The Best Hikes in Indonesia

Most visitors to Indonesia come for the sun, sand, world-class surf, and Instagram-worthy photos. However, beyond the well-trodden tourist trail, this vast country offers so much more: volcanoes, carpets of deep green jungle, tropical islands with breathtaking views, and deceptively dangerous lakes that entice you to dive straight in.

Despite being home to more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia’s best hikes are relatively accessible. Guided hiking tours are available for popular treks, particularly for routes near or on volcanoes that require a local guide. Several other hikes may require a nominal entry fee.

Come prepared, and be ready for the unique adventure that only trekking in Indonesia can offer. Here are the top hiking destinations in Indonesia.

Mt Batur, Bali

Best Sunrise Hike

6.8km (4.2 miles), 4 hours, easy-moderate

The hike up Mt Batur is an unforgettable experience. Framed by distant peaks of Mt Rinjani and Mt Agung, the sky erupts with color during sunrise. Prepare for an early start—most travelers leave their hotels around 3:30 am—and you’ll likely share the peak with many other hikers.

The ascent is easy, following a meandering, well-trodden trail suitable for most hikers with a basic fitness level. There are several resting spots along the way. Ensure you bring water, a headlamp, and a warm jacket for the chilly morning air on top of the volcano.

Mt Ijen, East Java

Best Hike for Natural Phenomena

14.5km (9 miles), 3 to 4 hours, easy-moderate

The midnight trek up Mt Ijen is particularly unique, as it allows hikers to witness the stunning blue-fire phenomenon: electric-blue smoke billowing from the crater due to sulfur reacting with heat. This hike is generally easy, suitable for all skill levels, but reaching the summit and descending into the crater requires caution and a gas mask due to toxic gases.

Inside the crater lies a stunning turquoise lake, which boasts the highest acidity level of any lake globally. Touching the water can be fatal, so it’s essential to exercise great caution.

Gunung Rinjani, Lombok

Best Multi-Day Trek

41.4km (25.7 miles), 2-3 days, moderate

This Lombok trek is a bucket-list experience for many outdoor enthusiasts. On the way to the summit of Gunung Rinjani, the second-highest mountain in Indonesia, hikers camp on the rim of the world’s highest caldera lake, offering breathtaking views of both sunrise and sunset.

The trek is not technically difficult but note that the optional climb to the true summit can be challenging due to strong winds and loose scree. Two routes lead to the top—most guided tours typically ascend one route and descend another. Expect to traverse tropical jungle, lush savannah, and rolling grasslands. Moreover, a troop of black Javan lutung monkeys may surprise you along the way.

It’s essential to note that volcanic activity may lead to temporary closures of the summit or lake; therefore, always check your status before setting out.

Tumpak Sewu, East Java

Best Waterfall Hike

Unknown length, 2-3 hours, Easy

Tumpak Sewu is arguably the finest waterfall in Indonesia, with its name literally translating to “a thousand waterfalls.” Viewing the magnificent cascades tumbling into the pools below is nothing short of spectacular.

From the viewing platform, you can hike down to the base using dirt paths and steel walkways across the canyon. Expect to navigate rickety wooden ladders. As you continue, you may find yourself surrounded by mist, creating an enchanting atmosphere reminiscent of a Jurassic landscape.

As you travel further down the canyon, more waterfalls await, alongside clear mountain pools where you can relax and cool off. The hike is circular, requiring you to return along the same path.

Gunung Api Purba, Central Java

Best Hike for Beginners and Families

2.4km (1.5 miles), 2-3 hours, easy

While Gunung Api Purba may not be the longest or toughest hike in Indonesia, it compensates with its breathtaking views. Known locally as Nglanggeran, the trail to the summit of this ancient volcano showcases incredible vistas. Hikers will navigate rocky cliffs, wooden ladders, narrow canyons, and sizeable boulders before reaching the top.

A playful troop of monkeys greets hikers at the beginning of the trail. The route winds over mossy stairs and past massive rock formations until opening up to magnificent cliffs with sweeping views. There are five rest stops along the way, each offering stunning photo opportunities, but saving the best snaps for the summit is advisable.

Padar Island, East Nusa Tenggara

Best Short Hike for Epic Views

1.6km (1 mile), 1 hour, easy-moderate

This hike in East Nusa Tenggara offers arguably the best views in Indonesia. However, the journey involves a tough 700-stair climb from the beach to the viewpoint on Padar Island, where you can enjoy panoramic vistas of the surrounding islands.

This beautiful atoll, accessible only by boat from Labuan Bajo in Flores, features three stunning beaches with different colored sands, all visible from the 185m (607ft) summit. It is possible to complete this hike in a day trip, but many hikers opt to explore the incredible Komodo National Park during their visit.

Mt Merapi, Central Java

Best Active Volcano Hike

8km (5 miles), 6-7 hours, moderate-hard

Towering nearly 2900m (about 9500 feet) over Yogyakarta, Mt Merapi is recognized as the world’s most active volcano. To avoid the intense daytime heat, many hikers opt for an overnight trek to the summit, allowing for a spectacular sunrise view.

From the peak, five other volcanoes become visible, many of which can also be climbed. Most hikers are satisfied with conquering the crater rim on Mt Merapi, a challenging task in itself, while more experienced climbers can venture to the true summit. Camping overnight on the volcano’s crater rim is also possible.

Mt Abang, Bali

Best Alternative to Mt Batur

13.8km (8.6 miles), 5-7 hours, moderate

Despite being Mt Batur’s closest neighbor, Mt Abang remains relatively unknown to foreign hikers, making it an ideal low-key trek. The climb offers an entirely different experience; Mt Abang isn’t a volcano but the highest portion of the Batur Caldera rim, making it lushly forested all the way to the peak.

Locals often hike up in the late afternoon and camp at the summit. The forested camping spots offer stunning views of Mt Batur and the imposing Mt Agung. This moderate hike is best experienced during the dry season, as the forested slopes can be muddy and slippery when wet. There are also two temples along the route, both offering spectacular views across the lake to Mt Batur, all without any crowds.