Adventure with Hiking the Highest Mount in Bali

The Majestic of Agung Mount

Gunung Agung (Mount of Agung) is the highest mountain on the small Indonesian island of Bali. Although peaks rise higher on Irian Jaya, Sumatra, Lombok, and Java, Bali's status as Indonesia's most popular tourist destination makes Agung perhaps the most-climbed high peak in the country. It located in Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia. Mount Agung Bali stands 3,142 meters above sea level and holiest mountain as it is believed as the home of God.

Agung is a volcano with an enormous and very deep crater that occasionally vents out smoke and steam. The highest point is on the southwest part of the rim, a barren and rocky hill of fine volcanic rock. The summit area is above the treeline, due to the high winds and sterilizing effects of recent volcanic activity, but it is my understanding that the summit never sees any snow. Still, the weather of the surrounding rainforest of Bali is almost always cloudy, and the potentially awesome view of the entire island spread out beneath you is extremely rare.

The hiking routes or track

1. From Besakih (west) to the summit. This is a demanding climb starting close to Besakih Temple. The ascent will take about 6 to 7 hours and ends at the very highest point of the mountain. The final hour or so is exceptionally demanding often requiring ascent on all fours.

2. From Pura Pasar Agung (south) to crater rim above Pura Pasar temple. The climb starts directly at Pasar Agung Temple at an altitude of about 1,550 meters and brings you up to about 2,800 meters, resulting in a total ascent of about 1,250 meters. It generally takes three to four hours, however, experienced climbers in good condition hike up in less than two and a half hours and goes down in one and a half hours. The first third of the climb is a dusty path through a forest (which can be very slippery in the dry season). During the second third, you will walk over broken rock and the final third includes some climbing over solidified lava. 2.1 From Pura Pasar Agung (south) to summit. The climb starts directly at Pasar Agung Temple and initially follows the same path towards the crater rim above Pura Pasar, but there is a junction point at roughly 2500 m altitudes where you can decide to continue up towards the rim (1h45 m up), or turn left and circle around to reach the summit in 3-4 hours from that junction. It is not well marked but the local guides know it. Not recommended to try this without a guide unless you are an experienced mountaineer. There are apparently red-white dot marks like in the Austrian mountains but they aren’t easy to find especially if you get clouds coming in.

3. From Duku Bujangga Sakti (north). A seldom-used route but one which is most appropriate for less experienced trekkers and the slightly less physically fit. The ascent starts at 300 meters and involves an overnight camp at 1,700 meters, before the final ascent in the pre-dawn hours the following day. This route also allows you to walk around the rim of the crater to the absolute summit of the mountain. If you hiking this mount, you will see all of Bali Island. If you want to be a challenger adventure tours who think that trekking or climbing is spectacular, this trek will be a good choice for you. The amazing sunrise from the peak of Mount Agung as you’ve never seen from other places. August is the best month to hike this summit because you can see the cumulus clouds which look like cotton. You also can see Mount Rinjani outside of the Bali Island that is located at Lombok Island.