Complete Bali Hiking Guide – 10 best hikes in Bali
Hiking in Bali is maybe not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the tropical island. But surprisingly, there are some great hikes in Bali. Especially in the northern part where the lush mountains show a completely different side of the island. Here you can hike dormant volcanos, explore the crater lakes, hike through the foggy forests towards incredible waterfalls and see the real Bali while exploring the rice terraces. In our complete Bali hiking guide you will find the 10 best hikes in Bali with all the info you need!
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General travel must haves for Bali
Before we dive into the best Bali hiking trails, let’s check a few things to make your travels in Bali easy and safe.
Have you thought about how to get around in Bali? A scooter is the easiest way if you’re comfortable driving one yourself.
- Book your scooter or motorbike here to get around in Bali. This is the most convenient way to arrange your rental motorbike, especially because it gets delivered and picked up for free to your accommodation within Ubud, Canggu, Kuta, Nusa Dua, Denpasar, Seminyak, Uluwatu, Kerobokan, Jimbaran, Sanur. Requirements: 20 years old; international car (B) drivers license for scooters (or moto (A) license for motorcycles); copies of passport and drivers license.
Do you prefer a private driver for the day and the freedom to create your own itinerary?
Did you already book your accommodation?
Are you insured during your travels?
- Buy your travel insurance here. Safetywing not only includes coverage for travel delay, lost checked luggage, emergency response, natural disasters and personal liability. But also covers all your medical expenses for hospitalisation.
Mount Batur sunrise trekking
Hiking Mount Batur in Kintamani is one of the most popular things to do in Bali. This epic hike up the dormant Batur volcano is a great opportunity to see the sunrise from 1717 meter height. Hiking Mount Batur isn’t too strenuous so you don’t have to be super fit. You can either choose for the longer version of about 2 hours with a more gently incline through the forest. Or the shorter version which goes from the beginning in an almost vertical incline on rocky terrain to the summit. But this will only take you about 45 to 60 minutes of hiking. Watching the sunrise from Mount Batur is an unforgettable experience and a must do in Bali. You will need a guide to hike up the summit of Batur volcano which you can book via the links below.
Mount Batur trekking tours
This depends if you’re with a group or do a private hike and if you want to combine it with other activities. Here some Mount Batur hiking tours which I recommend.
- Hike Mount Batur
- Mount Batur hike and white water rafting
- Hike Mount Batur and visit NungNung waterfall
- Hike Mount Batur and spend the night camping above the clouds
- Mount Batur hike and diving tour at a WWII shipwreck
- Ultimate 3 day combo tour Bali & Nusa Penida. During this 3 day tour you will hike up Mount Batur during the first day. On the second day you will visit East Bali such as Lempuyang temple, Tirta Gangga and Tukad Cepung waterfall. After that you’re going to Ubud to see the ricefields and fly over the jungle in a jungle swing. On the third day you’re going to Nusa Penida to see all the best highlights of the island.
Practical information for the Mount Batur sunrise trekking
So as said before, the ‘longer’ version which takes about 2 hours one way is 11 kilometres out and back. The shorter route which only takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach the top and is 7 kilometres out and back. We did both routes, the longer version in April 2019 and the shorter version in October 2021. Make sure to discuss this with your guide as the shorter version will most likely appeal more to most of the people.
Hike distance and duration: The total distance of the Mount Batur hike is 7 kilometres out and back for the short route and 11 kilometres out and back on the longer route. The shorter route will take you anywhere between 45 minutes and 1 hour if you have a fast pace. The longer route will take you about double the time as you first trek a bit through the forest while on the shorter route you start already at a height of about 1250 meters at Pura Pasar Agung.
Difficulty and incline: The Mount Batur hike is done by many people, young and old. However, you do have to conquer incline and many uneven steps. The longer route has about 700 meters of inline over 11 kilometres of hiking. The shorter version has 500 meters of incline over 7 kilometres of hiking. I wouldn’t say the Mount Batur hike is difficult, it’s moderate but can be heavy at some points. It all depends on your fitness level and if you’re used to hiking. However, the view with sunrise is well worth the climb!
Read in our complete guide everything about the Mount Batur sunrise trekking
Munduk waterfalls hike
If you love waterfalls then you have to check out the Munduk waterfalls hike! A collection of four beautiful waterfalls tucked away in the jungle of Munduk is waiting for you. During the Munduk waterfalls trek you can see all four waterfalls but there are different options to do the trek. When you park your car at ‘Munduk waterfalls parking’, the first waterfall you will get to is the Red Coral waterfall.
After exploring this beautiful waterfall you continue the hike to Labuhan Kebo waterfall which is about 15 to 20 minutes from the Red Coral waterfall. And then as last stop you can hike down the stairs to Melanting waterfall before you make your way back to the ‘Munduk waterfall parking’. If you want to extend this hike you can continue towards the Golden Valley waterfall and have a drink or food at the Eco cafe. There are some warungs along the hike so if you don’t bring any drinks or snacks you can eventually buy them there. A guide is not necessary as the path is easy to follow and signposted from the parking lot.
Price for the Munduk waterfalls hike
All the waterfalls in Munduk have their own entrance fee. Per person you will have to pay 20 000 or 10 000 IDR to enter the waterfall.
Read in our complete guide everything about the Munduk waterfalls hike
More tours in Munduk
Munduk is a charming mountain village in the highlands of Northern Bali. Tucked away in the lush jungle of Bali and surrounded by the best waterfalls of the island, it is one of the most underrated places on the island. There are many more things to explore in Munduk, and North Bali in general. Find here some of the best tours to explore North Bali.
- North Bali tour; Lake Bratan, Handara Gate, Banyumala waterfall and Wanagiri swing
- Full day Bali customized tour. Make your own Bali itinerary and see the highlights of the island during this full day tour with unlimited mileage.
Campuhan Ridge walk
The Campuhan Ridge walk is an easy hike along a beautiful lush valley in Ubud. It is a beautiful short hike of only 4 kilometres which is best to be done in the morning. Located in the centre of Ubud it is a great way to escape the busy streets and enjoy the nature. The path is slightly sloping at some points but nothing too strenuous. It is a great morning or afternoon walk and very popular with locals to jog or walk the dog.
Book here your Campuhan Ridgewalk tour including a visit to Monkey Forest
Read in our complete guide everything about Campuhan Ridgewalk in Ubud
Trunyan Hill hike
Hiking Trunyan hill is one of the off the beaten path hiking trails in Bali. Trunyan hill is located in Kintamani above Trunyan village and you can hike to the top via two different ways, further explained in the paragraph below. The views during the hike and at the summit of Trunyan Hill are something special and pretty unusual for Bali. You are walking on the crater ridge and have views on Trunyan village below, Mount Abang, Mount Batur, Lake Batur and on a clear day you can even see Mount Rinjani in Lombok and Mount Agung in Bali. You will need proper hiking shoes and a jacket because it can get colder up in the mountains. Not really a viewpoint you can visit quickly, but if you want to visit some hidden gems in Bali, then Trunyan Hill it is!
Practical information hiking Trunyan Hill
So as said there are two different ways to hike Trunyan Hill. From Trunyan village the hike takes about 3 – 4 hours and starts at Pancering Jagat Temple next to Lake Batur. However the easier and shorter trek which only takes about 1,5 hours of hiking starts at the location ‘Trunyan via Kubu’ on Google Maps. You are then already higher up in the mountains, but this trailhead is best reached from the north coast of Bali. When you get to the trailhead you will see the sign and stairs, you have to pay a donation and then you can start the trek up. Definitely one of the most off the beaten path Bali hiking experiences!
West Bali National Park
West Bali is definitely the undiscovered part of the island. But with a National Park that protects rare animals such as the endangered Bali starling, it is the perfect place for bird spotters and photographers. Off the northeast shore of the peninsula, Menjangan Island is ringed by coral reefs which makes it some of the best spots for diving in Bali. But if birds and diving are not your thing, you can still book some great trekking tours in the park. You must obtain a permit and a guide as independent treks are not allowed in West Bali National Park. During a trek through this National Park you will walk under the green canopies and through ancient mangrove forests. Afterwards you can have a refreshing dip in the crystal clear water and relax on the beach.
Book here your private 3-day tour to West Bali NP including Menjangan Island
Jatiluwih rice fields trekking
The Jatiluwih rice terraces are one of the best rice terraces to visit in Bali with an incredible history. Located in the Tabanan regency near Gunung Batukaru, the Jatiluwih green land offers amazing views. With over 600 hectares of rice paddies following the flowing lush hillside of the Batukaru mountain range, the Jatiluwih rice terraces give a new meaning to the word green.
You can explore the beautiful rice terraces of Jatiluwih Bali in different ways, but the best way to learn more about the Balinese agriculture of rice farming is by hiking through the rice fields. You’ll get to explore different parts of the Bali rice terraces, jump over rivers, and even sit down for a nice lunch in the terraces. You can book a rice paddy trekking tour or follow the signs yourself and explore on your own pace.
If you don’t want to hike through the rice terraces and prefer to bike, then you can book here a 2 hour e-bike tour through Jatiluwih.
Read in our complete guide everything about the Jatiluwih rice terraces
Sambangan secret garden waterfall hike
The untouched nature of North Bali hides Sambangan secret garden where you can do a stunning hike along beautiful waterfalls. But not only hiking! Because for the adrenaline junkies you can go cliff jumping from the waterfalls with a guide. The hike isn’t too strenuous and leads you along rice paddie fields, cloves trees and beautiful hill views along the way. On average it takes about 20 – 30 minutes of trekking to get to the waterfall area from the parking lot.
The first waterfall you will see is Kroya waterfall which is 5 meters height and great for jumping and sliding down the natural slide of the waterfall. Next is Kembar waterfall which is 10 meters high and only a few minutes away from Kroya. The last waterfall in this section is Pucuk waterfall which is 15 meters high and the tallest waterfall you can cliff jump from. When hiking back to Kroya waterfall you can continue the hike to the tallest waterfall of all in the Sambangan secret garden which is Aling Aling waterfall. This 35 meters high waterfall is a true jungle book beauty. It’s so impressive to see how the water gushes down into the natural pool. With all the greens around and in contrast with the bright blue natural pool it truly is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali.
If you want to book a thrilling waterfall tour jumping off the cliffs along the waterfalls in the natural pool, then I highly recommend booking this waterfall tour with Four Elements Adventure tour company. They are specialised in doing adventurous activities in Bali. And especially with jumping off things you want to have an experienced, good English speaking guide.
Read in our complete guide everything about the hike to Aling Aling waterfall
Twin lakes hike Munduk
Another great hike in North Bali nearby Munduk is in the rainforest that separates the twin lakes. These crater lakes used to be one big lake but since a landslide occurred in the 19th century they are divided and are now also known as Twin Lakes. One lake is called Buyan lake and the other is Tamblingan Lake where you can also see a beautiful temple. You can book a trekking tour to hike through the tropical rainforest that borders the twin lakes. This jungle trek can be done by everyone with a bit of fitness level. The total trekking time takes between 2 to 6 hours depending on your pace. During this hike you can expect to see the beautiful lush vegetation that Bali has to offer and a plethora of wildlife. A great little Bali hiking adventure that takes you deep into the rainforest of the island and along beautiful temples.
Read in our complete guide the 20 best things to do in Munduk
Sekumpul waterfall hike
Another amazing Bali hiking adventure to some of the best waterfalls in Bali is to Sekumpul waterfall. This 100 meters high waterfall in North Bali is a must visit. You can enter the waterfall via the general entrance that takes you directly down to the bottom of the falls. But you can also choose to do a trek that starts at the upper side of the falls to explore more of the rice fields, temples, historical monuments and fruit trees. You will then make your way to the bottom of the falls for a refreshing swim and to admire the beauty from Sekumpul waterfall.
Book this North Bali waterfall tour to see the best waterfalls in Bali in a one day tour
Read in our complete guide everything about Sekumpul waterfall
Coffee Plantation walk
Learning the process of coffee making and where the product is actually coming from is something you can do in Bali. There are many coffee plantations in the northern area where the air is cooler and the soil so fertile thanks to the volcanic activity in the past. If you book a coffee plantation walk you will be guided by local Balinese people through the coffee plantation. While walking through the plantation you will learn more about the growing process of coffee beans and how they are processed. You will not only learn about Arabica and Robusta coffee, but also about the famous Balinese Luwak coffee. Afterwards you can have a cup of coffee while enjoying the beautiful green views.
More Bali travel inspiration
We hope you enjoyed this complete Bali hiking guide and that you will explore some of the amazing hikes in Bali.
For more Bali travel inspiration, head over to our other Bali travel guides.
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