Bali has 364 named mountains, including 15 distinct major peaks that stand above the 1,000-metre threshold and seven which are over 2,000m in height. Almost all the peaks have established trails, although most of the mountains in the less-visited West Bali National Park require a guide. While Mount Batur is by the far the more popular (and crowded) Bali peak, many less-busy mountains can be climbed with a guide – or without a guide if you are an experienced hiker.
All of the hikes below can be done in a day (most are half-day walks with an early start); a few can be done as an overnight walk with a camp on the summit, such as Mount Batukaru, or with a base camp below the summit on Mount Agung. An overnight guided walk allows you to hike during the day, but still enjoy sunrise from the top.
| Name | Height (m) | Status | Shortest (return) route | Views? | Map |
| Mount Agung | 3,142 | Active | 16.4km / 2,140m ascent | Spectacular | AllTrails |
| Mount Batukaru | 2,276 | Dormant | 6.4km / 1,105m ascent | AllTrails | |
| Mount Abang | 2,151 | Dormant | 7km / 800m ascent | Spectacular | AllTrails |
| Mount Pengelengan | 2,102 | Dormant | None | ||
| Mount Catur | 2,098 | Dormant | 6.3km / 705m ascent | Very Good | |
| Mount Sanghyang | 2,093 | Dormant | 10.6km / 805m ascent | Very Good | |
| Mount Pohen | 2,063 | Dormant | 2.9km / 475m ascent | ||
| Mount Tapak | 1,909 | Dormant | 4km / 550m ascent | ||
| Mount Lesung | 1,860 | Dormant | 10km / 740m ascent | ||
| Mount Adeng | 1,826 | Dormant | 7.9km / 620m ascent | ||
| Mount Patas | 1,780 | Dormant | Guide recommended | ||
| Mount Batur | 1,717 | Active | 9km / 680m ascent | Spectacular | AllTrails |
| Mount Merbuk | 1,386 | Dormant | 12km / 730m ascent | Wikiloc | |
| Mount Musi | 1,215 | Dormant | No trail (guide only) | ||
| Lempuyang Temple | 1,060 | Dormant | 5.4km / 490m ascent | Spectacular | AllTrails |
Mount Agung (3,148m)
The highest mountain on Bali and fifth tallest volcano in Indonesia, climbing Mount Agung involves a fairly tough hike that typically starts around midnight to 2am. A guide is strongly recommended, even for experienced hikers.
Five summit routes: the most popular are from Pura Pasar Agung to the south (10km return / 1,580m elevation gain) and the Pura Besakih Route from the south-west, a harder route to the true summit (16.4km / 2,136m).
Mount Abang (2,151m)
The steep climb up to the top of Mount Abang (Bali’s third highest peak) offers some great views along the way as well from the top. Although it can get busy on weekends with local hikers, it offers a much more peaceful experience than the crowded Mount Batur.
Two summit routes, the most popular being from Suder village to the south (7km / 800m ascent). The less busy but more challenging trail from Terunyan Village to the north traverses Trunyan Hill (9.3km / 1,280m ascent).
Mount Batur (1,717m)
One of the most popular hikes in Bali, the Mount Batur Sunrise Trek is offered by dozens of tour companies – most offering a 3-4am start so you can catch the sunrise from the top. A guide is not mandatory, but expect to get hassled if you are climbing without one! Unlike most of the dormant volcanoes, there are spectacular views all the way up to the top.
Five summit routes which are all around 3km (one-way) with about 500m elevation gain, as well as a trail arould the caldera.
Do you need a guide?
For most of Bali’s volcanic peaks, a guide is optional – the exception being Mount Agung, where an official Circular Letter (Surat Edaran) issued by the Bali Provincial Government’s Forestry and Environmental Agency in 2025 strictly mandates that all tourists and climbers must be accompanied by a certified local guide. At least two tourists have been deported for climbing Mount Agung without a guide. It’s widely reported that tourists hiking Mount Batur get hassled by the “local mafia” when unaccompanied by guide; be prepared to pay the official entrance fee as well as a “tip” to get past the locals. Most of the peaks in Bali’s west have very little trail information available, so engaging a local guide is highly recommended.
Even if you’re an experienced hiker, it’s worth getting a guide for any sunrise walks which start in the dark, and having a package that includes transport from your hotel and a local guide takes a lot of the stress out of the hike! If you are going solo, do your research and make sure you have an off-line map and know where the trailhead is. Many peaks have several different routes, which can vary significantly in terms of difficulty.
More information
- BPS Statistica Indonesia – Name and Height of Mountains by Regency/Municipality in Bali Province
- The Bali Sun – Bali Deports Norwegian Tourist Caught Hiking Mount Agung Without A Guide
- Outpost – Me Against the Mafia | How I Hiked Mount Batur Alone