Rice fields of Bali - Munduk
Asia Hiking Travel Ideas Indonesia

Trekking in Bali around Munduk with the clove pickers

Reports of trekking in Bali attracted me to the forest-clad mountains of the Central Highlands and so I took the road from Lovina on the north coast that gradually winds up to the village of Munduk.

The rice fields become steeper here, interspersed with lush scenes of coconut and banana plantations. Travelling to Munduk village was all part of my mission to discover unspoilt Bali.

Things to do in Munduk

Steep terraces push upwards through the green countryside surrounding Munduk, which is dotted with the red rusted tin roofs of villages. The scent of cloves wafts down through the warm air – millions of the aromatic dried flower buds are spread to dry in the sun along the roadside.

Munduk main street, Bali Central Highlands

In the main street of Munduk banners flutter in the breeze, and I settled in quickly on the verandah of One Homestay to drink in the stunning views over valley and peaks. Below the verandah the blackened shrines of a small family temple is decorated with red and yellow fabric.

Munduk, Bali Central Highlands

In September the clove harvest was in full swing in Munduk. Once cloves only grew in the ‘Spice Islands’ – the Maluku Islands – and were a hugely valuable trading commodity in the 17th century, worth their weight in gold. They have been used over the centuries for everything from freshening the breath to flavouring food, cigarettes and traditional medicines.

Cloves drying, Munduk, Bali trekking
Looking about me in Munduk it is clear they are still a profitable agricultural crop. Over the past 15 years clove plantations have replaced over 40 per cent of the rice terraces in this area. The fast growing trees, which grow eight to 12 metres high, are a less labour intensive cash crop than rice. A man can gather three sacks of cloves in a day and I saw them spread out in different states of dryness.

From five o’clock in the morning the sound of a thousand roosters crowing is uncannily like sports fans cheering on their team, or perhaps a riot. But it’s good to get up early if you want to do any Bali trekking and hiking because even at these altitudes the temperature and humidity soon rises to uncomfortable levels for strenuous physical activity.

Rice fields of Bali - Munduk

Day walks from Munduk

I did a number of day walks from Munduk. Wandering among the Balinese rice paddy fields in the valley below the main village in the early evening is lovely. Around four o’clock in the afternoon workers are returning from the harvest, carrying huge sacks of cloves on their heads and on the back of bikes.

Munduk waterfall walks

Our next Bali trekking adventure was the Red Coral Waterfall walk, well documented in guides on trekking in Bali, that takes around four hours. Because I had my young daughter with me I saved fifty minutes up the hill road through Munduk village with a 10,000 Rupiah ($1) motorbike ride. From the track head it is a short stroll down to the Red Coral Waterfall.

Langaan Waterfall, Munduk, Bali trekking

The gorge is lush with tropical foliage and flowers and the path then winds through jungle and plantation with a few hamlets of scattered houses. These are very humble abodes but each had a carefully planted garden of bright flowers as well as the usual bamboo and rice religious decorations.

Balinese people near Munduk

Then the trail drops down past a small warung into a valley that was ringing with the shouts and laughter of the clove pickers. Long bamboo ladders extend up high into the trees that are thick with flowers. The harvest is a family affair with wives and children relaxing on the ground beneath the clove trees. The air was redolent with the scent and the red flower stems scattered the dusty path under my feet.

Clove harvesting, Munduk, Bali

Our next Bali trek was to the thundering Laangan Waterfall, which is reached via five hundred or so steep steps. I could hardly take a picture of the waterfall due to the intensity of the spray. Then it is up and down through tiny villages selling spices, Balinese coffee, roasted cacao mixed with rich palm sugar, and a whole constellation of spices.

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A huge variety of plants and flowers keeps trekking in Bali interesting, apart from occasional views across the hills and valleys. A 30 foot avocado tree loaded with shiny green fruit contrasted with bright poinsettias. Of course there are coffee beans and the colourful seed pods of cacao: there is still a lot of diversity in the agriculture of Bali.

Waterfall trek, Munduk, Bali

You can see the landscaping and water conduits of former rice terraces. It is all quite wild and difficult to tell where the plantations begin and end – this was Bali jungle trekking.

Hiking in Bali was a new experience from my usual hiking holidays in mountains. I loved the colour and variety of all the walks, but most especially the opportunities to interact with the people.

Staying in Munduk was a very special experience and the perfect place to get away from the crowds in Bali.

By Natasha von Geldern

I hope you enjoyed my Bali hiking recommendation. Have you been trekking in Bali? I just did a few day walks from Munduk but has anyone done anything more ambitious?

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18 Comments

  1. Cool stuff….and fun photos. I never knew how cloves grew before, interesting that they’re replacing so many rice terraces! I’ve never been to Bali….not yet at least 😉

  2. Haven’t been to Bali, but I have plans of going there on March! Will keep this in mind 😀

  3. My youngest daughter is keen to go to Bali. I’m showing her all your posts 🙂

  4. Some fantastic shots there Natasha, love the one of the guy in the ladder at the top of the tree!

  5. We only did very short walks when we were in Bali but thanks for sharing these photos – I’m enjoying seeing more of it!

  6. I never went trekking in Bali, sounds wonderful!

  7. Shane Curtis

    You made some great shots Natasha and it is such a great place to live. The waterfalls are very beautiful and stunning. Hope to see this in personal.

  8. Beautiful photos here Natasha. I’ve never been to Bali but these walks sound very appealing & interesting to read about the cloves.

  9. Looks gorgeous, beautiful place for hiking! I’m definitely keen on doing some hiking once I finally get to Bali, maybe next year 🙂

  10. Such a world away. Looks so beautiful and serene.

  11. Great article Natasha! I was up there doing some feasibility research a few years back in the northern parts of Bali and did some insane trekking into the volcanic systems in the hills surrounding the village of Les. Apparently I was one of only twelve foreigners to ever set foot inside the cave system which was once a place for refuge from pirates. The guide had to cut our path out to the cave entrance, which I kid you not, sat behind a waterfall up the side of a cliff. The trek to the cave went through all the plantations for the village and once inside, there were species of bats in there that we think hadn’t been documented and not to mentioned a big dam snake.

    Well worth the adventure if your up that way! By they way if you’re up there again I recommend checking out JED – Supported by the UN, this organization is helping villages to grow ethical tourism development controlled by the villages that is sustainable. Its becoming the blueprint for all island destinations.

    • Ah now this is what I wanted to hear Peter – sounds fantastic! Although probably not suitable for a pre-schooler 🙁 I’d love to return to Bali and get further off the beaten track. And I love the sound of the JED work. Thanks!

  12. Going to Bali this year, already added it to my list! Great day! 🙂

  13. Great weblog I Love it very much. Munduk becomes more polur now.

  14. thanks for the interesting post Natasha. I plan to spend some time in Muduk as part of my Bali exploring. I’m always interested in plants and trees so keen to learn I’ll be there clove harvesting time. One Homestay looks great too.

  15. Cool stuff and fun photographs. I never knew how cloves developed, interesting that they are supplanting such a large number of rice terraces! I have never been to Bali not yet at any rate.

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