Campuhan Ridge Walk

Shannon
Sep 16
3 min read

Walking the Sacred Spine of Ubud

The Campuhan Ridge Walk runs for about two km's along a narrow rise between two rivers, the eastern and western branches of the Wos. It begins where these rivers meet, at a confluence long considered sacred. The name Campuhan literally means “mixture” or “union” and this is both a geographical meeting point and a spiritual one. From the ridge, the land drops sharply into forested river gorges before rising again into terraced rice fields that stretch out like green circuitry across the hills.

Winding path through lush, green hills with a single tall palm tree. Dense forest in the background under a clear blue sky.

About halfway along the trail, the village of Bangkiang Sidem appears, surrounded by a patchwork of working fields. There’s no show here, just local farmers, carved stone shrines buried in brush and offerings left on the edges of paths. This part of Bali hasn’t been flattened for tourists. The terraces are irrigated using the subak system, an ancient network of canals managed by temple priests, not the government. The water isn’t just functional, it’s spiritual and part of a worldview where the health of the land, the gods and the people are all linked.

This philosophy, known as Tri Hita Karana, still shapes the relationship between Bali’s sacred spaces and its agriculture. On the ridge, you can actually see it in motion, temples standing at the head of rice fields, priests maintaining water flow and villagers performing rituals that quietly bind the system together. There’s a reason the fields look so orderly, they’re part of a centuries old balance between survival and belief.

Lush green landscape with dense trees and scattered houses in the background, under a bright, slightly cloudy sky. Tranquil and scenic.

The story of Campuhan itself reaches back to the 8th century, when the wandering Javanese sage Rsi Markandeya is said to have discovered the area during his spiritual journey across Bali. He meditated where the rivers meet and claimed to have felt a powerful spiritual current in the ground and water. The spot became a sacred site. Today, that same water is still used for purification rituals, cremations and temple ceremonies, its energy considered capable of healing both physical and spiritual illness.

Despite its spiritual depth, the Campuhan Ridge Walk doesn’t ask much of you physically. The path is mostly paved, mostly flat and takes only a couple of hours. What it gives back is something else entirely. Wide open views of rice fields in motion, glimpses into the rhythms of Balinese life and the sense that you’re walking through a landscape that means something, not just to the people who live here but to the culture that’s shaped it for over a thousand years.

Lush green terraced rice fields under a cloudy sky, with sunlight streaming through. Small huts and trees dot the serene landscape.

🗺️ Location

Kelusa, Payangan, Jalan Raya Camphuan, Sayan, Ubud Village, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia

🚆 How to get there

From the Ubud Markets head down the main street Jalan Raya, towards the bridge. Just before the bridge on the right hand side, you will see signs to the Warwick Ibah villas and spa. Another sign will point you towards 'Trekking Campuhan Ridge". Head down the stairs and walk around the eastern perimeter walls of the Pura Gunung Lebah Temple. Then veer right, you can't miss it.

⭐ Attraction Info

Campuhan Ridge is a free and easy nature trek, within walking distance just out of the town. The best time to to go for a stroll is either at sunrise or sunset, when the temperature is cool and it’s not too busy. A leisurely return trip will take about 1 1/2 hours. While there are cafes dotted past the top of the walk, it is advisable to bring some water and wear a hat. It's certainly a trek worth doing while in Ubud, however the Kajeng rice fields are far superior for photo opportunities and the welcome lack of tourists. By all means, do both but do Campuhan first to avoid disappointment.