Mount Batur: Your Essential Guide & Beat the Crowds [2025]
What to wear, how to beat the crowds & other cool things to do in the area
![Mount Batur: Your Essential Guide & Beat the Crowds [2025]](https://d18sx48tl6nre5.cloudfront.net/webp_xl_8f3491743881823e036ef7ecd49a1fe3.webp)
Mount Batur's sunrise views have put it on every Bali bucket list. Here's the inside scoop on conquering Mount Batur your way: from beating the crowds to cruising in a Jeep!
Ready to book? Check out all our handpicked Mount Batur trekking & Jeep experiences here!
Is Mt Batur worth it?
Yes it's worth it! It’s Bali’s most popular hike for a reason—you get stunning views, and it’s beginner-friendly. Plus, you get to say you hiked an active volcano that has UNESCO status!
Just know that it's pretty touristed, so expect crowds (600 hikers a day!) We would recommend picking a trekking guide who takes a less touristed-trail.
Is there a ban on hiking in Bali?
In June 2023, there was talk of banning hiking on Bali's mountains to protect their sacredness. Don't worry, no ban is in place yet! You can still hit those trails, but expect stricter rules to respect Balinese traditions. A complete ban is unlikely.
Is Mount Batur hard to climb?
It depends on your fitness, but most reasonably fit people find it manageable – summit in about 2 hours! Descent can be trickier on the knees, so save some energy. Want an easier option? Consider the Caldera Trek, which takes under an hour. You can also do a jeep ride!
What's the view from the top?
The views from the top of Mount Batur are worth the early wake-up call! As the sun breaks, it'll light up neighboring volcanoes like Mount Abang, Agung, and Rinjani. A volcanic lake shimmers below, and you'll also get panoramic views of nearby towns and villages.
What time does it start?
The Mount Batur sunrise hike means a midnight hotel pickup, returning around noon. For a later start, consider the sunrise Jeep trip (pickup around 3 am) or a Sunset hike/jeep ride (starting early-mid afternoon, ending around 8-9 pm). This may work better for families with children!
What's the terrain like?
Expect a mix of terrain on your Mount Batur hike: dirt roads, jungle paths, rocky sections, and even slippery volcanic sand on the descent (take it slow). Don't stress about the dark – your guide will provide flashlights!
What should I wear?
Dress in layers for Mount Batur! It's chilly at the top (14-18°C) but warms up later. Pack a jacket, long pants, and a short-sleeved shirt. Rain gear is wise, especially during the rainy season (Dec-Mar). No need for hiking boots – running shoes are fine.
What else should I pack for the hike?
Essentials are: plenty of water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and your camera or phone (and a drone if you're feeling fancy!). Most guides include a unique breakfast experience, even cooking eggs in volcanic steam, but bring some snacks if you get peckish. Also, have a bit of cash on hand in case you want to grab a treat from locals at the summit.
How long to reach the start point?
Travel time to the start point depends where you're staying. Expect about an hour from Ubud (faster at night!), up to two hours from South Bali (Kuta/Seminyak/Canggu), and only 10-15 minutes if you're near Kintamani.
When is the best time to go?
The best time to go depends on if you prioritize clear sunrises or smaller crowds. Dry season (June-Sept) offers the best chance for epic sunrises, but it's also peak season (600 climbers a day!). For fewer people, try the shoulder seasons (Oct-Nov, April-May), knowing rain is more likely. Rainy season? A sunset trek might offer clearer skies.
Do I need a guide?
Technically, you can hike Mount Batur without a guide, but it's strongly discouraged. Local guides tightly control access to the mountain, and solo hikers may face hassle. This system ensures safety and supports the local community. Check out our favourite Mount Batur guides here!
What else is there to do around Mt Batur?
After your Batur trek, ease those tired muscles at the natural hot springs (touristy though). Interested in coffee? Explore a sustainable plantation in Kintamani, Bali's coffee heartland (and please, avoid ones that exploit luwaks!). For cultural immersion, there's Besakih Temple, Bali's most important, or seek out hidden waterfalls like Kato Lampo.
If you want a truly unique experience, visit Trunyan Village (our fave!) Bali's oldest village known for its magical tree and fascinating traditions.
Can I see Mount Batur without the crowds?
Yes! For fewer crowds, choose a guide that takes a less-travelled route to summit. The summit itself might still be busy, but you'll avoid the massive crowds of 600 people during the climb itself.
For a truly unique and uncrowded experience, try the Batur Caldera hike. This sunrise trek offers stunning views of the volcano's rim and includes a boat ride on Lake Batur for a real adventure!
Can I see Mount Batur without hiking?
Yep! Skip the hike with a 4WD Jeep adventure. See Mount Batur and explore black sand lava fields - perfect if you're short on time or not a hiker!
Is Mt Batur suitable for kids?
Batur is one of the easier volcano hikes, so it could work for your kids if they're up for a 2-hour hike each way. Since sunrise hikes start at midnight, consider a sunset hike or a jeep trip with a later start – those might be more kid-friendly. You can also ride an ATV at Batur!
👇 Check out all our handpicked Mt Batur experiences here
Frequently Asked Questions
In total, the Mount Batur sunrise hike will take approximately 4 hours for a novice hiker, if you are of moderate fitness. If you're very fit, it should take you 3 hours or less. Ultimately, how long it takes really depends on individual fitness level, but if you're relatively fit you can reach the summit within 2 hours.
Most travellers find it fairly easy - which is why it's such a popular climb!
The descent is typically easier for most (although for those with weak knees it may be harder!), but there are some tricky terrains to manage, so definitely leave some energy for the way down. Descent will also take 1.5-2 hours.
The climb up Mount Batur is considered easy to moderate, depending on your fitness level and experience.
The trek takes around approximately 2-3 hours to reach the summit, and the terrain can be steep and rocky in some areas. However, with a good level of fitness and the right equipment, most people can make the climb.
It gets chilly at the summit of Mt Batur before sunrise - the temperature here ranges between 14-18 degrees.
If you reach the summit with time to spare before sunrise, it may feel even colder because of the wind so we would recommend a jacket, fleece and long trousers.
There is generally one common route up the mountain that most of the local tour guides will use. That means that sometimes there will be a human traffic jam up the mountain, especially during peak season when you have 600 hikers using the same narrow route up before sunrise.
However, some of the local guides have now found other less-touristed ways of doing the Batur sunrise hike which will still take you up the summit but through less-known routes. When we did the less-touristed route, there was no one on the route with us until we reached the summit, so we would highly recommend it!
Alternatively, if you don't like climbing you can also do a jeep tour. This has become an increasingly popular way to see Mount Batur at sunrise. This takes you not to the summit but to a vantage point midway where you can see the Batur Lake, and the neighbouring volcanoes. Finally, you can also climb to the Mount Batur volcano rim instead of the summit.
This gives you as good a view as the summit with no crowds so you can take an amazing pictures without jostling for position with others.
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