Bali has 364 named mountains, including 13 distinct major peaks that stand above the 1,000-metre threshold of which six 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 | |
| #1 | Mount Agung | 3,142 | Active | 16.4km / 2,140m ascent | Spectacular | AllTrails |
| #2 | Mount Batukaru | 2,276 | Dormant | 6.4km / 1,105m ascent | Good | AllTrails |
| #3 | Mount Abang | 2,151 | Dormant | 7km / 800m ascent | Spectacular | AllTrails |
| Mount Pengelengan | 2,098 | Dormant | 9.6km / 905m ascent | None | AllTrails | |
| #4 | Mount Sanghyang | 2,093 | Dormant | 10.6km / 805m ascent | Very Good | AllTrails |
| #5 | Mount Pohen | 2,063 | Dormant | 2.9km / 475m ascent | Good | |
| #6 | Mount Catur | 2,023 | Dormant | 6.3km / 705m ascent | Very Good | AllTrails |
| #7 | Mount Tapak | 1,909 | Dormant | 4km / 550m ascent | Good | |
| #8 | Mount Lesung | 1,860 | Dormant | 10km / 740m ascent | Limited | AllTrails |
| #9 | Mount Adeng | 1,826 | Dormant | 7.9km / 620m ascent | None | |
| #10 | Mount Patas | 1,780 | Dormant | Guide recommended | ||
| #11 | Mount Batur | 1,717 | Active | 9km / 680m ascent | Spectacular | AllTrails |
| #12 | Mount Merbuk | 1,386 | Dormant | 12km / 730m ascent | Wikiloc | |
| #13 | Mount Musi | 1,215 | Dormant | No trail (guided only) | ||
| #14 | 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 Sanghyang (2,093m)
Mount Sanghyang (Gunung Sanghyang) features two distinct summits known as the North Peak and South Peak; head to the slightly lower North Peak (2,074m elevation for the best views. Just below the North Peak is a an impressive temple (Pura).
The most direct and common route is from the Penataran Gunung Sanghyang temple to the north (5.3km / 590m ascent). A much longer route from Tabanan to the south goes to the South Peak (9.2km / 1156m).
Mount Catur (2,023m)
Mount Catur – also referred to as Pura Pucak Mangu after it’s summit temple – offers sweeping views over Lake Beratan and many of Bali’s highest peaks including Mount Adeng, Mount Batukaru, the twin peaks of Mount Sanghyang and Mount Abang.
Two very different summit routes: the most direct and common route is from the village of Tinggan to the east (6.3km / 705m ascent). A longer, less-used but more interesting route goes from Lake Beratan (Bedugul) to the south (10.2km return / 770m 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.
The best time to climb Bali’s volcanoes
The best time to climb Bali’s volcanoes is the dry season from April to October, where there are clearier skies and lower humidity – and the best chance of unobstructed sunrise views on peaks like Batur, Abang, Agung, and Sanghyang. It also avoids the slippery and often cloud‑heavy mornings common in the wet season. Within this period, July–September deliver the clearest conditions but typically also the biggest crowds, while April–May and September–October offer excellent weather with fewer hikers.
In the wet season (November–March), you can still book a guide for most summits (Mount Batur runs all year-round), but cloud cover is frequent and the trails become muddy. During this time having a flexible booking is helpful, and a very early / sunrise hike is the best option to get some views.
| Season | Months | Rainfall | Humidity | Trail Conditions | Visibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Season | April–October | Low rainfall; showers rare. (3–12 rainy days.) | ~60–70% | Dry, stable, best footing | Clear mornings common; best sunrise views |
| Peak Dry Season | June–August | Very low rainfall (2–4 rainy days) | ~60% | Excellent; cool mornings | Clearest skies but busiest trails |
| Shoulder Months | March, November | Moderate rainfall (10–12 rainy days) | ~70–80% | Mixed; some slippery sections | Decent visibility but less predictable |
| Wet Season | November–March | Heavy evening/night rain; peak Jan–Feb (14–20 rainy days) | ~85–95% | Slippery, muddy, cloud-prone | Frequent cloud cover; occasional clear mornings |
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 if going alone. 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 booking 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