Our first pre-planned excursion in Bali was extra special, it happened to fall on Harry’s birthday, and Mount Batur cycling was at the top of his wish list. Mount Batur, an active volcano standing 1,717m (5,633ft) tall, is one of Bali’s most famous adventure destinations. Many visitors hike to its peak at sunrise, but we chose a different way to explore: cycling down its slopes through volcanic landscapes, rural villages, and lush farmland. We weren’t sure what to expect, especially with the changing weather, but the experience turned out to be both exhilarating and unforgettable.

Mount Batur

Mount Batur is an active volcano standing at 5,633ft or 1,717m. Despite having erupted in 2000, Mount Batur is a popular hiking destination (which I can completely understand) with many aiming to reach the peak at sunrise, especially in the dry months (when visibility is best).

If you are planning on exploring Mount Batur it is especially important that you pay attention to the weather and trust your judgement. Conditions can change quickly on the islands, so it is important that you follow the advice available to ensure your safety. The routes will have decreased visibility and become more treacherous in bad weather as you might expect.

Our Mount Batur Cycling Adventure

We had been given a pickup time of 9am so had done our best to be out front on time (we may have been a few minutes late). I was a little worried that our views weren’t going to be as good because it had been raining overnight and was still a little drizzly.

Arriving at the meet point

Despite our driver being late to pick us up, we made it to the meet point with a bit of time to spare.

Upon arrival we were told to take a seat at one of the many brown picnic tables and someone would be with us shortly. It was really busy in this area, tour guides going round and looking at everyone waiting’s receipts, there were several different excursions leaving from this location at roughly the same time, so it was rather loud and confusing at points. I will admit, by the time that someone did sit with us I’d worried that they’d forgotten about us, because it was a little while after our start time, but it was fine. One of the guides was called over and he introduced himself as his guide and told us about the journey.

We were then moved to the other side of the building where the lunch buffet we would get to enjoy after the cycling was being prepared. This was where we waited for our transport up to the start point of the trail, which took a further five minutes or so.

Transport to the Mount Batur Trailhead

I much preferred the return to the meet point than the trip to the start. On the way there it had started raining, so the tour guide had insisted that we climb into the cab with the driver instead of sitting in the bed of the truck like was the original plan. I appreciate that he was trying to keep us dry, however there wasn’t much space, so it wasn’t the most comfortable journey with the gear stick jammed into my knee for the entire trip.

The journey back was so much better, we were riding in the bed of the truck with the sun beating down on us through the trees and the wind whistling past us. It was rather exhilarating riding with no seatbelt and very little stopping you from falling off your seat. I really enjoyed sitting there and feeling the elements, it reminded me a little of when I was younger and we’d have the windows wide open while sat in the back of the car, where your hair would whiz around your face and the wind whipped your cheeks turning them slightly pink.

Cycling Through Villages, Farmland, and Volcano Trails

We cycled through many farming fields, stopping to try various fruits and seeds from the plants, including mangosteen (Harry’s new favourite) which neither of us had tried or seen before this trip.

It was a little cooler at the start of our trip, and the air seemed a bit crisper and fresher. I felt lighter being in the country, flying down dirt paths and feeling the wind whipping my hair back, it was almost like I’d gone back in time to when I was younger and racing down paths with my sisters.

The serenity didn’t continue the whole way unfortunately, as part of our route was on roads, and if you’ve seen people driving in Bali, you’ll understand just why that made me anxious. They are mad over there!

Given that we were travelling down the side of a volcano you can guess just how steep some of those roads were. Luckily, we only had one hill to go up, but there were plenty to go down! We had to get off and push the bikes up because of how steep it was; while going down I kept my hands on the brakes at all times, scared that I’d go over the handlebars if I broke too suddenly.

We made two scheduled stops on the way down, once in a traditional Balinese village and the other for a coffee and tea tasting (these seemed nicer that the ones at the Bali Swing!). However, as it was a private tour, our guide told us we were free to stop for photo or water breaks at any point. We particularly took advantage of this on the final leg when we were cycling past fields filled with both crops and water.

A Traditional Balinese Village

The company who were running our tour and others operating in the area have agreements with some of the villagers on the journey down where those on the tour are able to visit their homes and learn more about the culture in exchange for a portion of the profits.

It was a very humbling experience to learn about how they live and how difficult it is for them to access healthcare and education. The gentleman who’s home we were visiting had lost most of his family during the covid pandemic due to their inability to access the hospital and medical aid.

We were ushered into the man’s room, which doubled as the kitchen, being hit by a wave of heat and still air given the rice that was cooking on the stove. The room was barely big enough for the three of us to stand in together and Harry had to watch his head on the ceiling, but the cats inside seemed very happy. Outside there were two areas where religious ceremonies would take place for the family such as their family temple.

After explaining daily life and some of the religious ceremonies to us, the tour guide was encouraging us to take photos inside the room, but it felt a bit strange to be treating a person’s home like a tourist destination.

What to Wear for a Mount Batur Cycling Tour

This will largely depend on what kind of weather you are doing this excursion in. Harry and I wore shorts and t-shirts as it was supposed to be warm, despite the rain, but packed waterproofs just in case we got caught out, as we didn’t particularly want to get soaked through.

I would definitely recommend wearing trainers or sturdy footwear instead of sandals or flipflops as these are likely to interfere with your ability to pedal properly. It is also safer when you are stopped as well, to protect against any insects that might bite or sting you.

What’s Included in a Mount Batur Cycling Tour

• Bike
• Helmet
• Transport to the start and from the finish
• A guide
• A bottle of water (ours did at least, but this may vary depending on your tour company)

What We’d Recommend You Bring

• Sensible footwear
• Extra water
• Cameras
• Waterproof
• Something warm and dry if it looks like you might get soaked.

Final Thoughts: Is Mount Batur Cycling Worth It?

Whether you choose to hike to the summit at sunrise or cycle down its rugged slopes, Mount Batur offers one of the most memorable experiences in Bali. For us, cycling was the perfect mix of adventure and culture, from racing down dirt paths and sampling mangosteen straight from the tree, to stepping into a traditional Balinese home and learning about daily life. The sweeping views, fresh mountain air, and friendly guides made it an excursion we’ll never forget. If you’re looking to add a unique outdoor adventure to your Bali itinerary, Mount Batur deserves a spot at the very top.