*This article has been translated from the original Indonesian…*
- Gunung Kerinci
Mount Kerinci is located right on the border between West Sumatra Province and Jambi Province, in the Bukit Barisan Mountains, near the west coast, and is located about 130 km south of Padang. This mountain is also the boundary between the Minangkabau ethnic area and the Kerinci Tribe. Surrounded by dense forest in the Kerinci Seblat National Park it is the habitat of the Sumatran tiger and Sumatran rhino. The peak of Mount Kerinci is located at an altitude of 3,805 meters above sea level, in Kerinci Regency, Jambi Province. From here visitors can see in the distance the beautiful scenery of Jambi, Padang and Bengkulu cities. Even the distant Indian Ocean can be seen clearly.
Mount Kerinci has a crater area of 400 x 120 meters and which contains green water. To the east is Lake Bento, the highest clear water swamp in Sumatra. Behind it there are seven mountains with craters that are almost untouched. There are many typical Sumatran animals such as elephants, Sumatran rhinos, tigers, sun bears and leopards. Various primates such as gibbons, long-tailed monkeys, and langurs. There are also 140 species of birds living in the region.
2. Gunung Marapi
Mount Marapi is an active volcano located in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This mountain is classified as the most active mountain in Sumatra. It is located in the administrative area of Agam Regency. This mountain can also be seen from the city of Bukittinggi, the city of Padang Panjang and the district of Tanah Datar and has a height of 2,891 meters above sea level. Mount Marapi has erupted more than 50 times since the late 18th century. This mountain has become one of the favorite destinations for adventure travel in West Sumatra. Mount Marapi is located about 1.5 hours drive from the city of Padang. In addition to not being too difficult, there is clear and easy access to the jungle gate and a safe hiking trail for beginners. Here you can find various kinds of birds, monkeys, and many other wildlife.
3. Gunung Singgalang
Singgalang is a mountain located in the province of West Sumatra, Indonesia with an altitude of 2,877 meters above sea level. From its shape, this mountain is very similar to Mount Merbabu in Central Java. This mountain is no longer active and has a crater lake at its peak, this lake is named Telaga Dewi. Mount Singgalang has a mountain forest area that is very humid. The main hiking train is from Pandai Sikek, hikers usually stop at the Koto Baru market (10km from Padang Panjang on the road to Bukittinggi). From here you can walk or take public transportation as far as 2 Km to the climbing post, which is located in the village of Tanjuang, Kenagarian, Pandai Sikek.
From the climbing post, climbers can still use vehicles (motorcycles/cars) to the next stop post. The locals refer to this post as the RCRI/TVRI transmitter, which is approximately 4 Km from the climbing post. There is a car park here. From here, the real climb begins. The tracks is quite steep and slippery. In the first half, the hiking trail is though forest. Around halfway this will turn to jungle. A normal hike usually takes 4 to 5 hours. However, when it rains or the track is wet, the travel time can be doubled.
4. Gunung Talang
Mount Talang is a volcano located in the Solok district, West Sumatra. Mount Talang is located about 9 km from the city of Arosuka, the capital city of Solok, and about 40 km east of the city of Padang. This mountain is a stratovolcano type with an altitude of 2,597 meters above sea level. It is one of the active volcanoes in West Sumatra, and one of its craters has become a lake called Lake Talang. From the peak of Mount Talang, climbers can see three lakes located at the foot of the mountain and the expanse of tea fields in the surrounding countryside. One thing that is different in Mount Talang compared to other volcanoes in West Sumatra is that this mountain has dead forests. The climbing route of Mount Talang is quite challenging with varied terrain.
5. Gunung Talamau
For climbing enthusiasts, Mount Talamau is not to be missed. Mount Talamau or also called Mount Ophir is the highest mountain in West Sumatra which is located in West Pasaman Regency, adjacent to Mount Pasaman. This mountain has an altitude of 2,920 meters above sea level and is a dormant volcano.
Below the peak of the mountain at an altitude of about 2,750 m, there are 13 lakes. Mount Talamau also has a waterfall with a height of more than 100 meters, named Puti Lenggo Geni Waterfall. In addition, in the forest, you can still find many wild animals. All this makes Mount Talamau a paradise for adventurous types who visit West Sumatra.
6. Gunung Tandikat
Mount Tandikat is a volcano that stands tall in the Minangkabau Highlands, approximately 7.5 km from the city of Padang Panjang, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia. This mountain stretches wide to the south, and to the west it is bordered by Lake Maninjau. On the north side, this mountain is adjacent to Mount Singgalang, while to the east is a cluster of old tertiary volcanic mountains. This stratovolcano-type mountain is also known as Tandikek in the Minangkabau language. The forest of Mount Tandikek is still very beautiful and can be categorized as dense forest. Here you can find a variety of plant vegetation and there are still many wild animals and several populations of Sumatran tigers present.
7. Gunung Sago
Gunung Sago is one of the mountains located between Lareh Sago Halaban District, Luhak District and Si Tujuh Lima Nagari District, which is located in Lima Puluh Kota district, West Sumatra province, Indonesia. Mount Sago itself has a height of 2,261 meters above sea level. The route used by climbers is usually the Sikabu Kabu route. This path was chosen by climbers because it is fairly easy and comfortable to walk. The peak of Mount Sago has a lake called Lake Tingga. This lake is famous for its beautiful green color and the smell of sulfur that pervades it. No wonder this mountain is one of the destinations for adventure lovers who will visit West Sumatra.
Born and raised in Padang, Bayu is an expert on West Sumatran culture and travel. An experienced tour guide, traveler and all-round good guy, he enjoys sharing his expertise, good music and better company.
