With hiking is all the rage nowadays, it is tempting for all of us to buy all the gears and go hiking at once. Especially when you are in Indonesia, a country of mountains and volcanoes with great panorama and memorable sights. If you are new to hiking or lack time during your trip for long trekking, there are still many options for you to choose from. You just need to be fit enough for at most 2 hours of gentle climbing and be prepared with hiking essentials: a poncho, small headlamp, basic first aid kit, snacks and water.
So behold, the most amazing Indonesia hiking sites which doesn’t require you to be crawling on all fours to the top:
Nusa Lembongan, Bali
This small island near Bali boasts some of the most incredible sceneries in Indonesia. You will be hiking along cliffs and tidal pools at Devil’s Tears. You may start at Dream Beach, enjoying the dreamy stretch of white sands. Then continue walking on a gentle incline for about 400m to the rocky sections of Devil’s Tears.
While walking, please take extra precaution to not get too close to the edge as the splashing waves are unpredictable. There is a chance you’ll enjoy the spray from the water crashing to the rock or you’ll also might get swept away by a big wave!
After taking mandatory photos, continue along the track and descend to Sandy Bay Beach, where there are a lot of cottages and restaurants for you to have lunch/dinner to conclude your hike.
How to Get There: Take a boat from Sanur Port at Bali Island. The ride takes about 30 minutes. You’ll disembark at Jungut Batu Beach and proceed to rent a scooter or take a taxi to your starting point.
Starting point: https://goo.gl/maps/XgWyCADUuH82
Permit: No permit and it is free! (considering the amazing view you’ll see)
Hiking Duration: 2 hours
Recommended Place To Stay: The island of Nusa Lembongan is small enough to explore for a day, but if you insist, we would recommend Tamarind Beach Bungalows
Nearby Attractions: Mangrove Forest and Seaweed Farms
Bukit Sikunir Dieng, Java
Bukit Sikunir is located near the highest village in Java Island, Desa Sembungan. As the base of Bukit Sikunir, the village itself is already at 1500 meter above sea level in the Dieng Plateau. Dieng derives from Sanskrit, di (abode) and hyang (gods) which means “Abode of the Gods”.
The trek (or “jalur” in Indonesian language) itself is clearly marked. Most parts of the track are steep, however your effort will be rewarded by the sunrise here which is amazing.
In addition to the golden view, you’ll enjoy the view of well-known peaks such as Merapi, Prau, Sindoro and Sumbing. There’s a “warung kopi”, a small hut selling coffee and snacks at the summit.
You’ll find some of the hikers opt to overnight besides Telaga Cebongan, a lake along the trek.
How to Get There: The closest big cities to Bukit Sikunir are Semarang and Jogyakarta, from which you can opt for car or bus (4 hour ride) to Wonosobo, the small town near Dieng Plateau. You can then proceed to take minibus as provided by your tour operator to Desa Sembalungan.
Starting point: https://goo.gl/maps/K1i77M2MRRR2
Permit: No permit and trekking fee. You need to pay for parking Rp. 12,000
Hiking Duration: 30 minute to 1 hour from the parking to the summit. It is recommended for you to start hiking as early as 3 a.m to secure a nice viewing spot at the summit. It is always crowded here.
Highest point: 2,463 meter above sea level
Recommended Place To Stay: Homestays in the village Desa Sembungan such as Homestay Sikunir
Nearby Attractions: Tambi Tea plantation or if you come in August, immerse yourself with local culture during the annual Dieng Culture Festival
Bukit Sipolha, Sumatera
Danau Toba (Lake Toba) is has always been one of the must-see natural attractions in Sumatra. But do you know that you can also have a brief hiking experience around the lake? And when we say brief, it is really brief. It takes only 5 to 10 minutes of gentle hiking to a summit of Bukit Sipolha. From the top, you will have a nice vista of Lake Toba and Pulau Hole.
If you feel more adventurous, you can take hire a boat to Pulau Hole and trek around this small island, or hike up to Sipiso Waterfall which is one of the tallest waterfalls in Indonesia.
How to Get There: Travel for 5 hours from Kota Medan to Parapat and follow the direction to Desa Beringin. In the last few kilometers the road will be quite steep and untarred. You’ll reach a parking lot at the end of the road.
Starting point: 2.738204, 98.857399
Permit: No permit and trekking fee. You need to pay for parking Rp. 5,000
Hiking Duration: Only 5-10 minutes
Recommended Place To Stay: After your hike, you can take a boat to Pulau Samosir and rest at any of the rest-houses on the island, such as Samosir Cottages or Hotel Tuk-Tuk Timbul
Nearby Attractions: Bukit Indah Simarjarunjung and an abandoned fish-shaped house on the way to the parking lot
Mount Kelimutu, Flores
A lesser-known jewel of Flores is Mount Kelimutu, a volcanic mountain situated at the northeast of Kapubaten Ende.
It’s uniqueness is attributed to its three crater lakes of different colors, whose colours slowly change over time : Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo is the turquoise lake and it is said to host the souls who die young, Tiwu Ata Mbupu, the brown lake, hosts the souls of old and wise, as well as Tiwu Ata Polo hosts the souls of evil ones. You will climb a flight of stairs to Inspiration Point, a good vantage point that overlooks the three lakes. Along the way, you can enjoy the sight of pretty fauna such as pine and edelweis.
The people of Flores highly regard this place as a sacred and magical place, so kindly adhere to rules and regulations!
How to Get There: Fly to Ende (East Nusa Tenggara) and take a ground transport to Moni village. The entrance to the mountain is about 45 minutes drive from Moni.
Starting point: https://goo.gl/maps/p7F6Pg8pBEU2
Permit: Rp. 150,000 for foreign tourists
Hiking Duration: 30-40 minute to reach the highest point
Highest point: 1,647 meter above sea level
Recommended Place To Stay: Stay overnight at the base of the mountain village Moni so you can catch a sunrise at the top of the mountain.
Nearby Attractions: Learn about local tribes at Wolowaru or refresh yourself at Murundao waterfall
Padar Island, Komodo National Park
Saving the best for the last, you will be awed by the beautiful sight of Padar Island smacked in the middle of Komodo National Park. Totally out of the world view of turquoise oceans and gorgeous landscape will provide you plenty of instagram-worthy pictures. You can do this by your own, by following the worn footpath that leads to the vantage point.
As it is not a tropical forest where you can get plenty of cover under shades of trees, please use sunscreen and hat generously.
How to Get There: Fly to Komodo Airport at Labuan Bajo then take a boat to visit Padar Island. You can request your tour operator to include Padar Island hike in your itinerary.
Starting point: -8.640228, 119.573926
Permit: Rp. 220,000 for foreign tourists
Hiking Duration: 1.5 hours
Highest point: 1,647 meter above sea level
Recommended Place To Stay: Most tourists stay at Labuan Bojo. We recommend The Jayakarta Suite Komodo
Nearby Attractions: Everywhere here is an attraction! You can dive, frolick at the Pink Beach or snorkel around the area.
So there you go, 5 hiking sites suitable for beginners which are nothing short than amazing. Have a safe hike!
What are your fave Indonesia hiking spots?
Let us know in the comments!
This article was written by Wan Nurul Hanani and edited by Natalija.
About Hanani: Inspired by her parents who wrestled their way out of a very rural area to obtain national scholarships and to have a high-flying career, Hanani believes that everything is possible once you set your mind into it. She has embarked on solo travels and treks to Peru, Iran, New Zealand, Turkey, Morocco and other countries since 2009. Her love of mountains has taken her to the likes of Mount Yong Belar, Mount Semeru to Annapurna Base Camp on which she proudly donned the traditional baju kurung or kebaya.
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