The amazing mountains of Munduk, in North Bali, are one place on this incredible island that I constantly find myself returning to. It has an allure that has to be experienced to be fully understood. The mountains, the lakes, and the gorgeous views all combine to make this area of Bali my favorite place on the island. A trip to Munduk would not be the same, however, without stopping by and visiting the amazing Munduk Waterfalls Bali.
I come to these mountains as often as I can. During the Covid era, my visits were frequent. The Adila Warung and Homestay at Munduk has become like a second home to me. The wonderful family that run it I now consider my friends. Often when I visit, I will spend the time tapping away on my laptop, with the view of the mountains peeking over the top of my screen as I write. Other times, I will simply relax, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere that only the mountains can provide. On every visit, though, I always make time to visit every one of the Munduk Waterfalls Bali.
Why?
Because they are simply amazing. The fact that so many beautiful waterfalls can exist in such close proximity to one another is incredible. Combine that with the fact that they are so far away from the crowd, and I can’t imagine why they aren’t more popular. Every time I visit, I know that I will have at least one, if not more of them all to myself.
Today, I will tell you where the amazing Munduk Waterfalls Bali are located, how to get there and what to expect. I hope that by the end, you will want to visit them yourself, because I know you will not be disappointed!
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Table of Contents
- Where are the Munduk Waterfalls Bali?
- How many waterfalls are there?
- Golden Valley Waterfall
- Munduk Waterfall (Red Coral Waterfall)
- Labuhan Kebo Waterfall
- Melanting Waterfall
- What are the entrance fees?
- What is the best time of year to visit?
- Where to stay near the Munduk Waterfalls Bali
- What else is nearby?
- Can I do a tour?
- Summary
Where are the Munduk Waterfalls Bali?
The Munduk Waterfalls Bali can be found, strangely enough, near Munduk. They are located high in the mountains beyond Bedugul, within the Buleleng Regency. To get there is fairly simple. Take the road toward Singaraja, and once you pass through Bedugul, you will begin to climb the famous Bedugul Hill. At the top, take a sharp left hand turn and follow the road along the rim above the amazing Twin Lakes. Keep following the road until it begins to wind down toward Munduk, and the waterfall signs begin to appear.
For an accurate Google Maps location, follow THIS LINK.
How many waterfalls are there?
When it comes to the Munduk Waterfalls Bali, this is a question that might have many different answers. It just depends upon who you ask.
The reason? Within striking distance of Munduk there are dozens of well known waterfalls. Many, such as Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, or Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall, are only a short distance away by road. So technically, they could be classified as Munduk Waterfalls.
For this article though, I will be concentrating on the classic Munduk Waterfalls Bali. The ones that are located right near the heart of Munduk, and only a few minutes drive from the village. All of them are within walking distance from each other, and therefore can be visited in the one day. There are four of them in total, with still a fifth waterfall close by.
As far as waterfalls in Munduk go, there are still many more. Even just in the vicinity of these Munduk Waterfalls Bali, I can think of at least two more that are not open to the public. One is very hard, if not impossible to access. Another is right in between two of the waterfalls on this list, and CAN be found. You just have to be adventurous…
Now, all great treks, like good stories, tend to start at the beginning. So that is where we will start today.
Golden Valley Waterfall
Golden Valley Waterfall was actually the last of the Munduk Waterfalls Bali that I discovered.
That may seem strange, but it is true.
I was staying at Adila Warung and Homestay, and it was my very first visit to Munduk. I had no idea where the waterfalls were, and I set off on my first trek to find them. What I didn’t realise, however, is that the track I was on comes out in the middle of the waterfalls. I turned left, to find two other waterfalls, and it wasn’t until the next day that I discovered what I had missed the first time around.
Basically, I did it the LONG way. So that is why I will tell you this now. It is easiest to START at Golden Valley Waterfall, and then move down the valley to the others.
Golden Valley Waterfall is an amazing Falls. They are actually located on private property, where the owners have plantations. Can you imagine OWNING a spectacular waterfall like this?
There are two entrances to Golden Valley Waterfall. The best one to come in from would be the first one you find as you approach from the Twin Lakes direction. Pass by the turnoff to TubTub Waterfall (another local waterfall) and you will find the sign to Golden Valley within a few turns. There is not much room to park, so if you are in a car you may need to be inventive. You can also park back at TubTub if you like, and trek down the road from there.
You will come upon Golden Valley Waterfall from above, and the track will actually pass over the river at the head of the waterfall. Wind around past the small café, and the waterfall itself will open up in front of you.
These falls are beautiful, and the entire area has been set up for you to sit and enjoy the waterfall. There are cafes on either side of the river, as well as plenty of “selfie” spots. The food is really nice, and if you have a good day, you can opt to sit on the grass and enjoy the view.
My pick from the café – Dadar Guling. It’s amazing!
Munduk Waterfall (Red Coral Waterfall)
From Golden Valley Waterfall, follow the path through the coffee plantation in the opposite direction to where you arrived. It will wind away down the hill and continue to follow the river toward the other Munduk Waterfalls Bali.
Don’t be alarmed when the river disappears. You will traverse along the hill a bit, and eventually meet the path that comes down from the roadside entrance for Munduk Waterfall. Follow it down the hill until you find the entrance. From there, the waterfall is just a short trek of only a few minutes.
Walking into Munduk Waterfall is quite different to any other waterfall I have visited in Bali. And I have visited over 60! The only exception might be Leke Leke Waterfall.
The path is short, but the plants and foliage you wind through are very pretty, thick, and worth taking the time to check out. It is all natural, but you would be forgiven for thinking that they had been planted there just for tourists.
When Munduk Waterfall opens in front of you, you will see a wide bamboo bridge that you have to climb up. This will get you to the very base of the Falls, and is the best place to get photos.
Munduk Waterfall is beautiful. It is a single jet of water that shoots off the cliff far above, and hits the small pool below like a rocket. The cliffs on either side are covered with the greenest foliage that I have ever seen, and really creates a stark contrast to the waterfall itself. It almost seems as if it was created that way – framed by nature to showcase its perfection.
This waterfall is the most popular of the Munduk Waterfalls Bali, and for obvious reasons. It is simply stunning, and the large area at the base is perfect for photos. Wedding photographers love it, and I have been there on more than one occasion when a bride and groom were in attendance.
Because this waterfall is so easy to access, you may be forced to share it with others. I have been there on dozens of occasions, however, and have rarely seen anyone. The mornings are the best, and perfect lighting for photos as well. Especially when the sun’s rays peek down through the trees from above.
When you are finished, head off back down the track and stick to the riverside. You will cross a small bridge, and be on the path to your next stop.
Labuhan Kebo Waterfall
The path from Munduk Waterfall takes you up and away from the river slightly as it winds its way to the other Munduk Waterfalls Bali. Next up is Labuhan Kebo Waterfall.
Before you get there, though, you will come across a couple of nice little Warungs beside the path. The first one is pretty simple. It sells just cold drinks, and simple food such as crisps and Pop Mie. The views are pretty nice though, and it is the place to stop for a cold water.
The second one is a nice little coffee shop. It has a Japanese touch, with little Bonsai trees growing everywhere, and a couple of Japanese Fighting Fish living in bowls on the counter. They have pretty nice food here, coffee and other fare. While drinking coffee on a hike isn’t my thing, I have stopped in this place several times, especially on the way back out at the end of the day.
Past the warung, you will come to an intersection. Follow the sign down the hill toward Labuhan Kebo Waterfall. There, you will find a ticket box, and the head of the stairs to the waterfall.
It isn’t a long way down to the riverside. Certainly not the longest set of stairs you will climb. (spoiler – the next waterfall holds that record). So take your time, and within 10 minutes you will find yourself by the riverbank, heading along the path to the waterfall.
Labuhan Kebo Waterfall is one of the most popular of the Munduk Bali Waterfalls. In normal times, you will find several groups of local children playing in the river here, or swimming below the falls. You can get right up to the waterfall, and get some really great photos from several different spots.
Once again, early in the day is a nice time for photos as the sun pokes its head over the top of the waterfall. Beware of getting too close in the wet season though, as a LOT more water comes down them than in the dry.
On the approach to Labuhan Kebo Waterfall, there are a couple of bamboo bridges. These can be used as nice photo props, so make certain to explore them as you pass. Once you are done, head back up the stairs past the ticket booth once again, and continue following the road down the hill toward Melanting Waterfall.
Melanting Waterfall
Melanting Waterfall is the last on the list of Munduk Waterfalls Bali. It is also the furthest away from the start of your trek, and the hardest to get to.
The main reason for this is the 450 stairs! Now, if that doesn’t already seem daunting after a couple of hours of trekking, then let me also tell you this. The stairs are not the best stairs that you will find in Bali!
The prize for best waterfall stairs probably goes to NungNung Waterfall, where 500 well made concrete stairs make it pretty straightforward. A close runner up would be Wanagiri Pucak Manik Waterfall, which is not too far away from the nearby Twin Lakes. Melanting though, is something different.
The stairs here could be hit or miss. They don’t see very much traffic, other than the local farmers that tend to the plantations off to the sides of the track. Many of the tourists quit by the time they get this far, or find they have run out of time in the day to get all the way down and back up again. Therefore, the stairs can be mossy, partly overgrown, and in parts dangerous.
Take your time, however, and you should be fine. The stairs are made of stone, and are actually fairly solid. Just don’t rush and make certain to take care. Because the end result is worth it.
You will hear Melanting Waterfall when you are only halfway down the stairs. If you are lucky, and know where to look, you can actually glimpse it through the trees far below. I have actually launched the drone from this point, and the view is pretty special.
At the bottom of the stairs you will reach the river and follow it upstream toward the Falls. A bridge appears to continue the path across to the other side, but don’t go that way. While it was once an access to Melanting Waterfall, it isn’t any longer.
A short trek along the bank will bring you to the base of the waterfall. Melanting is actually rated as one of the highest waterfalls in Bali, and falls about 100m from the cliff high above. It is pretty much a single stream waterfall, and can be very impressive in rainy season.
Be careful around the pool at the bottom if there is a lot of water, but most of the time you can get pretty close for a great photo.
When you are done, make certain that you are well rested, as there are a lot of stairs to climb to get back out. Not to mention the trek all the way back to the road.
But at least you can have a coffee along the way!
What are the entrance fees?
Entrance Fees for the Munduk Waterfalls Bali vary, but all are very reasonably priced. Generally, they will range from 10k Rupe to 30k rupe per waterfall.
What is the best time of year to visit?
The wet season is always a great time of year to visit any waterfalls. Simply put, they are bigger, better and more impressive.
The only issue with this is that it is also a lot more dangerous. Firstly, you don’t want to get too close to some of the waterfall in Bali during wet season. Some are even closed to the public. I’m looking at YOU, Tegenungan Waterfall!
There are others, like Leke Leke Waterfall that somehow just manage to become even MORE elegant during the wet season. Go figure.
The main issue with wet season at Munduk Waterfalls Bali, is that you will get very wet on the trek. It will take a few hours to get to all of the Falls, and remember, you are in the mountains in the middle of the jungle. It RAINS a lot. Things, like stairs, get very slippery. So if you choose to come in wet season, then come prepared with good shoes, rain jackets, and dry clothes.
If you are in Munduk during the dry season, you will miss out on nothing. I have been to the Munduk Waterfalls Bali in the dry many times, and they are still flowing with a great amount of water, and you hardly even notice much difference.
Simply put, my choice is to come in the dry, or perhaps at the change of season from wet into dry.
Where to stay near the Munduk Waterfalls Bali
When it comes to Munduk, there are plenty of places to stay. You can find yourself in 5 star luxury, or just choose somewhere nice and comfortable. Below, I will put links for several different options through Agoda.
My personal preference is Adila Warung and Homestay. I have stayed there dozens of times over the past few years, and still cannot fault them. They are friendly, professional, and the food is some of the very best home cooking that I have tasted in Bali!
Recently, Adila upgraded a lot of their accommodation as they are becoming increasingly popular. Even with some expansions to their rooms and dining facilities though, they still manage to maintain that homely atmosphere, and their food and service is still top notch!
I cannot recommend them enough, and they are a budget option! Check them out via the link below.
If you are after something a little more upmarket, then Munduk Moding Plantation is a very popular option, especially for Instagrammers!
We recently stayed a couple of nights at Munduk Moding Plantation and cannot recommend it enough. It’s definitely a luxury option, but the views from every one of their rooms are incredible, and facilities are second to none.
MMP is also a fully sustainable eco resort, and the practices that they implement have been winning recognition worldwide. They give back to the community, and have almost zero waste. So if you’re at all interested in limiting your carbon footprint, give them a good look!
For those that really want to relax and spoil themselves, Munduk Cabins are a very good choice.
These cabins are not only luxurious, but are also located off the beaten track, in a little village on the sleepy side of Munduk. The views are beautiful, and you won’t have to deal with any traffic noise or other interruptions from other tourists. (Well, hardly any) You really are hidden away and secluded at Munduk Cabins.
What else is nearby?
Munduk is an amazing area, and one that I would really recommend staying several days in. In fact, if I personally was visiting for the first time, I could happily stay for a week, and have done so on a couple of occasions.
This is particularly if you love hiking, exploring, and waterfalls.
Other than the Munduk Waterfalls Bali, you have so much more to see and do. Start with the Twin Lakes that you will pass by on the way to Munduk. There is a wonderful hike that you can do around the lakes themselves, and some beautiful temples to explore around the lake’s edge. Chief among them is the amazing Pura Tamblingan. Visit this incredible spot at sunrise for some amazing photos!
Along the road above the lakes you will find several turnoffs to three other waterfalls. Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, and Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfalls are two of the most photographed in all of Bali! The third waterfall, Wanagiri Pucak Manik, is one of my personal favorites.
A little further afield, you will find GitGit Waterfall, Sekumpul Waterfall, and Aling Aling Waterfalls. In the other direction, Pemuteran and its wonderful diving is only a half hour away. Even East Java, and places such as Ijen Volcano are not that far away if you are looking for somewhere to base yourself for a trip.
Around Munduk itself, you can explore the village, plus the surrounding plantations and rice paddies. If you are into hiking, the mountains and peaks around Munduk are unspoilt and uncrowded. Just grab a local guide, lace up your boots, and hit the trails!
Can I do a tour?
There are no actual tours to the Munduk Waterfalls Bali. The best way to get there is to organize your own car and driver. This allows you to basically create your own itinerary. The driver will pick you up at your hotel or resort, and then drive you anywhere you want to go. Click HERE to organize one, or HERE for a customizable full day tour option.
There are tours to other waterfalls in the area. Such as THIS ONE to Banyumala Twin Waterfalls.
My favorite way to get around Bali is by scooter. You can hire your own scooter by clicking HERE.
For more information on riding a scooter in Bali, you can simply check out my article at THIS link.
If you are staying at Adila Warung and Homestay, one of their new services is running local tours. The owner, Putu, has been living in Munduk his entire life, and knows everything and everyone. It’s easy to arrange him to take you to any of the local waterfalls or lake for hiking and day trips. Just ask at reception, or send them a message before you even arrive.
Summary
I love Munduk. I can’t hide it. I would spend all of my time there if I could, and it is my favourite place in all of Bali. Until the very first time I called by in search of waterfalls, I had never even heard anything about it before!
This is one place in Bali that I really recommend anyone to visit. Too many visitors think that Kuta, Seminyak or Uluwatu are all that Bali is about. This cannot be more wrong! Visit the mountains and do yourself a favor. This is a side of Bali that many people never experience. For those that do, they will never, ever forget it. Especially not the Munduk Waterfalls Bali!
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