The stunning scenery of Jatiluwih
After visiting the rice fields of Tegalalang early in the morning, we moved to Jatiluwih, another village famous for the spectacular rice fields that form the backdrop to Mount Batukaru, creating a landscape that truly looks like a painting. Here, the traditional irrigation system of the fields in Bali allows keeping the water level always constant. The rice fields have also been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
how to reach Jatiluwih
Jatiluwih is only 40 km from Ubud, but the road is not that good. The most practical way to reach the rice fields is by taxi or private car. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to the small village despite the short distance.
Hiking through the rice fields
The paths through the rice fields are quite easy as these fields develop mainly on rolling hills and flat areas. At the entrance to the rice fields, you will find signs for 5 main routes of different lengths: the shortest measures about 1 and a half km (about 1 hour of walking), while the longest measures almost 8 km (4 hours of walking). The two longer trails can also be covered by renting a bike. Of course, you don’t have to complete them, and you can hike for a bit and retrace.
Which is the best rice field between Jatiluwih e Tegalalang?
The rice fields of Tegalalang are definitely the most visited and popular. They are steeper than Jatiluwih because they rise in a narrow valley on both sides of the hills, surrounded by dense vegetation. Here you will find the famous “Bali Swings” and the “Love Bali” art installation where hundreds of people compete to post their shots on social networks. The rice fields of Jatiluwih instead stretches in a flat area interspersed with gentle hills, which makes the path in the middle of the fields much more relaxing and easy. Jatiluwih is not crowded and offers the chance to enjoy wonderful bike rides in the middle of the fields. Which rice field to choose then? It is not easy to tell because everyone has their own preferences. Having visited both, let’s say that our choice is Jatiluwih, especially because we met only a few tourists, and the trails are not challenging.
