Ubud · Nature
Campuhan Ridge Walk, Ubud: Start Point, Route and Timing
A free, shadeless 2 km path from a riverside temple to the rice fields of Bangkiang Sidem.
By The Bali Guideline Editorial TeamUpdated 14 October 2026
Overview
Campuhan Ridge Walk, before you go.
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a free, paved path on the west edge of Ubud that starts beside Pura Gunung Lebah at the Campuhan bridge and follows a grassy ridge about 2 km north to the rice fields and cafés of Bangkiang Sidem. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours return. It suits anyone staying in Ubud who can walk early, before the shadeless ridge heats up.
Campuhan means “confluence”. Below the road bridge on the west side of central Ubud, two branches of the Wos River meet, and on the small hill between them stands Pura Gunung Lebah, “the temple of the small hill”. Ubud’s founding story starts here. Legend says that in the 8th century the holy man Rsi Markandya, who crossed to Bali from Java, meditated at this meeting of the waters before travelling east to lay the foundations of Besakih. The temple’s five-tiered meru is a seat for the deities of Pura Ulun Danu Batur, the lake temple near the source of the Wos.
The walk climbs from behind the temple onto the spine of land between the two river valleys. The path is paved the whole way and runs north through tall alang-alang grass, the grass Balinese use for thatched roofs, with palms and jungle dropping away on both sides. After about 1.2 km the ridge proper ends and the path becomes a village lane through the rice fields of Bangkiang Sidem. The signs at the start say 2 km to Karsa Kafe, the café most walkers treat as the finish, so plan on about 4 km there and back.
It is free, there is no gate, and you do not need a guide. That simplicity has a cost. The ridge has no shade, so from about 8:30 am the sun makes it hard work, and from late afternoon the path fills with walkers, runners and people waiting for the sunset photo. Treat it as a pleasant hour outdoors rather than a hike: the views are of valley jungle and treetops, and if you have walked rice fields elsewhere in Bali the Bangkiang Sidem end will feel familiar.
Two recent changes matter if you are not walking from your room. Since 8 September 2026, Jalan Raya Ubud has run one-way eastbound through the center, so cars heading west to Campuhan from the east side of town must detour, and walking is often quicker. And according to Karsa Spa, Bangkiang Sidem village has banned Grab and Gojek from picking up passengers inside the village. Drop-offs are fine, but if you plan to walk one way and ride back, arrange a driver in advance or walk back along the ridge.
Is it worth it? Yes, as a free early-morning walk if you are staying in Ubud, especially with breakfast at the north end and a detour into Penestanan on the way back. It is not worth a special trip from the coast on its own.
- Opening hours
- Open access, no gate; no lighting after dark (checked Oct 2026)
- Ticket
- Free; no entry fee or ticket (checked Oct 2026)
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours return to Karsa Kafe with stops
- Best time
- 6–7:30 am, or from about 4:30 pm for sunset
- Dress code
- None on the path; sarong only to enter Pura Gunung Lebah
- Location
- Campuhan bridge, about 1.5 km west of Ubud Palace
Start: Pura Gunung Lebah, off Jalan Raya Campuhan, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571
Open in Google MapsWhat to See
What to see at Campuhan Ridge Walk.
- 01
Pura Gunung Lebah at the start
The walk begins along the wall of Pura Gunung Lebah, on the hill where the two branches of the Wos River meet. You can see the temple walls and gates from the path for free. To go inside you need a sarong and sash, and a donation of about IDR 10,000–20,000 is expected (checked Oct 2026). It closes to visitors during ceremonies. Stop on the way back, when you are less rushed.
- 02
The ridge itself
Climb the stairs behind the temple and the path runs along the crest of the ridge, with tall alang-alang grass on both sides and the two Wos valleys falling away into jungle. The ridge proper is about 1.2 km long, 20 to 25 minutes at a steady pace without stops. A few palms stand along the crest, but they give no real shade, and there is no shop on this stretch.
- 03
Bangkiang Sidem and its rice fields
Where the ridge ends, the path becomes a lane into Bangkiang Sidem, a farming village surrounded by rice fields. Here the walk changes character: cafés, art stalls and a yoga studio line the lane, and the fields open out on either side. It is the place to sit with a drink before turning back, and the best stretch of the walk for photos of paddies.
- 04
Karsa Kafe and Karsa Spa
Karsa Kafe, about 2 km from the start by the trail signs, is the unofficial finish line, with tables beside rice fields and lotus ponds. Karsa Spa shares the site and opens 9 am to 7 pm; a 60-minute Balinese massage costs IDR 240,000 plus 15% tax and service (checked Oct 2026). A massage here turns the walk into a half day, and the spa runs a free shuttle out of the village for its customers.
- 05
Penestanan on the way back
Back at the Campuhan bridge, cross the river and climb the long stairway off Jalan Raya Campuhan into Penestanan. Dutch painter Arie Smit encouraged village children here to paint in the 1960s, the start of the Young Artists style. Lanes too narrow for cars run between rice fields, villas and small galleries, and a loop through the village and back down takes about an hour.
Seasons
Best time to visit Campuhan Ridge Walk.
Go early. Bali does not use daylight saving, and in Ubud the sun rises between about 5:50 and 6:35 am through the year, earliest in November and latest in July. Start between 6 and 7:30 am and you get cool air, soft light and a quiet path. By about 8:30 am the open ridge is hot. Ubud’s daytime highs sit near 29–30°C all year, and there is nothing to hide under.
Sunrise or sunset? The ridge runs roughly north to south between two valleys, so neither end faces an open horizon. At sunrise the light comes over the eastern valley and the path is close to empty; at sunset the western side glows, the air is warmer and the path is at its busiest. Sunset falls between about 6:05 and 6:45 pm, and the path has no lights, so start back as the sun drops and carry a headlamp.
April to October, the dry season, is the most comfortable time. From November to March expect afternoon downpours that make the paving and steps slippery, so walk in the morning before the rain builds. The grass and rice fields are at their greenest then, and the path is quieter outside July, August and the Christmas holidays.
Getting There
How to get to Campuhan Ridge Walk.
| From | Time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Ubud Palace | 15–20 min on foot | Walk west and downhill on Jalan Raya Ubud toward the Campuhan bridge. Just before the bridge, turn right into the Warwick Ibah driveway, keep left at the fork by the “Going to the Hill” sign, then follow the temple wall to the stairs. |
| Sacred Monkey Forest | 30–35 min on foot, 10 min by car | About 2.5 km: north up Monkey Forest Road to the palace junction, then west along Jalan Raya Ubud to the bridge. |
| North end, Bangkiang Sidem | About 10 min by car from central Ubud | By road via Sanggingan and Payogan, then walk the ridge south. Karsa Spa puts a taxi from Ubud at IDR 100,000–150,000. App drivers can drop you but not pick you up in the village. |
| Bali airport (DPS) | 75–120 min | About 38 km by car to Jalan Raya Campuhan. Pre-book a transfer, or use Grab or Gojek from the airport pickup zone. |
| Seminyak, Kuta or Canggu | 75–120 min | About 30–40 km by car. To be on the ridge at sunrise you would need to leave before 5 am, so stay in Ubud the night before. |
| Sanur | 45–60 min | About 25 km by car, the closest beach base for an early start. |
Getting around Campuhan Ridge Walk
Parking near the trailhead is limited. Scooters pay about IDR 5,000 in the small lot down the Warwick Ibah driveway, near the temple. Cars pay about IDR 10,000–20,000 when there is space, and otherwise park farther away, for example at the Blanco Renaissance Museum just across the bridge (checked Oct 2026). Bicycles usually park free.
Grab and Gojek will drop you on Jalan Raya Campuhan, but local transport groups discourage app pickups in parts of central Ubud, and Bangkiang Sidem has banned them inside the village. For a one-way walk, book your hotel’s driver to meet you at the north end, or walk back the same way. There is no proper loop: the road route back through Payogan and Sanggingan is about 7.7 km, mostly on roads with traffic.
On foot, expect steps at the start, up from the temple onto the ridge, and a short flight near the north end, so the path is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. The rest is paved but uneven in places. Cyclists share the path; walkers have priority, but listen for bikes behind you on the narrow crest.
Know Before You Go
Campuhan Ridge Walk tips that save time and trouble.
- 01Carry at least a liter of water. There are no shops on the open ridge until you reach Bangkiang Sidem.
- 02Bring a hat and sunscreen. The ridge has no shade at all, and the sun is strong by mid-morning.
- 03Wear sneakers or sandals with grip, not flip-flops. The paving is slick with dew early in the morning and after rain.
- 04Use the toilet before you start. There are no public toilets on the ridge; the cafés at the north end have toilets for customers.
- 05Ignore anyone near the entrance asking for a ticket. The walk is public and free; only parking and the temple have charges.
- 06Carry small notes for parking, a temple donation and drinks. There is no ATM on the route.
- 07Get back to the road before dark. The path has no lighting, and the steps near the temple are hard to see at dusk.
- 08Keep your voice down and stay off the walls around Pura Gunung Lebah. It is an active temple, and ceremonies close it to visitors.
- 09Plan the ride back before you set off if you will finish at Bangkiang Sidem; app drivers will not pick up inside the village.
FAQ
Campuhan Ridge Walk questions, answered.
Where does the Campuhan Ridge Walk start?
At Pura Gunung Lebah, beside the Campuhan bridge on Jalan Raya Campuhan, about 1.5 km west of Ubud Palace. Turn into the Warwick Ibah driveway just before the bridge, keep left at the fork by the “Going to the Hill” sign, follow the temple wall and climb the stairs. A trail sign near the stairs reads 2 km to Karsa Kafe.
How long is the Campuhan Ridge Walk?
About 2 km one way from the temple to Karsa Kafe, or 4 km return. The ridge itself is about 1.2 km, 20 to 25 minutes at a steady pace, and Karsa Kafe is another 5 to 10 minutes on. With photo stops and a drink at the north end, plan on 1.5 to 2 hours return.
Is the Campuhan Ridge Walk free?
Yes. There is no entry fee or ticket (checked Oct 2026), and you can ignore anyone near the entrance who asks for one. You only pay for parking, about IDR 5,000 for a scooter, and a small donation of about IDR 10,000–20,000 if you go inside Pura Gunung Lebah.
Is the Campuhan Ridge Walk good for sunrise?
Yes, it is the best time to walk it. Be at the temple by about 6 am; sunrise falls between 5:50 and 6:35 am depending on the month. The path is quiet, the air is cool and the low light comes across the eastern valley. You will not see the sun rise over an open horizon, because the ridge sits between two valleys.
Sunrise or sunset: which is better?
Sunrise for most people. It is cooler, quieter and safe to finish in full daylight. Sunset light on the western side is lovely, but the path is busier, the ridge is still warm from the day, and you will walk back in the dusk on a path with no lights. If you go for sunset, start by 4:30 pm and bring a headlamp.
Is there shade on the Campuhan Ridge Walk?
No. The ridge is open grass with only a few palms, so there is no shade between the temple and Bangkiang Sidem. From about 8:30 am until late afternoon it is hot work. Go early or late, wear a hat and sunscreen, and carry at least a liter of water.
Are there toilets on the Campuhan Ridge Walk?
Not on the ridge itself. Use the toilet at your hotel or a café before you set off. At the north end, the cafés and warungs in Bangkiang Sidem, including Karsa Kafe, have toilets for customers, so buying a drink is the simplest way to use one.
Is the Campuhan Ridge Walk safe?
Yes, in daylight. It is a busy, paved public path with no cars. The risks are heat, slipping on wet paving or steps, and walking in the dark, because there is no lighting. Avoid walking it alone after dark, carry water, and watch your footing on the steps by the temple.
What should I wear for the Campuhan Ridge Walk?
Light, breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses and sneakers or sandals with grip. Flip-flops slip on the wet paving. You do not need hiking boots, because the path is paved. Pack a sarong and sash only if you want to go inside Pura Gunung Lebah; the walk itself has no dress code.
Can you walk the Campuhan Ridge one way?
Yes, but plan the return. There is no proper loop, and Bangkiang Sidem bans Grab and Gojek pickups inside the village. Either arrange a driver to meet you at the north end, or start there by taxi, about IDR 100,000–150,000 from Ubud, and walk south back into town.
Is the Campuhan Ridge Walk worth it?
Yes, if you are staying in Ubud. It is free, starts a short walk from the center and gives you open valley views and rice fields within an hour. Do it early, add breakfast at the north end and a loop through Penestanan. It is not worth a long drive from the coast on its own.
Nearby
Where to go after Campuhan Ridge Walk.
Places close by that fit into the same trip, with honest travel times.
10 min on foot
Penestanan village
Cross the bridge and climb the stairway into the village of the Young Artists painters, with rice fields and quiet lanes.
5 min by car, 25 min on foot
Neka Art Museum
Balinese painting, the largest Arie Smit collection and a hall of keris daggers, up the Sanggingan road.
15–20 min on foot
Ubud Palace and Pura Taman Saraswati
Royal courtyards, the lotus-pond temple and the nightly dance in the center of town.
30–35 min on foot, 10 min by car
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Walk the ridge at sunrise, then reach the temple forest and its macaques at 9 am opening.
Visitor guide30–40 min by car
Tegallalang Rice Terrace
Steeper, more famous terraces north of Ubud, best at 7 am before the crowds.
Visitor guide
More in Ubud
Plan the rest of your time in Ubud.
How we researched this
Sources and fact checks.
Prices, opening hours, show times and travel times in this Campuhan Ridge Walk guide were checked against official sites, government tourism pages and recent reporting on 14 October 2026. Where sources disagreed, we give the official figure and say so. Rankings are our editorial judgment, set out in our editorial policy.
We re-check the guide at least every three months and whenever we hear about a change. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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