Feeling like an adventure in Bali? Why not tackle climbing one (or more) of the many mountains on the island?
We’ve got a guide, below, to the 10 best mountains in Bali to help you decide on which challenge to undertake.
Our 10 Top Mountains In Bali
Gunung Agung (Mount Agung) – The Tallest Mountain And An Active Volcano
Mount Agung is Bali’s tallest mountain. It’s an active volcano too. The last eruption was between 2017 and 2019. Mount Agung is also, possibly, the toughest climb and trek in Bali.
The going on either trail (one starts at Pura Pasar Agung Temple, the other close to Pura Besakih) is extremely tough, particularly as you near the summit and it’s recommended that you only tackle Mount Agung if you’re in peak physical form and an experienced climber.
We know a few people who’ve tried and failed to handle Mount Agung simply because they weren’t prepared for how tough it is.
For the brave few who persevere, there’s no doubt that the view over East Bali from this tallest member of the Bali mountains is unsurpassed and the bragging rights of tackling one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia are not to be sneezed at, either.
Gunung Batur(Mount Batur and Lake Batur) – The Most Popular Trek
If you want a fairly easy climb, then Mount Batur will be your best bet. Mount Batur is the other regularly active volcano here in Bali but it’s a much easier prospect to climb than Mount Agung.
The trek to see sunrise from the summit of Mount Batur takes 2-3 hours but the return to base is much faster and can be done in under an hour.
It’s not a cakewalk, but you don’t need to be an experienced climber to undertake hiking Mount Batur though you should be reasonably physically fit.
At 1,717 meters above sea level, you get a wonderful view over Bail from this mountain and when you return to ground level, there are several hot springs around Lake Batur where you can soak out any muscle aches from the day on Mount Batur.
Gunung Abang (Mount Abang) – The Third Tallest Peak In Bali
Mount Abang is a tall mountain but it’s nowhere near as popular as Mt Agung and Mt Batur with hikers, which we think is a bit of a shame as it’s just as beautiful as those Bali mountains.
It’s part of the Batur Caldera which was once all Mount Batur but after a huge eruption, the Batur volcano split into several volcanoes and lost nearly 3,000 meters in height! Mount Abang was one of the mountains that emerged from the wreckage.
The walking route up Mount Abang stops at several temples on the way and it’s a great place for nature watching too.
It’s a surprisingly easy climb too, in the dry, though Mount Abang can get very slippery and hard to handle in torrential rain.
Gunung Batukaru (Mount Batukaru) – Bali’s Second Highest Mountain
Mount Batukaru is the tallest mountain in the Bedugul Volcanic Area and the second-highest peak in Bali overall.
It’s quite a long and substantial hike and while you don’t need a guide, if you do want one, we’d recommend hiring your guide before you arrive rather than dealing with the aggressive touts for guides at the starting point.
The area is, however, largely unexplored by tourists and a hiking permit is dirt cheap and the tail is clearly marked, start early as it’s a long trek to get to the summit.
Gunung Catur (Mount Catur) – A Great Way To Escape The Crowds
This is one of our favourite hikes here in Bali. It’s very close to the most popular of Bali mountains, Mount Batur and gives you an exceptional view of that mountain from the top.
It’s not a particularly difficult hike, except in the very last section where it gets very steep, and has some of the finest wildlife and plant life around.
It’s a quiet place too and you won’t be competing with crowds to get a good view from the peak.
Read more about Mount Catur here.
Gunung Lesong (Mount Lesong) – The Sacred Jungle Mountain
This is a great hike on a circular track that takes you right up to the crater rim and offers wonderful views over the lake below.
It’s an inactive volcano which means there’s been no volcanic activity here in hundreds or thousands of years.
Incredibly, it’s one of the least busy places in Bali and we’d be willing to bet that if you opt to undertake this trek, you will be the only one there when you do.
The entire trek takes about 5-6 hours and while there are challenging moments on the trail, it’s not the hardest mountain to climb in Bali.
Gunung Lempuyang (Mount Lempuyang) – The Gates of Heaven
This mountain isn’t so much famous for the mountain but rather for the temple on the top, Pura Lempuyang is famous for its “Gates of Heaven“.
These appear in many Instagram photos but what they don’t tell you before you get there is that the shot is an optical illusion created with a mirror and there’s a 3-4 hour queue to get your photo taken unless you get to the temple at 5 a.m.
The temple stands 600 meters above sea level and most of the hike here is up the stairs of the temple.
Gunung Prapat Ayung (Mount Prapat Ayung) – A Birdwatcher’s Dream
This small mountain is only 322 meters above sea level and the big draw here is the long hiking trail that cuts through the base of the mountain lined with rainforests.
It allows you to get a great insight into the formation of limestone as well as offering some of the best birdwatching spots on the island.
Gunung Penulisan (Mount Penulisan) – A Temple Spotter’s Treat
This mountain is famous as the home of Pura Puncak Penulisan which is one of the most incredible temple sites on the island and of great significance to the Balinese people.
It’s a fairly easy climb (you can drive to the base of the temple and then just walk up the stairs to the top).
It offers a wonderful view over the rice terraces below when you get there.
Gunung Sanghyang (Mount Sanghyang) – A Beginner Friendly Hiking Spot
This is one of the best-kept secrets in Bali. It’s a beginner-friendly hike up the sixth-highest peak here and the only real challenge is getting to the start of the hike.
You will need to wear long trousers and sleeves as sometimes you need to push your way through foliage as the path can get overgrown due to the lack of visitors.
It’s 2.5 hours to walk up and 1.5 hours to walk back down again and the views are amazing from the top.
One day this will be top of somebody’s list of tourism activities but for now, you can go trekking on this mountain and have it all to yourself.
The Kintamani Highlands – The Best Views Of Mount Batur
If you’re not ready to climb a mountain, you can always get up high in the Kintamani Highlands where you can get some of the best views of the mountains in Bali.
This area makes for a wonderful backdrop to dramatic Instagram photographs and it’s one of the most “off-the-beaten-path” locations in this tourist paradise.
If you want to experience traditional life in Bali and enjoy a very relaxed pace of life, Kintamani is a great choice for it.
FAQs
Which Mountain Should I Visit In Bali?
All of them! However, if you’re only going to visit one mountain then we’d advise making your choice based on your level of fitness. Sure, climbing Mount Agung, Bali’s highest peak, is a major achievement but it’s also one of the hardest hikes in the Bali Mountains.
You might prefer the spectacular view from Mount Catur and it’s a lovely sunrise trek where the hiking trails only really get difficult towards the summit.
If you just want a beautiful sunrise and a relatively easy hike, then Mount Batur has a straightforward sunrise hike that can be tackled by almost anyone as it’s one of Bali’s active volcanoes you can also cook your eggs in the steam coming out of the volcanic vents for breakfast!
What Is The Secret Mountain In Bali?
It’s kind of hard to hide a mountain, so there are no secret mountains in Bali but it’s fair to say that some see more visitors than others.
If you want to climb a mountain with few crowds, you might opt for Mount Batukaru or Mount Catur instead of Mount Batur.
What Is The Sacred Mountain In Bali?
All mountains in Bali are sacred. However, Mount Agung is home to the mother temple, Pura Besakih, and as such, it might be considered to be the most sacred mountain.
It’s also the highest peak on the island and one of the most challenging ways to take on a sunrise hike in Bali.
Adventure seekers love the fact that it gives them a chance to climb an active volcano far above sea level but some may prefer to opt for a less difficult hike, particularly if you’ve not got any recent climbing experience.
What Is The Hardest Hike In Bali?
The almost universal agreement is that Mount Agung is the most difficult hike in Bali and if you want a more difficult hike in Indonesia, you will need to hit up Mount Rinjani in Lombok or one of the other major volcanoes dotted around the archipelago.
What Is The Most Beautiful Mountain Trail In Bali?
They’re all attractive but we think Mount Catur may have the edge as the stunning views of Mount Batur at the highest point are really amazing and it’s a nature lover’s dream on the walk up with plenty of scenic beauty to experience.
Which Is The Highest Mountain In Bali?
Mount Agung is the tallest of the mountains in Bali. Local legend has it that it was once part of Mount Semeru in Java but was brought to Bali by the bedawang nala (a giant tortoise) and the trio of holy Hindu dragons.
How Do I Book A Mountain Hiking Tour In Bali?
We always recommend that you book a Balinese holiday and any tours and transport associated with it through the local travel agency Bali Res Centre.
They can help you find the best deals on your accommodation and flights and ensure that your tours have high-quality guides with good standards of English and reliability.
Final Thoughts On The Best Mountains In Bali
There are plenty of mountains to climb in Bali and the centre of the whole island is part of one of the longest chains of volcanoes and mountains in the world reaching all the way through Indonesia and up into the Philippines as part of “the ring of fire”.
If you want to trek mountains in Bali we strongly urge you to read up on the individual mountain and ensure you have the right level of fitness and preparation for the trek.
When you get back to the beach, we’ll be waiting with cold drinks and the best sunset view in Bali at FINNS Beach Club, the world’s best beach club.
