Bali’s Most
Mischievous
Walking Trail
Trail at a Glance
TIME
1-2 hrs
Depending on stops
DIFFICULTY
Easy
Paved paths, stairs, bridges
DISTANCE
0.9 mile
Loop
ELEVATION
~121 feet
Approximate
Quick Trail Notes
Location
Jl. Monkey Forest, Padangtegal, Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80571, Indonesia
The full loop is not wheelchair accessible because of uneven stone paths, numerous staircases, steep sections, and bridges throughout the forest. Visitors with limited mobility can still enjoy many of the lower pathways and temple surroundings.
Facilities
The sanctuary includes restrooms, a restaurant/canteen, parking, a public hall, a police post, and several visitor information areas.
Water Availability
Bottled water and beverages are available for purchase at the restaurant and nearby cafés outside the sanctuary. Do not carry food or drinks through the monkey habitat, as they may attract the macaques.
Cell Service
Cell reception is generally excellent throughout the sanctuary, making it easy to use maps, rideshare apps, and mobile payments.
Seasonal Closures
Open year-round. During Bali’s rainy season (November–March), paths, bridges, and staircases can become slippery. Early morning visits during the dry season (April–October) generally offer the most comfortable weather and smaller crowds.
Hours
Generally 9 AM – 6 PM (last entry at 5 PM)
Cost
Approximately IDR 80,000 to 100,000 for adults, with slightly lower rates for children.
Maps
Available at https://monkeyforestubud.com/visit/#/
Safety Concerns
Maintain a respectful distance from the monkeys and avoid direct eye contact. Do not bring food or drinks into the sanctuary, and secure loose items such as sunglasses, hats, jewelry, cameras, or phones, as curious macaques are known to grab unattended belongings. Never attempt to touch, feed, or provoke the monkeys.
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoes, lightweight clothing that respectfully covers shoulders and knees, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a compact rain jacket. Carry only essentials in a securely zipped bag.
Read Along the Route
The lush, storybook pathways of the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary feel perfectly matched with Island of Demons, a book that offers a fascinating glimpse into Balinese rituals, spirituality, and culture beyond the surface.
FREE PRINTABLE GUIDE
Take the jungle sanctuary walk with you.
Save or print this Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary map before your visit to Ubud. Follow this easy 0.9-mile loop beneath towering banyan trees, past ancient temples, and alongside playful long-tailed macaques. Use this printable guide to navigate the forest trails, locate key landmarks and sacred sites, discover the sanctuary’s natural and cultural highlights, and make the most of one of Bali’s most memorable walks.
Tucked into the vibrant heart of Ubud, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary offers a walk that feels equal parts nature escape and cultural immersion, with just a touch of cinematic adventure.
Dating back to the 14th century, this lush forest has long been considered sacred by the village of Padangtegal, rooted in the Balinese philosophy of harmony between people, nature, and the spiritual world. But as you step onto the .9-mile paved loop, it’s hard not to feel like you’ve wandered straight into an Indiana Jones movie.
The path quickly slips beneath a dense canopy of towering banyan trees, where the light filters in softly and the air turns cool and earthy. Moss-covered statues line the walkway, some fierce, some crumbling, half-hidden beneath vines and roots, as though the jungle is slowly reclaiming them. You cross narrow stone bridges guarded by carved creatures, and every turn feels like it might reveal something ancient just out of sight.
And then, of course, there are the monkeys. The sanctuary is home to over a thousand Balinese long-tailed macaques that bring a lively, unpredictable energy to the forest. They lounge along the path, leap overhead, and watch you with a kind of bold curiosity that makes it clear you’re the visitor in their world. At one point, I paused to take in the scenery, completely unaware that I’d become part of the entertainment. My sunscreen—tucked inside an open pouch in my backpack—must have caught their attention with its coconut scent.
Before I could react, a monkey darted in, grabbed it with impressive speed, and scampered up a nearby tree like it had just struck gold. There it perched, turning the bottle over in its hands, completely absorbed in its discovery. When I instinctively stepped a little closer, hoping it might drop it, the monkey let out a sharp hiss—just enough to make its position clear. Message received. I stopped in my tracks, watching as it clutched its prize and, moments later, disappeared deeper into the canopy, sunscreen and all. Equal parts hilarious and humbling, it was a quick reminder that in this forest, you’re very much a guest, and the monkeys tend to win.
As the path continues, the jungle deepens and the temples appear almost unexpectedly, like hidden ruins waiting to be discovered. Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal rises dramatically from the forest floor, its dark stone gates and intricate carvings adding to that sense of mystery and reverence. Further along, the sound of water leads you to Pura Beji, where the atmosphere softens and the steady flow of a nearby stream brings a quiet calm. Near the edge of the sanctuary, Pura Prajapati offers a more reflective pause, its connection to the island’s cremation traditions grounding the experience in the rhythms of life and renewal.
By the time you loop back toward the entrance, the forest begins to loosen its hold, the light brightens, and the sounds of Ubud slowly return.
It’s the kind of walk that stays with you, part adventure, part stillness, and just unpredictable enough to feel alive.
“Bali was a place where the worlds of men, gods and demons overlapped.”
Nigel Barley, Island of Demons
THOUGHTFULLY RESEARCHED
Written by Jacqueline Miller, founder of Adventurous Ambles. Through firsthand travel, original photography, and detailed route research, Jacqueline creates walking guides, hiking resources, destination reading lists, and travel inspiration for curious travelers. Unless otherwise noted, all content and photography on Adventurous Ambles are original works protected by copyright.
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