I explored Java for almost a month, hiking and walking from western Jakarta to eastern volcano wonders, transfering myself to Bali for some surfing and chilling. Hiking Java offers an array of wonderful landscapes, from lush rainforests and volcanic mountains to stunning waterfalls and terraced rice fields. Here are a few best volcano hikes in Java, which all are memorable experience.
Hiking Ijen Crater - world’s largest acidic volcanic lake and see incredible Blue Flames phenomenon!
Ijen Crater is on the top of the list of best volcano hikes in Java – it’s a remarkable adventure for number of reasons:
- It takes you to the edge of an active volcano – the world’s largest acidic volcanic lake, which has a green-blue lagoon color and boils constantly at 300 Celsius degrees.
- The best time to hike Ijen Crater is in the early morning to witness the mesmerizing Blue Fire phenomenon and enjoy the scenic beauty.
- Witness incredible sunrise over the crater rim.
Hiking Ijen Crater lake (Kawah Ijen) in East Java, Indonesia.
Hiking Ijen Crater in east Java in Indonesia is a truly magic experience! Trekking through Java island was one of
The starting point for the hike is Paltuding, the official basecamp of Ijen Crater. It is easily accessible by car or motorbike from various nearby towns, such as Banyuwangi or Bondowoso.
Make sure to arrive at Paltuding well in advance pay the entrance fee, and hire a local guide if required (we hiked Ijen Crater without a tour guide).
Distance and duration of the hike: The hike from Paltuding to the Ijen Crater rim is approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) long and takes around 2 hours, depending on your fitness level. The trail is well-marked and relatively moderate – that’s why it is easily doable without a tour guide.
Sulfur mining at Ijen Crater.
On the way to the bottom of the crater you’ll see lots of miners carrying extreme amount of yellow suful stones. The miners spend their whole life working in extremely hard conditions to support the family. It is very common to tip them with small money, they are very friendly and eager to unveil how they risk their life every day trying to get the sulfur from an active volcano. Additionally – be prepared the sulfur smoke is extremely agressive and you may have difficulties breathing. We did not have gas masks, only scarfs, and it was extremely tough getting to the bottom of the smoking lake, as we were constantly coughing.
Hiking Bromo Volcano in East Java.
Bromo volcano is the only active crater in the Tengger caldera containing seven eruptive centers.
The starting point for the hike is Cemoro Lawang Village, which serves as the gateway to Mount Bromo. You can reach Cemoro Lawang by car or motorbike from nearby towns, such as Probolinggo. It’s advisable to arrive at the basecamp the night before to ensure an early start.
Hiking Mount Bromo active volcano in East Java in Indonesia.
Hiking Mount Bromo active volcano in East Java. Hiking Mount Bromo – an active volcano Gunung Bromo (2300 meters), is a very popular
The sunrise view from Bromo is awe-inspiring, so it’s recommended to start the hike early in the morning, typically around 3:30 a.m. You’ll reach the viewpoint before sunrise and witness the breathtaking colors that paint the sky.
Hiking route – from Cemoro Lawang, you’ll join a line of jeeps or take a walk to the Bromo viewpoint via the sand desert. The journey takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the transportation mode.
Make sure you check the volcanic activity before you go – during our stay the ash was covering the whole village, it was almost impossible to sleep. Additionally we had to hike to Bromo Volcano in these conditions, choking and coughing all the way.
Hiking Mount Semeru - the highest peak in Java.
Mount Semeru is the highest peak in Java and part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. Mount Semeru is a challenging yet rewarding adventure and it’s one of the best volcano hikes in Java. It’s a multi-day trek that takes you through dense forests, alpine meadows, and volcanic ash slopes, with the highlight being the summit, known as Mahameru.
Along the way, you’ll encounter stunning scenery and may even witness smoke spewing from Semeru’s active crater. Trekking to the summit requires good physical fitness and typically takes multiple days.
Witness the sunrise from Mount Penanjakan.
Magnificent Mount Penanjakan sunrise hike in East Java, Indonesia.
Mount Penanjakan sunrise hike experience. Witnessing the sunrise from Penanjakan is a truly captivating experience! Despite number of available organized
Hiking Mount Penanjakan is highly adventurous. While most people would come there in jeep tours, you can take a night hike to witness amazing Penanjakan sunrise, showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Mount Bromo and the surrounding volcano landscapes! We hiked Mount Penanjakan without a tour guide at night.
The hike begins in Cemoro Lawang village. It is best to start the hike early morning, around 3:30 a.m. in order to secure a good spot at the top for the perfect sunrise view.
Be prepared there will be quite of a crowd, once we accomplished the hike there already around 200 people gathering at the viewing point.
