As I sit here writing this post I am looking out across a lush green valley adorned with Palm trees and tropical rain forest. Originally I came here for the Munduk waterfalls, but to my surprise, I have found there is so much more to the Munduk area, and the little village of Gobleg that I currently call home.
The home stay I have found is typical of most you will find in Bali, but still I am constantly amazed at the hospitality of the Balinese people. I have the place almost to myself, and granted it is toward the end of the Covid-19 Apocalypse, still one gets the feeling that life up this way is just so much more relaxed than it is down south.
One of the great things of staying in this home stay, and possibly for many others as well, is that they have their own private access to the Munduk waterfalls. “Private access” is a bit of a misnomer in reality, as it actually consists of one of the village tracks that run along the side of the hill, allowing locals to move back and forth without using the main road. So, as beautiful and quiet as the walk is, be ready to make way for a scooter or two as well.
This local access meets up with the main access that those passing through use to access the Munduk waterfalls from the main road. Access to each waterfall costs 10,000 rupe, which is very, very cheap when you discover the beauty of what you are paying for.
The closest waterfall to the entry point is Munduk Waterfall itself. It is an extraordinarily beautiful example of the quality of falls that you can expect in Bali. Over the hundreds of years of its existence it has calved itself into the rock face, funneling its amazing power into a single chute of water that slams into the small pool at its base. Framed by the greenest of green ferns and large leafed plants, it is a true poster card for the region.
Further down the trail away from Munduk waterfall you will pass a couple of quaint warungs that are very tempting simply by the nature of their location. Wait! You will appreciate the cold beverage on the return journey, trust me. Because what awaits you just up ahead are a LOT of stairs.
The signage in the area is very good, and you won’t get lost. The next one you come to will point you down a village road toward Labuan Kebo and Melanting Waterfalls. Labuan Kebo is the first you will come across, with a sign pointing you to the left of the path where you will find the top of a flight of stairs and a small booth to pay your rupe. The stairs to this waterfall are not that hard and well worth the trek. This waterfall is very popular among the locals and you may well find some local children playing at it’s base. Definitely Instagram worthy, with a couple of quaint bamboo wooden bridges crossing back and forth in front of it to add to the beauty.
Back at the top of the stairs, if you still have the legs for it, turn left and continue down the road. Not far down it will narrow and you will come across the next pay booth, this time for Melanting Waterfall. Pay your rupe and continue down the stairs. There are a lot more stairs here so be warned.
What awaits at the bottom is worth it. This waterfall is tall, about as tall as Munduk waterfall and has a lot of similarities. The other thing it has, though, is more solitude. Only the hardiest will brave the stairs and have the legs to do so after already visiting the other falls in the area, and as such the stairs themselves and access are a lot less maintained, so take care. Also, rest, because the climb back up is a leg burner.
When I did these treks it was the end of Covid-19. The falls were not officially opened yet and the only access was via the local village tracks. As such, no one had been down the tracks and stairs for a few months, and no maintenance had been done to them. Take care, because as mossy and slippery as some of the track was, and even though it could be put down to the situation at the time, any access to waterfalls in Bali should be done with care.
For a special treat, and if you are up to it, there is a fourth waterfall in the immediate vicinity. The track can be very overgrown and you have to keep the faith to follow it to its conclusion, but if you’re up for it, then give it a go. The head of the trail can be found striking off to the left just at the arched sign that says Melanting Waterfall, and there is another just at the pay booth. Enjoy! The Munduk waterfalls are definitely worth the visit!
DON’T FORGET to leave a comment below. I promise to reply!
Leave a reply