Facts
- Elevation: 2,249 m (7,379 ft)
- Prominence: 758 m
- Ribu category: Spesial
- Province: Jawa Barat (West Java)
- Google Earth: kml
- Rating:
- Other names: none.
- Eruptions: 1690, 1777, 1780, 1800, 1803, 1807, 1809, 1815-16, 1818, 1825, 1827-29, 1832-36, 1840-41, 1843, 1847
Photos
Bagging It!
This vast volcanic range towers above the popular weekend destination of Cipanas, near Garut. Unlike most mountains in Java, much of the Guntur mountain range is remarkably bald, at least on first glance from Cipanas. The mountain range itself is incredibly complex, with a chain of different peaks from Gunung Cipanas above Cipanas all the way along to the vegetation-covered highest peak of Gunung Masigit. There are three very different craters across the range – a deep, vegetation filled crater at the Cipanas end, an active and dangerous crater and a shallow bowl-like old crater both of which are at the Masigit end. Given the complexity of the mountain range, there are two main approaches – from the Cipanas side (Cipanas or Kampung Citiis) or from Tanjung Karya near Kamojang geothermal area to the south-west of the range. The best approach would probably combine the two, but for those without a car it would take a long time to reach the Karya side by public transport. Both routes require a very long day to truly explore all that the range has to offer, so camping is well worth the extra weight on your shoulders.
Citiis (822m) near Cipanas is the most accessible starting point because the area has many hotels and lies just 3km from the main road from Jakarta to Garut. The word ‘guntur’ means ‘thunder’ and it is definitely true that the weather conditions can be fickle in this area. The volcanic activity going on inside the mountain has provided Cipanas with naturally hot water for many decades. The small town, comprised mainly of simple hotels for local people to stay during the weekend, lies at the foot of the mountain and the delightful warm water simply flows down through it.
From Kampung Citiis, where there is at least one basecamp, a trail leads via the local waterfall Curug Citiis (1,154m). The grassy, open terrain makes for an unusual hike by tropical Indonesian standards and one where you need to be extra careful about covering up and taking plenty of water with you.
There is very little shade indeed so it is best to start before dawn if possible. It takes about 3 hours to reach the first crater (which most people think of as the hiking objective) but the highest point of the mountain and the other craters are nearly 2 hours further along the ridge. There is rarely any water to be found on the route from Citiis so take enough with you.
Before long, you should be able to admire both the huge dormant cone of nearby Gunung Cikuray, the smoking Papandayan volcano and in the distance the large mountain massif of Galunggung (Beuticanar).
The first crater is the deep and impressive Gunung Cipanas (1,935m) which most local people actually know as ‘Gunung Guntur’. Apart from a bit of sulphur smoke on the north side of the rim, the area seems quite placid – the crater floor is filled with dense plant life.
Above the crater you will see what appears to be the grassy summit area where many local youngsters camp. To reach it, follow the edge of the crater (anti-clockwise) and up onto the top (2,059m). There are three monuments here plus a small pit with hot volcanic rocks. This is about as far as the majority of hikers go and is what most locals guides regard as the ‘puncak’ (peak).
However, in clear weather it is obvious that the highest point lies much further beyond. Descend to the col between the crater peak and then up to a second grassy peak (2,135m and known as Puncak 2). This second peak is more obviously active than the crater area – the ground is hot and there is a considerable amount of sulphur gas drifting across the top – so take extra care here. Beyond this peak is another, steeper drop and another ascent up to higher ground.
This spot (2,170m) is the start of Gunung Masigit. The first section is very flat rock – remnants of an ancient lava dome. There are also a few graves in the area although nobody is sure just how old they are. Beyond the flat rock is the edge of the forest but beyond here is now designated as a Cagar Alam meaning you now need special permission to go beyond.
It’s a great spot to camp as it’s a good viewpoint for sunrise. To reach the very highest point takes just over 30 minutes from the point at which the trail enters forest but it requires special permission such as for conducting research on flora or fauna. There are several paths at this point, many of which are marked with red tape, so take care if you do continue.
If you carry on to the right, the path goes past the remains of a cement structure before descending down to the right to very active crater cliffs. It’s an unexpected scene – at least comparable to a smaller version of Salak’s Kawah Ratu – and is well worth a visit. Camping down here is probably not a good idea given the gases and the steepness of the terrain. In good weather you should be able to see the very highest point of the mountain range on the far west side of the crater (don’t follow the trail down past the crater leading to a distant northern peak with steep cliffs as although it looks impressive it is slightly lower in elevation and it is not certain that there’s a trail up it). You cannot reach the true summit from down here so you have to climb back up to the old Masigit lava dome area.
To reach the true summit from the lava dome/edge of forest/graves/camp area, follow a trail down slightly to the left to a small grassy alun-alun area. From here, you must follow a vague trail which leads up to the right onto the top of the summit ridge (which has a couple of small rocky outcrops on it). From the top of the ridge, the path is incredibly faint but follow the ridge round until you reach the highest point.
Down to your left is an ancient, dormant bowl-shaped crater area, where Javanese Edelweiss grows. If you look to the right of the summit ridge, and back towards the lava dome, you will be rewarded with wonderful views down to the active crater and beyond to other mountains including Cikuray and Beuticanar in the distance. The vegetation is not too dense, so in good weather it’s a great place to sit and enjoy the panorama.
Another, less often used, route to the mountain range starts in Tanjung Karya, near Kamojang, which is much harder to get to using public transport. Once in Kamojang village, you should be able to arrange a guide (which is necessary for this route) at one of the warungs. While you are there, the various geothermal wonders at Kawah Kamojang are well worth an hour of your time. From Kamojang village, charter an angkot (Rp 50,000) to take you the 30-minute journey to Tanjung Karya (1,063m). To get to Tanjung Karya, take a left turn under yellow and blue arches at Suka Karya. From here, follow the plantation trails up the valley. The Guntur/Masigit mountain range is on your left. In the distance you will be able to see the, steep bald face of the mountain. After less than two hours of gentle walking you will reach two camping huts surrounded by ponds and places to bathe. This place is Cikahuripan (1,403m), and is a popular retreat for local youth groups at weekends. It’s a great viewpoint for Cikuray and Papandayan and the valley between them.
From Cikahuripan, the trail leads straight up the side of the mountain. Keep your eyes out for eagles as there are lots of them in this area. There is also a waterfall further up on the left of the trail though it cannot be reached from the path. The path is very clear although there are a couple of hundred metres of black volcanic gravel which is great to descend on but tiring to climb on. Further up, the path enters taller vegetation, but there are orange/red tags on trees to help you navigate. Finally, you will reach a grassy, open area (2,057m) where people often camp and which is the col between Puncak 2 and the graves.
There is also a trail up from Cibeureum (1,602m) which is north of Tanjung Karya, but this is now unofficial and not used by hikers.
Gunung Karacak (1,839m)
Lying roughly between Cikuray and Galunggung, and ultimately making up part of the Galunggung range, up until 2017 or so Gunung Karacak was a pretty obscure mountain. Fast forward to 2021 and there are two trailheads – at the Cikuray side at Cilawu or the Garut side at Sukanegla, Margawati (1,097m). The Cilawu trails leads via Gunung Satria and the Sukanegla trail leads via the Karacak Valley pine forest. Both start at a similar altitude.
Gunung Karacak is still not one of the more popular hiking destinations due to the higher peaks in the area, so it makes a decent morning out in the forest for those looking for a bit more solitude. Keen hikers without a heavy load can reach the top in around 2 hours or so and be back down again in 90 minutes.
The Sukanegla route leads up from the basecamp opposite the warung in the village, which is about 30 minutes by car or motorbike from the centre of Garut. Once above the village, a wide track leads into the pine woodland known as Karacak Valley which is a popular place at weekends with local campers. There is also a small waterfall nearby. At the forest entrance there are great views over the valley to Gunung Cikuray. This is known locally as Puncak Dogar (1,207m), but the once in the woodland the trail continues to ascend.
Indeed, apart from the final section, the Sukanegla trail up Gunung Karacak is not too steep, and it would make a good warm-up or introduction to hiking. Except, that is, for the presence of leeches. There aren’t many by Kalimantan standards, but there are plenty by Java standards especially during the rainy season! There are also quite a lot of birds and monkeys in the forest here.
Still in the pine woodland, Pos 1 (1,425m) is reached, though in early 2021 there is not much of a Pos to speak of. Above 1,500 metres the forest changes and becomes less pine woodland and more ‘genuine forest’. The trail up from Cilawu meets the Sukanegla trail at 1,565m just before Pos 2, although Pos 2 is known as Pos 5 on the Cilawu trail! The wooden shelter here is in better condition and you can have a rest before starting on the steeper sections of trail ahead. You should be able to see the summit of Gunung Karacak ahead on the left.
Pos 6 Cilawu (1,666m) is next, followed by Pos 3 (1,786m). Both are simply small clearings in the forest. The trail continues steeply towards the summit ridge (1,810m). Follow the main trail left to the summit which has a yellow sign stating 1,805m as the elevation. This does appear to be the highest point in the range, but it is much higher at 1,839m or so.
The views down to the right (north) towards Guntur and Mandalawangi are quite excellent, an if you continue for another two minutes you will reach a good viewpoint for Gunung Cikuray, and a viewpoint with lots of pitcher plants which are rather rare in Java now.
Had you turned right at the summit ridge junction, you would have been on a rarely-trodden hunter’s trail to the slightly lower eastern top (1,832m according to the Baksurtanal map). Further east in the range are Gunung Puncakgede (1,820m) with a further un-named eastern top (1,785m). None of these are the usual targets of hikers from the western slopes and what looks close on a map might take a very long time to reach in reality.
Back down to the villages on the western side should take no more than 90 minutes or so.
Bagging information by Daniel Quinn (last updated January 2021).
Trail Map
For a high quality PDF version of this and other trail maps, please download from our Trail Maps page.
Local Accommodation
Practicalities
- Getting there: For domestic flights from or to West Java, such as the airport in Bandung, we recommend Baolau. From Jakarta, take the toll road to Bandung and continue beyond to the end of the toll at Cileunyi. For Cipanas, follow signs to Garut and take a right turn to Cipanas (well-signposted but a narrow road) just before the town. Primajasa buses to Garut leave from Jakarta’s Lebak Bulus and Cililitan bus depot frequently during the day. For Tanjung Karya there are a variety of routes along small, congested roads leading south of Bandung.
- Guides and GPS Tracks: Want a PDF version for your phone? Looking for a guide? Need GPS tracks and waypoints? Gunung Guntur information pack can be downloaded here.
- Trip planning assistance: Would you like Gunung Bagging to personally help you in arranging your whole trip? Please contact us here.
- Permits: Not required but take a photocopy of your passport photo page just incase.
- Water sources: From Cipanas, take sufficient supplies with you. From Tanjung Karya, water is available at Cikahuripan huts (1,400m).
- Accommodation: Try the Booking.com map above or use this link to search for suitable hotels, homestays, resorts and apartments for your trip.
- We recommend Safety Wing as travel insurance for overseas travellers and tourists hiking up to elevations not exceeding 4500 metres.
Local Average Monthly Rainfall (mm):
Location
Origins and Meaning
‘Guntur’ is Indonesian for ‘thunder’ so Gunung Guntur is literally ‘thunder mountain’. ‘Masigit’ is Sundanese for ‘mosque’ and was an early spelling of ‘mesjid’ (mosque) since the late 19th century.
Did Gunung Karacak recently – a lovely, short hike up one of the few major mountains in Java I had not visited. I had been putting it off until the Cibatu-Garut branch line is re-opened, but given the ongoing battle with corona this could be delayed for quite a while. So we got the (nearly empty) train to Cibatu and then a gocar from there.
It was interesting staying in Cipanas again – at a nice hotel which like many in that area has lovely natural hot water direct from Gunung Guntur. The price of the hotel doesn’t seem to have changed in a decade, perhaps now catering more to Indonesians from Bandung than international tourists as used to be the case in the past. Like many tourist spots, many of the hotels seem deserted, though a handful appear to be managing ok.
Lots of wildlife in the Karacak area – and saw a very nice kingfisher at the side of the road approaching the village. As always, an early morning start is best for views of nearby mountains, and we were reasonably lucky, with Cikuray and Guntur clearly visible above the clouds from the summit ridge. GPS reading at most was 1849m but fluctuated and settled on about 1844m at the yellow summit sign. 2 hours up and 1hr 20 back down. One leech followed me back to the hotel where I had to flush it down the toilet!
We took the Primajasa bus back to Jakarta from Garut – Rp80,000 at present which remains a very reasonable price. Primajasa Pool is the place to catch one of these – less hassle and closer to Cipanas than the bus station. You can even just wait on the side of the main road but you might be waiting a while for the destination you want.
Is anyone going to climb? My friends and I planned to climb on October 31st. If you want to join, you can contact me at mayuyu2508@gmail.com.
I climed the mountain yesterday. There is no trail anymore to the highest point and I didn’t meet anybody near the true summit although there were a lot of people on the lower summits. So, to get to the highest point, prepare to find your way through high grass and bushes. But, as it is quite dry, the vegetation is not so dense and you can get there without major problem. Its a very nice and very untypical mountain for West Java.
can info for the guide ? contact number ?
Hi Gita. I’ve never ascended from Citiis but assume it will be about the same as from Cipanas (3-4 hours to the huge, deep crater on Gunung Cipanas, then another 90 minutes up and down along the ridge to the true summit, Gunung Masigit). I don’t have my GPS stuff here at work but if you email me I’ll send you the true summit co-ordinates.
Hi Daniel,
Plan to go there on the weekend. Ascend from Citiis. Need info how many hours required to the peak? and if u have its gps track,it would be better.
Many thanks
Successfully reached the rarely-visited true summit of the Guntur mountain range yesterday morning. Started from Tanjung Karya (near Kamojang) for a change, though the Cipanas/Citiis route wouldn’t take much longer if at all. The summit itself is unmarked but it is obvious that hikers come here occasionally. There are great views down to the active crater and to the shallow dormant crater directly below the highest point. A very interesting area.