One great way to enjoy Indonesia’s diverse natural beauty is riding on two wheels while enjoying unrestricted views of nature, breathing fresh air, and setting your own pace. Discover the most spectacular places to cycle in Indonesia, from a small island to majestic towering mountains.
Bukit Campuhan
There is a place for every activity in Bali. For an epic cycling trip, head over to the Ubud highland, where tourists can recreate the village cycling experience in Eat, Pray, Love style. Also in Ubud, Bukit Campuhan has a solid track that goes along the hill, cutting through the fresh green grass and extending further into nature. An afternoon cycle will still provide a decent amount of sunshine —start at around 4pm and you’ll be done in time for the magnificent sunset view.
Tebing Keraton
Every second of cycling through the pine woods to the Tebing Keraton in Bandung, West Java, will grant you crisp cool air to breathe, and a captivating view of dense woods along the track. The end destination is of course just a bonus, but it’s a mighty big one: a majestic cliff overlooking vast pine woods embellishing the nearby hills below. It’s not an easy catch though, because the track involves many ascending and rocky pathways. But the view, the experience, and the accomplishment is more than worth it.
Embung Nglanggeran
Since being established in 2013, retention basin Embung Nglanggeran in the Special Region of Yogyakarta has been a popular tourist attraction. Ever since, cyclists have been trying out the track, which involves everything from neatly-paved streets, dirt roads, to rocky paths. The ascending path to Embung Nglanggeran goes along to the summit of the ancient volcano Gunung Api Purba Nglanggeran, but stopping at the embung or retention basin spot is enough to enjoy a long energizing cycle with a gorgeous jungle and city view from above.
Embung Nglanggeran, Nglanggeran, Patuk, Gunung Kidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, +62 818 0410 3999
Nusa Lembongan
The most mind-boggling thing about cycling in this small island on the southeast of Bali is that you can range over the whole island from one end to another in less than a day. That means fascinating views of green hills, magnificent cliffs, pristine beaches, and mangrove rainforest all in one track. The island is also cycling-friendly because there are few motor vehicles roaming around and the main roads are relatively well-built.
Nusa Lembongan, Bali, Indonesia
Puncak
Located up the highlands one hour away from Jakarta’s satellite city Bogor, the Puncak area has not the slightest tint of the stern metropolitan city. There will only be tea gardens and more tea gardens for as far as the eye can see. Cycling and horse-riding can be done on small tracks in-between tea gardens. Some tracks can also lead to the famous Telaga Warna Lake, the color-changing natural lake hidden in lush greeneries.
Mount Papandayan
The Papandayan Mountain’s well-surfaced hiking track makes it possible (easy, for some people) to cycle all the way to the summit. If cycling up the 2,664 meter-high (8,740 ft) mountain sounds too intense, tourists can always use the transportation services provided by locals to get to the mountain-top and effortlessly cycle down while basking in the warm sunlight and enjoying the fresh air and stunning view.
Mount Papandayan, Karamat Wangi, Cisurupan, Garut Regency, West Java, Indonesia
Patar Bike Park
Among many things that make cycling through the Patar Bike Park in West Sumatra so enthralling are its natural charms —lush vegetations, city view from the hills, mountainous structure in the backdrop. But that’s not all. The park is equipped with man-made features for daredevil cyclists, from obstacles, to a crafted dropped track that will send bicycles flying in the air. It’s as if the natural challenges presented—narrow winding track, rocky road on some parts, muddy path —are not enough for the most adventurous souls.
Patar Bike Park, Padang Tarok, Baso, Agam Regency, West Sumatra, Indonesia, +62 852 7836 9888