Sarangan Things to Do

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Mount Lawu is the most popular mountain to climb in Central Java. Hundreds of Indonesians yearly make the trip. So you seldom walk the trail alone.
It is a fairly long walk, but the main trail (see picture of map) is relatively easy. Above 2500 m it has become badly eroded because so many people use it.
Actually mount Lawu is on the border of Central and East Java. The main trail is just inside Central Java.

In olden days people used to stay a week or more on the top to meditate. This was possible because there is a water hole on 3100 m, only about 150 below the top (Sendangdrajat, see photo's).
Nowadays there even live people at this height, who all depend on that water hole. You can have a hot coffee and mi rebus at a warung (photo 5).

Hire a guide in Sarangan, who may also take you on his motorbike the few km uphill to the start of the trail in Cemorosewu. Never go alone, and register at the office, which is at the gate to the trail.
Best is to climb in the dry season with a full moon. Start at midnight, and you see the sun rise when you reach the meadows below the top. Take a torchlight, a bottle of water and a warm jacket.

Although there are now other paths, the old trail is still the easiest and most rewarding. Take your time exploring around the top. But beware of the path going down on the East Java side. You'll be clambering down rocks most of the way.
When going down the main trail, do not miss the turn left half way down, otherwise you end up on the main road some 3 km from where you started. If you have energy left, you can climb down into the crater, which is more like a rift in the side of the mountain.