Bali is a popular holiday destination for surfers, sun worshippers and yogis. But the island also offers ideal conditions for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The hiking opportunities extend across a wide range of landscapes. For example, you can hike for hours through rice terraces, to waterfalls, through canyons, to temples or to the top of the island’s volcanoes, and admire the spectacular, unspoilt nature. The most famous tours are the volcano climbs at night, which can only be done with a guide. However, there are also some options for people who prefer to hike during the day, prefer a slightly easier route or want to move in the countryside. In the following article, we would like to explain where you can find beautiful hiking routes in Bali.
The most exciting routes for hiking in Bali
Bali’s diverse landscape offers a wide range of opportunities for exploring the natural environment. From tropical jungle in the west, to lush green rice fields and palm groves in the south, to coastal strips with black lava sand and spectacular mountain and volcanic regions in the east, there is something here for every hiker.
If you don’t fancy the adventurous night-time ascents of the volcanoes, some of which are over 3000 metres high, you might find a beautiful route among the following alternatives.
Mountain and volcano hikes
Bali boasts some beautiful mountains and volcanoes, several of which are suitable for exciting trekking tours. The island’s volcanic areas are very different. You can climb the peaks of Bali in both barren volcanic landscapes and tropical forests.
Volcano hike to the top of Mount Batukaru
Besides the famous active volcanoes of Bali, Mount Agung and Mount Batur, which we describe in more detail in another report, there is also Mount Batukaru. The second highest volcano in Bali is 2,276 metres high and inactive. It is mainly popular with locals, which means it is not as overrun by tourists, but it is definitely worth a hike for tourists too.
Since the ascent is through the shade of the rainforest and not over a barren scree landscape, as is the case with Mount Agung and Batur, you can also climb this volcano during the day without being roasted by the sun. The jungle landscape around the volcano is unique and is home to countless wild animals such as small deer, macaques and luwaks. The rather demanding ascent takes about four hours. Along the way, there are sacred temples that can be entered and used as a short breather.
Once at the top, you are greeted by a breathtaking panoramic view of Mount Agung, the islands of Lombok and Java, and of course Bali. In contrast to the other two, the Batukaru volcano can be climbed without a guide. A suitable starting point for this is the Luhur Taksu Agung temple near the Jatiluwih rice terraces. At the starting point, Pura Luhur Batukaru, locals try to persuade you to hire an expensive guide, but one is not absolutely necessary.
Hiking on Gunung Abang
Gunung Abang also offers a great hiking route through a beautiful forest landscape. The Abang is only very rarely visited, so you will meet only a few other hikers. The mountain – which is the third highest in Bali – is located between the volcanoes Batur and Agung as the crow flies. It is part of the large caldera in the middle of which Mount Batur stands. The path to the summit is easy to master and you will be rewarded (in good weather conditions) with an impressive view. A hike up Gunung Abang is highly recommended!
Rice terrace hikes
The popular picture-postcard motif of rice terraces is simply part of the typical landscape of Bali and, with their lush green colour, they are beautiful to look at. A hike through the island’s numerous rice fields has a calming and decelerating effect on the mind and should be on the programme of every Bali visit.
Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud
A popular route with views of rice terraces is the Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud, for example. The nine-kilometre-long trail starts just ten minutes from the centre of Ubud at a Hindu temple and ends at a café that offers healthy, delicious food. Here you can also enjoy a magnificent view over the green rice fields. Since the incline of the path is slight, you can take a leisurely stroll along a mountain ridge and marvel at the beautiful nature. On the way, there is a bamboo swing with a view of the valley, which is a popular photo opportunity.
For a pleasant hiking climate, it is best to walk this route in the early morning or in the afternoon, when the sun is not yet or no longer too strong.
Tegalang rice terraces near Ubud
The most popular rice terraces in Bali are just a few minutes’ drive from the cultural centre of Ubud. Here you can walk along the paths between the rice terraces and watch the rice farmers at work. You can also stop off at various cafés and restaurants for refreshments. The green of the rice fields is particularly lush and beautiful during or just after the rainy season. Unfortunately, the Tegalang rice fields are very touristy and there are many souvenir shops and street vendors, from whom you are constantly asked to buy something. Nevertheless, this place is worth a visit.
Jatiluwih rice terraces
The famous Jatiluwih rice terraces on the slopes of the Gunung Batukaru volcano are beautiful to look at and less crowded than the Tegalang rice terraces near Ubud. There are four different hiking routes through the beautiful, unspoilt rice fields. The hikes take between one and three hours.
Sidemen rice terraces
The Sidemen rice terraces in the east of Bali are about 45 minutes from Candidasa and are among the most beautiful rice terraces on the island. Here you can hike undisturbed through the fields and enjoy their beauty. The village of Sidemen is definitely a great place to spend a few relaxing days.
Temple hikes
Combining culture and hiking is no problem in Bali. Some temples can only be reached by a short hike.
Hike to Pura Lempuyang Luhur
Pura Lempuyang Luhur is the most sacred temple in Bali and one of the island’s six national temples. It is located in the east of Bali on a mountain in the forest and the stairway hike up takes about 2 hours. It is the uppermost of seven temples that are spread out in the forest on the way up. These temples are especially important during the traditional Galungan festival. Then, a number of believers make the pilgrimage up the 1,700 steps and visit and bless each of the seven temples. Hindu ceremonies also frequently take place here.
The hike starts at the famous Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang. A very popular photo motif, it looks like a gateway to heaven and offers views of Mount Agung.
The path up to the main temple, Lempuyang Luhur, leads through lush jungle and offers impressive views of the coast, the volcano Agung and the surrounding landscape. On the way, you pass five other temples. From Pura Lempuyang Madya, you have the most beautiful view of the sea. Once you reach the top of Pura Lempuyang Luhur, you can see across the island and have a great view of the majestic Gunung Agung.
Hiking to waterfalls
You have to take a short hike to most of the Balinese waterfalls. They cannot be reached by any other route. All the better that you can combine these special attractions with a nice trail.
Hiking in Munduk
This is also the case in Munduk. The village is located in the mountains in the north of Bali and is surrounded by rice fields, clove plantations and jungle. There is a waterfall trek here that passes three impressive and beautifully situated waterfalls. The entire tour takes about two hours and leads through the jungle.
Sambangan Sacred Garden – Blue Lagoon
In the north of Bali lies Sambangan Village with its seven waterfalls: Pucuk, Kembar, Kroya, Aling-Aling, Canging, Dedari, and Cemara. From here you can take a guided hike to see three of these waterfalls.
The tour starts at Tiying Tali Dam. From here, the route first passes through rice fields and then into the jungle, where you can see cloves, cocoa, coffee and many other exotic plants. This is the first stop on the hike: the Blue Lagoon, where you can swim. After that, three to four waterfalls are visited one after the other, including the largest in the region: the Cemara. This is an impressive 33 metres high. The whole tour takes about three to four hours.
Canyon hikes
The tour through the Hidden Canyon in Sukawati offers an exciting and varied hike. The Hidden Canyon is divided into three gorges that are not easy to cross. The path leads past high rock walls and through deep green jungle, and you sometimes have to cross waist-deep water. It is not recommended to do this hike without a guide, as it can be quite dangerous if you don’t know exactly where to cross the gorge.
National Park Hikes
In the National Park Taman Nasional Bali Barat in the northwest of Bali, you can hike through beautiful, untouched nature and observe rare animals. The impressive flora and fauna are protected and a guide can tell visitors to the park more about them. In nearby Gilimanuk, you can book various tours and get a permit to visit the park.
Conclusion – Is hiking in Bali worth it?
Bali is a paradisiacal holiday destination and there is a lot to discover. If you don’t just want to lie on the beach or by the pool during your holiday, but want to see something of the island, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. Bali offers various hiking routes through a wide range of vegetation, and hiking and nature lovers will get their money’s worth.
When going on excursions into the tropical nature, you should always make sure to have sufficient mosquito repellent, sunscreen and water with you. The right clothing for the activity and sturdy shoes with a profile are also sometimes required for a successful hike. A rain cape can’t hurt either, but you should refrain from major hikes in the rainy season between October and April. The monsoon-like rains sometimes come out of the blue and can pose a real danger if you are standing on a volcano or wading through the jungle.
