Why this road
Most visitors see Bedugul and its lake temple and turn back south. Going on over the ridge is the best part: two lakes in one view from the road, cool air at over a thousand metres, villages that live from cloves and coffee, and at the end the black sand beaches of the north. If you came up from Ubud on the Jatiluwih drive, this is the natural second half. The road is short, about 1.5 hours of driving without stops, but steep and slow.
The route
- ABedugul
Start at Lake Bratan and the temple of Ulun Danu Beratan, then head north past strawberry farms towards Pancasari, between Lake Bratan and Lake Buyan.
- 1Wanagiri
Turn left onto the ridge road above Lake Buyan. Several viewpoints look down on both lakes at once. Macaques often sit by the road, keep food out of sight.
- 2Lake Tamblingan
The smallest and quietest of the three lakes, surrounded by forest. Take the side road down to the shore, where an old temple stands by the water and fishermen use wooden canoes.
- 3Munduk
A village along the mountainside among clove, coffee and cacao gardens. Several waterfalls are a short walk from the road.
- 4Gobleg
Back a few kilometres towards the lake and turn north. From here the road drops steeply in many bends through villages and plantations.
- BLovina
On the north coast: black sand, calm water, fishing boats on the beach and a slower pace than the south.
Stops worth it
Visit Ulun Danu Beratan early, before the tour groups, when mist often still lies on the lake. There is an entrance fee.
Half an hour at the shore. You can hire a boatman for a quiet trip on the lake.
An hour for one of the waterfall walks. The paths are steep and slippery after rain, wear proper shoes.
Light and the best time
The highlands are clearest in the morning. By midday clouds often build over the mountains, and in the afternoon they can close in or bring rain. The ridge road runs west with the lakes below on your left, to the south, so with the morning sun behind you the lakes and forest are lit from the side and front. That is why this drive starts early. The descent to Lovina faces north and gets sun most of the day.
April to October is the dry season and the best time. In the wet season, roughly November to March, it rains often and the mountain roads get slippery, with landslides possible. The highlands are cool all year, bring a light jacket. Weekends bring more local traffic to Bedugul.
By vehicle
The usual way to travel here, but only if you are an experienced rider. The descent to the coast is long, steep and full of tight bends, use your brakes in short bursts and watch for sand and wet patches.
Easy with a driver or a rental car, but the roads are narrow and steep. Oncoming trucks in the bends need room.
Good to know
There are no tolls on this route. Indonesia drives on the left. You need a valid licence for the vehicle plus an International Driving Permit, and for a scooter that means a motorcycle licence; helmets are compulsory and police checks are common. Temples, lakeside areas and waterfalls charge entrance fees and some ask for a sarong, check on site. Fuel up in Bedugul or at stations along the way. Avoid driving the descent in heavy rain or after dark.
Route checked against OpenStreetMap on 2 November 2026. Roads, closures and rules change: always check before you go and follow local signs.
Questions
How long does it take to drive from Bedugul to Munduk?
Only about half an hour to 45 minutes. The whole route from Bedugul via Munduk to Lovina is about 1.5 hours of driving without stops.
Is the road to Munduk safe by scooter?
For experienced riders, yes. It is steep and winding, and very slippery in rain. If you are not confident on a scooter, take a car with a driver.
Where is the twin lakes viewpoint in Bali?
On the ridge road at Wanagiri, above Lake Buyan, a short drive west of Bedugul. You can see Buyan and Tamblingan from several spots.
What is the best time of day for the Bali highlands?
Early morning. Clouds often build by midday and it may rain in the afternoon.
Can I combine this with the Jatiluwih rice terraces?
Yes. The drive from Ubud via Jatiluwih ends in Bedugul, where this one begins. Together they make a good two-day trip with a night in the highlands.