Merapi, one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, previously had 3 climbing routes, namely through Babadan, Kineharjo and Selo, but since the eruption of Merapi in 2010 the route via Babadan and Kineharjo is no longer used

Now on Mount Merapi, there are only two climbing routes, namely through the Selo sub-district, Boyolali, Central Java, and the Sapuangin route which is located in Pajegan Hamlet, Tegalmulyo Village, Kemalang District, Klaten Regency.

Well, for those of you who want to climb Mount Merapi, below are tips about climbing Mount Merapi which, God willing, will be useful.

Route to Selo . Basecamp

Access to Mount Merapi Basecamp via Selo is arguably difficult and easy, fortunately it is still the same route as Mount Merbabu Basecamp via Selo, Merapi Bambu Omah and Gancik Hill tours.

So the benchmark is the three places, Mount Merapi Basecamp via Selo named Barameru which is located at an altitude of about 1600 meters above sea level under the Merapi Bambu Omah tour.

Arriving at basecamp, rest first, while registering. The registration fee is around Rp. 16.000/person by leaving ID card. At basecamp there is a shop, we can have lunch here before climbing.

Usually the climbers start climbing at night, because climbing Mount Merapi via Selo is quite short like on Mount Prau Wonosobo, to get to Pasar Bubrah from basecamp it takes about 4 hours, depending on our speed when climbing.

Estimation of Climbing Mount Merapi via Selo



Starting from the basecamp, we still pass the paved road to New Selo (Omah Bambu Merapi tour), which is a viewing post where we can see the natural scenery with the strong Mount Merbabu standing in front of our eyes.

To get to New Selo, from basecamp it takes about 15 minutes, if you don't want to be tired, you can also rent a motorcycle taxi to take you directly to New Selo, this place is easy to spot because there is a very large New Selo writing like in Hollywood.

Well, from New Selo the actual climb will begin, the first path that we will pass is a resident's plantation with an uphill track but already paved.

After approximately 1 hour of travel, we will find a shelter (rest place) next to the gate of Mount Merapi National Park.

Take a rest here first, because the track we are going through is an uphill and steep path to Bubrah Market, to arrive at post 1 it takes about 1 hour from the shelter, the path is still slippery, so you have to be careful.

After arriving at post 1 to go to post 2 we will pass a steep uphill path which is dominated by large rocks, many climbers claim that this path is the hardest.

Arriving at post 2 we can set up a tent, this is the safest location to set up a tent because there are still many trees, but to get to the top it is still quite far.

After a few minutes past post 2 we will arrive at the vegetation boundary, where there are no more trees, there are only large rocks and sand, indicating that the Bubrah Market is close, but you have to be careful because fog often falls here which causes very short visibility .

To get to Bubrah Market it takes about 1 hour, the path that we have to pass is rocks and gravel that often make us slip, when we arrive at Bubrah Market we will see a wide expanse like a field where there are only small rocks and a few large stones.

Usually the climbers set up tents at Pasar Bubrah, but we have to be careful because there are no wind barriers such as trees, so it is quite dangerous if there is a storm, here we can see the towering peak of Merapi.

The safe limit for climbing Mount Merapi is only up to Bubrah Market, if climbers want to get to the top, Barameru is not responsible if something happens, there are already many warning boards posted around Bubrah Market.

Just info if we continue to the top



The climb to the top from Bubrah Market takes approximately 1 hour, usually climbers start climbing at 4 in the morning to see the sunrise at the peak, the path we have to take is not easy, which is in the form of sand and rocks that often fall, so you have to be extra careful when climb to the top.

Arriving at the peak we will be greeted by the crater of Merapi which still emits sulfur gas, the famous peak of Garuda, now no longer exists due to the 2010 eruption of Merapi, now the height of Mount Merapi is only 2913 masl.

Estimated climbing time:

Basecamp – New Selo (15 minutes)

New Selo – TNGM Gate (1 hour)

TNGM Gate – Post 1 (1 hour)

Post 1 – Post 2 (1 hour)

Post 2 – Bubrah Market (1 hour)

Bubrah Market – Merapi Peak (1 hour)

Total: 5 hours 15 minutes (depending on our speed when climbing)


Climbing Mount Merapi via Sapuangin Klaten

The Mount Merapi hiking trail via Sapuangin is a new route, many climbers do not recommend the Sapuangin route for various reasons.

Some say that this route is quite extreme, the retribution costs are expensive, the length of time that must be taken and various other reasons. Among climbers, the Sapuangin route is known as the commercial route because the cost is quite expensive, which is around Rp. 41,000.


Route to Mount Merapi Basecamp via Sapuangin

Access to Sapuangin Basecamp can also be said to be difficult and easy, to get here you have to use a GPS because there are no directions and many local residents also don't know about the Merapi Basecamp via Sapuangin.


It is recommended to use a private vehicle or rent a car because there is no public transportation to Sapuangin Basecamp


Estimated climbing time:

Basecamp – Post 1 (2 hours)

Post 1 – Post 2 (2 hours)

Pos 2 – yoyok camp – Pos 3 (2 hours)

Heading 3 – Heading 4 (2 hours)

Post 4 – Bubrah Market (45 minutes)

Bubrah Market – Puncak (1 hour)

Total: 9 hours 45 minutes (depending on our speed when climbing)


Tips When Climbing Mount Merapi:

bring a sufficient supply of drinking water, as there is no water source.

the path is in the form of large rocks and continues to climb to the top, there is only a little bonus.

Usually the climbers start climbing at night.

the air is quite cold here, don't forget to bring a thick jacket.

the weather is unpredictable, don't forget to bring a raincoat.

From Mount Merapi we can see Mount Andong and Merbabu.

if you are afraid of yourself, you can hire a porter.