Mount Batur and Mount Agung are Bali’s two most famous mountains because they’re both regularly active volcanoes.
However, the third tallest peak, Mount Abang is an excellent trekking, climbing and hiking destination and it’s much easier to get to the highest point on this mountain than it is at the two volcanoes.
If you want a sunrise trek without the crowds then Mount Abang might be the best destination in Bali for you, here’s everything you need to know before tackling this peak.
Where Is Mount Abang?
Mount Abang is in Bangli Regency. It’s about a 60-kilometer drive from the capital city Denpasar of Bali and it’s in the centre of the island. It’s in the Kintamani Area and is very close to several other peaks.
If you were to stay in the Kintamani Area you could easily hike Mt Batur on another day and visit Batur Lake.
How To Get To Mount Abang?
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Given the length of the trek and the lack of signage, we’d strongly recommend that you join an organized tour of Mount Abang.
Mount Abang trekking is much easier with a guide and it means you’re more likely to make it up the mountain by sunrise. And you don’t want to arrive after the best light show of the morning has ended, do you?
You can organize a tour through the Bali Res Centre (contact details are in the FAQ section below).
When Is The Best Time To Go To Abang Mountain?
While there is no bad time to come to Bali, we think that climbing and trekking on mountains are best done in the dry season.
That’s because most people do an early morning hike with the intent of seeing sunrise from the peak and there’s more chance of good visibility if it’s not raining.
Of course, the advantage of coming in the rainy season is that there are far fewer people in Bali trying to climb mountains but as Mount Abang rarely gets busy, there’s no need to try and avoid crowds at this destination.
You will want to start your climb by 3 a.m. if you want to see sunrise at the top. Given this, many people opt to stay in Kintamani or in nearby Ubud the night before the trek.
Is There An Entrance Fee?
Yes, the entrance fee for Mount Abang trekking is 500,000 IDR (that’s about $35 USD or $50 AUD) and that doesn’t include the services of a guide.
This is one of the reasons why most people book a sunrise trek with a guide as it’s much better value than the Mount Abang trekking fee.
About Mount Abang
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Mount Abang is the third tallest peak in Bali. Its summit is at 2,152 meters above sea level and it’s part of the Batur Caldera region (which was once nominated for UNESCO status).
The Batur Caldera is the remains of a once, much larger, Mount Batur which erupted so severely that it pretty much split in two to form Mt Batur and Mt Abang.
About Mount Abang Trekking
The trek begins at Suter Village and there is a relatively decent hiking trail for the route. We’d recommend engaging a guide either before you arrive or at the mountain as you don’t want to get lost and miss the sunset.
Be warned that while it’s a pretty easy climb, the path can get very slippery in the rain and there are leeches in the water.
Sometimes trees fall across the path in storms, the right way to deal with these is to climb over them.
There are several temples on the way and they’re a nice place to stop, grab some photos and enjoy a little rest.
When you arrive at the peak between 4 and 5, there will be a light mist draped over the landscape wich begins to disappear at sunrise.
You will get an amazing view of Mt. Batur and the Batur Caldera when the light breaks over the horizon.
What To Do Before Climbing or Hiking Mount Abang
This is a relatively easy hike but you should prepare a little including:
- Read up on the route and make sure you know roughly where you are heading if you’re tackling it without a guide
- Have a backpack and carry a jacket or some warm clothing (it gets much cooler before dawn in the mountains than in the beach towns) and a headlamp, food, coffee or tea in a thermos, tissues, and an a basic first aid kit.
- Take a change of clothes in case it rains.
- Don’t forget your camera and tripod if you want the best pictures when you reach the summit.
Other Mountains To Climb In Bali
Mount Batur (Inc. Lake Batur)
This active volcano is a very popular hiking spot and the sunrise view is very impressive from Mt. Batur. Cooking eggs in steam from the caldera for breakfast is a lot of fun too. The lake area is home to some lovely hot springs where you can soak out any muscle aches when you return to the ground.
Gunung Agung
The highest mountain in Bali and a very active volcano, Gunung Agung is a challenging hike that should only be undertaken by those with high levels of fitness. The view from the top is incredible but getting to the top is very hard work, indeed.
Mount Catur
The mostly easy trek up this popular mountain gets very challenging just as you reach the summit and many people turn back without ever seeing the view that they came for.
If you can make it up Mount Catur, you’re going to be very pleasantly surprised by the landscape of Bali unfurling beneath you.
Mount Batukaru
The second-highest mountain in Bali, Mount Batukaru isn’t that hard to climb but the trail is long and arduous and most people are going to need a very long day on the mountain to tackle it.
It’s never crowded on this mountain and the number of climbers each day is strictly limited by the local authorities.
FAQs
How Long Does It Take To Hike Mount Abang?
The round trip takes about 5-6 hours and the overall distance covered is about 14 kilometers. The third-highest mountain in Bali is actually a fairly easy climb and less challenging than some of the more popular hikes up mountains here.
Is Mount Abang A Volcano? What Is The History Of Mount Abang?
Mount Abang is an active volcano. Its last eruption was in 1968, however, and it seems unlikely to spring back to life any time soon. This makes it one of the safer spots for volcano trekking on the island.
It was originally part of Mount Batur, which was once a huge volcano standing over 4,000 meters in height, but a huge eruption before the days of recorded history separated this peak from the original mountain.
How Do I Book A Holiday To Trek Mount Abang?
We recommend that you book all your Bali holidays and tours through the Bali Res Centre.
This locally owned and managed travel operator specializes in Balinese travel and can get you the best deals on flights, hotels, villas, tours, transport and guides.
Final Thoughts On Trekking Mount Abang
Mount Abang was a volcano in prehistoric times but now, it’s simply a mountain and its location makes it ideal for hikers who love an adventure that involves forest, jungle, temple sites, and a spectacular sunrise.
Of course, once you’ve reached the summit of this third-highest peak in Bali, you’re probably going to have worked up a thirst and we’ll be waiting at FINNS Beach Club when you head to Canggu to enjoy the sunset over a cold drink with friends.
