The steep and impressive Gunung Bongkok lies just to the south of the equally imposing Gunung Parang. They are both of great interest to rock climbers as there are various vertical rock faces on their slopes. This lovely area can easily be explored on a day-trip from Jakarta.
Occasionally people email to ask about the huge massif known as Anjasmoro to the west of Arjuno-Welirang. This is a vast and, for Java, wild range. At the time of writing unless you are on the Wonosalam or Rejosari routes you are unlikely to meet any other hiking groups at all, even on weekends!
Gunung Seminung is one of the most strikingly beautiful mountains in southern Sumatra and is well-known by those who visit Danau Ranau, the lake beneath the mountain and second largest body of water in Sumatra (after Danau Toba in the north).
Gunung Sangga Buana is a small mountain 32km south of Karawang, popular with local villagers who often pray on its slopes.
Gunung Patuha is just over 40km from Bandung city. It is the highest peak in the large highland area between the Gede-Pangrango massif and the mountains of Garut. The word ‘patuha’ apparently comes from the words “Pak Tua” (old man).
Gunung Batu Putih (‘White Rock Mountain’) is very close to being a Ribu and is indeed one of the most significant hikes of the Main Range. According to Malaysian hikers who include Gunung Gayong in their list, it is the eighth-highest in the Malay Peninsula.
The Dieng Plateau is a huge volcanic complex near the pleasant town of Wonosobo. It is quite rightly one of Central Java’s leading tourist attractions and there are so many fascinating sites, both geological and historical, that it definitely makes sense to stay in Dieng village itself and properly explore the place. Colourful lakes, hissing and bubbling craters and numerous temples are dotted all over the landscape.
Olet Takan is the most prominent peak in the hilly interior of the island of Sumbawa south of the town of Sumbawa Besar. It is not yet popular with hikers and finding anyone who has been to the top remains difficult. However, the area around Ropang is incredibly scenic and it makes a great day out from Sumbawa Besar.
Gunung Yong Belar is the second-highest peak in the huge Titiwangsa mountain range and only a couple of metres below the highest which is Gunung Korbu. It is a popular hike during weekends, usually with several groups hoping to complete a trek to one of Peninsular Malaysia’s highest peaks in a single day or two days and one night.
Bromo is probably the most popular volcano attraction in Indonesia. Situated in the middle of the “Sea of Sand” (lautan pasir), the ancient crater of the Tengger caldera, Bromo itself is only 2,329 metres high. The perfect ridged cone of Gunung Batok next to Bromo stands taller at 2,470m and the surrounding crater rim is higher in many places, with the highest peak being Gunung Pananjakan.
Bromo (Pananjakan) Read More »