Golden Valley Waterfall in Munduk is one of Bali’s lesser visited waterfalls but we think it’s the ideal spot for someone seeking to get away from the crowds and appreciate the majest of nature.
Here’s what you need to know to plan a trip to Golden Valley Waterfall in Bali.
Where Is Golden Valley Waterfall?
The Golden Valley Waterfall is outside the village of Munduk in the Buleleng Regency in the northern part of Bali.
It’s a bit off the beaten track but you’ll find that this corner of the island offers plenty to do and you probably won’t be visiting just to see the Golden Valley waterfall.
Address: Munduk, Banjar, Buleleng Regency, Bali 81152, Indonesia
How To Get To Golden Valley Waterfall?
Because this part of North Bali is a long way from the tourist towns of Southern Bali, we’d recommend that you hire a car and driver for a day or two and explore this area in full.
The Trail To The Waterfall
The trail entrance isn’t far from the Golden Valley Waterfall and it’s fully signposted, so you’re not likely to get lost.
However, if you’re one of those people who loves to use a map to navigate, we should note that this route is not featured on Google Maps. You need an app like Maps.me to find the trail and then download it as there’s no signal out by the Golden Valley Waterfall.
It’s a nice walk, which is not too taxing, that zig-zags down the valley and it’s suitable for anyone without mobility problems in reasonable shape.
The path is very well-maintained and while it might get slippery when it’s very wet, mostly you could walk this trail in flip-flops if you wanted to.
Then, there’s a photography area which is fanastic for getting good shots of the Golden Valley waterfalls.
If you want to venture right down to the edge of the Golden Valley waterfalls, you can but be warned – it’s very misty and you might get soaked.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Golden Valley Waterfall?
Any time of year is fine to visit the Golden Valley waterfalls. It’s worth noting that you get the best waterfall appearance at the end of the rainy season when the water flow is heaviest.
However, it’s usually easier to walk the paths in the dry season and this waterfall doesn’t dry up at any time of the year.
Is There An Entrance Fee For Golden Valley Waterfall?
No, there’s no entrance fee and while a donation is requested, there’s an honesty box by the entrance for you to leave cash in.
We’d recommend leaving about 10,000-15,000 IDR per person which is n line with what they charge at other waterfalls in the area.
What To Expect At Golden Valley Waterfall
This is an attractive waterfall that’s best viewed from the viewing platform and the Golden Valley Eco Cafe.
When you get up close to it, the water flow is seriously powerful and it’s too strong to swim in or stand in – you risk getting hurt.
However, it’s not the busiest of waterfalls and it means you’re much more likely to get your perfect photograph of a waterfall here than at some of the more popular falls in Bali.
Where To Stay Near Golden Valley Waterfall
There’s no guest house next to Golden Valley Waterfall but there are lots of nice places to stay in Munduk Village and near the other waterfalls in the area including the Munduk Waterfalls:
Shankara Munduk Bali – this is a fabulous villa complex with an amazing swimming pool. The two-bedroom villa comes with its own jacuzzi and it’s very reasonably priced for Bali.
D’Rus Hill Munduk – this is a delightful bed and breakfast set up in the jungle with amazing views of the local forests and jungle. The rooms are very clean and spacious and there’s a decent meal area too.
Gumi Ayu EcoStay – this site is initimately connected to Munduk Waterfall and is very close to Golden Valley. They work with the local temple to add water purification ceremonies to the highlights of staying there.
Tang, Ting, Tung Home Stay – it’s got one of the coolest names of a home stay anywhere on Earth and you will feel super welcome staying with this local family.
Munduk V View House – a hidden gem, quiet and lovely with amazing views and it’s extremely good value for money too. When we want a break from the world, this is where we go.
Where To Eat Near Golden Valley Waterfall
There are some great places to eat near the Golden Valley waterfalls including:
Munduk Farm House – if you’re in the mood for amazing cocktails in the jungle at a place that serves an excellent mix of local and international cuisine, you’re going to be very happy at Munduk Farm House.
Warung Adit Tabog – if you like sate ayam, you’re going to love Warung Adit Tabog which offers exceptional sate in a warm, welcoming setting with amazing views of the Balinese countryside.
Warung Bakso Bu Cindy – this may be the best bakso restaurant in North Bali, so make sure to stop in and try this sweet local treat. It’s very clean and the family who run the place are awesome too.
The View Munduk – we were very impressed with the huge number of options on the menu at this excellent Indonesian restaurant. The view is lovely too.
Munduk Escape – a very attractive cafe that is quite hard to find. The coffee is first rate and the snacks are world class. The owner is also a great photographer and he might be happy to take your picture for you too!
Golden Valley Eco Cafe – there are actually two of these cafes and one of them has closed and been replaced by the other. It’s not the best food we’ve ever had but the view of the Golden Valley Waterfall can’t be beaten at the Golden Valley Eco Cafe.
Things To Do Near Golden Valley Waterfall
There is a lot to do in this area often known as the “twin lakes” region of North Bali and that includes:
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Lake Tamblingan – an attractive caldera lake surrounded by temples and old villages. It’s worth hiking around the outside of this lake and it’s one of the “twin lakes” of Bali.
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Wanagiri Hidden Hill – Wanagiri means “forest of monkeys” and this attractive place has plenty of monkeys as well as excellent spots for taking photos of the lakes and mountains.
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Lake Buyan – the other, twin lake, is bigger than Tamblingan and has more temples, villages, etc. to see and it’s worth taking a boat out on the lake too.
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Munduk Waterfall Trek (inc. Red Coral Waterfall, Melanting Waterfall and Labuhan Kebo Waterfall) -the Red Coral Waterfall is, perhaps, the most famous waterfall in the area but there’s a full trek of several waterfalls to enjoy
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Munduk Rice Terraces – they’re not as famous as the Tegalalang Terraces but they’re quite lovely and they see far fewer visitors which means you can get some awesome shots in the rice fields without a million influencers traipsing into view every time you raise your camera.
FAQ
Can You Swim In Bali Waterfalls?
You can swim at some of the Bali waterfalls, including some of the Munduk waterfalls but you can’t swim at all of them.
In some cases, the pool below the waterfall is too shallow, in some you can’t reach the pool at all, in others the rocks around the water might be sharp and slippery and so on… there are good reasons you can’t swim at some waterfalls.
So, if you find yourself at a waterfall where it’s clear that swimming is prohibited, it’s best to wait until the next waterfall and there are plenty of them in the lush jungle of Bali.
Why Does Bali Have So Many Waterfalls?
It’s a combination of the tropical climate which leads to plenty of water and the volcanic nature of the island which creates the perfect geologic conditions for waterfalls.
Because Bali is home to a pair of active volcanoes, an eruption can often change the course of rivers and create new waterfalls as part of the process.
How Do I Get To Waterfalls In Bali?
You can get to the most popular waterfalls here in Bali by joining an organized tour. This has the advantage of providing a guide and cost-effective transport.
However, if you want to get off the beaten path and visit a few of the other waterfalls in Bali – you will need to rent a private car and driver or a scooter.
How To Book A Trip To Bali To See Golden Valley Waterfall?
We always recommend that you book a holiday in Bali through the awesome folks at the Bali Res Centre.
They can ensure you see all of the Munduk Waterfalls including the Golden Valley Waterfall, the Munduk Waterfall, the Red Coral Waterfall, the Melanting Waterfall, and the Labuhan Kebo Waterfall as well as any other sights you want to see on the island.
They can also get you great deals on hotels in Northern Bali and the rest of the island, as well as great value flights and more.
Final Thoughts On Visiting Golden Valley Waterfall
This isn’t a complete guide to every possibility that you can encounter at this waterfall but it should give you a good indication as to whether it’s the right waterfall destination for you.
We strongly recommend visiting the Golden Valley Waterfall as we think it’s one of the nicest sights here in Bali.
It’s also a great chance to see Munduk Village and do the Munduk Waterfall Trek.
