The best Bali hikes with unforgettable landscapes

Whether you’re chasing altitude, jungle or coastline, these Bali hikes cut straight to the island’s most spectacular terrain.

Lace up your shoes. Bali hikes reveal the island at its most raw and immersive – where jungle trails, rice terraces and volcanic slopes connect into one shifting landscape.

From Bali trekking through misty highlands and village paths to coastal cliff walks above crashing surf, each route offers a different way into the island’s rhythm and daily life.

For many, the draw is a volcano hike Bali experience – a pre-dawn ascent into darkness that breaks above the clouds at sunrise. But beyond the headline peaks, quieter trails reward the slower traveller with waterfalls, ridgelines and glimpses of Bali at its most elemental.

1. Campuhan Ridge Walk

Walk through lush landscapes. (Credit: Getty/ljubaphoto)

A soft-entry stunner. This paved ridge meanders through alang-alang grass and palm-dotted valleys, a stone’s throw from Ubud. The end-to-end walk tracks above the gently flowing Wos River – a place of deep spiritual significance linked to divine feminine energy.

Come at sunrise or golden hour for a quieter, dreamlike stroll when light brushes the grass burnished blonde. There’s little shade so skip the midday heat.

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: ~2 kilometres return
Where: Access via Jalan Raya Campuhan near the Warwick Ibah entrance.
Accessibility: Paved but uneven in parts; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Do: Linger at a nearby cafe for a post-walk coconut or coffee.

2. Sidemen Rice Terrace Walks

Thread through rolling green Sidemen Rice Terraces against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Agung. (Credit: Getty/Igor Tichonow)

Swap crowds for calm in Bali’s lush east. In this serene valley, trails thread through viridian rice paddies, over bamboo bridges and past village life. Wade knee-deep in gentle river crossings fed by the icy run-off from Mount Agung, the lifeblood of this fertile landscape that feeds the UNESCO-listed ‘subak’ irrigation system.

This is a walk for meandering – and noticing. Coconuts, snake beans and corn thrive here in this abundant food bowl. Pass grunting pigs and tethered cows. Expect a friendly “selamat pagi” (good morning) from grinning farmers.

You can go it alone. The main public walking trail is on the outskirts of Sidemen village. Look for the roadside bamboo ticket booth, pay around A$2.50 and follow the signs. A local guide adds depth and supports community employment. For ease, book online with Get Your Guide with tours from around A$20.

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: ~3 kilometres return
Where: Karangasem Regency, East Bali
Accessibility: Not wheelchair-friendly: paths are uneven and unstructured.
Do: Bring small amounts of Indonesian rupiah for entry fees and guide tips. 

3. Munduk Waterfall Trek

The stunning Munduk Waterfall cascades down a mossy rock face in the mountain highlands, north of Bali. (Credit: Getty/bloodua)

Mist clings to the hills in Munduk, where jungle trails stitch together five waterfalls hidden deep in Bali’s cool highlands. Clove and coffee plantations perfume the air as paths wind past dripping vines, moss-slick steps and sudden reveals of cascading falls.

The falls all have their own character. Melanting is the most powerful, best after rain when it thunders through the valley. Labuhan Kebo is quieter, with warungs nearby for a cold drink and a rest stop. Belong feels more secluded, a softer cascade framed by dense greenery. Red Coral is known for its rust-hued rock face and photogenic drop, while Golden Valley has a cafe perched beside the falls – ideal for a scenic pause. Choose-your-own-adventure.

Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Distance: 2 – 4 hours
Where: Munduk village, North Bali highlands.
Accessibility: Limited; uneven paths and steep sections.
Do: Wear shoes with grip; bring a light raincoat.

4. Nusa Lembongan Cliffs

Local outrigger boats (jukung) bob on Nusa Lembongan’s turquoise waters. (Credit: Getty/Nuture)

Along these drop-dead-gorgeous coastal paths, limestone cliffs shear into an aqua-marine ocean. Sunlight refracts from the surface, sparkling like a disco ball. Waves detonate in white plumes against the rock, sending spray skyward.

Start at Dream Beach, a specky stretch of lily-white sand with iridescent turquoise water – beautiful but with dangerous currents. Head west with the ocean on your left to Devil’s Tear. Blowholes erupt like whales spouting. There are safety rails here, but many ignore them. Don’t. Freak king waves can occur. Continue on to Mushroom Bay for a calmer swim, then settle in for a mojito at Hai Bar & Grill, toes practically in the sand.

A driver to take you to Dream Beach costs around A$15. Ask at the ferry office when you disembark.

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.5 kilometres
Where: Nusa Lembongan island, a 30-minute boat from Sanur.
Accessibility: Uneven cliff paths not suitable for wheelchairs.
Do: Time your visit for sunset or high tide for maximum drama.

5. West Bali National Park Coastal & Jungle Trails

Pair your hike with a snorkel off Menjangan Island. (Credit: Getty/Soft_Light)

Monkeys, sure. But elegant deer, snuffling wild boar and squirrels the size of a small poodle? This is Bali at its wildest, a five-hour drive from the airport. Add over 160 bird species, including the endangered Bali starling with eyes rimmed in cobalt blue and it feels more African safari than tropical island escape.

Trails weave through monsoon forest, savannah and mangroves. Pair your hike with a snorkel off Menjangan Island for a coral reef-fringed finale. There are a handful of high-end resorts within the park for post-hike refuelling.

Difficulty: Easy to Hard
Distance: ~5 kilometres and 2 hours for the Tegal Bunder Trail. Gunung Klatakan Trail ~18 kilometres and up to 8 hours.
Where: Bali’s north-west tip. The main visitor centre is at Jalan Raya Cekik-Gilimanuk, Jembrana.
Accessibility: Limited; some paved paths near the visitor centre.
Do: Hire an official park guide; bring cash for entry fees (~A$20 weekdays / A$30 weekends).

6. Mount Batur Sunrise Trek

The majestic Mount Batur at sunrise. (Credit: Getty/Nikada)

Voices echo in the dark. What looks like a merry string of swaying festoon lights is the head torches of up to 600 climbers chasing sunrise on this UNESCO-listed active volcano.

The 2am hotel pickup, two-hour climb and burning calves are worth it. Perched above the clouds, Mother Nature delivers a light show as the sky flickers tangerine, saffron and gold. As day breaks, steam curls from the earth and monkeys linger.

It’s cold – around 14 degrees Celsius – so pack warm layers. Take care on the descent as loose gravel in sections can be slippery. There’s a basic warung at the top to get hot drinks.

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 5-8 kilometres round trip
Where: Kintamani region, about three hours from Seminyak; most hikes start at Toya Bungkah Village.
Accessibility: No wheelchair access, but 4WD jeep tours are available.
Do: Go with a guide; bring water and snacks.

7. Mount Agung Summit Trek

The sacred peak of Mount Agung rises dramatically above the marigold fields in Gumitir Garden. (Credit: Getty/Fathoni Novianto)

This is no gentle wander – it’s a pilgrimage. Bali’s highest and most sacred mountain rises in shadow, its slopes steep, shifting and unforgiving. You’ll start in the dead of night, following a narrow beam of torchlight as the jungle thins and the earth turns to loose rock beneath your feet.

The climb is long and relentless, but the reward is otherworldly. At the summit, you stand above the clouds as dawn breaks in silence – a slow unfurling of light across Lombok and the volcanic spine of Bali. On clear mornings, Mount Rinjani reveals itself on the horizon.

This is a deeply spiritual mountain, home to Pura Besakih on its slopes, and many locals climb as an act of devotion. Respect the mountain, the conditions and your limits – this is a serious trek.

Difficulty: Hard
Distance: 6–14 kilometres depending on the route.
Where: East Bali; common start points near Besakih Temple or Pura Pasar Agung.
Accessibility: Not suitable for beginners; steep, exposed and physically demanding.
Do: Engage an experienced guide, pack warm layers and plenty of water. Check volcanic activity prior.