Bedugul

Bedugul is the name used to cover a large area of the central highlands of Bali around the villages of Bedugul itself, Candikuning, Pancasari, Pacung and Wanagiri (amongst others). This is an area of great natural beauty. The focus point of the area centres on the three crater lakes of Bratan (Beratan), Buyan and Tamblingan, and the nearby botanical gardens. The whole area is at an altitude of 700 metres or more, with the tallest mountain peaking above 2,000 metres. It can be distinctly chilly here.

This article covers the Bedugul area as well as the village of Munduk to the west, and areas between Bedugul and Mount Batukaru to the south west. Mount Batukaru itself is covered in the Tabanan article.

Bedugul is located about 50 km north of Denpasar on a main route from South Bali to North Bali or 20 km (approximately 40 minutes) south from Lovina Beach.

The area is served by regular bemos which depart from Batubulan terminal in Denpasar in the south, and from Singaraja in the north. The Perama bus company has no local office in Bedugul so if you planning go further from Bedugul, buy ticket in Kuta, Ubud or elsewhere.

A common way for visitors to appreciate this beautiful mountain region is to hire a car and driver for the day from their base in South Bali. Make sure you have a driver who knows the area well (ask questions to determine this), and fix the price for the day in advance. Depending on the class of car, expect to pay between Rp 500,000 and 600,000 including petrol. Car parking fees and any entrance charges will be extra, and it is always appreciated if you offer to buy the driver lunch.

Another option is to hire your own car and drive up here. Be sure to bring a good map though, and when in doubt, always ask locals for directions.

If you are staying in Bedugul, hiring a motorcycle is a good idea as some of the distances between areas of interest are quite long. Your hotel will be able to arrange this and you should expect to pay from Rp 50,000 to 80,000 per day.

The physically fit will enjoy mountain biking here. There are no formal taxis but you will find plenty of drivers willing and able to transport you for a fixed price.

The area is well served by local bemos, and the central gathering points for these are in and around the car park at Candikuning Market, and in the village of Pancasari just before you reach Lake Buyan. Be prepared for the local users to be carrying all sorts of market produce, including live chickens and other animals.

• 🌍 Bali Botanical Gardens (Kebun Raya Eka Karya), ☏ +62 368 21273. 8AM-6PM daily. One of Indonesia's four official botanical gardens. Located in Candikuning. The entrance road is identified by the presence of a giant stone corn on the cob statue! From the information centre buy a copy of an excellent little pamphlet called Six Self Guided Walks in the Bali Botanical Gardens and set off on your way. The gardens are huge covering some 160 hectares and any visitor with an interest in plants and trees could easily spend a whole day here. Also, an informative library and gift shop. Rp 18,000. 
• 🌍 Jatiluwih (on the main Sangeh to Bedugul road turn west towards Babanan about 8 km before you reach Bedugul. Follow the Jatiluwih signs and you will reach the pay booth.). A startlingly beautiful area of verdant, terraced rice paddies nestled in the shadow of Mount Batukaru. Take your time and explore thoroughly. There are a number hikes thorough truly stunning terrain. When you have had your fill there are a couple of cafes for refreshment (and yet more views). On June 2012, this area was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rp 40,000 per person. (updated Feb 2018)
• Yeh Hoo waterfall in Jatiluwih. Have to walk all the way down the easy stairs and follow the path. The whole area is beautiful with water everywhere. Entrance fee is RP 5,000 per person.
• 🌍 Munduk Waterfall (about 1 km west of Munduk market). These falls are impressive and really roar in the wet season. A spot that is little visited, despite being perhaps the most impressive accessible falls on the whole island. You will have to park your car or motorbike somewhere on the side of the road and then walk down something like 500 meters through a narrow path. You will not see the waterfalls from the road. Next to the waterfalls you will find a little ecologic bar where you can enjoy locally cultivated coffee. free 12/2016, Rp 5,000 before?. 
• 🌍 Pura Ulun Danu Bratan (Lake Bratan Temple), Lake Bratan, Bedugul. 7AM-5PM daily. After Tanah Lot, this is perhaps the most photographed temple on the island and is certainly one of the iconic images of Bali. The temple sits on the western shore of Lake Bratan and it can give the illusion of actually floating on the water. Built in 1633, the temple is devoted to Ida Batara Dewi Ulun Danu, goddess of the lake. A beautiful temple in a truly stunning setting. Make sure to insist on your entrance ticket to make sure the your entrance fee actually goes towards to conservation of the temple. Rp 50.000 (as of August 2017). 

Explore the mountain roads and take in the wonderful views. The area around Munduk to the west of Lake Tamblingan is especially spectacular, and you can continue the drive through Munduk village to Banyuatis and then all the way to Seririt near Lovina on the north coast. Birdwatching is good in this area around the lakes, and in the botanical gardens where some 97 species have been officially recorded. A number of scarce mountain species are to be found here. Interesting crops grown in this area include coffee, vanilla, cloves and cacao. Once you know them, you will see clove trees everywhere at the side of the highland roads. There are several coffee plantations on the roads north of Lake Bratan and around Munduk. Water sports on Lake Bratan are popular. Parasailing, speedboat rides and jetskis are all available if you are comfortable with polluting such a beautiful lake. The more environmentally conscious may wish to restrict their lake activities to renting a rowing boat. These are all controlled from Taman Rekreasi Bedugul (admission Rp 10,000) on the southern shore of Lake Bratan.

• 🌍 Bali Handara Kosaido Golf and Country Club, ☏ +62 362 22646. At an altitude of 1,142 metres and surrounded by green mountains, crater lakes and ancient forest, this Peter Thompson designed course is considered one of the very best in Asia. 

• 🌍 Angseri Hot Springs (20 km south of central Bedugul.). public prool and four private cabins for up to six people (about 35,000 Rp). (updated Jul 2017)
• E-bike tours in Jatiluwih (20 km south of Central Bedugul)
• 🌍 Bali Treetop Adventure Park (at the Botanical Gardens), ☏ +62 361 8520680. The park includes six main circuits that stretch from tree to tree, as well as nets, Tarzan Jumps, and bridges. Each run also features "Flying Fox" zip-lines of up to 160 metres, providing heart-pounding thrills to guests as they fly through the air. Two circuits are designed for young children from 4 years old. 
• Bedugul Tour take you to Bedugul is a mountain lake resort area in Bali, located in the centre-north region of the island near Lake Bratan on the road between Denpasar and Singaraja the area covers the villages of Bedugul itself, Candikuning, Pancasari, Pacung and Wanagiri amongst others. In the area there is three crater lakes Lake Bratan, Lake Buyan, and Lake Tamblingan. And major sites in Bedugul are the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple

Pick your own strawberries from any of several farms in the area. Look around for signs.

• Bedugul Traditional Market (Bukit Mungsu), Candikuning. Bedugul is the highland garden of Bali, producing lots of cool climate fruits and vegetables. In the market here you can find strawberries plus a myriad of tropical fruits, vegetables, corn and orchids. This is a great place to buy exotic spices, with mixed gift packs being especially popular. There is also an art section of the market with lots of handicrafts. (updated Jul 2017)

Bedugul has a small but well-established Sasak community, and for that reason is known for restaurants serving the Lombok speciality Ayam Taliwang (spiced young chicken served grilled or fried). Look for restaurants with the Ayam Taliwang sign around Lake Bratan especially.

• 🌍 Bedugul Lake View. 11AM-9PM. An Indonesian restaurant on the way down from the market to Lake Bratan. Serves Ayam Taliwang and other tasty local dishes. 
• Ulun Danu Restaurant. 9AM-5PM. The main restaurant at Ulun Danu Beratan attraction. Established among the beautiful scenery of Beratan temples and close to Beratan Lake enable to giving you a wonderful panoramic view of garden, temples and the lake simultaneously. Serving Western, Indonesian also Chinese foods. A'la Carte and Buffet menus as your option. Fish, chicken duck, and vegetarian food on request. 
• 🌍 Ngiring Ngewedang (from Wanagiri take the main route towards Munduk village. After you have passed Lake Tamblingan, this restaurant is located about another 1 km west on the same road and about 2 km before you reach Munduk village itself), ☏ +62 812 3807010, info@ngiringngewedang.com. 10AM-5PM. Very good value Indonesian food in a restaurant with views to die for. They also process local coffee beans here and will be happy to show the facility and sell you green or freshly roasted beans. An excellent option for lunch if you want to get away from the crowds in Bedugul. 

• Restaurant Batukaru (between Mount Batukaru and Jatiluwih). 8AM-4PM daily. Must-visit restaurant if you're driving the road around Jatiluwih. It has a stunning view over the rice terraces and also a close-view rice terrace right beside it. Expect big tourist coaches to stop here in the early afternoon, but you'll most likely be the only visitors between 3PM and 4PM. There's a buffet, but you can also just order from the menu. After eating, head up stairs through the garden and taste some Balinese tea varieties free of charge (though you're expected to buy a package of Balinese tea for around Rp 80,000). About Rp 50,000 per head. 
• 🌍 Roti Bedugul, Candi Kuning, ☏ +62 368 21838. 8AM-6PM. Bakery in Candi Kuning famous for good quality bread, croissants and Danish pastries. 
• 🌍 Strawberry Hill (Bukit Strobeli), 5 minutes to the south of Bedugul at the KM48 marker, ☏ +62 368 21265. 8AM-9PM. Mountain roadside restaurant serving tasty Indonesian favourites and soups, salads, chicken and burgers - and strawberries. When the air is cool, cozy up beside a real log fire. Also comfortable mid-range accommodation here. 
• 🌍 Strawberry Stop (on the road between Lake Bratan and Lake Buyan), ☏ +62-851-75255887. 8AM-7PM. Stop by this strawberry farm for snacks, milkshakes and of course, strawberries. Unless you are brave, give the strawberry wine a very wide berth. 
• 🌍 Warung Anugerah (King Fried Chicken), Main Square, Candikuning. 10AM-10PM. Simple and cheap rice, but nothing special. It's often the only restaurant open after 8PM on the main square in Candikuning. About Rp 30,000. 
• 🌍 Warung Kopi Bukit Hexon, Wanagiri, ☏ +62 813 38046740. An organic food restaurant situated just north of Lake Buyan. 

It can get cool at this high elevation at night compared to the hot coastal areas of Bali. Check that your accommodation has blankets and or heating or come prepared. Most of the hotels have gardens with beautiful scenery (lake as foreground or background), but they have no air conditioning, so hotel prices are relatively low compared to Kuta.

There are many options in terms of price and possibilities for accommodation in Bedugul and surroundings and booking is not essential but in some cases, it may be advised. There are many hotels with low occupancy, even in the peak season, resulting in quiet nights without nightlife.

The area code for Bedugul is 0368.

There is a public telephone office at Bukit Mungsu Market in Candikuning, but internet facilities are thin on the ground and your best bet is to look for WiFi signs at local cafes.

• The north coast centres of Lovina, Singaraja and Pemuteran are easily reached from Bedugul by car, motorbike and bus.
• A journey back south to Denpasar and beyond will take 1 hour plus.
• The Jatiluwih route can easily be combined with a visit to Pura Luhur Batukaru, near Wongayagede village in the Tabanan area.