Exploring the area around Campuhan ridge in Ubud Bali

The way the geography in Bali is set is roughly like this; a range of volcanoes runs East-West, which gives rise to rivers running North-South. The rivers cut valleys and on the ridge lines you get major roads. In between the major roads are small, local roads and sometime nothing but a track. Its along some of these tracks that you can hike for free and get a great view of local Balinese life. Downtown in Ubud yesterday, I consulted by guide book and it pointed out a handy ridge line hike along Campuhan ridge. Campuhan was made famous by the foreign artists back in the 1930’s and is reached by taking Jl. Raya Ubud west, till it curves and turns into Jl. Raya Campuhan, home of Museum Blanco and Simon’s Art Zoo.

According to my book, Campuhan ridge has a ‘track that extends north along the grassy spine behind Pura Lebah, which forms part of a very pleasant 90-minute circular walk around the outskirts of Campuhan, bringing you back to the main road about 1.5km NW of the Neka art museum. Alternatively, if you continue the complete length of the ridge, you’ll eventually reach the village of Keliki (7km), renowned for its intricate miniature paintings of barong dances, beyond which the track, asphalted in some sections, proceeds to Taro (13km), and eventually with a few deviations, on to Kintamani (32km). All routes are good enough for mountain bikes too. If you have an umbrella and reasonable shoes,, the shorter, circular walk also makes a pleasant outing in the rain: you don’t get hot and the scenery looks even more lush when everything is glistening.’

So there you have it, close to downtown Ubud, there is a ridge line trial that will take you off in a lovely quiet stroll through the Balinese countryside. Adventurous folks can organize transport to pick them up further away if needed.