Ascent from Thekelan (Kopeng)

         Recommended for experienced hikers

The best hike is probably a traverse from north to south, because the climb from the north is a gentler slope and there are great views to Merapi when descending on the southern route. However, for those travelling from Jakarta for the weekend, it probably makes sense to use two of the northern trails as buses and trains to/from Semarang take at least two hours less than to Yogya and Solo. Do note however that there is a tricky section of trail just below the summit when approaching on one of the northern routes and not all hikers may be keen to attempt this.
This hike could be completed in a day by very fit people, but an overnight stay on one of the summits is recommended. From the north, the hike is called the “seven summits” based on the fact that are indeed seven summits, although a few of them are more of a small bump on the ascent.
The starting point closest to Kopeng is Thekelan village (1,656m elevation), where you are requested to register at the tiny National Park Office. It is a long 6 to 8 hours up to the summit and you will need a sunhat and sunscreen as most of the trail is not forested. This has an upside of course – views are breathtaking, particular towards Sindoro and Sumbing.
There are 4 “pos” or shelters: 1) Pending (1,924m); 2) Pereng Putih (2,150m); Gumuk Menthul (2,336m) where there is a water source; and Lempong Sampan (2,495m). Strong hikers should take no more than 2 hours to reach Pos 4, but your porters may need longer. After the 4 pos, there are the seven summits. The first is Watu Gubug (2,735m) and the second is more obvious and called Watu Tulis or Pemancar or Menara (‘tower’ in English) (2,900m) where there is an old radio mast. It should take strong hikers no more than 3 hours to get to this point.It is also where you meet the trail to/from Cunthel.

After Watu Tulis/Menara/Pemancar, the path drops down a little to Batas Kabupaten (2,825m) – a short cement pillar marking district boundaries also known as Pos 3 Wekas. Here you meet the path coming up from the third northern route, Wekas. Just before the climb starts to Summit 3, there is a possible source of water near to an obvious crater area – a large outcrop of white/yellow sulphurous clay soil. You are likely to be able to smell sulphur in the air. You drop down an obvious path to the right and if you are lucky can hear the stream below very clearly. This area is a popular camping spot for those who do not want to hike all the way to the summits over 3,000m. If you camp here, it means an early morning start if you want to get to the summits for sunrise, and you’ll miss the best views of the sunset.
Continuing along the ridge, the climb starts to Summit 3 via a flat area known as Helipad (2,975m) where there is a prominent memorial. To the right is an attractive minor summit called Gunung Kukusan, which strangely is not included in the ‘seven summits’ list. Summit 3 is Geger Sapi (2,987m) is not really much of a summit, and is more of a small hump on the fairly relentless steep climb towards Summit 4. This section is known as Jembatan Setan (Devil’s Bridge) and offers great views back down to the north – from some angles the range resembles Machu Picchu.

As you reach the summit ridge (3,080m), you can turn left to climb the last few metres (i.e less than ten minutes) to Summit 4, Puncak Syarif (3,119m). This is a fabulous camping spot, with views of Sumbing, Sindoro, Merbabu’s highest summits and Merapi. There are surprisingly many good flat camping areas, and you may well have the whole of Puncak Syarif to yourself, until the sunrise hikers make their way up from Summit 3.
Another good camping spot is Summit 6, which is near the true summit and called Kenteng Songo (3,142m). To reach Summit 6 from Summit 4, you drop back down and hike along the ridge between the summits. The path actually passes around the south-east side of Summit 5, Ondo Rante (3,100m), before the final steep climb to reach Summit 6. Both Ondo Rante and the steep scramble beneath Kenteng Songo are a little challenging, but whereas Ondo Rante can be avoided, if you want to bag Merbabu from this side you will need to take great care ascending a steep, rocky section of cliff then scree with a little bit of exposure.

Kenteng Songo has numerous signs at the top and seems to be the most popular of all the tops, especially at sunrise during weekends, when many hikers head up from Selo. Most interesting of all are the ancient-looking stone jars at the top which look like miniature versions of Laos’ famous stone jars near Phonsavan. A short hop from Summit 6 is Summit 7 – Triangulasi – which appropriately has a pile of stones and a blue cement rock at the very highest point (3,145m). Triangulasi is the true summit of Gunung Merbabu, being three metres higher than Kenteng Songo.
Then it's time to descend to Selo (the village nestled between Merbabu and Merapi). The trail starts from Triangulasi and Kenteng Songo. It will take you at least 4 hours to reach the village, and your knees will be put to the test. The route takes you past Jemblongan, Pos 5 Savana 2 (2,874 m) and Pos 4 Savana 1 (2,782 m), all of which are popular with campers.

After the steepest part of the descent, the trail divides at Pos 3 (2,574m). The left (more easterly) option is a better choice. It leads down through some open forest that becomes denser as you descend further via Pos 2 (1,436m), Pos 1.5 (2,257m) and Pos 1 (2,181m) before which the alternative route meets the main trail. Soon you’ll reach some pine plantation and suddenly see the village that marks your exit from Merbabu National Park, and the end of a fantastic hike. The Selo trailhead is at 1,850m.
The Cunthel Trail: the basecamp is at 1,670m. Walk through the friendly village and up the cement track which ends at 1,770m. The trail initially leads through pleasant forest and has several posts as follows…. Bayangan 1 (1,856m) where there is a decent shelter, Bayangan 2 Gumuk (2,109m), Pos 1 Watu Putut (2,233m), Pos 3 Kedokan (2,429m), Pos 3 Kergo Pasar (2,570m). It should take no more than 3 hours to reach Menara where you meet the trail from Thekalan. This trail is a good option to head down on if you are descending back to the north (i.e towards Salatiga and Semarang).

                Ascent from Thekelan and arrival at Selo
      Trekking time :                           Between 12 and 14 hrs
      Difference in heights :                + 1,490 m / - 1,295 m

Ascent from Selo

Recommended for experienced hikers

Alternatively, we can offer a round trip ascent of the Merbabu volcano from Selo. The first day is devoted to the ascent to Sabana camp, where you will camp . In the middle of the night on the second day, you will climb the last 300 m to reach the Kenteng Songo peak just before sunrise. Return to base camp, then on to Selo.