Hiking Gunung Tapak, Bedugul: A Temple and a Wali Pitu Tomb at 1,909 m

Gunung Tapak, or Bukit Tapak, rises to 1,909 m in Candikuning, Baturiti, Tabanan, directly above Lake Beratan — Bali’s seventh-highest peak and its most unusual: at the summit, Pura Puncak Teratai Bang stands beside the tomb of one of the Wali Pitu. The trailhead is only a 15–20 minute drive from Bedugul.

Routes, Duration and Terrain

• Two entrances: the Bali Botanic Garden (Eka Karya) side, partly fitted with wooden steps, and the former Bedugul geothermal site run by the Wanasari community — still a bare dirt path.
• Around 2–2.5 hours up and 4–6 hours round trip. At the Wanasari junction bear right; left leads to Bukit Pohen.
• The ground is slippery and root-laced, and several steep pitches have fixed ropes. Expect leeches in damp weather and a sulphur smell near the base.

What Waits at the Summit

• Pura Puncak Teratai Bang and a small wooden shelter holding the grave of Habib Umar bin Maulana Yusuf Al-Maghribi and several disciples — rediscovered in 1917.
• A panorama of Lake Beratan under a sea of cloud with Batur, Abang and Agung beyond; the summit is fairly flat and often used for camping, but permission from the trail managers is still required.

Preparation and Etiquette on Sacred Ground

• Set off between 04.30 and 06.00 to arrive before the mist rises; avoid the peak of the rainy season.
• Bring grippy trekking shoes, a torch, a rain jacket, a warm layer and at least 2 litres of water — there are no warungs and no springs.
• Remove your shoes in the holy areas, wear a kamen and sash if you pray at the temple, never climb onto the shrines, and postpone the hike if you are in cuntaka (ritual impurity) or menstruating.

Because you start in the dark, it makes far more sense to sleep in Bedugul, Pancasari or Munduk than to drive up from Kuta — an AccessiaPass hotel voucher makes that one-night basecamp a good deal lighter.

Practical Info & Booking

• Trailhead: the parking area beside the Bali Botanic Garden, Candikuning, Baturiti, Tabanan — View on Google Maps
• Registration & start time: the trail post is generally staffed from about 06.00; for sunrise, leave at 04.30–05.00 with a headlamp and be back down before dark.
• Cost: a levy of about Rp20,000 per person at the parking area (as of 2025), plus vehicle parking and small cash for offerings.
• How to register: report in person at the parking post or to the Wanasari community trail managers; the key to the tomb shelter is held by a caretaker living near the Botanic Garden. Local guides run about Rp250,000–500,000 for a small group.
• Social: search on Instagram