The Most Spectacular Bali Volcano Hikes

And so, while volcanoes may not be the first type of hiking ground that comes to mind when you think of a hike, let the record show that this is not an experience that you want to miss. Every step you take will be totally worth it!

An intro to the top Bali volcano hikes

Keep in mind that this is an introduction to three volcanoes to trek in Bali – more is to come, don’t you worry.However, before you go embarking on this adventure, it is important to keep in mind that they all differ in difficulty and trip length. That being said, they all provide breathtaking views and a sense of achievement when you reach the summit.

When to hike volcanoes in Bali: During the months of April to September (the dry season) is the best time to climb any of the volcanos as the tracks get muddy and slippery in the wet season, making it difficult or impossible to climb.

Usually, it’s best to aim for the summit around sunset, so the climbs begin very early in the morning. If possible, choose a date close to a full moon for extra light, but you can climb the volcanos any time of the month.

What to bring: Warm clothes, good shoes, water, snacks, and a headlamp.

Top 3 Bali volcano hikes

Mount Batur – The Easiest Climb

Mount Batur is the easiest Bali volcano hike of the three volcanos and provides spectacular views of Lake Batur and the ocean. It is also Bali’s most active volcano, so check whether it is safe to climb before you go.

Most people do the climb as an organized tour, but you can do it on your own if you prefer. If you decide to do the volcano trek without a guide, be prepared to deal with local guides in Kintamani, the town where the trek starts, who have a reputation for being extremely pushy and doing almost anything to hinder people without a guide to reach the summit.

The track starts out as a dirt path, but as it quickly gets steeper it also gets rockier and after a while vegetation is mainly limited to grasses growing among the rocks. Before reaching the summit, a small vendor sells refreshments.

On the summit, views reach as far as Mount Rinjani, and if you have a guide, he or she might cook you an egg boiled in volcanic steam before the descent.

• Difficulty: The trek is straight forward, so if you are in decent shape, you shouldn’t have many problems.

• Trip length: This Bali volcano hike takes one to two hours to reach the summit and the same time to get down, but you should also include time to enjoy the views and explore the rim of the crater.

• Location: An hour’s drive north of Ubud.

If you decide to do the hike with a guide there’s an option of a few add-ons, including a sunrise hike with a natural hot spring, a sunrise hike with breakfast, or a sunrise hike with white water rafting.

Mount Agung – Bali’s Highest Point

The trek starts at around 2.30 in the morning at the stairs of the temple. Bring a torch or preferably a headlamp, as the first part of the trek through the forest is particularly dark. After walking uphill in the dark for about three hours you should reach the summit as the sun starts to color the sky orange. Especially on windy days, it can get very cold at the summit, so make sure to bring extra warm clothes.

As you start making your way down, the sun becomes more intense, and you’ll welcome the guy selling semi-cold refreshments at the temple where the trek ends.

• Height: 3031 meters
• Difficulty: You need to be fit for this trek as it is a fairly long climb with some steep sections.
• Trip length: It takes about two to four hours to reach the summit and a little less to get down.
• Location: An hour’s of drive northeast of Ubud

There’s an option to book a Mount Agung sunrise hike with breakfast.

Mount Rinjani – Lombok’s Spectacular Volcano

The classic Rinjani volcano trek takes two nights and three days and is the most spectacular of the three. And is one of the harder Bali volcano hikes.

On day one, walk from the National Park entrance to the rim of the volcano. The first half of the day goes through the jungle, where curios monkeys will watch you, but as you get closer to the rim, vegetation is limited to grasses and small bushes. When you reach the rim, and if you still have any breath left, the spectacular view of the crater will take away what remaining breath you have.

Spend the next day exploring the crater for a couple of hours where you can swim in the blue crater lake or relax your muscles in the nearby hot springs before climbing up to the opposite side of the rim.

On the third day, you get up early in order to reach the summit at sunrise. On a clear day, you get a spectacular view of Lombok, the Gili islands and Bali as the sun starts warming you up.

Back at camp, you’ll have breakfast before descending through grass and farmlands all the way down to the village of Sembalun where the trek ends.

• Difficulty: Climbing Rinjani is a hard trek with some steep sections, especially the last bit to the summit, where the sand-like surface makes walking difficult, so you need to be in good shape to reach the summit of Mount Rinjani. An easier option, but with equally good views, is just to trek to the rim, which is easier as the track is good most of the way and without too many steep parts.

• Trip length: The classic length is three days and two nights, but you can also do a two day, a one night, or some trips go as long as a week. In the latter case, you’ll spend more time trekking the area around the volcano and inside the crater.

• Location: Mount Rinjani is located on Lombok. From Bali it is a 90-minute boat ride and an hour’s drive to the foot of Mount Rinjani. From the Gili Islands, it will take you ten minutes by boat plus an hour by car. You are not allowed to climb Rinjani without a guide, so you need to go on an organized tour, which can easily be arranged from Bali and The Gilis.

Mount Catur – The hike with the major view

Located in the northwest of Bali, this picturesque location is surrounded by so many gorgeous waterfalls, lakes as well as a botanical garden that you can easily explore. One of Bali’s most photographed temples, The Temple at Lake Bratan (Pura Ulun Danu Bratan) happens to be in this location too.

When you begin the hike, you need to keep in mind that unlike Mt. Batur and Mt. Agung, this volcano is actually extinct. This means that you won’t be able to see any cool lava eruptions or cook your eggs on lava rock either – sorry.

• Height: 1 247m
• Difficulty: This specific hike is neither a leisurely stroll nor a serious hiking challenge. It is somewhere in between. But keep in mind that you may want some endurance training beforehand!
• Trip length: This hike is by no means a long one or even an over-nighter for that matter! See this as a fun day trip as because, on average, it should take you about three hours to get to the very top, where you will be met with the most stunning views yet.
• Location: Your hike will begin at Lake Bratan at Gua Jepang (literally translated to “Japanese Cave”).

Mount Batukaru

If you are looking for the second-highest mountain in Bali, then look no further than Mount Batukaru. This dormant volcano sets itself apart from all of the other Bali volcano hikes as it has some very unique terrains that will, without a doubt, shock and delight you!  From the shady forestry to the hike peaks and views of the craters and lakes – it has all you need to form a summit.

• Height: 2,275 meters
• Difficulty: This specific hike is ideal for those of you who enjoy walking through forests and being surrounded by tall trees. The rocky terrains and steep inclines make for a rather difficult and strenuous hike. Thankfully it is only a day hoke though
• Trip length: This trek is about five hours long, so do not mistake it for a leisurely hike, as it is nowhere close to that. So, make sure that your fitness levels are relatively high so that you can get to the top in good time.
• Location: Mount Batukaru is an extinct volcano that is both the highest peak in the Bedugul volcanic area and the second-highest mountain in Bali.