Volcanic Treks and Hikes in Indonesia
There are a fantastic variety of volcanic treks and hikes in Indonesia, with other-worldly views from sunrise to sunset, whether you’re looking for a gentle walk or a more challenging experience. Take a journey between Indonesia’s finest peaks, trek through the landscape, or hike towards a smoking crater.
From the peak of Mount Penanjakan in Java, survey the eerie mists that hover over the plain of volcanic sand below. Rising from this surreal landscape is the smoking, cone-shaped crater of Mount Bromo, with the silhouettes of Mount Semeru and Batok moodily emerging in the distance. There can be a lot of jeeps joining you for a Mount Bromo sunrise, especially in high season, which is something to bear in mind if you’re trying to thin the crowds, as the view can be just as stunning whatever time of day you visit.
As the sun moves across Bromo’s peak, it casts soft shadows over the landscape giving definition to its slopes and the surreal ‘Sea of Sand’. The sky transforms behind the brooding silhouettes through the morning, revealing a kaleidoscope of colours: deep blues, fiery oranges, vivid reds and glowing pinks. With the sun’s warmth making itself felt, head off to trek through this ethereal atmosphere and make your ascent.
What to expect from Indonesia’s best volcanic treks and hikes:
Trek through the alien sandscapes at the foot of Mount Bromo in Java before making a steep climb to its steaming caldera.
Near Ubud in Bali, hike up the atmospheric slopes of Gunung Batur to look out over the thick forest and terraced farmland. When you descend, enjoy a well-earned dip in hot springs overlooking Lake Batur’s serene beauty.
The Ijen Crater in the east of Java offers a more challenging, but very enjoyable, ascent that leads you to a smoldering, gaseous caldera plain and the sight of the beautiful but deadly sulphurous lake at its centre.
Amid the volcanic highlands of Bali, near the peaceful village of Munduk, stroll through the lush green landscapes, terraced rice fields, and dense forests, perhaps pausing for a dip in a waterfall.
A camping trek around Mount Rinjani on Lombok allows you to take in the surrounding islands as you swim in hot springs by the beautiful crater lake, surrounded by mysterious caves.
Mount Bromo: The creator’s crater
Bromo, in east Java, is named after Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. It’s a justifiably popular spot to watch the sun rise over the lunar slopes of the smoking, silhouetted volcano. As you make your final ascent, smoke from the crater swirls around you…
Stay nearby to walk the panoramic trails that snake through this beautiful, desolate volcanic landscape. Near the National Park’s mountain villages, watch as nomadic Tenggerese herders go about their work.
Soak up Gunung Batur
Head off from Ubud or Batur village in central Bali, driving past thick forests and peaceful Balinese farmland, to embark upon a volcanic hike at Gunung Batur. Enjoy the eerie experience of a gentle trek up the volcano’s slopes in the early-morning darkness. On reaching the evocative, desolate setting at the top of the caldera, soak up the views over nearby Gunung Abang and Agung.
On your trek down, enjoy sweeping views over the countryside and the reward of a picturesque thermal spring to relax in and soak up the sight of the tranquil waters of Lake Batur.
Hike towards the vapours of Ijen
East Java’s Ijen Crater involves a challenging but rewarding three-hour hike to reach the rim, where sulfuric fumes rise from the crater plain. On the way down you will see the physically demanding work of miners who extract yellow sulphur from the crater's depths, and the sight of the serene, yet highly toxic, turquoise lake that lies at the bottom.
A gentle stroll to waterfalls at Munduk
Near Munduk, in the highlands of Bali, many gentle walking routes meander through verdant farmscapes, forests and terraced rice fields. Dramatic and welcoming waterfalls hide within the forest. On your walk, encounter several traditional Balinese villages and visit farms harvesting coffee, cloves and cocoa.
Geothermal waters and forests at Mount Rinjani
In the north of Lombok, Mount Rinjani is an active volcano that offers another popular place to admire the rising sun. The physically demanding 2- or 4-day volcanic trek to reach the top is available outside of the rainy season (from April onwards). Overnight in base camps, visit traditional Sasak villages, spot monkeys and tropical birds in the forests, admire the views over nearby islands, take a dip in hot springs, and explore mysterious caves.
Day visits of the lower slopes and peaks are an option all year round, taking in waterfalls, rice paddies, farming villages and forests.
