With such a variety of landscapes, from iconic rice paddies and unspoiled rainforest to plantations and villages, Bali is a walker’s dream. This relatively compact and densely populated island is not suited for epic multi-day hikes, but the range of day hikes and weekend hikes will certainly keep you on your toes.

In West Bali National Park and on the more difficult peaks and volcanoes you will need a guide, but in most cases you can access and explore even the most remote areas on your own means. Outside of the “Wild West” interior, most of Bali is fairly well populated with villages that are invariably welcoming and hospitable, so finding supplies is rarely a problem.

These are the best hikes in Bali.

7 km (4.4 miles) round trip, 4 hours, moderate

Mount Batur is Bali’s most popular trek – and for good reason. You will understand the attraction when you find yourself among 100 other breathless people watching the sunrise view from the 1717m (5630ft) summit across the caldera lake and past Mount Agung, the highest summit of the island, to Mount Rinjani on distant Lombok.

If you start the hike around 3am you should be at the top by sunrise. Most visitors arrange this as a tour of Ubud for easy access despite the early departure (usually between 1am and 2am depending on your accommodation location), and competition between tour operators keeps prices affordable. Balinese Sunrise Trekking and Tour and Indoglobal Adventure are reliable and well-established operators that run daily treks to Batur. Mason Adventures even offers the chance to take in the views of Batur from a helicopter.

It’s possible to do this trek on your own (hard to get lost, after all), but before you decide to skimp on the expense, remember that earnings are crucial income for guides in rural communities. Tours usually end at 9am and you will definitely crave a hearty and healthy breakfast in Bali. Take water and an extra layer – this will probably be the coolest place you’ll see in Bali!

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Best Hike for Wildlife Viewing

32 km (20 miles), 2 days, challenging – but shorter, easy walks are also options

This wild area in the far west of Bali is likely to make you rethink everything you’ve ever heard about “overcrowded” and “overdeveloped” Bali. At Taman Nasional Bali Barat (West Bali National Park), you can plan anything from a two-hour walk to a full jungle expedition in a wilderness that was once home to tigers (and tigers). rumors about them still abound).

On the Prapat Agung peninsula, you will likely outnumber herds of Sunda deer, as well as common macaques and the rare ebony-leaf monkey. There is relatively little risk of getting lost on the Prapat Agung peninsula (the most popular part of the park), but you need a permit and a guide to access the trails in the western national park from Bali. The most convenient park office, just at the park entrance on Prapat Agung, is near a village called Sumber Kelompok, north of Gilimanuk. Arrive the afternoon before to make arrangements so you can set out at first light the next morning to enjoy cooler conditions and more visible wildlife.

Guide fees vary (sometimes wildly) and you should expect to haggle. A good guide can help you spot giant squirrels (larger than house cats), giant monitor lizards, and many of Bali’s approximately 280 bird species. In the park (as well as the more difficult peaks and volcanoes), an experienced and knowledgeable guide is not only a worthwhile investment in terms of safety, but can also often turn a simple hike into a truly unforgettable experience.

Best hike for a waterfall swim

2.4 km (1.5 miles) round trip, 1 hour, easy

The spectacular Sekumpul Waterfall is just far enough off the beaten track to dodge the high visitor numbers of more accessible sites, such as Gitgit Waterfall, Banyumala Waterfalls and Jembong Waterfall. Dropping a total of about 80m (262ft) into the fern-surrounded pool, Sekumpul is actually a group of seven falls that converge – the name means “to come together” – at this spot. This experience is less of a hike than the perfect reason for a wonderful refreshing swim in one of Bali’s most idyllic beauty spots. Other even lesser-known waterfalls (known as Hidden and Fiji Falls) are near the Sekumpul trail.

You will find a ticket office in the car park where you can pay the entrance fee. A three-tier pricing structure is in place. There is an entrance fee of IDR 20,000 per person (about US$1.40), which allows you “view-only” access to view the Sekumpul waterfall from a distance. “Medium Hike” access for US$9 gets you a guide and donate to the local village and the chance to swim at the base of the falls, plus entry to nearby hidden falls. The “Long Trekking” ticket (US$14) is essentially the same, plus it also gives access to Fiji Falls, although it is less spectacular than the other waterfalls.

Best hike to brag in Bali

19 km (12 miles) round trip, 2 days, difficult

At 2276m (7467ft), Batukaru is Bali’s second highest peak, but one of the least trodden mountains on the island. Two paths lead to the top, but neither sees a lot of footsteps, and both can become overgrown during the rainy season (October to February). Most hikers start from Pura Luhur Batukaru on the southern flank, but the northwest trailhead at Pura Malen, located around 1000m above sea level, is even more isolated.

With good physical condition, you can reach the summit in less than four hours, so if you start at dawn you can climb and descend in a single day. But for more adventure, plan to camp at the top. It can get chilly at the top, so take a tent and sleeping bag, and make sure you pack plenty of water as you can’t always rely on streams. Batukaru is unspoiled Bali at its best.

Best hike to push your limits

14.5 km (9 miles) round trip, 10 hours, difficult

The summit of Mount Agung – as well as up to 12 km (7.5 miles) of its surroundings – has been off-limits since the 2018 eruption. Mount Agung is currently inaccessible, but may soon reopen to the public. When it does, it’s fair to say hikers will once again be lining up to scale what is Indonesia’s most iconic volcano. From the top, as you sit above the clouds at 3,031 m (9,944 ft) above sea level, it’s easy to imagine you’re on top of the world and (as believed Balinese Hindus) in the realm of the gods. Even during times when the mighty Agung has been relatively “peaceful”, it is wise to get up-to-date advice on conditions and hire an experienced and knowledgeable guide. Agung is not for the faint hearted. The climb to the summit normally takes six to seven hours and the descent is significantly faster.

Best hike for amazing lake views

8 km (5 miles) one way, 3-4 hours, moderate

A beautiful trail connects the two highland lakes of Danau Tamblingan and Danau Buyan through shady highland forest and along pristine lakeside trails. You are unlikely to see other hikers in this rarely visited area, although in recent years the beautiful backdrops with their mirrored peaks have become popular with wedding photographers who are drawn not only by the photogenic scenery but also by the ease of access.

Be sure to allow time to explore several picturesque temples, including the exquisitely small Pura Ulun Danau Tamblingan. Take a sarong to wear to dress properly if a temple is in use. If you have a driver, the walk can be done in one direction only. Parking areas are next to both lakes so you can be picked up at the opposite end.

3.2 km (2 miles) round trip, 1.5 hours, easy

For such a short walk, the Campuhan Ridge Walk is surprisingly diverse, encompassing beautiful rice paddies, fruit trees, jungle valleys, and even a temple (Pura Gunung Lebah). But this hike can get hot as there is little shade at the top of the ridge. Nonetheless, this walk makes for a pleasantly gentle ride which, although labeled a ridge walk, is not too steep for small children.

The route is paved – but not smooth enough to allow wheelchairs or strollers – making it accessible even in the rainy season when the terrace and jungle tracks around Ubud are impassable. You will find some nice cafes and warungs (local restaurants) at the end of the ridge, so the kids can be energized with the promise of a healthy smoothie at the end. If you are staying in central Ubud, you do not need transportation to get to the trailhead near Campuhan Bridge: it is less than 1 km (0.6 mile) from Ubud Market . Residents of Ubud enjoy this walk, so as a bonus, it’s a good chance to meet more of these wonderful Balinese.