Bali. GetYourGuide has some great tour and package options, and we definitely recommend them. Also try the hot springs, or simply soak up the brilliant views of the region.
The Mount Abang hike is a great option for anyone looking to do a good, challenging hike in Bali. It is accessible and easy to find. For further information, don’t hesitate to contact me via this website, or on Facebook or Instagram if it’s easier!
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Great review! Looking forward to climbing Abang when I get to Bali.
Do you need guide to climb Abang?
No you don’t. They will stop you on the road in and tell you that you do, but it’s a scam. If you get there early in the morning the office won’t even be open so you can climb away!
where did you start from?
We started out hike at the carpark right at the trailhead. It is possible to drive all the way to the carpark, although the road gets a little sketchy the closer you get. Otherwise you can park further out and and just hike the extra half kilometer in.