Sandy beaches, rice paddies, ancient temples, and magnificent mountains – these are just some teasers that hint at the beauty of Bali, best known as the Island of Gods.
Not familiar to many, Bali is a paradise to outdoor endeavors for hiking and trekking. East to west, the island is approximately 153 km (95 mi) wide and spans approximately 112 km (70 mi) north to south.
Bali’s central mountains include several peaks over 2,000 metres (6,600 feet) in elevation and active volcanoes such as Mount Batur. The highest mountain is Mount Agung (3,031 m, 9,944 ft), known as the “mother mountain”, which is an active volcano.
Mount Batur
Located north of Ubud, in the Kintamani area, Mount Batur is an active volcano with an altitude of 1717 metres above sea level. Mount Batur Geopark is listed as UNESCO Global Geopark due to its unique geology. The volcano with its caldera is one of the best spots to catch the sunrise in Bali.
Tips: Although this is a beginner-friendly trek, it is good to hire a private guide to know more about the history of the volcano, its significance in Balinese culture, and the surrounding flora. After the hike, there are some hot springs nearby Lake Batur, perfect for relaxing the tired muscles.
Mount Abang
Mount Abang, located opposite Mount Batur, is the third highest peak in Bali; with a height of 2152 metres above sea level, hiking to the summit takes up about 2 – 3 hours. Once there, you will be surrounded by lush tropical rainforest and breezy fresh air.
📷@xjimbarun / Instagram
The summit of Mount Abang offers an impressive view of the sunrise, and you can see Batur Lake and Mount Batur in the distance.
📷: @mountabang_2151.2mdpl / Instagram
Tip: Most of the private tours include a visit to Luwak coffee plantation. If you are not interested, please make enquiry with respective tours prior to sign-up.
Mount Agung
Unlike the previous mountains mentioned earlier, Mount Agung is the most challenging mountain, as it is the highest mountain in Bali, this active volcano stands at 3031 meters above sea level.
According to a local myth, Mount Agung is believed as the home of God and has a huge spiritual significance to the Balinese. It is also where Pura Besakih (Bali’s Hindu mother temple) is located.
📷@pura_agung_besakih / Instagram
The hike to Mount Agung is far from easy, as it requires a much higher level of fitness and mental discipline. To reach the summit, you need to walk on a narrow and steep ridge that has dangerous drop-offs on both sides. On average, the hike takes about 5 – 7 hours, depending on the location of departure points. (4 – 5 hours from Pura Pasar Agung, 6 – 7 hours from Besakih).
📷@reinardusbayu / Instagram
Once you reach the top of the mountain, you will be rewarded with stunning sunrise, one of the most picturesque views in Bali.
📷 @diiahmakecee / Instagram
Tip: This hiking trek is a strenuous, tough climb and hikers start the journey near midnight in order to catch the sunrise, thus it is important to put on walking shoes with good grip, bring a flashlight, and hiking stick. The temperatures can get quite chilly up there, so make sure to pack warm clothes (including gloves).
Check out the video here from the team at Hard Rock Hotel Bali, as they take you on a virtual adventure to these amazing mountains.
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