Mount Rinjani & Segara Anak D1 Waypoint
14 May 2026 20 waypoints 26 photos 9.46 km
D1 Itinerary
We started from Sembalun Trailhead at 1,156 m elevation. The route begins through flat farmland, then woods with cattle resting and grazing inside — the grade rises gently here, and the views are very open.
At Waypoint 4 you reach a big grassland where you can see motorbikes heading up the mountain. There's a basic separation between people and bikes on this stretch, but still stop, look and listen when passing each other.
We took a long break at Pos 1, Waypoint 6. As noted in my trail report, start guarding your food seriously from Pos 1 onward — even once you're camped above 2,600 m, bring your food bags or pack inside the tent after dark. After that we continued to Pos 2 for lunch, where there's a full shop and toilets, then set off again after resting.
Past Pos 2, the climb steepens gradually with each rest station. Past Pos 3, the ground underfoot shifts from plain mud and rock to Rinjani's famous scree, gravel and fine sand. This is where you get your first taste of the one-step-forward-half-step-back feeling — the entire summit push the next day is this kind of terrain.
The main camping area at the crater rim, Pelawangan Sembalun (2,639 m), was already full when we arrived, so we pushed on another 820 m toward the summit and camped at Waypoint 24, which overlooks Segara Anak (Child of the Sea) crater lake. If the weather's good when you arrive, it's worth resting a bit and then waiting here for sunset. From here you can look down on Sembalun village, the coastline in the distance, and the beautiful Segara Anak (Child of the Sea) crater lake. When the sunset glow turns the sea of clouds red, it's an incredibly peaceful sight.
This stretch has less vegetation and feels strongly exposed to the sun, but you can feel the climate shifting as the elevation climbs. Arriving at camp, the sheer scale of the crater rim makes you forget the fatigue of the climb almost instantly.
The night sky at Pelawangan Sembalun 2 was one of the best starry skies I've seen in all my years of hiking. If the weather allows, put on warm layers and go out to take photos, or just sit and take in the night view quietly.
Trail Log
01 Sembalun Trailhead
2,699 m1,066↓16 min 720 m ↑89 m
02 Daydream Pavilion
2,699 m1,066↓9 min 360 m ↑43 m
03 Cows Taking a Nap
2,699 m1,066↓12 min 650 m ↑82 m
04 Motorbike Road + Short BreakMentioned in text
2,699 m1,066↓9 min 20 m
05 Recording Resumes
2,699 m1,066↓25 min 1.39 km ↑139 m
06 Pos 1Mentioned in text
2,699 m1,066↓16 min 0 m
07 Recording Resumes
2,699 m1,066↓22 min 1.34 km ↑98 m
08 Motorbike Station
2,699 m1,066↓2 min 70 m
09 Bridge
2,699 m1,066↓2 min 90 m ↑11 m
10 Pos 2
2,699 m1,066↓43 min 40 m ↑12 m
11 Recording Resumes
2,699 m1,066↓22 min 930 m ↑171 m
12 Short Break on the Platform
2,699 m1,066↓10 min 360 m ↑42 m
14 Rest Spot
2,699 m1,066↓5 min 230 m ↑27 m
15 Pos 3
2,699 m1,066↓2 min 80 m ↑23 m
16 Short Break at the Daydream Pavilion
2,699 m1,066↓35 min 370 m ↑110 m
18 Small Rest Spot
2,699 m1,066↓23 min 570 m ↑183 m
19 Pos 4
2,699 m1,066↓51 min 640 m ↑225 m
21 Viewpoint
2,699 m1,066↓41 min 730 m ↑288 m
22 Main Campground
2,699 m1,066↓28 min 870 m ↑86 m
24 Tonight's CampsiteMentioned in text
2,699 m1,066
End of record16:02 2699 m 9.46 km Pelawangan Sembalun 2
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