Sekumpul Waterfall Hike: An Honest 2026 Guide

Last Updated on April 10, 2026 by Charlotte

Sometimes you see a photo of a place and instantly think, I need to go there. For me, that place was Sekumpul Waterfall. Hidden within the verdant valleys of Northern Bali, Sekumpul’s cascading waters tumble down moss-covered cliffs, sending rainbows dancing through the mist. In this blog post, I’ll share my experience on the Sekumpul Waterfall hike, including honest thoughts on the guided trekking system, how to get there, and tips for making the most of your visit, including what to bring, when to go, and how to avoid scams along the way.

Traveler standing on a boulder in front of the powerful spray of Sekumpul Waterfall’s main tier, surrounded by mist and jungle.

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Our Experience Trekking to Sekumpul Waterfall

We’d left Ubud before sunrise and rolled into the parking lot at 8 AM sharp, where a small “Welcome to Sekumpul” sign marked the official entrance to the waterfall. After debating our options, we chose the medium trekking route, and our guide met us right away.

He introduced himself with a huge smile, then launched into an enthusiastic rundown of everything we’d be seeing. We didn’t know it yet, but we’d basically hired the king of jungle enthusiasm: part-time guide, part-time Instagram creative director. The Sekumpul Waterfall hike took about 30 minutes along a paved path that zigzagged into a lush river valley.

The paved path along the hike to Sekumpul Waterfall in Bali

The Trail Through the Spice Village

Along the trail, we passed people drying spices like allspice and cinnamon in the sunshine. It smelled amazing, like the air itself was steeped in chai. Just around the bend, young guides with smartphones coached tourists on posing beneath banana leaves for the perfect Instagram shot.

I couldn’t help but notice how the valley held two Balis simultaneously: the weathered hands of elders tending harvests as they had for generations, while their grandchildren crafted marketable moments from the same landscape. One way of living that cultivates the land; the other, that captures it.

The First Glimpse from the Lookout

Our guide was super excited to show us around and eagerly tried to feed us a new tropical fruit at every roadside stall. We nibbled on jackfruit and pineapple, and before we knew it, we were standing at the overlook for Sekumpul Waterfall.

Two travelers by a yellow wooden “Sekumpul” sign pointing toward the waterfall, with the twin falls visible in the distance.

If you purchase the cheapest ticket, this is as far as you’ll be able to go. The real adventure began as we descended a long series of concrete stairs, clinging to the valley wall. With each step down, the air became cooler, and the rush of cascading water grew louder.

Viewpoint overlooking Sekumpul Waterfall from above, with twin streams cascading into a green valley.

A Detour to the Hidden Waterfall

On our medium-length trek, we first took a detour up a stream to the left of Sekumpul to visit the “Hidden Waterfall.” I swear no one works harder than a guide in Bali. Our guide immediately launched into a full-on photoshoot.

Traveler standing shirtless in front of a narrow jungle waterfall, surrounded by towering green walls in Sekumpul valley.

He knew all the best angles, and my travel buddy and I were trying our hardest not to crack up as he demonstrated how he wanted us to pose using a fan of tropical leaves.

Two travelers swimming in the emerald pool beneath the Hidden Waterfall, framed by high mossy canyon walls.

The pool at the base of the Hidden Waterfall was big enough to paddle around in, and we enjoyed playing in the water for a good twenty minutes before continuing on to the star of the show, Sekumpul Waterfall.

Standing Beneath Sekumpul Waterfall

Sekumpul was everything I’d ever dreamed of, literally even more beautiful in real life. All around us, little rainbows danced in the spray that bounced off mossy outcroppings along the valley walls.

Close-up of Sekumpul’s cascading waterfalls flowing down a mossy cliffside surrounded by lush green foliage.

Our voices were drowned out by the roar of rushing water. It felt surreal to finally stand in a place I had imagined for so long.

Traveler climbing through lush jungle foliage with the dramatic twin falls of Sekumpul thundering in the background.

If you’re coming as a solo traveler, fear not. Our guide knew every dramatic rock, leaf, and lighting angle like the back of his hand, and we left the Sekumpul Waterfall hike with photos that’ll make our friends at home green with envy.

Plan Your Trip to Sekumpul Waterfall

Convinced? Here’s everything you need to know to plan your own Sekumpul Waterfall hike, including how to get there, when to go, what it costs, and how to avoid the scams I mentioned earlier.

Sekumpul is located in the Buleleng region of Northern Bali:

~2.5–3 hours drive from Ubud

~2.5 hours drive from Canggu or Seminyak

~2 hours drive from Lovina

The best time to visit Sekumpul is during the dry season, which runs from April to October. During these months, the weather is generally more stable, the trails are less muddy, and visibility is excellent for both hiking and photography.

That said, because Sekumpul is fed by multiple sources and sits in a lush, rain-fed valley, the waterfalls remain active year-round. If you visit during the wet season (November to March), expect stronger water flow, but also slick trails, cloudier skies, and occasional access issues due to flash flooding or heavy rain.

Fees at Sekumpul are set by the local village and can vary slightly depending on when you visit and which operator you speak with. As of 2026, expect to pay roughly:

Viewpoint Only — around 20,000 IDR (~$1.25 USD)
- View of Sekumpul Waterfall
- ~1 hour round trip
Medium Trek — 125,000–150,000 IDR (~$8–10 USD)
- Visits the Hidden Waterfall and Sekumpul Waterfall
- ~2–3 hours round trip
Long Trek — 200,000–250,000 IDR (~$13–16 USD)
- Visits the Fiji Waterfalls, Hidden Waterfall, and Sekumpul Waterfall
- ~4–5 hours round trip

All trekking fees include a mandatory local guide. Only pay at the official entrance near the “Welcome to Sekumpul” sign. (See the scam warning below — fake checkpoints are common.)

If you are Indonesian and have proof of residency, you might be able to get a cheaper rate.

Sekumpul is open from 8 AM – 5 PM daily, although guides can be waiting and ready to go as early as sunrise.

Facilities

There is a toilet near the “Welcome to Sekumpul” parking area, and there are warungs along the path with cold drinks, and snacks to eat.

Accessibility

Despite the paved path to the lookout, I would not consider this trek to be accessible. The concrete stairs are steep, and the elevation gain and loss could be challenging for people with limited mobility, or young children. The hike down to Sekumpul and back up again involves about ~900 ft (274 meters) of elevation change, which is roughly the equivalent of walking down and up the Eiffel Tower.

Water shoes or sandals with grip
Swimsuit and towel
Change of clothes
Sunscreen and bug spray
Water and light snacks
Waterproof phone pouch or dry bag
Small cash bills for tips, snacks, or emergencies

One curious thing about many natural attractions in Bali is that they can’t be accessed freely. You’re often required to hire a guide, especially in rural areas. At Sekumpul, this system is deeply entrenched. The waterfall sits in a remote and economically disadvantaged part of Northern Bali, and for many locals, guiding tourists has become one of the few reliable sources of income.

While some travelers find this frustrating, especially when guides feel “mandatory” or prices aren’t clearly posted, it’s important to understand that this setup exists because of real economic need. That said, this business model can be aggressive. There have been reports of visitors being pressured or even chased if they try to reach the falls without paying for a guided tour, particularly those arriving by scooter.

Personally, we found the process straightforward at the official village entrance. We paid for the medium trekking route, met our guide at the parking area, and ended up having a genuinely fun and memorable experience.

If you’ve ever been to Bali, you’ve probably noticed that it sometimes feels like you have to pay just to breathe. Every few steps, there’s someone asking you to buy something or charging an entrance fee for what looks like a public space. It can definitely wear on you.

One thing that helped us navigate all of this was hiring a trusted private driver who could communicate on our behalf. We noticed that street hawkers and scammers tended to keep a greater distance when we were accompanied by a local guide. On top of that, our driver found us toilets to use (for free!) during moments of urgency, knew which roadside fruit stands were worth a stop, and brought us to places where we could eat well without paying tourist prices.

I mention this because there have been reports of scammers along the road to Sekumpul, as far as 12km away from the actual waterfall, particularly targeting scooter riders. They’ll sometimes try to charge absurd prices or block your way under the pretense that you need to pay them for entrance. If you go by scooter, you’re on your own to navigate those interactions. But if you hire a private driver, they’ll usually handle it all for you. Firmly, politely, and without drama.

What to Know About Access to Sekumpul Waterfall

The Sekumpul Waterfall hike was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen, and also one of the most complicated to visit. It left me thinking about how access to nature works differently depending on where you are in the world.

At home in Hawai‘i (and in much of the western world), most waterfalls are in state parks or nature reserves, which are places funded by local taxes and managed (however imperfectly) for the public good. Tourists can hike many of them for free, even though they aren’t contributing to the systems that maintain them. It’s far from a perfect model, but it at least assumes a kind of shared civic responsibility.

In Bali, access to nature is different. It’s transactional, not civic. Sekumpul isn’t part of a national park or conservation area, it’s on village land. When you hike here, you’re not walking into a park; you’re walking into someone’s backyard, literally and culturally. There’s no ranger service. No standardized trail system. No consistent infrastructure.

Yellow wooden “Sekumpul” sign pointing toward the waterfall, with the twin falls visible in the distance.

In the absence of a formal system, the only way for locals to benefit from the intense interest in places like this is by charging for access, offering guiding services, or selling goods on the trail. That creates a lot of variability: in price, safety, environmental care, and fairness. Some visitors see this as a scam. Others see it as survival. And in reality, it’s probably both.

Would I go back? Absolutely. But I’d go with more awareness next time, not just of what I was seeing, but of what systems were (or weren’t) in place behind it.

You can read more about my thoughts on overtourism in Bali here.

Have you done the Sekumpul Waterfall hike or visited other waterfalls in Bali? I’d love to hear what your expectations were, and how the reality compared. Drop a comment below and let’s talk travel highs, surprises, and everything in between.

Hi! I'm Charlotte

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How to Visit Sekumpul Waterfall in Bali