If you only do one thing in Ubud, do the Campuhan Ridge walk. It was great to see the real Ubud, and it's not that touristy. You get to amble through rice fields, play with puppies, and see the local villages.
The entrance to the walk can be hard to find. We walked there from town, it's not that far. Google map the way to IBAH hotel. When you get there, turn as if you're going into the hotel, and there is a road that goes left, down past a school. Then take the road going right, under the bridge and walk for a few metres along the gravel road. Eventually you'll arrive on a nice concrete path surrounded by rice.
The entrance to the walk can be hard to find. We walked there from town, it's not that far. Google map the way to IBAH hotel. When you get there, turn as if you're going into the hotel, and there is a road that goes left, down past a school. Then take the road going right, under the bridge and walk for a few metres along the gravel road. Eventually you'll arrive on a nice concrete path surrounded by rice.
The walk is about 3 kilometres, and is relatively easy, apart from the heat. It was bloody hot, so take lots of water and wear a hat. It was pretty cool being able to wander along by ourselves, and observe semi-rural living in Ubud.
At the end of the walk you can stop for a drink at the Karsa Kafe. I got addicted to banana juice in Bali, make sure you try one! Karsa Kafe was a great place for a rest. And check out that view. I would've been quite happy to stay there for a few hours.
At the end of the walk you can stop for a drink at the Karsa Kafe. I got addicted to banana juice in Bali, make sure you try one! Karsa Kafe was a great place for a rest. And check out that view. I would've been quite happy to stay there for a few hours.
I think Karsa Kafe is the official end of the walk, but we decided to walk back to town through the village roads. I'm so glad we did this. Don't be afraid to go off road and walk down the back of the villages, and through the rice fields. Just be respectful, don't go tramping over the rice itself, stick to tracks, or walk along the concrete drainage system. We ended up walking right through a village, and they didn't seem to mind! They let us pat their puppy!
We also made a dog friend who followed us for hours! Aw poor Bruno. We couldn't get rid of him so had to ditch him while he sleeping outside a cafe we were in. I still feel guilty about that. We literally stepped over him as quiet as he could while he slept.
We also made a dog friend who followed us for hours! Aw poor Bruno. We couldn't get rid of him so had to ditch him while he sleeping outside a cafe we were in. I still feel guilty about that. We literally stepped over him as quiet as he could while he slept.
We carried on through various villages back towards town. It ended up being a loop which was great.
We stopped for a late lunch at the best vegetarian restaurant I have been to, it's called The Elephant Restaurant and Bar. I highly recommend it, and it was a great way to finish the walk. It's in a really peaceful setting too. And just look at that avocado on toast! I can't wait to go back there.
We stopped for a late lunch at the best vegetarian restaurant I have been to, it's called The Elephant Restaurant and Bar. I highly recommend it, and it was a great way to finish the walk. It's in a really peaceful setting too. And just look at that avocado on toast! I can't wait to go back there.