Hiking Mount Kerinci in Sumatra [COMPLETE GUIDE]
If you’ve ever dreamed of standing on the highest volcano in Indonesia, watching the sun rise over a sea of clouds, Mount Kerinci will test your legs (and reward you tenfold)!
Towering at 3,805 metres, this smoking giant is one of the most dramatic climbs in Indonesia; maybe even the whole of Southeast Asia! Located deep in Kerinci Seblat National Park, it’s remote, wild, and raw – the kind of hike that feels more like an expedition than a weekend trek. One of the reasons I chose it over the more-popular, yet longer, Rinjani hike.
I tackled Mount Kerinci as a 2-day, 1-night climb – and it quickly became one of my favourite volcano hikes in Indonesia. Challenging, but utterly worth it. This guide will cover everything you need to know about hiking Mount Kerinci in Sumatra.
About Mount Kerinci
Mount Kerinci (Gunung Kerinci) is an active stratovolcano and the tallest peak in Sumatra – and all of Indonesia outside Papua. It’s part of the Barisan Mountain range which stretches along Sumatra’s west coast.
Still active today, Kerinci regularly sends plumes of smoke into the sky, reminding you that this mountain is very much alive. It last erupted in 2009, but don’t worry – the trek leads you to the outer crater rim, where you can safely look down into the smoking volcano whilst still outside the restricted danger zone.
The volcano sits inside Kerinci Seblat National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rainforests, waterfalls, and rare wildlife including Sumatran tigers and rhinos. Whilst sightings are incredibly rare for those; the unique avian life here is a popular draw for birders!
This isn’t a polished tourist trek like Rinjani or Bromo. It’s remote, rugged, and still feels like true adventure travel. Especially when trudging through any mud from recent rainfall.
About Mount Kerinci Hike
Walk type: Multi-day (out-and-back)
Distance: 18km
Maximum Elevation: 3805m (12484 ft)
Minimum Elevation: 1620m (5315 ft)
Walk time: 2 Days
Difficulty: Challenging
Highlights: Sunrise, Kerinci crater, highest volcano in Indonesia
Permit Required: Yes (see below)
Entrance Fee: 150k IDR (Foreigner) or 10-15k IDR (Indonesian) per day
Dogs Permitted: Not recommended
Mount Kerinci Hike Route
You can even partially navigate using Google Maps since the different stopping points are listed online.
Starting at the entrance gate, you will pass Bangku Panjang (Pos1), Batu Lumut (Pos2), Pos3, Shelter 1, Shelter 2, Shelter 3 before summiting the volcano.
How to get to the Mount Kerinci Trailhead
Mount Kerinci is pretty remote, so reaching the trailhead is half the adventure.
It is located at Pintu Rimba, at the edge of the forest here, at around 1800m in elevation. If you start lower down the road nearer Base Camp Bude Kerinci, it’s more like 1620m above sea level.
The nearest and most popular base for hiking Mount Kerinci is Kersik Tuo – a small and scenic village in the Kerinci valley surrounded by tea plantations. To get there:
- From Padang (West Sumatra): The most common route. Shared minibuses take 6–8 hours and cost around IDR 150,000–200,000. Private cars are faster but more expensive.
- From Jambi or Bengkulu: Less common routes but possible. Expect 8–10 hours of travel, once again by bus.
Once in Kersik Tuo, most guesthouses can help organise your trek, guide, and permits. Permits are mandatory and can only be arranged through registered guides. Self-permitting isn’t allowed, though I wasn’t aware of any checks when entering the park.
I stayed at Kerinci View which was basic, but comfortable and enjoyable and I would highly recommend. Another popular option is Wisma Rindu Alam.
If you want to save money, organise your own bus transport and then booking through your guesthouse will usually be cheaper. However, if you book a Mount Kerinci tour in Padang, transport is often included which evens the costs out.
What to expect
Mount Kerinci isn’t just a climb; it’s a full-on jungle adventure. There are no facilities on the trail, so everything (food, tents, gear) is carried by you or your guide team.
The hike can be split into sections, through 3 Positions and 3 Shelters. I’ll explain the experience chronologically through each of these checkpoints.
Since most vehicles can’t make it all the way to the park entrance due to poor road conditions, the hike begins with a short walk up to the Kerinci Seblat National Park entrance.
There are a couple of large signs marking the entrance to the National Park which are great for photos. After this you will be spending the next few hours in the jungle on a gradual incline.
The trail starts in tea plantations before plunging into thick rainforest, alive with the sounds of gibbons and birds. It’s humid, muddy, and often wet – but the lushness makes it unforgettable. We saw a handful of monkeys in the canopy, and heard even more!
After a short walk through the jungle, you will reach Pondok Bangku Panjang (Pos1) at 1889m in elevation. This stopping point is flat and sheltered by the jungle. This is the first of a few stops which are home to these cute little animals.
From Pos1 to Pos2, it’s another walk through the jungle, reaching Batu Lumut at 2020m. Then, from Pos2 to Pos3, you will reach Pondok Panorama at 2225m elevation. All of this section is largely under tree cover.
Shelter 1 is located at 2505m above sea level. Having walked through the jungle for a while, this is one of the largest clearings so far! This is usually a popular place to stop and have lunch if you started hiking at a reasonable time in the morning. We met a load of local Indonesian hikers who were setting up camp near here though.
Shelter 2 is at 3100m above sea level. It’s not a big camp here, but we bumped into plenty of friendly locals who were setting up camp in the woodland here. There is a small lookout, but it’s primarily a break in the trees. I wouldn’t spend ages here!
Lastly, Shelter 3 is located at 3350m above sea level. The tree line has ended here, so you can (in good weather) see the top of the volcano. This is the largest campsite on the volcano, and tents are often scattered amongst the shrubbery as this is the only shelter.
Set up your camp here, have dinner and an early night ahead of the early-morning start for sunrise the next day! Given the conditions, our guides made us a delicious meal which we had in our tents.
Sadly, Shelter 3 had a lot of trash… We set up camp slightly away from everyone else, on the ridge which made it more peaceful. Make sure to follow the Leave No Trace principles, and take down your rubbish!
Summiting Mount Kerinci
The summit of Puncak Gunung Kerinci is at 3805m above sea level making it a tough slog to the top. This was made even tougher by the darkness as we attempted sunrise (headtorch was necessary).
From Shelter 3 to the top, it’s around 1.5km with over 400m of elevation gain! My total moving time from Shelter 3 to the summit and back down was almost 2 hours (one hour up, then just under an hour down). However, I hiked almost as fast as I could so recommend giving yourself longer, perhaps closer to 3 hours!
At higher ground, the terrain shifts from alpine shrubs to barren volcanic rock which requires a small amount of scrambling. The final section to the summit is steep, windy, and exposed – but when the sun begins to rise over Sumatra’s rolling peaks, you forget the pain instantly.
At the top, you’re rewarded with views of the massive crater, often spewing smoke, and on clear days you can see all the way to the Indian Ocean. Whereas, cloudier days, you might see nothing at all!
The summit can be very cold with temperatures sometimes dropping below freezing (despite being tropical at the base). Therefore, wear layers. I was super grateful for my hat, gloves and snood which kept me protected from the wind.
The way down from the summit is a completely different experience to the hike up. After watching the sun rise, it’s surreal hiking down a path that you seemingly don’t recognise! Even though you already walked it!
It’s steep and has lots of loose rock, so have your poles or hands available to keep stable.
Honest Review
This was easily one of the toughest hikes I’ve done in Indonesia. More than Mount Batur, more than Mount Sibayak, and I’ve heard also tougher than Rinjani. It was also easily one of the best because of the views, peace, and the sense of achievement!
It’s physically demanding, especially if you’re not used to hiking at altitude. The muddy jungle feels endless, the camp is basic, and sleep is difficult before the early-morning summit push.
But the reward? Unreal. Watching the world light up from 3,800 metres, standing above the clouds with a smoking crater at your feet, is something I’ll never forget. Plus, we were the first to summit the volcano that morning, which added an extra little something!
Unlike Rinjani, there are no crowds or queues here. Just you, your guide, and a handful of other trekkers sharing the sunrise. Plus if you’re backpacking Indonesia, and continuing eastbound, you can feel smug knowing you’ve probably already completed the toughest hike going, or at least completed the highest one!
So, if you love adventure and don’t mind getting dirty, Mount Kerinci is an absolute must-do. It’s well worth the long journey to get there!
The only downside of this hike is that there is currently a problem with trash on the trail… Particularly around Shelter 3, people leave their trash… So please take it down with you (and anyone else’s that you can carry)!
FAQs
Can you hike Mount Kerinci solo?
Technically, no you can’t hike Mount Kerinci solo. The national park regulations require you to hire a local guide.
Guides are reasonably priced and essential for navigation and safety. They also arrange your food, camping gear, and transport to the trailhead, making logistics much smoother.
Typical 2D1N tour costs (per person):
- Solo trekker: Around IDR 2,000,000–2,500,000
- Group of 2–4: Around IDR 1,500,000–1,800,000 each
This usually includes guide, porter, camping gear, park permits, and meals. Potentially transport as well depending on where you are travelling from.
If you arrange everything in Kersik Tuo rather than Padang, prices are slightly lower and guides are local.
However, if you would rather hike independently, it seemed like it was easily done! Just be prepared to carry all your own gear up the volcano! I met several Indonesian hikers along the trail who were taking on the hike without a guide.
Best time to hike Mount Kerinci?
Best time of day: The best time to hike Mount Kerinci is for sunrise so you can witness 360-degree views as the landscape around your lights up.
Best time of year: Whilst it is possible to climb Kerinci at any time of the year (volcanic activity permitting); the best time of year to hike Mount Kerinci is during the dry season (May-September) when trails are drier, skies are clearer and views are better. If you try taking on this hike during the rainy season (November-April), the trek can become extremely muddy and poor visibility. However, it’s still possible to hike if you’re prepared for tough conditions.
Whichever time you choose to hike Mount Kerinci, bring a rain cover for your backpack and a poncho. Even in the dry season Kerinci has its own unpredictable microclimate. We experienced a hail storm shortly after we pitched the tents at Shelter 3.
Is Mount Kerinci difficult?
In short, Mount Kerinci is tough, but doable. If you’ve done other volcano hikes in Indonesia (like Rinjani or Agung), Kerinci is similar in difficulty – just wetter and wilder.
Mount Kerinci is probably about as tough as it gets in Indonesia in terms of hiking. There’s a large amount of elevation, potential obstacles (mud and tree roots), as well as a section of hiking at night if you opt for sunrise.
Mount Kerinci is a challenging trek mainly due to its elevation gain and muddy terrain. The altitude (3,805 m) can cause shortness of breath and fatigue, especially near the summit.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Fitness level: Moderate to high
- Terrain: Muddy jungle, volcanic scree
- Duration: 2 days / 1 night (3D2N also possible)
- Technical skills: None required
Can you camp on Mount Kerinci?
Yes, you can camp on Mount Kerinci. In fact, that’s the best way to experience it!
There are several sites on the way up where you can pitch a tent. Just make sure to take any trash with you as you leave the area.
If 2D1N is too fast for you, you can camp longer and turn the trek into a 3D2N hike.
Do you need a permit for Mount Kerinci?
Yes, since Mount Kerinci belongs to Kerinci Seblat National Park, permits and entry fees are required. Most tour agencies will sort this out, but if you are going independently, here’s what you need to know:
Foreign Nationals:
- Park Entry: 150,000 IDR (per day)
- Hiking Fee: 20,000 IDR
- Camping Fee: 5,000 IDR
For Indonesian Citizens:
- Park Entry: 10,000 IDR (per day) on weekdays or 15,000 IDR (per day) on weekends.
- Hiking Fee: 20,000 IDR
- Camping Fee: 5,000 IDR
What to pack and wear?
Since this is a multi-day hike there are a few essentials you’ll need.
You should wear comfortable hiking clothes which are appropriate for the weather (depending on the season you visit). This will depend on the season, but usually hiking trousers and top, with layers readily available in your backpack.
Hiking boots aren’t essential but are highly recommended. I wore my Goretex Solomons which kept my feet dry and protected from the mud. At the very least, you should wear sports trainers – though a friend had to put plastic bags inside his trainers.
Besides the clothes you’re wearing, the usual hiking essentials:
- Water: 3-4 litres for the two days.
- Headtorch: as the sunrise trek is done mostly in darkness.
- Camera: the scenery above the jungle is pretty epic!
- Snacks: most food is provided by guides, but snacks will keep your energy levels high!
- Waterproofs: the weather can change at any time so a jacket, trousers and something for your backpack is essential. Or a poncho that covers everything is another popular choice.
- Hat, scarf, gloves: it gets cold at the summit at sunrise!
- Camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, inflatable pillow and mattress): either carried by yourself of your guide.
Other hikes nearby
If you’re in the Kerinci region for longer, there’s more to explore:
- Mount Tujuh (Gunung Tujuh): A scenic lake trek nearby, often combined with Kerinci for a lighter day hike.
- Kerinci Seblat National Park: Try a wildlife trek – you might spot hornbills, gibbons, or even tiger footprints. We saw a number of hikers with humongous lenses and birds calls, in search of exotic bird species.
- Kayu Aro Tea Plantation: One of the highest tea plantations in the world, perfect for a relaxed post-trek day.
- Talang Lake & Lempur Village: More offbeat, cultural and eco-tourism experiences in the valley.
More widely in Sumatra, my favourites include Mount Sibayak.
Before you go
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Happy hiking!