The Campuhan Ridge Walk is an oasis of nature in downtown Ubud. One of the reasons why this is such a popular walk is how easy it is. It’s pretty flat with only some gentle rolling uphill. The Campuhan Ridge Walk is not a long hike, either. It’s only about a kilometre long and takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes to walk the entire thing.
The Way to Campuhan Ridge Walk
The start of the Campuhan Ridge Walk is very close to central Ubud. Head west along Jalan Raya Ubud, away from Ubud Palace and Saraswati Temple. You will pass the exit point of the Juwuk Manis Rice Field Walk. After that, the sidewalk becomes quite narrow next to a road with tall walls on either side. Shortly after this part of the walk, keep your eyes peeled for the sign for the temple on the right and head in through there.
Pura Gunung Lebah
The Campuhan Ridge Walk begins at Pura Gunung Lebah, an ancient temple complex next to the river. It was a downhill journey for us as we walked in, but uphill for everyone finishing the walk. Everyone we passed looked incredibly sweaty and worn out.
The path skirts the temple. There’s lots of clear signage along the way that points hikers to the start of the Campuhan Ridge Walk. You’ll know you’re properly on the walk when the trail becomes an orderly brick path in between the trees.
The Campuhan Ridge Walk
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a very popular activity among tourists and local westerners who have made Ubud their temporary home. Everyone is doing this walk, from hikers with huge backpacks to young women in tight clothes doing yoga by the side of the path. Despite the number of people, it still feels very chill. Everyone is here for the same reason – to find some peace in nature – and no one was rowdy or disruptive.
The Campuhan Ridge trek is very straightforward. There are no confusing turns or diverging paths, and the trail is obvious. The lush greenery all around is a refreshing change of scenery from the rest of Ubud.
Shops & Cafes
The official end of the Campuhan Ridge Walk is at a short flight of stairs with a gate. Beyond that, the trail becomes much more developed with cafes, tourist shops and homestays on either side. We treated ourselves to a dairy-free gelato and kombucha after the sweltering walk.
There are some patches of rice fields along this stretch, but otherwise, it becomes a regular road the closer you get to Jalan Raya Sebali. It’s best to simply turn around and go back the way you came once you’re done exploring the shops during this part of the walk. If you continue onward, you’ll end up in the countryside far from central Ubud.
Saturday Worthy?
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a no-risk attraction. It’s free, easy to get to, and doesn’t take up much time. The trail is not challenging either. Anyone could easily do the walk for an hour and then have the rest of the day for sightseeing around Ubud. You won’t escape any tourists by doing the Campuhan Ridge Walk, but it’s a relaxing stroll on a picturesque hilly ridge. It’s also useful for working off all the delicious food you’ve been enjoying while in Ubud!
