Campuhan Ridge Walk: Ubud's Scenic Nature Trail
We kicked off the day with an easy hike called the Campuhan Ridge Walk - probably the most popular walk in Ubud, and for good reason. If you're not convinced, just check the Instagram photos! It was the perfect way to spend our last morning before saying goodbye to Ubud.
Morning Temple Visit: Pura Taman Saraswati
Our hotel, the Merthayasa Bungalow 2 ↗, was about a mile from the trailhead, so we crossed through Ubud's town center. On our way, we stopped at Pura Taman Saraswati, a beautiful Hindu temple surrounded by water gardens and lotus ponds.
We'd spotted this temple the day before but it was overrun with tourists. This morning? We had the entire place to ourselves! The lotus ponds were still, the temple carvings caught the early light, and there wasn't a selfie stick in sight.
Through Ubud's Bustling Market
We kept walking, passing by the Ubud Palace and Ubud Market (locally called "Pasar Seni" - Art Market). The market was bustling with life even early in the morning. We admired:
- Women balancing huge baskets on their heads with incredible poise
- Children wearing traditional Balinese dress
- Numerous Canang Sari offerings decorating streets, shrines, and shop doorways
Finding the Campuhan Ridge Walk Trailhead
We knew some people struggled to find the starting point of the Campuhan Ridge Walk, but honestly, the paved trail wasn't hard to locate. It's marked on Google Maps, and we saw clear signs saying "This Way Trekking Campuhan Ridge."
If you ask anyone in Ubud, they'll point you toward the Warwick Ibah Villas and Spa ↗, the most prominent landmark near the trailhead. How could we miss it?
The Campuhan Ridge Walk
We began the trek passing by the walls of Pura Gunung Lebah Temple on one side, with the Campuhan River flowing below on the other. The slightly tilted uphill path took us through a mini forest before the ridge opened up and we could suddenly see for miles.
The trail overlooked green rice fields stretching out on both sides, with hills rolling off into the distance. Farmers were already working in the terraced fields below. We bumped into a few local joggers getting their exercise in before the heat became unbearable.
Karsa Kafe
After about an hour of walking, we found the cute "Karsa Kafe" that everyone talks about. The restaurant sits right in the middle of rice fields with lotus ponds on either side - one of those places where you order a juice and end up staying way longer than planned.
We continued past the cafe, stopping further down the road for more refreshments. Once we'd had our fill of photos and wandering, we headed back to the hotel to cool off by the pool. Of course, Kro stopped for more shopping at the boutiques lining Jalan Raya Ubud street. That woman cannot walk past a shop without going in!
Agung Rai Museum of Art
Later in the afternoon, we headed south of Ubud to the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA). Agung Rai founded this museum to preserve Balinese and Indonesian art, and it's well worth a couple of hours.
The museum complex is bigger than you'd expect - it doubles as a resort, and includes art galleries, a library, a public school, a small working rice field, and tropical gardens you can wander through.
Kecak Fire & Trance Dance
After our day of exploration, we booked tickets for a Kecak Fire & Trance Dance performance. Kecak is a distinctive Balinese dance accompanied by a male chorus chanting rhythmically.
The show held our attention the whole way through, but the final act floored us - a performer danced barefoot on burning fire! We were sitting close enough to feel the heat. The rhythmic chanting from fifty-odd men circling the stage made the whole thing feel almost hypnotic.
Perfect Ending in Ubud
The show made us thirsty. Luckily, you can't walk ten meters in Ubud without passing a bar. We kicked back with a Mojito and an espresso martini to toast our last night - we were leaving for Komodo the next morning and already feeling a bit sad about it.
Have you hiked the Campuhan Ridge Walk? What time of day did you go? Did you visit Karsa Kafe? Have you seen a Kecak Fire Dance performance? Share your Ubud hiking and cultural experiences below!
Campuhan Ridge Walk Tips
- Go early (6-8 AM) or before sunset. There's almost no shade on the ridge and it gets brutal by mid-morning.
- Bring water! There's nowhere to buy drinks until Karsa Kafe at the end of the trail.
- Starting point: Near Warwick Ibah Villas and Spa. Look for 'This Way Trekking Campuhan Ridge' signs. Easy to find on Google Maps or Maps.me, even offline.
- Bring your camera with full battery. You'll burn through storage fast - the rice terrace views are hard to stop shooting.
- Karsa Kafe at the trail end is worth a stop for a drink, though it's a bit pricey. The setting among rice fields and lotus ponds makes up for it.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen (SPF 50+), and a hat. The ridge is completely exposed - you will fry without them.
- Good for kids - no cars, no motorbikes on the trail. They can run ahead without you worrying.
- Stop at Pura Taman Saraswati temple on your way. The water gardens look their best in early morning before the tour groups show up.
- Free activity! No entrance fee for the Campuhan Ridge Walk. One of Ubud's best no-cost attractions.
- Kecak Fire Dance: Evening performances at various venues in Ubud (50,000-100,000 IDR). Book through your hotel or at tourist info centers. The fire trance finale alone is worth the ticket.
- Jalan Raya Ubud is lined with boutiques selling clothes, jewelry, art, and handicrafts. Bargain hard - first prices are usually double what they'll accept.
Note: Prices and experiences are based on our January 2018 visit. Details may have changed since then.
If you only have one morning in Ubud, spend it on the Campuhan Ridge Walk. It's free, it's easy, and those rice field views stick with you. Add a Kecak Fire Dance in the evening and you've got yourself a pretty great last day.