The best hiking trails around Ubud, Indonesia

From a relaxing stroll to more adrenaline-filled treks, these walks are both close to Ubud (Indonesia), and further out of town. Check out our guide to the best walks and hikes around Ubud and put on your favorite walking shoes.

Campuhan Ridge walk

Probably the most Instagrammable walk in Ubud, the Campuhan Ridge walk is a gift for the eyes and soul. Tjampuhan – the ancient spelling of Campuhan – means “place where two rivers meet.” And it’s here that the magic happens: a mesmerizing sunrise and sunset walk, overlooking sacred river gorges and lush tropical forest. Brace yourself with patience to get the ideal photo: it might get busy during golden hour.

To get there, head to the north-west end of Jalan Ubud Raya. Reach the Warwick Ibah Hotel and park your scooter there in case. There’s a narrow downhill stone path leading to the stairs going up the ridge.

Jalan Kajeng walk

Parallel to the Sari Organik path, this walk is another little hidden gem, very close to Ubud center. Less busy than the previous routes, it’s a bit trickier to reach, but will be worth the effort. Go on, explore, stop at one of the local shops on the path and get yourself a refreshing coconut to sip while admiring the kaleidoscopic sunset sky. Jalan Kajeng is a road perpendicular to Jalan Ubud Raya, a right turn before Starbucks. Take the road and keep going until you cross a bridge where the path is narrow and steep. Keep going as while it might appear to lead nowhere, you’ll end up beautifully surprised.

Ubud rice terraces walk

Claimed as a Unesco World Heritage site, the Tegalalang rice terraces are simply dreamy and worth a visit. They are one of the main tourist attractions on the island and have a well-deserved reputation. Several tour companies organize walks around the area and you can also reach the site by yourself and choose your own path. Entrance fee is around IDR10.000.

The magnificent terraces are located 20 minutes drive from Ubud center. From Jalan Ubud Raya, head east and reach the crossroad where the Andong statue rises. Turn left into Jalan Andong and keep heading north on the same road until you arrive at the site.

Penglipuran Village walk

For a walk back in time, head to Penglipuran Village, a traditional Balinese banjar located in the Bangli Regency, roughly a 30-minute drive from Ubud. Imagine wandering into a timeless culture, painted with the golden and vivid colors of ancient temples and the handmade offerings to the Gods. Penglipuran has been named one of the cleanest villages in the world, together with Giethoorn in the Netherlands and Mawlynnong in India. The best time for a walk in the village is during a local ceremony, for example, Galungan, when the streets are adorned with the penjor – ornamental bamboo poles designed to carry religious offerings.

Mount Batur hike

Mount Batur is one of the volcanic peaks on the island of Bali, located north of Ubud. Most of the tour companies who provide guidance to the trek, start the journey from Ubud. The volcano and its caldera, another Unesco World Heritage site on the island, is one of the most popular sunrise spotting places in Bali. Check out our complete guide to a Mount Batur trek to make the most of the volcano hike.

Mount Agung hike

With its 3,031 meters of altitude, Gunung Agung is the highest peak on the Island of Gods, and venerated as the most sacred entity. Mount Agung is a currently active volcano and in normal circumstances it can be hiked. It’s a tough one, usually lasting six hours for the journey to the summit. The view will make you feel as though you’re sitting on the roof of the world, overlooking the whole of Bali, the neighboring island of Lombok and the surrounding ocean. Make sure to research and book with an expert guide: the path is tricky, slippery and ever changing, due to rock-fall.

See more: Must-visit attractions in Ubud, Bali

Source: Internet

Come to Indonesia and challenge yourself with these hiking trails

It cannot be overstated: Indonesia is one of the greatest hiking destinations in the entire world. If that comes as a surprise to you, you’ll see why that’s a legitimate statement after reading this post.

1. Mount Bromo, Java

Mount Bromo is probably the most well-known volcano in Indonesia. Rising 2,329 metres toward the sky, this mountain is truly a sight to see. It’s arguably Indonesia’s most iconic mountain. Located in the otherworldly landscape of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Mount Bromo is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, regularly spewing white sulphurous smoke into the air. It’s also one of the most hiked volcanoes. The hike can be done in one (very) long day. Rise early and try to get there to watch the sunrise.

2. Mount Penanjakan, Java

While Mount Bromo captures people’s imagination, it’s nearby Mount Penanjakan that actually provides the greatest views of Bromo itself. From the summit, hikers can enjoy a phenomenal panorama that takes in Mount Bromo, Mount Semeru and the rest of this unique volcanic landscape.

3. Mount Rinjani

Towering 3,726 metres over Lombok, Mount Rinjani is the second-highest volcano in Indonesia. It also makes for one of the country’s greatest hiking adventures. Getting to the summit and back down is no easy feat, though. The trek lasts three to four days. Trails commence in each of the more than twenty villages surrounding the mountain, but the main access routes lie in Sembalun Lawang and Senaru. The views from the summit are phenomenal, taking in a crater lake named Segara Anak and the rest of Lombok, reaching as far as Bali.

4. Padar Island, Komodo National Park

Located in Komodo National Park, Padar Island is part of a collection of islands home to the famous komodo dragons. This is, however, one of the least visited islands in the region. It offers secluded and quiet hiking opportunities, rewarded by epic coastal views. Just keep your eyes peeled for the island’s native reptiles!

5. Sipiso-Piso Waterfall, Sumatra

Nature lovers and photographers are always impressed by the 120-metre-tall Sipiso-Piso Waterfall. The trail starts at the parking lot and leads 600 steps down to the fall’s bottom (and back up afterwards). Make sure to bring some swimwear as you can swim at the natural pool below the waterfall.

See more: 5 popular trails in Bali for beyond adventurous travelers

Source: Internet

Explore the best hiking trails in Taiwan

Explore the most popular hiking trails in Taiwan with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.

Yangmingshan National Park

Yangmingshan is Chinese for something like “Bright Sun Mountain”, and it is deserving of the name, catching a sunset here is breathtaking. It is the closest hiking destination near Taipei City, in Northern Taiwan, and it is also the island’s most popular hot spring destinations. The Yangmingshan National Park is Taiwan’s busiest national park due to it is close proximity to Taipei.

Wuliaojian 

Wuliaojian is as far as difficult day hikes go, this is up there with the best of them. Located in New Taipei City just a short MRT and taxi ride from the city, this trail is only for the most physically fit of hikers. The climb is quite intense at times but once again worth it for the views of the local countryside.

The Beidawushan Trail

Beidawushan is the most southerly mountain in Taiwan, reaching over 3,000m above sea-level at its peak. This trail, which is 10km in length, is one of the most popular overnight hikes in Taiwan, as the majority of the trail is easy to follow and it promises some incredible panoramic views.

The Beidawushan Trail begins at an elevation of 1,520m and the majority of the path is clear and simple to follow. The second day of the trail includes a number of narrow ridges, as well as rope sections. You will also encounter a 1,000-year-old red cedar tree that is 25m in circumference, as well as Japanese-era shrines and rare forests of hemlock spruce. The trail ends at the summit of Beidawushan, from which you can observe both the Pacific Ocean and the Taiwan Strait on a clear day. The Beidawushan Trail does require transport to reach and while the journey to the trailhead may be complicated, the trail itself and the views are bound to make up for it.

Alishan Scenic Mountain Area

Eryan Ping tourist that makes it to these shores wants to see the sunrise at Alishan, and the best vantage point is said to be at the viewing platforms at the end of this trail. The walkway offers fabulous photo ops along the entire route so the trail can get quite busy.

Shei-pa National Park

Wuling Sixiu Trail is located in the Shei-Pa National Park, this hike is said to be one of the most challenging that the region has to offer. Taking three to four days to complete, this trek takes hikers up and down a group of four mountains, so a certain level of fitness is required but the photo opportunities are out of this world.

Alangyi Historic Trail

Alangyi Historic Trail is a track that travels along the wild and beautiful south-eastern coast of Taiwan. The path saddles both Taitung and Pingtung counties. Great coastal views of the Pacific Ocean.

Read more: Visit Kenting, the southernmost of Taiwan

Source Internet