East Java (Jawa Timur) contains some of the largest and most impressive mountain massifs in Indonesia and there are relatively few hikes that can be completed in a single day. The provincial capital is the city of Surabaya, which has an international airport, and the area is served by reasonably good railway services, connecting Banyuwangi, Malang and Surabaya with destinations in other Java provinces.
Semeru, Java’s highest peak, Arjuno, Argopuro, Lawu, and Raung are all world-class mountain hikes. Butak and Ijen-Merapi also offer splendid views. Bromo’s Gunung Penanjakan is perhaps the most famous viewpoint in Indonesia, and understandably so. Penanggungan is a fascinating, holy mountain easily climbed as a day trip from Surabaya or with one night camping. Liman is the highest peak in a large, remote mountain range not yetwell-known by hikers. Baluran is the most easterly mountain in Java, though infrequently climbed due to access issues. Lamongan is a superb double-peak with a spectacular deep crater. Kelud is one of the most volatile volcanoes in Indonesia and its summit cliffs are the domain of serious rock climbers only. Pulau Bawean is a very friendly island 150km north of Surabaya which offers a decent hike to the island highpoint.
If you are not a fan of sharing the summit views with hundreds of other hikers, it is best you go either mid-week or during Ramadan, as over the last decade the number of hikers on mountains across Java during the weekend has increased unimaginably. This means that trails are usually obvious (though badly-eroded) but also that there is a fair amount of litter and if camping you may not get much sleep due to the incessant chattering of local student hikers.
For domestic flights from or to East Java, such as the airports in Surabaya, Malang and Banyuwangi, we recommend Baolau.
We recommend Safety Wing as travel insurance for overseas travellers and tourists hiking up to elevations not exceeding 4500 metres.
A Selection of Photos of East Java’s Ribus and Spesials
Map of East Java’s Ribus and Spesials
Download these peaks as a kml file.
Statistics and Links to East Java’s Ribus and Spesials
Name |
Elevation |
Drop |
Ribu Category |
Island |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunung Semeru | 3,676 m | 3,676 m |  Sangat Tinggi |
Java | |
| Gunung Arjuno | 3,339 m | 2,811 m | Sangat Tinggi |
Java | |
| Gunung Raung – Puncak Sejati | 3,332 m | 3,069 m | Sangat Tinggi |
Java | |
| Gunung Lawu | 3,265 m | 3,118 m | Sangat Tinggi |
Java | |
| Gunung Argopuro | 3,088 m | 2,745 m | Sangat Tinggi |
Java | |
| Gunung Butak | 2,868 m | 1,673 m |  Tinggi Sedang |
Java | |
| Gunung Ijen-Merapi | 2,803 m | 1,218 m | Tinggi Sedang |
Java | |
| Gunung Bromo – Gunung Penanjakan | 2,782 m | 586 m |  Spesial |
Java | |
| Gunung Liman | 2,563 m | 2,130 m | Tinggi Sedang |
Java | |
| Gunung Anjasmoro | 2,372 m | 641 m | Spesial |
Java | |
| Gunung Kelud | 1,724 m | 938 m | Spesial |
Java | |
| Gunung Lamongan – Gunung Tarub | 1,667 m | 1,108 m |  Kurang Tinggi |
Java | |
| Gunung Penanggungan | 1,653 m | 1,020 m | Kurang Tinggi |
Java | |
| Gunung Baluran | 1,265 m | 1,022 m | Kurang Tinggi |
Java | |
| Gunung Ringgit | 1,249 m | 890 m | Spesial |
Java | |
| Pulau Bawean – Gunung Besar | 655 m | 655 m | Spesial |
Java |
Apakah bisa tambahkan gunung Argapura yang ada di pulau lombok, terimakasih.
Hi Dan. Woow what an incredible story to climb the Punjak sejati of gunung Raung. Well written story. I could feel the excitement at the relief to be back at punjak pendera just reading the story. Congratulations to you for that achievement. I would love to be somebody who has done that. Would you ever do that again?
I haven’t done any volcano for three years after Agung for the 53th time with Mila and her becoming husband Shaun. I was fit then. After the 3 years of abstinence of hiking volcanoes I did Agung from pasar Agung temple with Heinz. I bumped into him at a beach in Nusa Dua. We chatted and then he said, you wane do a Agung hike. I said Yeah, when; he said next Tuesday, which was in 3 days, i said yeah and we went with a Spanish buddy of his, Sergio. I could do it but i was exhausted when we where back down again. But I wane do it again.
I’m always in Watu karung now. Its difficult to travel between the islands if you’re not vaccinated. But I rally like it here. I would send you some pics if you want. but i need your WA nr. Keep on hiking. Im getting a little old, but I’m still healthy. i wish you all the best. RGDS. Roman