Not to be confused with the higher and more frequented (but far less prominent) peak near Gunung Yong Yap and Tok Nenek, this mountain is the highest point of a huge range stretching over twenty kilometres from Taiping in the north to Beruas in the south.
Penanggungan is a particularly revered mountain and has many ancient Hindu temple sites on its slopes – as many as eighty according to Dutch archaeological investigations conducted in the 1930s which were begun after a forest fire uncovered some of the ruins.
This increasingly-popular Ribu is the highest peak on the island of Seram and the large range is part of the Manusela National Park. There is a northern and a southern route, and the southern route is becoming the more popular of the two because the trailhead is a little higher up and a return journey can be done in 5 days and 4 nights.
Mount Sindoro is separated from its similarly conical but slightly higher neighbour, Gunung Sumbing, by the Kledung Pass. For its size, Sindoro is an easy hike and would make a great introduction to hiking in Indonesia. From the top there are great views to Sumbing, Merapi, Merbabu, Ungaran, Slamet, Dieng plateau’s high ridge Gunung Prau and the north coast of Java.
The Dieng Plateau is a huge volcanic complex near the pleasant town of Wonosobo. It is quite rightly one of Central Java’s leading tourist attractions and there are so many fascinating sites, both geological and historical, that it definitely makes sense to stay in Dieng village itself and properly explore the place. Colourful lakes, hissing and bubbling craters and numerous temples are dotted all over the landscape.
Olet Takan is the most prominent peak in the hilly interior of the island of Sumbawa south of the town of Sumbawa Besar. It is not yet popular with hikers and finding anyone who has been to the top remains difficult. However, the area around Ropang is incredibly scenic and it makes a great day out from Sumbawa Besar.
This large mountain range is on the border of Malaysian Sarawak and Indonesian West Kalimantan and despite being little-known is one of Borneo’s most prominent mountains. It is an extensive, long ridge with various different peaks, the highest of which is Gunung or Bukit Kanyi which is most easily hiked from the Malaysian side.
Gunung Yong Belar is the second-highest peak in the huge Titiwangsa mountain range and only a couple of metres below the highest which is Gunung Korbu. It is a popular hike during weekends, usually with several groups hoping to complete a trek to one of Peninsular Malaysia’s highest peaks in a single day or two days and one night.
The closest Ribu to Kuala Lumpur, Gunung Liang is still reasonably quiet and peaceful, with most hikers preferring the more famous and taller peaks over 2,000 metres. This is a positive thing, because the forests are teeming with life and you are quite likely to see hornbills and hear siamangs for a good portion of the trek.
Gunung Tampomas is located northeast of Sumedang (480 metres above sea level) – a town famous for its delicious tahu (fried tofu) – and is easily accessible by public transport from Bandung. Whilst no giant in terms of elevation, Tampomas is an easy and enjoyable hike – perfect as the first of the season or as a warm-up for something more challenging.