Climbing Mount Sumbing

Ascent from Garung

Recommended for hikers who are in excellent physical condition

The ascent is most often made from the north, starting from the base camp in the village of Garung, a quarter of an hour's walk from Kledung.

From Garung, the road climbs through the village and the trail that continues through agricultural land begins at approximately 1,478 m.

Experienced hikers should be able to reach the crater rim in 5-6 hours, as although the trail is steep, it is only 7 km long. You begin the ascent through fairly dense forest.

At 2,317 m, you will pass a monument in memory of a deceased hiker. Then the forest becomes increasingly sparse and the views of Mount Sindoro become increasingly magnificent. An important first landmark of the ascent is the "watu kotak" (stone box) at 2,983 m altitude. The trail runs along the left side of this "box" and a considerable rocky cliff (known simply as "tebing") a little higher, at 3,000-3,040 m altitude. This cliff is located near an area known by guides as "tanah putih" (white earth).

As you approach the crater rim, two destinations are available to you. Nearly all hikers normally continue their way to the top of the crater, known as Puncak Buntu (3,308 m). In good weather, these hikers are rewarded with spectacular views of Merapi and Merbabu. Below lies the large crater - smoke may escape from the central part and there is a large pond at the northeast end of the crater complex. It is possible to explore the crater by descending from the rim or, better yet, by taking one of the other routes that lead directly to it. However, great care must be taken regarding gases.

The highest point of Mount Sumbing is a steep rocky section at the crater rim, slightly to the southwest. Most hikers do not go beyond the crater rim. The true summit is not far away, however, but is relatively difficult to reach and is not often climbed. If you wish to climb Puncak Rajawali or "puncak tertinggi" (the highest peak), it is suggested that you discuss this with your guide before beginning the ascent.

Just below Puncak Buntu, a trail contours around the mountain, about twenty meters from the top of the ridge. It leads to a rocky section of it where an Indonesian flag is located (planted in October 2010). This is where hikers can best descend into the crater if they wish.

From here, you will be able to see two other rocky peaks on the crater rim, further to the west. The second is the true summit. Access to the first (known as Puncak Kawah - the "crater peak") is fairly easy, but the terrain is dangerous as there are steep slopes and a small mistake would have terrible consequences. Indeed, by following the ridge along the edge, you will encounter impassable drops without ropes, but which can be avoided a little lower down. The most difficult section to negotiate is an awkward step between the true summit and the rocky peak that precedes it. Unless you are a very confident climber, it is difficult and dangerous to venture there alone. However, if you are accompanied by other people who can give you a hand, you should be able to make it. Be careful.

After this delicate passage, you simply need to follow the trail that contours around the true peak and climbs to its summit. At the top of Puncak Rajawali, you will see a cairn of tiles with Javanese edelweiss and the views are - naturally - even better than from Puncak Buntu. Access to the true summit from Puncak Buntu and the main trail (from Garung) takes approximately 45 minutes each way.

The descent by the same route to Garung from the crater rim takes approximately four and a half hours.

Ascent from Sipetung

Recommended for hikers who are in excellent physical condition

A few kilometers northeast of Garung is another trail starting from Sipetung (1,316 m). It climbs through "Pos 1" (1,717 m), Kyai Santri (2,004 m), "Pos 2" Petai Cina (2,413 m), a stream at 2,460 m, Lembah Suci (2,615 m) and "Pos 3" Watu Ijen (3,060 m) before joining the Garung trail.

Ascent from Cepit

Recommended for hikers who are in excellent physical condition.

Mount Sumbing can also be climbed from another base camp located further to the northeast, at Cepit. This route leads directly to the crater by a longer and generally less steep trail. It is not as heavily used as the others and the central part may therefore be overgrown with vegetation.

The trail (which takes approximately 6 hours to reach the northern rim of the crater) passes through Pos 1 Aula (1,815 m) which has a substantial shelter and toilets. The only stream on this trail is located at 1,895 m, just before an unnumbered "post" (which could reasonably be called Pos Bayangan, at 1,917 m). "Post" 2 Shondo (2,100 m) comes next, with another large older shelter, then the forest recedes and fabulous distant views are possible in good weather. "Post" 3 Lamtoro (2,362 m) follows, offering plenty of flat space for camping and a very small shelter. "Post" 4 Batu Kasur (stone mattress), at 2,713 m, is another good camping spot, as are Segremeng and Batu Lawang (stone gate).

From 2,900 m onwards, you begin to encounter an increasing number of rocks and stones.

You then reach the entrance to the crescent-shaped caldera (3,195 m), where you will likely smell sulfurous gases. It is possible to descend to the bottom of the caldera and approach what appears to be a large puddle or shallow lake (3,170 m). The landscape is grandiose. It offers both a view of a grassy savanna, a volcanic sand plain ("lautan pasir") and a lake. This area is known as Segoro Wedi.

There are actually two distinct sandy areas - the northern one is where the lake is shallow and where there appears to be no volcanic activity. A few hundred meters further south is the second sandy area, and this time it is clearly active - with noisy fumaroles, small pools of hot water and a few bubbling mud pools. There are also a few caves here, the largest of which is called Jugil.

An ancestral tomb (3,209 m), known as Ki Ageng Makukuhan, is located at the southern end of the southern sandy area. This important place is protected by a stone wall and many local guides come here to pay their respects before continuing their trek. This person is thought to have had a strong influence on the spread of Islam in the region, but the tomb itself is probably only a petilasan, that is, a place that has been visited or occupied by someone.

In bad weather, when visibility is limited, it is not easy to venture into the crater area. After the tomb is a signpost, but be careful not to follow the arrows without verifying them, as the wind can make them point in the wrong direction! The main trail descends here before dividing. To the left, the trail descends to Banaran and to the right, it leads to one of three starting points on the Kaliangkrik trail, ideal for those coming from the Yogyakarta side.

Ascent from Banaran

Recommended for hikers who are in excellent physical condition

The Banaran route starts to the east, at an altitude of only 1,128 m, and passes through "Pos 1" Sekelenteng (1,925 m), "Pos 2" Siwel-Iwel (2,170 m), "Pos 3" Punthuk Barah (2,368 m), "Pos 4" Watu Ondho, before reaching the crater rim on the east side.

Ascent from Banaran

Recommended for hikers who are in excellent physical condition

The Banaran route starts to the east, at an altitude of only 1,128 m, and passes through "Pos 1" Sekelenteng (1,925 m), "Pos 2" Siwel-Iwel (2,170 m), "Pos 3" Punthuk Barah (2,368 m), "Pos 4" Watu Ondho, before reaching the crater rim on the east side.

Ascent from Butuh

Recommended for hikers who are in excellent physical condition

The trail starting from Butuh begins at 1,708 m altitude, in a region known as "Nepal van Java", and passes through "Post 1" (2,119 m), 2 (2,460 m) and 3 (2,625 m), which have water sources before and after the trail. There is also a stream higher up, at 2,825 m, but it is better not to use it except during the rainy season.

Ascent from Adipuro

Recommended for hikers who are in excellent physical condition

The trail starting from Adipuro begins at an altitude of approximately 2,109 m, the highest starting point of all trails to Sumbing's crater. This is therefore the easiest and shortest ascent, especially if you do not plan to reach the highest peak - Puncak Rajawali.

At the end of the farm road, cross the small bridge (2,110 m) and, after admiring the superb river and small waterfall, continue to the charming "Pos 2" (2,200 m). The views of the lower hills and the coast in the distance are truly impressive. The trail then becomes steeper before reaching the junction (2,511 m) with the trail coming from Butuh before "Pos 3". In this area, you will find many streams running down the steep flank of the volcano. Just after "Pos 3" is the junction (2,666 m) with the Mangli trail.

Above the last water source (2,825 m), a beautiful section of trail passes through red-colored rocks (2,866 m). Camp 4 (Pohon Tunggal / Cepogo) is located at approximately 2,985 m before the trail finally reaches the crater rim on the east side, not far from the Banaran trail. Just to the south lies a peak that some locals call Puncak Sejati (3,323 m), but this is not "Sejati" in the sense that it is the highest in the chain (that is, as you know, Rajawali at approximately 3,371 m). [we have therefore called it Southeast peak].

Ascent from Mangli

Recommended for hikers who are in excellent physical condition

A trail starting from Mangli (1,475 m) is gaining in popularity due to its relative proximity to Yogyakarta. It passes through "Pos 1" Kongsen (1,755 m), "Pos 2" Siruwet (2,227 m) and "Pos 3" Ratan Butuh. The trail joins the Butuh trail and the Adipuro trail at approximately 2,666 m.

Ascent from Bowongso

Recommended for hikers who are in excellent physical condition

Finally, the Bowongso route, arriving from the west, is considered one of the best for views and one of the least steep routes. The base camp is located at an altitude of approximately 1,400 m, and the trail passes through "Pos 1" Taman Asmara (approximately 2,030 m), Camp Plalangan (2,215 m), Sumber Air (water source during the rainy season), "Pos 2" Bogel (2,400 m), Camp Gajah, "Pos 3" Zoro (2,860 m) and Tanjakan Seginjel (3,035 m).

Ascent from Garung

Hiking time Between 10 and 12 hours round trip

Elevation gain / loss 1,935 m

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Ascent from Butuh

Hiking time Between 10 and 12 hours round trip

Elevation gain / loss 1,615 m