Ubud is blessed with an amazing amount of things to do and places to visit within the region. With an abundance of cultural attractions such as temples and museums, alongside a wealth of natural attractions including waterfalls and world-famous rice terraces, it really is a great area to enjoy a stay while in Bali. One place that should be on all visitors’ lists is the Campuhan Ridge Walk. Campuhan (pronounced champorn) Ridge is one of the most recognisable Instagrammable locations in the Ubud region.
Not only popular with tourists and Instagrammers, you will also likely be walking side by side with many of the local Ubudians. This is one of their favourite morning walking and jogging spots in and around Ubud.
It is a beautiful, paved, scenic walk; passing temples and rivers, meandering through forests and alongside deep valleys. With a local village, green rice fields, and more, all within an easy walk of only a couple of kilometres, it’s not hard to see why this place is so popular. If however, you fancy a more energetic walk, the Amazing Mt Batur Sunrise Hike should not be missed.
Getting to Campuhan Ridge Walk
Campuhan Ridge Walk is easily accessible from the heart of Ubud. Located just off Jalan Raya Ubud, it is approximately 1km, about a 10-minute walk, or a 2-3 minute scooter ride west from the Ubud Palace and the Ubud Traditional marketplace. Turn right at the sign for the Warwick Ibah Luxury Villas and Spa, then left into Jalan Bangkiang Sidem. You will soon come across the scooter parking area near the bridge at the bottom of the hill. From there, signs will direct you past Pura Gunung Lebah, a fine example of a Balinese Hindu temple, before the walk itself begins.
Can Anyone Access Campuhan Ridge Walk?
Campuhan Ridge Walk is quite a sedate walk that requires a moderate level of fitness. There are a number of steps on this walk, mainly alongside the Purah Gunung Lebah temple at the commencement of the walk. There are also a few more on the approach to the small village of Kedewatan. This needs to be kept in mind if you find that steps can be a challenge.
Just be aware, that in the more shady areas, particularly alongside the temple, the ground can be uneven and quite slippery in places. This can be more of an issue early morning in the wet season. So please, and this is advice you can use anywhere in Bali, keep your eyes on the ground, be mindful of your footing and don’t be in too much of a hurry.
When Is The Best Time To Go To Campuhan Ridge Walk?
While Campuhan Ridge Walk can be accessed 24/7, it pays to be mindful that Ubud is in a tropical region, and that it can and does get very hot and humid at times. As such, we find that the best time to enjoy this walk is in the relative cool of the early morning before the heat of the day starts to really kick in. In fact, it is often busiest between 6 am and 10 am in the mornings. Equally, later afternoons are a great time to enjoy the walk. It might start quite hot, but it cools down nicely as the afternoon sun drops low in the sky. Be aware that there is no lighting whatsoever along this trail. So for safety’s sake, make sure you plan to finish your afternoon walk before the sun sets. It wouldn’t be advisable to walk here at night.
While some people do complete the walk at other times, the heat and humidity, particularly in the warmer months, can be oppressive particularly in the midday to mid-afternoon sun. There is very little shade along the walk, so whenever you decide to go, please ensure that you have plenty of drinking water, wear a hat, and suitable clothes or sunscreen to protect you from the tropical sun.
How long does it take?
Walking at a leisurely rate it takes approximately half an hour to get from the temple to the village of Kedewatan. If you continue through the village to the rice fields, you could add another ten minutes or so to this time. But remember, you are only halfway through your walk. The walk is not on a loop or circle, so you have to turn around and go back from whence you came! So you need to double your walking time. Add additional time to take photos, which most people undoubtedly do their first time, it may pay to allow a couple of hours in your day to enjoy this walk properly.
Taking a break on Campuhan Ridge Walk
First and foremost from a safety aspect, make sure that you carry plenty of water for this walk. It can and does get hot and you will get thirsty, even early in the morning. There are several places to stop for a cold drink or snack both along the walk and in the village, however, they are not open in the early morning. Please take advantage of these, particularly if you are feeling the heat. Enjoy a cold drink at the Karsa Cafe, and take in the beauty of the surrounding environment.
Final Thoughts
Make sure you have a camera! Campuhan Ridge Walk is one of the most Instagrammed places in Bali for good reason. Even if you’re not into social media, your friends back home will be envious of your photos of a meandering paved pathway atop a mountain ridge lined by forests, valleys and fields!
The walk is very manageable in a pair of flip flops or sandals, however, good footwear is always recommended on any walking trail. There are no water crossings so there is no risk of getting your shoes wet. All in all, it’s a great spot to spend a couple of hours, or even to enjoy a daily morning walk for those spending a few days in Ubud.
