10 Best Hikes in Southeast Asia Ranked by Difficulty and Trail Type

Not all hikes are built the same. Some are gentle, breezy walks that reward you with a view in under an hour. Others demand sore calves, scrambling hands, and the kind of stubbornness you only discover when you’re halfway up a mountain and questioning your life choices. But no matter your threshold for pain (or altitude), Southeast Asia has a trail with your name on it. Some take just 20 minutes. Others? A few days, a headlamp, and a whole lot of grit. But each one promises a kind of reward you just can’t get without lacing up your shoes and getting a little muddy first.

From volcanic craters in Indonesia to jungle-covered peaks in Malaysia, here are 10 of the most scenic and soul-stretching hikes in the region, ranked from easiest to most intense.

Also read: Experience Authentic History: The Best Places to Visit in Southeast Asia for Cultural Travellers

10. Mount Bromo, Indonesia

If you’re after cinematic views with minimal sweat, Bromo is your best bet. Located in East Java, this active volcano looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie with its volcanic craters and vast “sea of sand.” The hike itself is barely a hike: just a short 20-minute climb up a staircase to the crater’s edge. But the journey there adds to the magic, with sunrise jeep rides and otherworldly landscapes that stretch for miles.

Bromo is popular, but you can ask your guide to bring you to less crowded vantage points. Bonus: you can pair it with a trip to Tumpak Sewu waterfall nearby, which is equally jaw-dropping and more physically demanding if you’re craving a double adventure.

Altitude: 2,329m
Difficulty level: Very easy
Price: From S$135 per group (includes jeep + guide)
Hike time: ~20 mins each way

9. Nam Xay Viewpoint, Laos

In the laid-back town of Vang Vieng, this short but steep trail brings you to one of the best viewpoints in Laos. The path cuts through jungle and climbs sharply, ending at a wooden platform with sweeping views of limestone karsts and winding rivers. There’s even a motorbike at the top for a quirky photo op.

It’s sweaty going, especially in the afternoon, but manageable for most. Aim for sunrise or sunset for softer light and cooler air. Just make sure your shoes have grip because it gets really slippery when wet.

Altitude: Around 500m
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
Price: Around S$2.70 (entrance fee)
Hike time: 30 to 45 minutes each way

8. Mount Santubong, Malaysia

Located just outside Kuching in Sarawak, Mount Santubong is wrapped in local myth and thick jungle. The trail starts gently but quickly turns into a proper climb, with rope sections, steep root ladders, and humid forest air for company. It’s the kind of hike that demands focus and some decent leg strength.

The reward? Sweeping views of the South China Sea, mangroves, and cloud-draped rainforest. It’s one of Borneo’s lesser-known hikes, but don’t underestimate it.

Altitude: 810m
Difficulty level: Moderate to hard
Price: From S$5 (entrance fee); optional guide
Hike time: Three to four hours each way

7. Mount Batur, Indonesia

Mount Batur is the kind of hike that gets you out of bed at 2am and makes you glad you did. Most people start the trek in the dark to catch the sunrise from the summit, where you’ll see the sky light up over Mount Agung and Lake Batur. The trail is rocky and uphill but relatively short, and beginner hikers can usually manage it with a guide.

If you want to skip the crowds, some tours offer alternative routes that take you across the lake and up a quieter trail to the caldera.

Altitude: 1,717m
Difficulty level: Moderate
Price: From S$40 per person (guide required)
Hike time: Around 45 minutes to 1.5 hours each way

6. Mount Ijen, Indonesia

This East Java volcano offers more than just a hike. You’ll start around midnight, hiking through the dark to reach the crater before sunrise. There, you’ll see Ijen’s famous blue flames flicker in the night, which is a natural result of ignited sulfuric gases. As daylight creeps in, a stunning turquoise lake appears at the base of the crater, making the climb feel worth every step.

It’s not the most technical trek, but the timing, terrain, and strong sulfur fumes make it a bit more intense than it looks. Gas masks are often included in the tour and highly recommended.

Altitude: 2,386m
Difficulty level: Moderate
Price: From S$160 and up (includes transport, guide, and gear)
Hike time: Two to three hours each way

Also read: Mount Bromo and Ijen Hike: What It’s Really Like for First-Time Hikers

5. Mount Fansipan, Vietnam

Located in Sapa, Fansipan is the highest mountain in Indochina, and it makes you work for that title. The hike involves steep jungle trails, metal ladders, slippery roots, and long hours of climbing. On good days, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views over the Hoàng Liên Son mountain range. On bad ones, it’s fog, fog and nothing but fog… but the sense of accomplishment still holds.

If your legs give up, there’s a cable car that can take you down. Just don’t let that tempt you too soon.

Altitude: 3,147m
Difficulty level: Hard
Price: From S$70 per person for guided day hikes
Hike time: Five to six hours each way

4. Mount Agung, Indonesia

Towering over Bali, Mount Agung is sacred to locals and intimidating to most hikers. It’s steep, rugged, and starts before dawn so you can reach the summit by sunrise. The trail is unrelenting, with loose volcanic rock and sections that feel more like climbing than walking.

There are two main routes: one to the crater rim and another all the way to the summit. Both are tough, but the views from the top stretch across the entire island, making it a worthy challenge for those craving a real test.

Altitude: 3,031m
Difficulty level: Hard
Price: From S$60 per person (guide required)
Hike time: Four to six hours each way, depending on route

Also read: 10 Stunning Natural Wonders in Bali for Nature Lovers

3. Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia

At 4,095 metres tall, Kinabalu is the highest peak in Southeast Asia and one of the most popular summits for first-time multi-day trekkers. Located in Sabah, the trail takes you through changing ecosystems, from mossy rainforest to rocky granite, with hundreds of stairs along the way. The climb is spread over two days, with an overnight stop at a mountain hut before the final summit push in the early morning.

The altitude can make the last stretch feel tougher than expected, but it’s non-technical and very doable with some stair training. On clear days, the sunrise at the summit is nothing short of magical.

Altitude: 4,095m
Difficulty level: Moderate to hard
Price: From S$910 per person (permits, lodging, guide, and meals included)
Hike time: Around six hours on Day 1 and ten to twelve hours on Day 2

2. Mount Rinjani, Indonesia

Rinjani is beautiful and brutal in equal measure. This multi-day trek on Lombok Island takes you across open ridges, volcanic rock, and deep calderas. Most routes include camping overnight on the crater rim before a sunrise summit attempt through loose scree that makes every step feel like a slide backwards.

The views of the crater lake, distant peaks, and cloud-filled valleys are some of the best in the region. But you’ll earn them with sore calves, dusty socks, and a fair amount of grit.

Altitude: 3,726m
Difficulty level: Very hard
Price: From S$540 per person (3D2N or 4D3N packages)
Hike time: Three to four days in total, with summit day being the toughest

1. Mulu Pinnacles, Malaysia

Don’t be fooled by the relatively low altitude — this is one of the most technical climbs on the list. Some even say Malaysia’s special forces train here, which tells you all you need to know. The Mulu Pinnacles trail is a steep, vertical scramble through dense rainforest, with rope ladders, slick rocks, and exposed roots all the way up. It’s short in distance but intense in effort, requiring both physical strength and a steady head for heights.

Located deep in Gunung Mulu National Park, the climb ends at a viewpoint overlooking razor-sharp limestone spires that rise from the jungle like a forest of stone blades. It’s a wild and unforgettable adventure, but also one of the most mentally and physically demanding hikes in Southeast Asia.

Altitude: Around 1,200m
Difficulty level: Very hard (highly technical and steep)
Price: From S$530 per person (4D3N adventure with caves and lodging)
Hike time: Six to seven hours for the Pinnacles climb, plus additional trekking days in and out

Also read: 8 Most Beautiful Beginner-Friendly Hikes in China You Can Actually Do

Final thoughts

Difficulty is a very subjective thing. Some trails challenge your lungs, others your legs, and some just your ability to stay upright on slippery rock. A hike might be short but brutally steep, low in altitude but highly technical, or long and gradual but draining over days. This ranking is simply a general guide to help you visualise the overall effort and experience, but everyone’s body, comfort zone, and hiking style are different.

Before you lace up your boots, make sure to do your own proper research. That means checking the latest trail conditions, route closures, weather forecasts, permit requirements, and whether a guide is needed or legally required. If the hike involves altitude or multiple days, make sure you’re physically prepared, and don’t underestimate the value of good shoes, layered clothing, and snacks you actually want to eat at 3am.

Most importantly, know your limits and hike at your own pace. The mountain will always be there, and the view is sweeter when you get there safely.