Mount Klabat

1,995 m (6,545 ft)

Mount Klabat can be summitted within one long day. It takes a moderately fit person about 4-6 hours to ascend (but could take as long as 8 hours) to the summit and about 4 hours to descend. Some climbers choose to camp at a flat area about 30 minutes before the summit to take the pressure off and to increase the chances of a cloudless view from the summit the next morning.

The trail starts at the police station in Airmadidi, goes up a gravel road, and follows along the side of some crop fields. After about half an hour the path leads up into the rainforest. There are six rest stops (Posts) along the way, with the first being in the forest at about 557m (1827 ft) of elevation. From Post 1 to 2 is an easy, gentle hike. The trail at this point follows the path of a stream. This can make the trail slippery when it rains a lot. At about 916m (3005 ft) you will find Post 2. About 100m(328 ft) to the right of the post there is water available to drink from the stream.

At about 1050m (3444 ft) you will find Post 3. Here there is a log where you can sit and rest. From this point onwards there are several steep sections. From Post 3 to 6 (1910m/ 6266 ft) the climb is a challenge. You will be climbing using all fours at some points as well as grabbing onto things to get up. The vegetation is bushy and has reeds and grass. You will have to go through steep passes and manoeuvre over large tree roots and boulders.

Up to this point, the trail is largely shaded due to the canopy of the forest. About half an hour before the summit the trail emerges from the forest into an open area that is suitable for camping.

The vegetation at the summit consists of bushes, grass, reeds, and trees. There is a magnificent view of the city and coastline below a few minutes’ walk beyond the summit.

The temperatures are fairly consistent throughout the year in this area, averaging about 26˚C/ 78.8˚F. Rainfall varies according to the seasons. The most rainfall occurs between November and May, averaging about 280mm (11 inches) of rain in a month. The driest months are from June to October when rainfall sticks below 200mm (7.8 inches) each month. This would be the best time to climb Mount Klabat, to get a less muddy and slippery trail.

Hiking shoes with a proper grip and hiking poles would be advised for this trail as it can get quite slippery. Gloves would also be helpful as many sections of the trail require you to grab onto things to climb and gloves will also help to avoid getting leeches on your hands.

There is a stream where you can get water at Post 2, Post 6, and at the open campground about 30 minutes below the summit. Though, as of recent years these cannot be relied upon as a source of water because much of the water has dried up.

There are no huts along the trail where you can sleep, but there are two or three very simple wooden structures that can provide shelter. There is food available in town at the start of the trail, but no food along the trail or at the summit.

You are not required by regulation to have a guide, though a guide would be recommended if you do not know the route, as it can be tricky to navigate within the forest with no physical signposts.

You are encouraged by local authorities to sign the register/sign in the guestbook at the police station before climbing.

A guide can also double as a porter, which is helpful if you are planning to camp.

Mount Klabat is easy to get to once you are in Sulawesi. The starting point is located in the small town of Airmadidi which is a 1-hour drive from Manado along the main road toward Bitung. There are busses that take this route regularly. The closest international airport is in Manado, and accommodation can be found easily here.

To get to Manado, a flight can be taken from Makassar, Jakarta, or Singapore.

Mount Klabat is not a very popular trail, so it is not likely that you will see anyone on the trail. Because of the potentially slippery and tricky terrain, it is recommended that you do not go alone. Also, beware of leeches in the rainforest.