Hiking Mount Sibayak in Berastagi (Sumatra)
If you’ve ever wanted to climb an active volcano without needing ropes or weeks of training, Mount Sibayak is your chance. Rising above the highlands of Berastagi in North Sumatra, this steaming, sulphur-scented giant is one of Indonesia’s most accessible volcano hikes – and one of the most rewarding. In fact, hiking Mount Sibayak in Berastagi wasn’t just the highlight of my time in Berastagi, but potentially in the whole of Sumatra!
With panoramic views, bubbling vents, and a sunrise that lights up the crater, it’s easy to see why Sibayak is a local favourite hike. Whether you do it independently or with a guide, this short but punchy adventure offers a taste of volcanic Indonesia at its best. So let’s cover exactly how to complete it!
About Mount Sibayak
Mount Sibayak (2,212 m), who’s name comes from the Karo Batak people meaning “King’s Mountain”, is a stratovolcano located just outside Berastagi, about 70 km from Medan. It last erupted over a century ago, but you’ll still find fumaroles hissing and sulphur clouds rising from the crater floor.
Unlike many of Indonesia’s more intense climbs, Sibayak is short and well-trodden, making it perfect for casual hikers or those new to volcano trekking.
It’s also one of the few volcanoes in Indonesia where you can walk right into the crater, hear it rumble, and still be back in town before lunch. Also, several of the nearby towns have geothermal energy from the volcano, making thermal pools a great visit after your hike.
About Mount Sibayak Hike
Walk type: Out-and-back
Distance: 4.8km
Maximum Elevation: 2212m (7257 ft)
Minimum Elevation: 1659m (5443 ft)
Walk time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Sunrise, Sibayak crater, views of Mt Sinabung
Permit Required: No
Entrance Fee: 20,000 IDR (+ 15,000 moped parking)
Dogs Permitted: Yes
Mount Sibayak Hike Route
Navigating the Mount Sibayak hike is pretty simple, even if you’re going up in the dark for sunrise. Simply follow the out-and-back route in the map below. You can save this offline or use maps.me to help follow the path.
You’ll see once you reach the clearing and witness the volcanic fumes all the places you can hike to. On the right hand side is the main sunrise viewpoint, while opposite that is the highest point of the volcano (which is a bit quieter).
How to get to the Mount Sibayak Trailhead
From Berastagi, there are multiple ways to get to the trailhead of Mount Sibayak.
- Moped: The easiest way is to rent a moped and drive directly to the start point. Here you will pay the 20k IDR entrance fee and there is space to park your bike. This is the method I chose – it was easy enough but also required taking on some very small and questionable roads in the dark.
- Public Transport: It’s not the easiest to get to Mount Sibayak by public transport, but your best bet is to catch the green bus from town, which heads up in the direction. It won’t drop you at the top, so it’ll add a few kilometers to your hike. It’s doable, but you won’t be able to do sunrise like this.
- Guided Tour: The most expensive way to get there is to book a tour through a travel company which picks you up from your accommodation. This is the easiest and pretty much guarantees you arrive in at your preferred time.
Hiking Mount Sibayak: What to expect
At the entrance gate, you will need to sign your name, time of arrival and nationality, as well as pay the 20,000 IDR entrance fee. Once done, you’re free to explore – just pass through the arch at the entrance to the park!
The initial trail is a snaking paved path as you gain elevation. Even if you’re hiking in the dark, it’s hard to get lost here!
Follow this route until a building, where you will see the hiking route veers off to the left. There is a short section of steeper climbing, before the trail evens out to a gentle incline.
You will pass through a section of dead bamboo, which arches overhead making a surreal environment. As you pass through the jungle, you will eventually reach a clearing where you can see the sky and the landscape opens out. At this point, you will be able to see a few more mountains.
If you are climbing for sunrise, you should be able to see a gentle glow in the direction of the volcano as the sun begins to rise.
You will also be able to see the gases coming from the volcano. Continue following the path in this direction. As you get closer (and depending on the wind), you will begin to smell the sulphur.
Pass with the crater on your left, and follow the path up to the right until you reach the eastern peak of the volcano! Near this summit, there is a rope to help you climb up to the top. Here is where the best view of sunrise is!
At the summit there are a few signs which make for aesthetic photos! It can get quite windy up here as it’s so exposed. You can walk all the way along the ridge, looking down towards the village of Semangat Gunung below.
We had a cloud inversion which was beautiful, but meant we couldn’t see the village at first!
Once you’re done here (or once sunrise has passed), I recommend walking down towards the crater to take a closer look. Depending on when you go, the crater may be completely dry (like here), or have a pool of water (as suggested in maps.me). When I visited, there were several markings where people had moved rocks around to create messages.
You can walk up to the left, towards the yellow vents in the volcano. The smell of sulphur here is very strong so don’t spend too long here inhaling the fumes!
We continued up to the true summit (2212m) to have breakfast and was completely alone (which made a difference from the other peak). In my opinion the views here are even more stunning! But perhaps that was because the clouds cleared more for us as we continued into the morning.
The trail up here is relatively obvious to start, but then turns into an easy scramble. Be careful near any large drops here.
Heading back down the volcano follows the same path back to the entrance. This time it should be much easier in daylight as you retrace your steps. As we walked through the jungle section, we could hear monkeys in the distance.
Alternatively, if you didn’t arrive by bike, you can hike an alternative route down towards Semangat Gunung. From here, you can chill out at the hot springs, then catch a bus back to Berastagi.
Honest Review
Mount Sibayak surprised me. It’s short, easy to access, and still manages to feel wild. The contrast between the peaceful farmland and the raw volcanic power at the summit is incredible.
It’s not a strenuous hike, but the sulphur smell and slippery rocks add just enough adventure to make it memorable. And watching the sun rise over Sinabung’s silhouette, knowing it’s one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, is a surreal experience.
The only downside? You won’t have it all to yourself. Sibayak is popular with local hikers, especially on weekends and holidays. But the energy at the summit (mainly selfies and laughter), is part of the charm. It’ll also mean you should have someone else to take a snap or two of you!
FAQs
Can you hike Mount Sibayak solo?
Yes, you can hike Mount Sibayak without a guide – I did! Navigation is very easy and you will probably see others on the trail itself (even at sunrise). Just make sure you take the necessary safety precautions. If you do hike solo, let someone else know where you are going before you leave.
Guides and tours available online. This is also a great option if you want to hike with other people!
Best time to hike Mount Sibayak?
Best time of day: By far the best time to hike Mount Sibayak is for sunrise so you can capture the magical views. Well, as long as it’s not cloudy! I realise how lucky I was to catch an epic sunrise, as both the day before and day after I went was more overcast at sunrise (despite being sunny for the rest of the day).
Best time of year: The best time of year to hike Mount Sibayak is during the dry season (May-September).
Is Mount Sibayak difficult?
Though some people are told stories of danger on the volcano, it’s actually one of the most accessible hikes for beginners! There isn’t much elevation overall, and the level of effort that you have to put in for such amazing views is surprisingly minimal!
The main dangers stem from tripping on rocks and walking along any thin ridges when exploring the summit. Both of which are manageable if you have some experience and conditions are favourable.
The drive on moped took slightly longer than I expected because of questionable roads (and my own navigational skills…). Therefore we hopped up the trail in a little over 30 minutes! This is much faster than the recommended 45-60 minutes, but just shows it’s doable.
Can you camp on Mount Sibayak?
Yes, you can camp on Mount Sibayak. This is a great way to make sure you catch sunrise and it will also give you some peace on the volcano before others arrive!
There are several flat spots where you can pitch a tent. Just make sure to take any trash with you as you leave the area.
The only downside is the sulphur smell if the wind points in your direction.
What to pack and wear?
Weather forecasts in Sumatra aren’t particularly reliable, so it’s best to be prepared.
If you’re hiking during the day, shorts and a T-shirt should be sufficient. Whereas, if you’re hiking for sunrise, it’ll be a bit cooler, so you may consider hiking trousers instead.
The summit is exposed and can get windy, so bringing a fleece or warm item of clothing is recommended. Likewise, a waterproof jacket just in case! If it’s sunny, a good hat is also handy.
You can see in the picture above what I decided to wear. This was taken at around 8am at the peak! Shortly afterwards, I decided to de-layer as I was getting hot!
Aside from the clothes that you’re wearing, you should bring:
- Water: 2 litres.
- Snacks: Keeping your energy levels up is important, especially if you’re hiking at sunrise on an empty stomach.
- Camera: the 360-degree scenery is pretty epic!
- Battery pack: Just to make sure your phone is always topped up for directions and photos.
- Cash: For entry and transport/parking
- Sunglasses & Sun cream: Once the sun comes up
- Insect repellent: There are a few insects on the highest peak during the day time.
- Swimming costume: If you decide to visit the thermal baths directly after.
- 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.
- Camping equipment (optional): Only if you wish to pitch a tent and sleep up there.
Where to stay in Berastagi
There are plenty of accommodation options in Berastagi, Sumatra. You choice depends on your budget and personal preferences. My only recommendation is to avoid staying directly on the main road as it can get noisy. Here are my top two recommendations:
- Gintribu Hostel: Potentially the most social hostel in Berastagi, this hostel located on the edge of town. The owners are very helpful and it’s very peaceful. I ended up extending my stay here multiple times.
- Kaesa Homestay: Located walking distance from the main street, this family-run homestay is one of the best value accommodation options in Berastagi.
Other Hikes in Sumatra
Besides Mount Sibayak, there are a few other accessible hikes in Sumatra.
- Mount Sinabung: Still very active, but you can find a guide online. On clear days, Mount Sinabung is one of the highlights of hiking Mount Sibayak, so it could be nice to spot it the other way around!
- Mount Kerinci: The highest volcano in Indonesia. Best completed as a multi-day trek (often including transport from Padang).
- Harau Valley Panorama: A lesser visited section of Sumatra, Harau is home to grand cliffs overlooking stunning farmland.
I’m not sure if this counts, but orangutan trekking in Bukit Lawang or Ketembe are also further options to get your legs moving!
Before you go
Thank you for reading my travel guide on hiking Mount Sibayak in Sumatra. If guides, itineraries, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my Homepage to find out more.
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Happy hiking!