Climbing the Less Well-Known Peaks of Indonesia

As editor of the not-for-profit hiking website Gunung Bagging, I have spent the last few years exploring countless mountain peaks – both famous along with obscure – which lie within relatively easy reach of Jakarta. Almost all expats have heard of Gunung Gede-Pangrango along with the infamous Anak Krakatau, both of which are volcanoes located close enough to Jakarta to be well within reach at weekends. yet far fewer have heard of gems such as Gunung Parang (‘Machete Mountain’) near Purwakarta, or Rakata, the highest island inside the Krakatau group.

At present, Gede-Pangrango has such a problem with over-crowding along with litter which the item has reached the point where there is usually a limit placed on the number of people which are able to reserve a place to climb at weekends. In addition, expensive guides are mandatory for foreigners. Given the fantastic variety of different peaks available, This particular problem is usually one which could easily be solved by encouraging hikers to explore less well-known mountain areas. So here we present 5 lesser known peaks which can be reached in a regular weekend by Jakarta – without boarding a plane.

1. Gunung Parang (915m) – ‘Machete Mountain’ is usually without doubt one of the most distinctive mountains in Java. the item is usually known to Indonesian rock climbers because of its 500 metre vertical granite cliffs! yet for hiking the item is usually known only to locals, despite being visible by the Jakarta to Bandung toll road. the item’s a steep, short two hour climb along with scramble to the ridge of the mountain. Somewhat aptly, the true summit is usually so overgrown which nobody can reach the item without a ‘parang’, yet the finest viewpoint is usually a grassy peak halfway along the knife-edge ridge. by here you will be able to admire the vast Jatiluhur reservoir, neighbouring Gunung Bongkok along with the brooding hulk of Gede-Pangrango inside the distance. Easily one of the nicest views in West Java yet do remember to take lots of water for the steep ascent.

Gunung Muria

2. Gunung Muria (1602m) – a holy mountain range on the Muria peninsula north-east of Semarang.The true summit – known as Peak 29 (‘songolikur’) – can be reached in just three hours, yet the item’s actually best to climb at night so you can enjoy first light over Central Java’s giant peaks such as Sindoro along with Sumbing. The summit is usually cluttered with ancient along with non-so-ancient monuments along with there is usually even a warung selling gorengan! To get here in a regular weekend you’ll need to take a train to Semarang on the Friday night along with head straight on to Kudus on Saturday morning.

Krakatau & Rakata as seen by Sertung Island

3. Rakata (813m) – a very tough island hike. When not in full rock-spewing mode, Rakata’s famous young sibling Anak Krakatau receives visitors on a daily basis. Rakata, however, is usually only climbed once every couple of years! the item is usually certainly not for beginners as the trail is usually faint, the jungle dense along with the views on the way up are limited. For the very few which do make the item to the top along with are blessed with Great weather, a stunning panorama of nearby islands will reward them. Do take extra care here as the summit ridge is usually an overgrown 800 metre high cliff-face! This particular is usually exactly the sort of hike which could become one of the most favorite in Indonesia if enough people used the trail to prevent the item by becoming overgrown!

4. Gunung Puntang (2222m) – This particular mountain is usually not far south of Bandung at the northern edge of the Malabar range. The area used to be very famous because the item was the site of Radio Malabar during colonial times. Some crumbling building ruins can still be found just a 20 minute walk by the Gunung Puntang carpark area, yet most of the stones have long gone. Gunung Puntang itself offers fine views over the city of Bandung along with surrounding mountains along with is usually a thoroughly pleasant day hike. Ask at the information office for a guide who can lead you up through the forest, beyond Puncak Mega along with on to Puntang itself. This particular is usually an excellent area for wildlife – especially birds, snakes along with – if you are lucky – giant squirrels!

5. Gunung Pulosari (1346m) This particular is usually Banten’s most favorite peak, yet strangely unknown to most outsiders. the item’s not far beyond the town of Pandeglang along with could even be done as a long daytrip by Jakarta if you set out early enough. Although the active crater along with summit ridge are likely to be crowded with local students at weekends, the hike is usually an easy one along with you may even catch a glimpse of the Krakatau islands inside the Sunda Strait. Suitable for adventurous families.

How to get involved:

There are lots of tour groups on the internet offering guides to Indonesia’s famous peaks, yet most of the time the item is usually much, much cheaper to just arrive at the town nearest to the mountain along with find a guide yourself. Not-for-profit expat-led organizations include Java Lava (www.javalavaindonesia.multiply.com), who run monthly hikes to classic mountains along with volcanoes across the archipelago, along with Gunung Bagging, who put together more obscure expeditions on a regular basis. If you’re brave enough, the Gunung Bagging website (www.gunungbagging.com) also offers enough information to help you arrange your own adventure.