The Sumbing volcano is separated from its neighbour, Mount Sindoro, by the Kledung Pass (1,400 m) and is the second highest peak in Central Java. Its only known eruption dates back to 1730, but the crater still displays minor volcanic activity.
Ascent from Garung
Recommended for hikers in excellent physical condition
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The climb is usually made from the north, from the base camp in the village of Garung, a fifteen-minute walk from Kledung.
From Garung, the road climbs through the village and the trail through farmland begins at around 1,478m.
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 2,317m you pass a monument to the memory of a deceased hiker and a slightly larger camping area. Beyond this, the forest becomes thinner and thinner and views over to Gunung Sindoro become correspondingly magnificent. After the two different routes have met, the first major landmark on the hike is ‘watu kotak’ (stone box) at 2,983m. The trail leads along the left side of this and a second rocky cliff of considerable length (known simply as ‘tebing’) a little higher up at 3,000 – 3,040m. This is near the area known to guides as ‘tanah putih’ (white land).
As you near the crater rim there are two destinations for hikers. Almost all hikers simply continue to the top of the rim. The peak is known as Puncak Buntu (3,308m) and in good weather conditions hikers are rewarded with the tremendous view over Merapi and Merbabu. Down below is the large crater – smoke may be billowing from the middle section and there is a large pool of water on the north-eastern end of the crater complex. It is possible to explore the crater by descending into it from the rim or better still by using one of the other routes that lead directly into the crater. However, be very careful of the gases and do not camp there.
The highest point of Sumbing mountain is a steep rocky part of the crater rim further south-west of Puncak Buntu / Puncak Kawah. Most hikers are happy to consider the crater rim as their destination. Although the real summit is not far away, it is slightly difficult to reach and not often visited. Indeed, if this is your plan you must mention to your guide before setting off that you want to climb to Puncak Rajawali or ‘puncak tertinggi’ (the highest peak). Just below Puncak Buntu, there is a trail skirting across the mountain, just 20 metres or so below the top of the rim. It leads up to a rocky part of the rim with an Indonesian flag (October 2010). This is where hikers are most able to descend into the crater itself should they wish.
From here you will be able to see two further rocky peaks on the rim, further west. The second one is the true summit. Getting to the first one (known as Puncak Kawah – the ‘crater peak’) is fairly easy but the terrain is dangerous because there are sheer drops and a little mistake would have terrible consequences. Indeed, by following the very crest of the rim you will encounter drops that are impassable without ropes but can be avoided slightly lower down from the top of the rim. The most difficult section which must be negotiated is an awkward step between the true summit and the rocky peak preceding it. Unless you are a very confident scrambler it is difficult and dangerous to attempt alone. However, if you are with others who can give you a hand you should be able to manage it. Please be careful.
After the tricky section, all you need to do is follow the trail round the side of the true peak and then up onto the top of it . There is a tiled cairn with Javanese Edelweiss at the very top of Puncak Rajawali and the views are – understandably – even better than from Puncak Buntu. To reach the true summit from Puncak Buntu and the main Garung trail takes about 45 minutes each way.
The descent by the same route back to Garung from the crater rim takes around four and a half hours.
Ascent from Sipetung
Recommended for hikers in excellent physical condition
A few kilometres north-east of Garung is another trail that starts 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 rejoining the Garung trail.
Ascent from Cepit
Recommended for hikers in excellent physical condition
The Sumbing volcano can also be climbed from another base camp further north-east, at Cepit. This route leads directly to the crater via a longer and generally less steep path. It is not as well travelled as the others, so the central section can be overgrown.
The trail (which takes around 6 hours to reach the northern rim of the crater) passes through Pos 1 Aula (1,815 m), which has substantial shelter and toilets. The only stream on this trail is at 1,895m, just before an unnumbered "post" (which could reasonably be called Pos Bayangan, at 1,917m). Post 2 Shondo (2,100m) is next, with another large older shelter, then the forest recedes and fabulous distant views are possible on a clear day. Post 3 Lamtoro (2,362 m), next, offers plenty of flat camping space and a very small shelter. Post 4 Batu Kasur (stone mattress), at 2,713 m, is another good place to camp, as are Segremeng and Batu Lawang (stone gate).
From 2,900 m, you begin to encounter an increasing number of rocks and stones.
After these landmarks you reach the entrance to the crescent moon shaped caldera (3,195m) and will surely be able to smell the sulphuric gases. Drop down a little way to the caldera floor and what appears to be a four-seasons large shallow puddle or lake (3,170m). It is quite beautiful here in what is part grassy savanna, part volcanic sand plain (‘lautan pasir’), and part lake. The area is known as Segoro Wedi.
There are two separate sandy areas – the northern one is the one with the shallow lake and seemingly no volcanic activity. A couple of hundred metres further south is the second sandy area, and this time it is clearly active – with noisy fumaroles, small hot water pools and a couple of bubbling mud pools. There are also some caves here, the biggest of which is called Jugil.
There is also a local ancestral tomb (3,209m), known as Ki Ageng Makukuhan which is at the southern end of the southern sandy area. This important spot is protected with a stone wall and many local guides will pray here before continuing the journey. This person is thought to have had a strong influence on the spread of Islam in the local area but the tomb itself is probably just a petilasan, which means a place that has been visited or occupied by someone.
In poor weather such as limited visibility, navigating around the crater area is not easy, so be sure you have a guide who is experienced. After the grave is a signpost but be careful not to follow the arrows without double-checking as the wind can blow the arrows to point the wrong way! The main trail drops down here before dividing. Left is the trail down to Banaran and right is the trail to any of the three Kaliangkrik trailheads (see below) which are ideal for those approaching from the Yogyakarta side.
Ascent from Banaran
Recommended for hikers in excellent physical condition
The Banaran route begins in the east, at an altitude of just 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 rim of the crater on the east side.
Ascent from Kaliangkrik
Recommended for hikers in excellent physical condition
There are three similar routes from the Kaliangkrik region. They all start at a fairly high altitude and meet halfway. The path from Adipuro is the shortest and fastest.
Do note, however, that on this southern side of the mountain, the commonly-visited ‘puncak’ is not the highest one despite being named Puncak Sejati, which almost everywhere else specifically means the highest peak. It’s still a great viewpoint, but baggers need to be aware that the true peak is Puncak Rajawali on the western side (best accessed via Garung but also possible from most other directions, if a little more time-consuming as you need to hike through the crater).
Ascent from Butuh
Recommended for hikers in excellent physical condition
The trail from Butuh starts at an altitude of 1,708 m, in an area 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 springs before and after the trail. There is also a stream higher up, at 2,825 m, but it is best not to use it except during the rainy season.
Ascent from Adipuro
Recommended for hikers in excellent physical condition
The trail from Adipuro starts at an altitude of around 2,109 m, the highest starting point of all the trails to the Sumbing crater. It is therefore the easiest and shortest ascent, especially if you are not planning to reach the highest peak - Puncak Rajawali.
From the end of the farm track, cross over the little bridge (2,110m) and after admiring the stunning river and small waterfall continue up to the lovely Pos 2 (2,200m). The views here to lesser hills and the coastline in the distance are really impressive and it would be a nice spot to camp if you had extra time and good weather. The trail then gets steeper before reaching a junction (2,511m) with the Dusun Butuh trail before Pos 3. There are lots of spots to camp in this area and numerous streams flowing down the steep mountainside. Just after Pos 3, at a popular camping area, is the junction (2,666m) with the Mangli trail.
Above the final water source (2,825m) is a nice section of trail beyond this goes over red-coloured rock (2,866m). Camp 4 AKA Pohon Tunggal / Cepogo is at around 2,985m before the trail finally reaches the crater rim on the east side not far from the Banaran trail. Just to the south is a peak which some locals call Puncak Sejati (3,323m) but it is not Sejati in the sense of being the highest on the range (that is Rajawali at around 3,371m) so we have called it Southeast peak.
Ascent from Mangli
Recommended for hikers in excellent physical condition
A trail from Mangli (1,475m) 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 around 2,666 m.
Ascent from Bowongso
Recommended for hikers in excellent physical condition
Finally, the Bowongso route, which arrives from the west, is considered one of the best for views and one of the least steep routes. The base camp is at an altitude of around 1,400 m, and the trail passes through "Pos 1" Taman Asmara (around 2,030 m), Camp Plalangan (2,215 m), Sumber Air (source of water 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
Trekking time Between 10 and 12 hrs round trip
Difference in heights + / - 1.935 m
Ascent from Butuh
Trekking time Beetween 10 and 12 hrs round trip
Difference in heights + / - 1.615 m