Bali is an Indonesian island known for its stunning beaches, lush jungles, and vibrant culture. It is a popular destination for travelers looking to experience a unique blend of traditional Balinese culture and modern amenities. Visitors can explore the island’s many temples, witness traditional ceremonies, and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as surfing, snorkeling, and diving. Bali is also home to some of the world’s best spas, restaurants, and nightlife.
But what about Bali as a cycling destination?
Although most visitors to Bali don’t think of Bali as a cycling destination, you can enjoy bicycling in Bali, too. And the above images show the most frequented cycling routes in Bali. A handful of local operators take advantage of the bicycling possibilities around the island and offer a few staple cycling tours, such as:
1. Ubud Cycling Tour: This tour takes you through the beautiful rice paddies and villages around Ubud, considered the cultural capital of Bali.
2. Kintamani Cycling Tour: This tour takes you through the highlands of Kintamani, packing in the breathtaking views of the Batur lake and volcano.
3. Tanah Lot Cycling Tour: This tour brings you a slice of Balinese countryside as you ride along the paddy fields and, of course, takes you to the Tanah Lot temple, an ancient Hindu shrine that’s built on a rock formation and is an important Bali landmark.
If cycling in a group is your preference or a few hours-long tour is all you have time or mood for, then book a bicycling tour in Bali. But if you are a cycle touring enthusiast or an avid cyclist that strives on riding solo (or just with your wife or a friend), and must do so on your very own set of wheels, then yes, absolutely, bring your own bicycle and explore Bali riding solo.
But the question is, where should you ride in Bali on a multi-day cycling tour? And inevitably, where you should not ride, as that is a valid point to consider as well.
Scenic Routes of Bali: West, South, East, North, and Central Bali
West Bali
While looking at the map, Bali seems small enough to be tempted to circumnavigate the island keeping to the coastal route. Indeed, this route takes you along much of the stunning coastline of Bali, although not entirely. But yes, you will pass through some of the most beautiful beaches, villages, and rice paddies in Bali along this route. The route is approximately 350 km long and most reasonably fit cyclists can complete it in 4-5 days. The route is mostly flat and either a road bike or a mountain bike will do. But there are issues, namely traffic in the west and more of it in the congested tourist areas further east, best to stay away from. And so, with the cons of cycling the western perimeter of Bali, cycling 360-degrees around Bali may not be the ideal route for most.
South Bali
Perhaps a better way to approach cycling Bali is to pick a part of it and focus on it, although South Bali it isn’t certainly it. Some may suggest where in the south of Bali it is not dangerous to be cycling, and claim it is safe to cycle in most areas of South Bali, including the popular tourist destinations of Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Sanur. Well, riding a bike in these areas of Bali is best described as frantic soft-pedaling weaving through traffic and tourist resort blight, Bali-style, a style not even suited for running errands, definitely not as an adventure cycling with stunning landscapes to marvel at. — for a slice of those you got to ride elsewhere in Bali. That said, some areas in the south are safe enough, namely Jimbaran and Uluwatu, mostly because they are on the very south of a peninsula, hence in part on a periphery of the congested heart of Bali’s tourist areas.
East Bali
Cycling the east of Bali is a great way to explore the island’s stunning scenery and culture. The east of Bali is known for its beautiful beaches, lush green rice paddies, and traditional villages. There are plenty of routes to choose from, ranging from easy to more challenging. You can also explore the area’s temples, waterfalls, and other attractions. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cyclist, you’ll find plenty of routes to get away from traffic and taste the slice of paradise Bali is.
Interesting places not to miss cycling in the east of Bali are:
1. Mount Agung: The highest mountain in Bali, Mount Agung offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and is a great place to go cycling.
2. Tirta Gangga: This beautiful water palace and its surrounding area are a great place to explore on a bike.
3. Besakih Temple: This is the largest and holiest temple in Bali, and cycling around it is a great way to take in the volcanic beauty of the area.
4. Sidemen: A secluded valley with peaceful rice paddies, all set beneath of the towering Mount Agung.
North Bali
Cycling the north of Bali is too a great way to explore the region’s stunning landscapes and culture. The roads are mostly flat and well-maintained, making it a great option for cyclists of all levels. You can explore the rice paddies, small villages, and stunning beaches of the north such as Lovina Beach, as well as the temples and other cultural attractions in and around Singaraja, Bali’s second largest city and once its capital, albeit a somewhat sleepy outpost compared to Denpasar in the south, although it too teems with traffic.
Central Bali
Central Bali is where it’s at! The best solo cycling route into the central mountains of Bali is the Munduk-Bedugul-Jatiluwih route. It takes you through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in Bali, including lush green rice terraces, towering volcanoes, and stunning lakes. You can start from Bedugul, and ride south to Jatiluwih, or ride north to Munduk, returning to your base in Bedugul. Or, you add this trio of wonderful places to your cycling tour of Bali.
Munduk is a small village in the highlands south of Bedugul. It is known for its stunning views of the surrounding rice terraces, lush green hills, and waterfalls. There are many activities to enjoy in Munduk, such as trekking, visiting the local temples, and exploring the nearby villages. You can also take a dip in the natural hot springs, go rafting, or take a swim in the nearby lakes. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants to explore.
Bedugul is of a mountain lake resort area for Indonesians coming from Java. Located in the central highlands of the island, it offers cool climate, lush forests, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. Because of the much cooler temperatures than in the coastal areas, tourists come here to hike and camp. The area is also home to several Hindu temples, making it a popular pilgrimage site for Balinese Hindus.
What about Jatiluwih?
A ride around the Jatiluwih, rice terraces area southwest of Bedugul, is a rewarding way to fathom this UNESCO-recognized world’s cultural heritage site. Jatiluwih comprises an area rather than a single village. It comprises several indigenous villages and hamlets that manage the Subak system in the area, a community-based water control management system dates back to the 9th century. Rice is not the only crop, though three harvests a year make it the essential crop. Local farmers grow also coffee, vanilla, cocoa, cloves, jack fruit, tea, mangosteen and durian. It reflects the Balinese principle of Tri Hita Karana, which affirms that happiness and harmony stem from a balance of three vital relationships: one between a man and God, between a man and nature, and between all human beings. The magic of Jatiwiluh appears right at sunrise with the first rays of the sun, the ideal time to begin your ride. At an altitude of 700 meters, the views over the centuries of toil that created this amazing feat of landscape engineering are mesmerising. Looking southeast, the panorama of the terraces against the backdrop of Bali’s two most dominant volcanos, Mount Agung and Mount Abang, will undoubtedly etch an unforgettable imprint upon your mind.
It is for the magic of Bali’s areas such as Jatiluwih why Bali is often labelled a paradise island — it is simply because of its stunning natural beauty, its vibrant culture, its friendly people, its amazing beaches, its lush green rice terraces, its unique temples, its delicious cuisine, its world-class resorts, and its many outdoor activities it offers, cycling undeniably among them.
For more of a taste of what cycling around Bali is all about, sample Cycling Bali: Climbing and Freewheeling in Paradise, a cycling guide and travel pictorial.