Mount Abang rises to about 2,151 meters on the eastern edge of the Batur caldera, making it the highest point of the rim and the third-highest mountain on Bali. From the lake shore it reads as a long forested wall; from its summit, the whole caldera opens below, with the dark cone of Batur in the middle and the blue sweep of Lake Batur curving around it.
Abang is a remnant of the ancient volcano that once stood here before a series of massive collapses formed the Batur caldera tens of thousands of years ago. The younger cone of Mount Batur grew later inside the hollow. Unlike Batur, Abang has no active vent, and its slopes have grown thick with old trees, ferns and moss, giving it a very different feel from the bare lava fields below.
The climb is far quieter than the crowded Batur trek. Trails rise through cool, misty forest to a small shrine near the top, and the summit view at dawn, over the caldera toward Batur, Agung and Rinjani, is one of the finest in Bali. The ascent takes a few hours and is steady rather than technical, though roots and mud make it slippery after rain.
Highlights
- Panorama over the Batur caldera and lake
- Old-growth forest on the trail
- Sunrise views of Agung and Rinjani
- Far fewer hikers than Mount Batur
Good to know
- Go with a local guide, as trails are less marked than on Mount Batur.
- Abang overlooks active Mount Batur, so check the MAGMA Indonesia (PVMBG) alert level for the caldera before you go.
- Wear shoes with grip; the forest floor stays muddy long after rain.
On the map
Bali 2027 Travel Guide
The complete island guide: where to go, how to get around, what to avoid, health and safety, and the phrases that open doors.