Mount Abang hiking trail to close 21 and 26 September for temple ceremonies

Bangli, Bali — Hiking access to Mount Abang in Bangli Regency will be closed for two days in late September to accommodate major Hindu ceremonies at Pura Tuluk Biyu Batur, with local tourism leaders urging visitors to avoid the trail on those dates.

According to local media reports, the Abang Erawang Tourism Awareness Group (Kelompok Sadar Wisata/Pokdarwis) will temporarily close the Mount Abang hiking route on 21 September 2026 and 26 September 2026.

The chair of Pokdarwis Abang Erawang, Nengah Suratnata, told Bali-based outlets that the closure is intended to ensure the smooth and solemn conduct of the Karya Agung Madewasraya and Pujawali Ngusaba Purnamaning Sasih Kapat ceremonies at Pura Tuluk Biyu Batur, which include ritual activities on the mountain itself.

On 21 September, the community will hold a Bhakti Pakelem ritual at two locations: the summit area of Mount Abang and Segara Danu Batur, the lake adjacent to the temple complex.

The ceremonies will reach their peak on 26 September at Pura Tuluk Biyu Batur, and the Mount Abang area will again be reserved for religious activities rather than tourism.

Local coverage notes that the broader series of rituals at Pura Tuluk Biyu Batur began in late August and continues into early October, with Mount Abang playing a central role in key prayer events.

Suratnata has appealed to residents and visitors to respect the closure and refrain from hiking on the two designated dates so that the ceremonies can proceed in a calm and orderly atmosphere.

He indicated that hiking will remain allowed on other days during the ceremony period, including between 22 and 25 September, when the trail can be used under normal conditions.

Mount Abang, located in Kintamani, Bangli, is one of Bali’s prominent peaks overlooking Lake Batur and is considered a sacred site within the local customary landscape.

Temporary access restrictions tied to religious ceremonies are a recurring feature of mountain and temple management in the area, reflecting efforts to balance tourism with customary obligations and spiritual practices.

Visitors planning to hike Mount Abang around these dates are advised to check with local guides or the Pokdarwis Abang Erawang and to adjust their itineraries to avoid 21 and 26 September.

Sources

• Bali Post
• NusaBali