Bali is the perfect size for discovering its treasures by foot - large enough to have a profoundly good hike, yet small enough to get a cohesive vision of the landscapes and people of the island.

Bali’s often dramatic coastlines are always a joy to amble but if you’re looking for something a little more physically challenging there are a number of fulfilling trails throughout Bali from explorative single day trips, through to six day hikes which visit many of Bali's key cultural locations.

Among the favourite destinations for serious trekkers are Bali’s two impressive active volcanoes. The volcano treks typically start very late in the evening or very early morning, and involve a flashlight climb and are timed to reach the craters for the breathtaking sunrise panoramas.

There are two routes up Gunung Agung, at 3,031metres (9,944 ft), Bali’s highest and most sacred mountain, the best of which is also the most demanding, starting at the ‘Mother Temple’ of Besakih and taking around six to seven hours to reach the crater, with an overall trek duration of around twelve hours. A shorter and less difficult variant starts at Pasar Agung Temple takes three to four hours with an overall eight hours of hiking.

Similar trips to Gunung Batur at, 1,717 metres (5,633 ft), are shorter and less demanding, taking between one and two hours to reach the summit, depending on the route taken. The best route, departing from Toya Bungkah passes through forest and provides the most enriching experience. The relative ease and good sunrise views of Gunung Agung and beyond to the neighbouring island of Lombok make this a popular option.

A daytime trek of Gunung Batukaru, Bali’s second highest mountain at 2,275 metres (7,463 ft) is a forest climb to a grassy summit, and passes through the Nature Reserve, which can also be trekked without the climb, and provides a good opportunity to see some wildlife along the way.

For those who prefer an easier walk, there are a number of pleasant and easy short trips that variously visit forests, temples, waterfalls, lakes, hot springs, rice terraces and coffee plantations, lasting form two hours to a whole day or merged into longer combinations lasting several days.