You may have seen recent posts claiming that Mount Merapi hiking is open again. Local guides are advertising climbs from Selo, hikers are sharing summit photos, and online discussions can make it look like the official ban has finally ended.
But it has not. As of July 2026, hiking Mount Merapi is still officially prohibited.
The fact that people are climbing Merapi does not mean the hike is legal, safe or officially permitted. For foreign travelers in particular, joining an unofficial hike can also create serious problems with insurance, emergency assistance and responsibility if something goes wrong.
If you want to feel the atmosphere of Mount Merapi without taking unnecessary risks, here are a few better alternatives you can choose.
Why Is Hiking Mount Merapi Not Allowed?
Mount Merapi used to be one of the most popular volcano hikes near Yogyakarta and Solo. Most hikers started from New Selo in Boyolali, on the northern side of the mountain, and followed the route through Pos I, Pos II and up toward Pasar Bubrah. Even before the full closure, hikers were generally not supposed to continue all the way to the crater. The safer limit was around Pasar Bubrah, below the summit area.
The situation changed in May 2018, when Merapi’s status increased from Level I / Normal to Level II / Waspada. Since then, official hiking access has been closed. In November 2020, the status increased again to Level III / Siaga, and it has remained a dangerous active volcano, with ongoing risks such as lava avalanches, hot clouds and possible explosive activity.
This is why hiking Mount Merapi is not officially allowed at the moment. The old hiking route through New Selo lies inside the danger zone, and authorities have warned people not to do activities within 3 km of the summit. This matters because the upper part of the hiking route is very exposed. If volcanic activity suddenly increases, hikers do not have many safe places to hide or escape.
You may still see posts or local discussions about people going up Merapi, especially from the Selo side. But for travelers, this is not the same as an official reopening. Until TNGM, PVMBG or BPPTKG clearly announce that hiking is allowed again, it is better to treat Merapi as a volcano to experience from a safe distance, not as a mountain to climb.
Safer Ways to Experience Mount Merapi
Even if you cannot hike to the summit, Mount Merapi is still one of the most interesting volcanoes to experience in Central Java. You just need to approach it differently. Instead of trying to climb into the danger zone, it makes more sense to visit places where you can see the landscape, understand the eruptions, and feel the atmosphere of the mountain from a safer distance.
Join a Merapi Jeep Lava Tour
The most popular way to experience Merapi is by joining a jeep lava tour from the Kaliurang or Kaliadem area. These tours usually take you through old lava flow areas, dusty volcanic roads, viewpoints, and places connected to past eruptions.
It is a touristy activity, but it does give you a good sense of how powerful Merapi is. You can see the rough volcanic landscape, abandoned areas, and the way local communities live close to one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes.
Most tours are short and easy to arrange from Yogyakarta, so this is a practical option if you only have half a day and do not want to deal with complicated logistics.
Learn more in Lava Tour Guide: Reliving the Memories of Mount Merapi’s Eruption.
Soft Trekking at the Foot of Mount Merapi
You do not need to hike Mount Merapi to feel the atmosphere of the volcano. A safer way to experience it is by doing a soft trekking route around the lower slopes, especially in areas like Kaliurang, Kalikuning or Kalitalang.
Kalikuning is one of the more scenic options. The walk usually starts near Plunyon Bridge, an old bridge at the foot of Mount Merapi, with the yellowish river flowing below it. From there, you can follow the riverside trail through trees, bushes and small open areas, with views of Merapi appearing in the background when the weather is clear.
This kind of walk gives you a light hiking feeling without entering the dangerous summit area. Along the way, you can enjoy the river, rest near the water, and visit small natural springs such as Umbul Lanang and Umbul Wadon. It is more of a nature walk than a serious mountain trek, so it works well if you want something relaxed and safer.
Soft trekking is also possible around Kaliurang and Kalitalang. In Kaliurang, one popular route leads toward Puncak Pronojiwo, while Kalitalang is known for one of the clearer views toward Merapi’s crater opening. As always around Merapi, views depend on the weather, so mornings are usually the better time to go.
Merapi Night Lava Tour
If you want a different way to experience Mount Merapi, you can also consider a Merapi night lava tour. Instead of hiking, this tour takes you to a safe viewing area where you can watch Merapi’s activity from a distance.
On active nights, lava can sometimes be seen glowing on Merapi’s slopes in short but dramatic bursts. You do not need to climb anywhere near the summit. One option is to watch the lava from the Turgo Hill, another is to travel west.
Of course, sightings depend on the current volcanic activity, weather and visibility. If the sky is clear and Merapi is active, you may be able to see glowing lava flows several times during the night.
For more details, you can read our full article about the Merapi night lava tour. You can also email us at hello@backindo.com, and we’ll share the contact of a driver who can arrange the tour from Merapi’s western slope, following the same route we took.
Merapi Panorama from Kedung Kayang Waterfall
Another place to enjoy the view of Mount Merapi is Kedung Kayang Waterfall in Magelang, close to the border with Boyolali. The waterfall itself is already worth a short stop, but one of the main reasons to come here is the wider landscape: on clear days, you can see Mount Merapi rising behind the valley.
This is a good alternative if you want to combine a light nature stop with Merapi views, without going too close to the volcano. The path to the viewpoint and waterfall can be slippery, especially after rain, so wear proper shoes and come earlier in the day if you want a better chance of clear weather.
For a softer nature stop around Merapi, you can also visit Kedung Kayang Waterfall: A Hidden Gem Near Merapi.
Visit the Merapi Museum
The Merapi Museum is worth adding if you want to understand the volcano beyond just taking photos. It explains Merapi’s eruptions, volcanic activity, and the impact the mountain has on nearby communities.
This can be especially useful before or after a jeep tour, because it gives more context to the places you see around Kaliadem and Kaliurang. Merapi is not only a scenic volcano; it is also a real natural risk for people living in the area.
Choose Mount Merbabu Instead
If your main goal is hiking, Mount Merbabu is usually the better alternative. It sits close to Merapi and offers wide views of the surrounding volcanoes, including Merapi on a clear day.
Merbabu is still a serious mountain hike, so you need to check the current rules, prepare properly, and choose the right route. But unlike Merapi, it is commonly used as a hiking destination when official access is open, and it gives you a proper volcano trekking experience without entering Merapi’s restricted zone.
So Is Mount Merapi Still Worth Visiting?
Even though you cannot hike Mount Merapi right now, that does not mean you have to skip the volcano completely. Merapi is still one of the most impressive mountains in Java, and you can experience its atmosphere without entering the dangerous summit area.
For most travelers, the better option is to stay around the foothills, join a jeep or night lava tour, try soft trekking in Kaliurang or Kalikuning, or see Merapi from nearby viewpoints. These alternatives are safer, easier to arrange, and still give you a strong sense of the volcano’s power.
Mount Merapi is not a mountain to treat casually. Check the latest official updates, respect the restricted zones, and choose an activity that lets you enjoy the landscape without taking unnecessary risks.
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