Why combine Bali and Lombok?
Bali and Lombok complement each other perfectly, showcasing two distinct but equally memorable sides of Indonesia. Bali is known for its temples, terraced rice fields, and vibrant cultural life, while Lombok offers a more peaceful and traditional experience where walking trails lead through unspoilt landscapes. Visiting both islands gives you the chance to experience Indonesia beyond its best-known highlights and without travelling far between destinations.
For walking enthusiasts, combining the islands allows for a greater variety of scenery and trails. The contrast between Bali's lush countryside and Lombok's striking volcanic views creates a more enriching journey, with opportunities to gain a deeper insight into Indonesia. Rather than choosing between the two, one trip that covers both allows you to enjoy a broader range of landscapes, walking experiences, and local cultures.
Sembalun: highland walking below Mount Rinjani
Set high in the foothills of Mount Rinjani, Sembalun is one of Lombok's standout walking destinations. Surrounded by volcanic peaks, patchwork farmland, and wide-open valleys, the village sits in a striking mountain landscape where walking trails pass through traditional communities and open countryside. Due to its elevation, the cooler temperatures stand in contrast to Indonesia's coastal regions, creating ideal walking conditions.
Although Sembalun is best known as the starting point for treks up Mount Rinjani, the surrounding area offers plenty for walkers who prefer lower-altitude walks. For example, there are gentle routes through the valley with breathtaking views of the volcano and nearby hills with panoramic views without the challenge of a summit trek over multiple days.
Pergasingan Hill: the standout Lombok walk
For many travellers on a walking holiday in Indonesia, Pergasingan Hill is one of the highlights of a trip to Lombok. Rising above the Sembalun Valley, the trail climbs steadily through grass-covered slopes before reaching a ridgeline, with sweeping views across patchwork fields, surrounding mountains, and the towering silhouette of Mount Rinjani. While it's a relatively short walk, travellers should be aware that the ascent is steep in places, making it a satisfying challenge for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.
Once you reach the summit, you'll be rewarded with a stunning panoramic view that captures the diversity of Lombok's landscapes. Geometric farmland of the Sembalun Valley stretches below, framed by volcanic peaks and rolling hills. To really make the most, we recommend setting off in the early morning or late afternoon, where changing light brings landscapes to life and temperatures are optimal for walking. While it isn't as demanding as a Mount Rinjani summit trek, Pergasingan Hill deserves a spot on any Lombok walking itinerary.
Coffee farms, rice fields, and rural life
Sembalun has a lot to offer beyond mountain views. A walking tour in Sembalun also provides an opportunity to experience the landscapes and communities that shape daily life in Lombok. For example, trails pass through patchwork rice fields, vegetable farms, and coffee plantations, where generations of local families have grown crops on rich volcanic land. This changing scenery offers a glimpse into the island's agricultural traditions.
Coffee is an important part of life in the highlands, so visiting a local plantation can provide an insight into the journey from bean to cup. Coffee lovers in particular will enjoy learning about how it's grown and processed, before having the chance to sample freshly brewed local varieties. In combination with walks through traditional villages and farmland, these experiences add another layer to a walking holiday, connecting Lombok's landscapes with the people who call them home.
Tetebatu: Lombok’s slower rural side
Set on the southern slopes of Mount Rinjani, Tetebatu offers a gentler walking experience, where rice fields, shaded village tracks, and forest paths create a calm contrast to the island's more dramatic highland scenery. This is an ideal place to slow down, with routes that weave through everyday rural life, such as passing small farms, irrigation challenges, and traditional homes surrounded by greenery.
Beyond the fields, walking trails lead into the forested edges of the national park, which means you may encounter wildlife such as tropical birds and monkeys. Passion fruit plantations are a highlight along some routes, offering a glimpse into local agriculture and the chance to see how produce is grown and harvested. From higher viewpoints, there are also distant views of Mount Rinjani. Tetabatu's balance of nature and village life makes it a peaceful addition to any Lombok walking itinerary.
Waterfall walks
Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu waterfalls offer a refreshing change of pace on a Lombok walking trip, combining short forest trails with some of the island's most scenic natural highlights. Located on the slopes of Mount Rinjani, the approach takes you through shaded paths lined with tropical vegetation, plantations and flowing streams, creating a cooler and more sheltered walking environment compared to open highland valleys.
Benang Stokel is the first waterfall on the route, and a short walk further leads to Benang Kelambu. Together, they provide an easy but varied walking experience, with time to explore, relax, and take in the surroundings. Including both waterfalls in your Lombok trip adds variety by providing a contrast to the mountain and village trails and showcasing the island's diversity in both landscape and pace.
How Lombok feels different from Bali
While Bali and Lombok are close neighbours, they offer noticeably different walking experiences. Bali is known for its beauty and energy, with well-known routes passing through busy villages, cultural landmarks, and well-frequented rice terraces. Lombok, in contrast, feels quieter and more spacious, with fewer visitors on the trails and a stronger sense of open landscape.
For travellers who enjoy walking, these differences are what make the trip so special. Rather than replacing Bali, Lombok enhances a walking holiday: where Bali is rich in culture and activity, Lombok brings stillness and mountain scenery, creating a more well-rounded and varied experience across both islands.
Is Lombok good for walkers?
Overall, Lombok is a strong choice for walkers interested in varied terrain without needing any specialist trekking experience. Many of the island's routes are graded as moderate, with a mix of village paths, farmland tracks, and well-defined hillside trails. While some walks involve steady climbs (such as Pergasingan Hill), walking itineraries can be adapted to suit a reasonable level of fitness rather than advanced hiking ability.
However, for others, variation is part of the experience. In return for less standardisation, riads offer character, atmosphere, architectural detail, and locations that place you within or close to historic medinas. If you view where you stay as part of how you experience a destination, a riad can allow you to feel more connected to the local culture and history than a conventional hotel stay.