Bali, Indonesia
North Bali Loop
Ten days through Bali's incredible
variety of landscapes and traditions
~395 km
Distance
10 days
Duration
Moderate
Difficulty
July 2024
Trip Date
The North Bali Loop was my escape from the busy south, ten days of lush nature and old traditions along short, easy distances. I got to see hidden waterfalls, volcanic lakes, sleepy traditional villages, bright green rice terraces and coral-rich coasts, all in the same trip. Some of the roads weren't great, but honestly that barely mattered. The variety and the charm of the loop made it manageable even as a relative beginner on a scooter, and every single day it felt like I was getting a little closer to the real Bali.
The Route
I built this itinerary for an intense, packed immersion since I didn't have unlimited time. Looking back, if I hadn't been in a rush I probably would have slowed down and lingered longer at a few of the stops. Here's the list of places that made up my loop, and what stood out about each one:
Ubud
Right in the island's heart, Ubud was my base for exploring the north. All the comforts I needed for a proper rest, plus plenty going on there in its own right.
Jatiluwih
Home to Bali's most stunning rice terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site and genuinely a must.
Munduk
Waterfalls and hiking country. Stunning views, and a very particular, quiet atmosphere.
Lovina
Bali's north coast is known for dolphin tours here, though the beaches themselves don't come close to Amed or Virgin Beach.
Sekumpul
Mountainous, and home to the biggest, most dramatic waterfall on the island.
Amed
One of Bali's best coastal spots. Laid-back, gorgeous sunsets over Mount Agung, great snorkeling and diving, even if the beaches aren't the island's finest.
Virgin Beach
A lesser-known stretch of coast that's actually one of Bali's best beaches. Relaxed, decent facilities, good snorkeling.
Sideman
This one hit differently for me. It's the peaceful, rural Bali that used to be everywhere on the island.
Kintamani
Sunrise over Mount Batur, hot springs afterward. In my opinion, the perfect note to end the loop on.
Ubud→Jatiluwih1
1Jatiluwih→Munduk2
2Munduk→Lovina3
3Lovina→Sekumpul4
4Sekumpul→Amed5
Amed5
5Amed→Virgin Beach6
6Virgin Beach→Sideman7
7Sideman→Kintamani8
8Kintamani→Ubud
Looking back, this loop through northern Bali gave me the island in its most genuine, natural form, far from the traffic and crowds that define the south. It's the kind of trip that's easy to miss if you stick to Bali's usual highlights, and I'm glad I didn't.
Trip Info