Pucak Manik Waterfall, Wanagiri: Three Quiet Falls in the Buleleng Highlands

In the Buleleng highlands, between Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan, there is a valley that most travellers drive straight past. Pucak Manik Waterfall sits in Desa Wanagiri, Sukasada District, about 10 minutes from the famous Wanagiri photo spots. The difference is that here you have to walk down hundreds of steps — and there are usually only a handful of other visitors.

Three Waterfalls in One Valley

The name Pucak Manik covers three neighbouring falls with different characters: the smallest is around 5 metres with a shallow pool, another is mid-sized, and the tallest drops roughly 30–40 metres into a mossy rock hollow.

• The tallest fall needs a few extra minutes of walking beyond the first one
• The pools are swimmable, but the water is cold at around 1,000 metres above sea level
• Flow is strongest in the rainy season, the water clearest at the end of the dry season

Easy Going Down, Punishing Coming Up

The trail is hundreds of concrete, wooden and packed earth steps cut into the slope. Bamboo handrails and strips of recycled tyre are fitted in places for grip, and there are rest benches partway down. The descent takes 15–30 minutes; the climb back is slower and far more tiring.

Quieter Than Its Neighbours

Banyumala Twin Waterfall and Banyu Wana Amertha are in the same highlands and already on the tour group radar. Pucak Manik is still run simply by villagers: a small warung, toilets at the entrance, wooden changing rooms and limited parking. Do not expect cafes or paid swings.

Info Praktis & Reservasi

• Location: Desa Wanagiri, Sukasada District, Buleleng Regency, near Lake Buyan. View on Google Maps
• Hours & tickets: Generally open around 8am–5pm; entry about Rp20,000 per person, often including a bottle of water. Parking costs a few thousand rupiah.
• Access: Roughly 2.5–3 hours from Denpasar via Bedugul, and about 1 hour from Singaraja. The turn off Jalan Raya Wanagiri is narrow and steeply downhill with room for one vehicle — a small car or scooter is more comfortable.
• What to bring: Shoes with real grip (trekking shoes or sport sandals), drinking water, a change of clothes and a rain jacket. Come morning to midday; avoid heavy rain because the steps get slippery.
• Social: search on Instagram

Because the return leg is all uphill, many people decide not to rush back south. A night in Munduk or Lovina hands you the next morning free, and AccessiaPass hotel vouchers can trim room costs in North Bali so your budget still covers Munduk coffee and the next waterfall.