Best Hiking Areas in Bali

If you’re considering a wider tour of Bali – not only focusing on Ubud and the south coast beaches – we strongly encourage heading out west to Pemuteran – your base from the magical offshore island Menjangan, and the enticing West Bali National Park.

The park combines several natural environments in one – dense jungle, steamy mangroves, colorful coral, and arid savannah. Numerous walking trails crisscross the park, and are a mix of established plank walks and – for the more adventurous – semi-wild jungle trails. 

As you walk keep an eye out for a variety of fascinating tropical wildlife, including wild bulls, deer, jungle cat, eagles, and the critically endangered Bali Starling.

Around 2 hours drive north of Ubud you’ll find the steep valleys of Munduk and Gobleg districts. The village of Munduk has a laidback budget travel scene, with visitors drawn to the area for its dense jungles and cascading waterfalls.

Popular hikes here take you around majestic twin lakes Lake Tamblingan and Lake Buyan, or through tropical forests to the three stunning falls – Melanting, Terjun Munduk, and Golden Falls. 

Munduk can also be used as a base from which to take on hikes to the Sambangan ‘secret garden’, and the magnificent Arjuna Gorges hike, taking you through a series of soaring river gorges to the dramatic, hidden, Arjuna falls.

Mount Agung dominates the Bali skyline from any point over on the eastern side of the island. It’s the highest point on Bali, and remains very much an active volcano, with a minor eruption as recently as 2019. 

Taking on Mount Agung is strictly for advanced trekkers. Setting off from temple Pura Besakih it’s approximately a 5-7 hour hike to the summit, covering around 9 miles each way, so as much as 10 hours there and back. 

All told it’s a 24-hour endeavor, as you’ll be setting off just before midnight to ensure you arrive at the summit in time of the most magical, memorable of sunrises. You’ll be back in your hotel in Sidemen, Ubud, Amed, or Candi Dasa by lunchtime – for lots of well-deserved r&r!