Mount Awu

1,320 m (4,330ft)

When the mountain is open for climbing, it takes 3-4 hours to reach the summit, and 2-3 hours to descend. In total, the climb takes an entire day. It is recommended to leave early in the morning so as to return while it is still light and to increase the chances of clear skies since it is usually clear in the early morning.

Some people choose to camp about an hour below the crater rim so that they have some time to explore the crater and so that if the sky clouds over in the afternoon, they can have a fresh start in the morning with clear skies and a magnificent view from the crater rim in the morning.

The trail that takes you to the crater rim starts in a nearby village. You follow a fairly flat road for 138m/452.7 ft which increases in elevation to a gentle slope as you go on until you reach some coconut plantations. Within these plantations, there are lots of different trails that lead through the plantations to the crater rim as well as several huts which work well as rest stops. There are one or two steep sections through the plantations.

Once you reach the end of the coconut plantations, the vegetation changes into rain forest, lots of ferns, and other greenery. The terrain gently inclines at this point.

Just over two hours from the start at roughly 600m/1968.5ft elevation, the forest opens up to form a sort of clearing. You can see all the way down to the town from here and will be able to for most of the rest of the way. You follow a ridge up to just above 700m/2296.59 ft elevation and find a boulder, over which you must climb.

Roughly one hour before reaching the crater rim there is another clearing of sorts with level ground, which is suitable for camping if you decide to go with this option.

At about 990m/3248ft of elevation, there is a particularly steep section that could be slippery, and you may have to clamber over some tricky sections around this elevation. The trail zig-zags a bit as you get nearer to the crater rim (at about 1250m/4101ft).

On the upper slopes and near the crater rim the landscape is grassy and open. You can look down into the crater and see the lava dome and waterfalls tumbling off the cliffs, as well as a view of everything below the mountain, (when there are no clouds). You can even find a way down into the crater for further exploration.

The highest point of the mountain is not really accessible, as it is on the other side of the crater rim, and you can’t get there because of the steep cliffs. Some have attempted it, but it is considered dangerous.

The weather is fairly mild in this region of Indonesia. Temperatures do not vary substantially between the seasons. It is quite rainy all year round, though the dry months are meant to be July to September, and the wet months October to June.

The peak itself tends to become surrounded by clouds later in the day, blocking the views and making it a bit more difficult to navigate the descent. It is, therefore, important to leave early in the morning if you want to avoid this, or camp over at the clearing below the crater rim.

The trail is well worn, so a good pair of hiking shoes should be enough to navigate this hike.

There are huts through the coconut plantations that are suitable for using as rest stops. Once on the other side of the coconut plantations, there are no more man-made facilities. Water is available via streams on the upper slopes, during the rainy season. Supplies can be gathered at Tahuna before the climb.

Guides are recommended if it is your first time climbing, as it can be tricky finding the correct path through the coconut plantations on the lower slopes of the mountain. A porter is not required unless by choice if you are camping- though you could probably manage on your own.

There are no permits required for this hike, though some hikers have recommended taking a photocopy of your passport, just in case.

Mount Awu is on an island off the coast of Indonesia. This Island is called Sangihe and is located in the North Sulawesi province of Indonesia, about 254km/157.8 mi from Manado. The closest airport to the starting point is in Naha, which is roughly 40 minutes’ drive from Tahuna – the closest town to the starting point. Here you can find accommodation. You may need a day or two to plan your transport from the airport to Tahuna and then to the starting point which is in a village called Angges, a few kilometres north of Tahuna.

You can also catch a flight from Manado to Naha if flying directly to Naha from your location is not possible for any reason. These flights only happen twice a week, though.

This is a well-travelled hike, but not crowded. Mount Awu is, however, an active volcano, and is therefore sometimes closed for climbing due to volcanic activity. You should check what the activity status level is for the volcano before planning a climb.

There are also a few leeches, which are not too dangerous and can be pulled off easily.