By Vicky · Published Aug. 2nd, 2022 · Updated Jan. 29th, 2024
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Check out our ultimate list of the best hikes in Bali, with maps, photos, detailed route descriptions and insider tips.
List of Best Hikes in Bali
- Mount Batur Hike – 7.7 km, 675 m climb
- Jatiluwih Rice Terraces Walk– 6.5 km, 175 m climb
- Ubud Rice Fields Walk – 10.5 km, 175 m climb
- Uluwatu Temple and Beaches Walk – 15 km, 200 m climb
- Mount Batukaru Hike – 8 km, 1150 m climb
- Gumang Temple and White Sand Beach Hike – 9.5 km, 400 m climb
- Tenganan Village to Tirta Gangga Water Palace Walk – 13 km, 380 m climb
- Mount Lesung Crater Hike – 10.5 km, 680 m climb
- Bali Lakes Area Hike – 12.5 km, 700 m climb
- Hike from Lempuyang Temple to Amed Beach – 12 km, 150 m climb
- Hike from Tirta Gangga to Lempuyang Temple – 16.5 km, 970 m climb
- Gunung Catur Mountain Hike – 12.5 km, 935 m climb
Mount Agung Hike – we didn’t do this hike but have added the details here as we would love to climb this peak next time we visit Bali.
1. Mount Batur Hike
Hike details: 7.7 km, 675 m climb, moderate difficulty.
The most popular hike on Bali, and deservedly so, is the sunrise hike up Mount Batur. You need to get up early to see the sunrise at the top, which is around 7 am. The walk itself takes 1.5-3 hours depending on your exact route and how fast you hike. You have to be at least moderately fit to complete this hike – but in the worst case you can get a motorbike rider to take you most of the way.
Tips: If you think you walk fast, ask your guide if you can set off later. It’s also a great idea to watch the sunrise from two-thirds of the way up, to avoid the crowds. Take a jumper as it can be chilly.
The Mount Batur area is a beautiful region and worth spending more time in. The air is fresh and the views wonderful. You can go on a great and not too difficult cycle ride around Mount Batur crater and stay in a hotel such as Black Lava Hostel* that has a pool heating by hot springs, to relax in after the hike. Read more about the hike.
2. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces Walk
Hike details: 6.5 km, 175 m climb, easy.
This is a lovely walk through beautiful rice fields and definitely one of the best hikes in Bali. I enjoyed this hike because it was so peaceful, and the scenery was magical with terraced rice fields in the foreground and mountains behind.
Tips: You have to pay a small fee to enter the area, but the paths are well maintained and the area is kept very clean. There are several great warungs (cafes) for fruit juice or snacks on the way around, all in wonderful settings. Early morning or late afternoon bring the coolest temperatures and the best light. The morning is especially worthwhile as there is less chance the mountains will be cloudy. Read more about the hike.
3. Ubud Rice Fields Walk
Hike details: 10.5 km, 175 m climb, easy.
Another rice fields area, another great walk. This hike features the Campuhan Ridge walk which starts near the centre of Ubud, but extents it to stroll back to town through untouristy, peaceful rice fields.
Tips: The warungs just after Campuhan Ridge are a great place for a drink and snack. Sunrise and sunset are particularly popular here. Remember a sunhat and sunscreen as there’s not much shade on this walk. Read more about the hike.
4. Uluwatu Temple and Beaches Walk
Hike details: 15 km, 200 m climb, easy to moderate.
On this walk you can explore the famous Uluwatu Temple, the viewpoints at Karang Boma Cliff, and the best beaches of Bukit Peninsula. Beaches visited on this hike include the remote and windswept Nyang Nyang Beach, surfers paradise Suluban Beach, sun worshippers Thomas Beach, and Padang Padang Beach made famous from the movie Eat, Pray, Love. This walk is one of the best hikes in Bali because it’s very diverse and you see the highlights of the entire Peninsula.
Tips: Although not that far, this walk takes an entire day if you spend some time on the beaches and exploring Uluwatu Temple. There are many warungs along the route for drinks and lunch. At the top of Padang Padang Beach there’s a taxi mafia blocking Grab and Gojek – walk a little further to call these online taxis. Read more about the hike.
5. Mount Batukaru Hike
Hike details: 8 km, 1150 m climb, difficult.
This hike heads up and over the second highest mountain on Bali, through the steamy jungle and up into cooler cloud forest. It was fairly cloudy when we reached the top but we still had some views.
Tips: You have to pay a small fee for this hike – there’s a little hut at the beginning of the hike to pay. If nobody is there, it’s self-service so just leave money in the box and take a permit. Spray your lower legs and feet with insect repellent to avoid leeches – these should only be a problem if the vegetation is wet. Wear sturdy hiking shoes with grip and don’t attempt this hike after heavy rain. You need to order a taxi, or hire a private car with driver to reach the start/end of this hike. Read more about the hike.
6. Gumang Temple and White Sand Beach Hike
Hike details: 9.5 km, 400 m climb, difficult.
Walk from Candidasa up a hill to a temple with great views on top, then down and onto White Sand Beach (also known as Virgin Beach). It’s a diverse hike, with plenty of climb, and some route-finding challenges, but the scenery is great.
Tips: Have a taxi number, or ask the locals at the warungs on the beach to get a ride back to Candidasa. Remember your sarong to enter the temple at the top of the hill, and your swimming stuff for the beach. If the conditions are right, you can snorkel at the beach. Read more.
7. Tenganan Village to Tirta Gangga Water Palace Walk
Hike details: 13 km, 380 m climb, moderate difficulty.
Start in the ancient Tenganan Village and stroll through the countryside and villages to reach the water palace, one of my favourite places in Bali.
Tips: There are plenty of taxis in Tirta Gangga if you need to return to the start point. There are only limited options for food on this hike, so bring snacks if you’re fussy. Read more.
8. Mount Lesung Crater Hike
Hike details: 10.5 km, 680 m climb, difficult.
This walk leads up through farmland into jungle and to the crater rim of Mount Lesung. It’s a long way back down to a peaceful lake and temple.
Tips: You can stay at Terrasse du Lac Tamblingan* where this hike starts – it’s also a delicious restaurant. There aren’t many other hotels/restaurants nearby. Make sure you have the Maps.Me app as the way down can be slightly unclear. Read more.
9. Bali Lakes Area Hike
Hike details: 12.5 km, 700 m climb, moderate difficulty.
This is a diverse hike that starts in Bali Botanical Gardens, heads up many steps to Mount Tapak, and then descends to the famous Ulun Danu Beratan Temple before ending at a strawberry cafe. This is another one of the best hikes in Bali because of the diversity of things seen.
Tips: The temple can be crowded in the middle of the day. Read more about the hike.
10. Hike from Lempuyang Temple to Amed Beach
Hike details: 12 km, 150 m climb, moderate difficulty.
This walk leads from the famous Temple Gates at Lempuyang Temple down to Amed Beach. It’s all downhill along a small road, with great views.
Tips: If staying in Amed, you can ask to be dropped off at the Temple and then walk back. There are not many warungs along this route, it’s quite rural. To walk up to the Temple from the other side, see walk 11 below. Read more.
11. Hike from Tirta Gangga to Lempuyang Temple
Hike details: 16.5 km, 970 m climb, difficult.
This walk leads from the water palace in Tirta Gangga up to the Temple Gates at Lempuyang, via the highest temples at the top of the mountain. This walk goes via Bukit Cinta, a famous viewpoint of Mount Agung. There’s a lot of uphill in this route, and many many steps near the end. It’s worth it to reach the cool mountaintop and see the views.
Tips: Navigation can be tricky on this hike, make sure to have the app Maps.Me. At the first temple, the steps up are just to the left of the temple wall and are slightly overgrown in places. From the temple there are many taxis waiting to take you elsewhere. Read more about the hike.
12. Gunung Catur Mountain Hike
Hike details: 12.5 km, 935 m climb, moderate difficulty.
Hike up along the rim of the crater in the Bali Lakes area, and if the weather is clear, get wonderful views at the top of the Lakes Region. It’s an out-and-back hike with a clear walking path, mainly through the jungle.
Tips: There’s a small path underneath of the highway bridge, by the lakeside. There are several small shelters on the route up in case it starts raining heavily, but no places to buy drinks or snacks so take enough water and food. Read more.
Extra: Hike up Mount Agung
Hike details:
Longer route from Besakih Temple: 12 km, 1900 m climb, very difficult.
Shorter route from Pasar Agung Temple: 6 km, 1250 m climb, difficult.
We did not do the hike up Mount Agung because the timing didn’t work out, but it’s top of our list if we ever go back to Bali as it is one of the best hikes on the island. To hike Mount Agung you need a guide. Tours normally include pick-up from your hotel, the mountain guide, and sometimes breakfast at the top and hiking pole rental.
Routes up Mount Agung
There are two main routes up Mount Agung. The longer route, from Besakih Temple, has a lot of climb – 1900 metres, and is quite far – 12 km. The shorter route, from Pasar Agung Temple, also has quite a lot of climb – 1250 metres, but is not that far – only 6 km. When you book your tour, make sure you know which route you are doing.
Mount Agung Tour Itineries
Most tours aim to arrive at the top of Mount Agung to watch the sunrise, which happens around 7 am. It also gives the highest chance of having clear views at the top, since clouds often form later in the day. The hike up Mount Agung takes 4-5 hours on the shorter route from Pasar Agung and 6-7 hours on the longer route from Besakih. Many tours start the hike before midnight. This means leaving your hotel maybe as early as 10 am the night before. You’ll arrive back at your vehicle around midday.
The sunrise from the top of Mount Agung is amazing (if the weather is clear) and there are far, far fewer tourists than on Mount Batur. The mountain can sometimes be closed for religious regions (often in April), so check in advance. The walk up is mainly in the dark, so bring a headlamp.
Gear needed for Mount Agung hike
You may have to wait a while at the top for sunrise, which can be very cold. Take a hat, gloves, and warm jacket. Shorts are not recommended – wear long trousers or your legs will be very cold. Hiking poles are also very useful on the paths, which are often loose scree rocks – your guide may be able to lend you these. Take a headlamp, since the hike up is in the dark. You also should wear sturdy hiking shoes and take some water. Remember also sunscreen, sunglasses and a sunhat for the way back down.
If you enjoyed the Best Hikes in Bali, see our Bali Overview page for all the hikes and bike rides we did in Bali.
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