For some, the Indonesian island of Bali conjures up images of turquoise water, bright coral reefs and perfect breaking waves. For others, it's the temples, waterfalls and jungles that come to mind; the sound of birdcall breaking the silence on an early morning hiking trail - or the sight of the sun rising over the island from the summit of an active volcano a few hours later.
"Even if you only have a short time you can come to Bali and experience volcano hiking, rock climbing, snorkelling, diving," says Yangyang Li, who's worked in tourism on Bali for seven years. "There are lots of cultural attractions too. Bali is very different from the rest of Indonesia - which is the populous Muslim country in the world - because Bali is majority Hindu, and has lots of other religions. They’re really open-minded in Bali, and very open to people from different cultures."
The route is not too difficult, but the hard thing is the elevation - you have a lot of elevation to climb...
You've probably heard about the crowds in Bali. This is an issue in places, but it's still possible to visit in a way that benefits locals. "There is overtourism in Bali, but not in all places," says Li. "If you want a classic tour, you might find some places very crowded, like Ubud and the south of Bali. But there are plenty of places which are much quieter that you will see on an adventure tour."
Much Better Adventures
Here, we're going to look at eight of the best hikes and adventures in Bali.
A guide is essential for exploring the rainforests and mountains of Bali safely and legally. It'll ensure you have the best time exploring, get the best information and stories available - and it helps local communities benefit from tourism. It’s important to note that these activity descriptions are only short summaries, designed to inspire but not to serve any navigational purpose. They are not intended to guide you on the route. Stay safe when you're out on the trails.
Bali: The Basics
- Currency? Indonesian Rupiah.
- Language? Balinese (and Bahasa Indonesia).
- Plug adapter? Type C/F.
- Do I tip? 10%-20% as appropriate, if desired.
- Average beer price? 50,000 Rp (approx £2.69/$3.40).
- Nearest adventure? The Ultimate Volcano Adventure in Indonesia.
Where is Bali?
Bali is the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, one mile east of Java, which lies across the Bali Strait. It’s the fifth largest island in Indonesia, a country in Southeast Asia, located on the equator between the continents of Asia and Australia, and the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The capital of Bali, Denpasar, is the most populous city in the Lesser Sunda Islands.
When is the Best Time to Go to Bali?
Bali’s geographical proximity to the equator means that it’s warm and humid year-round. That said, the year can be divided up into the wet and dry season. The former runs from October to April and the latter from May to September.
The best time to go hiking in Bali is during the dry season, when the sun is out, and the humidity is lower, meaning the trails are drier and less slippery. During the rainy season, trails can be muddy and tougher to navigate, and so the going can be a little slower (and a lot less pleasant). Flash floods can occur at any time of the year, though, so come prepared, and check forecasts regularly.
It can’t be said too often, a guide is essential for exploring the wilderness of Bali, whether that be the forests and mountains or the waterfalls and lakes.
"Generally, July and August is the really high season all across Indonesia except Raja Ampat, as it’s very windy, so we don’t organise trips over there during that time," says Li. "Otherwise, if you really don’t want to see people, you can go to Sumatra or Bunaken in Sulawesi. But Flores, Bali, Komodo - you’ll meet a lot of people. During the high seasons there are a lot of traffic jams."
1. Watch the Sunrise from Gunung Agung
The conical Mount Agung (3,030m/9,940ft) can be seen from miles across Bali. This is the island’s highest peak, and an active volcano, with seismic activity and eruption last taking place between 2017-2019 (for the first time since 1964).
"There are two ways to climb Agung," says Yangyang Li. "There is the Besakih Temple way. If you go this way you need to spend one night camping on the volcano, then you attempt the summit in the morning. Then there’s the Pura Pasar Agung route, which goes just to the top of Agung. You end up on a different part of the crater rim, so the view is not the same, but it's still beautiful.
"You start crossing the jungle and then you go to the forest and then you reach the rocky part. This one will be much easier so it won't take two days to climb up. Generally, it takes about six hours to go up. You are going to climb around 1000 metres up and down in a day, but it’s the easier route."
Much Better Adventures
On our '3 Volcano Challenge in Indonesia', you'll climb the mountain from the Pasar Agung temple, one of the nine directional temples, or Kahyangan Jagat (palaces of the Gods) around Bali, said to protect the island from evil spirits.
The hike to the summit from here is demanding, taking seven hours and requiring a 1am wake up. "Agung is the highest volcano in Bali and it's very difficult," says Li. "Compared to Rinjani [in Lombok], it's easy peasy, but compared to the other volcanoes it’s hard. You need to be fit. So you won’t meet a lot of people there. The route is not too difficult, but the hard thing is the elevation. You have a lot of it."
You'll hike through forest, shrubs and rocks and arrive at a lunar-landscape requiring careful footing. The final scent is on loose volcanic scree. The summit is believed by the Balinese people to be the home of the gods, including Lord Shiva.
2. Snorkel at Menjangan Island
Jump on a wooden boat and head to Menjangan Island, a small island five miles northwest of Bali. This is part of the Bali Barat National Park, and it's a place bustling with colourful coral and wonderful fauna. Stick on a snorkel and you might see blue and orange Mandarin fish, tiny seahorses, sea turtles or Batfish.
The word 'menjangan' actually means 'deer' in Balinese, and the island was named for the wild herds of deer spotted swimming there in spring. Look to the edges of the island and you might just see deer - and even stags - on the edge of the water.
A snorkelling trip here features on our Ultimate Adventure in Java and Bali trip.
Much Better Adventures
3. Climb Mount Catur (2,096m)
Head to the Bedagul area to trek to Mount Catur (2,096m/6,876ft), which is also known as Puncak Mangu and is home to a sacred temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
On the way you will pass through coffee and fruit and plantations to reach dense tropical forests, which guide you upwards. You'll earn big views of the nearby lakes of Bratan, Buyan and Tamblingan. Things will get slipper and steep on the way - particularly as you near the summit - so sure-footedness is required.
Keep your eyes open for forest eagles, civets and monkeys, who - like all over the island - will be keen to make your lunch into their lunch. Hiking Catur is good preparation for taking on the challenge of Mount Agung - the top of Bali.
This guided walk is a part of our '3 Volcano Challenge in Indonesia' adventure.
4. Go Canyoning in Munduk
Munduk is a quiet place in the geographical centre of Bali. It's a beautiful landscape - think waterfalls, lakes, forests and temples. The natural layout of the land here also makes it a dreamy spot for canyoning.
If you've not been canyoning before, it involves sticking on a wetsuit, a helmet, a few other bits of safety gear, and then making your way literally down a canyoning - abseiling down waterfalls, stepping, scrambling and sliding down rock chutes, and plunging in natural pools. It's a special thing to do in a Balinese jungle.
This canyoning outing is in on our Ultimate Adventure in Java and Bali adventure.
5. Take the Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud
Ubud is Bali’s cultural capital - but it’s also one of the tourist hubs on the island, and the scooters, tourist buses and determined market sellers can be overwhelming. Escape the chaos by heading to the smaller, surrounding villages like Peliatan, Sayan or Campuhan, where you can walk the Campuhan Ridge Walk.
This stroll only takes around an hour there and back, but the scenery really is quite dramatic. The path is gentle, and weaves 1.25-miles (2km) up the ridgeline (one-way) - a tranquillity which belies its proximity to bustling Ubud. There's not a lot of shade on the path, so be wary of that, and go early before it's too hot.
Inspired? Check out our range of adventure holidays in Bali now!