Gunung Rinjani and the high volcanic rim of Lombok
Published on 08/21/2026 at 11:00 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Gunung Rinjani on the Indonesian island of Lombok is a high stratovolcano with a long, broken rim that drops steeply towards a crater lake and smaller active cones inside the caldera. Rising to 3,726 m (12,224 ft), it is the second-highest volcano in Indonesia and the highest point in West Nusa Tenggara province.
A high rim above Segara Anak
From a distance, Gunung Rinjani appears as a steep-sided cone, but its western flank is cut away to reveal a broad volcanic basin with water and younger peaks inside. The mountain reaches 3,726 m (12,224 ft), a height confirmed by Indonesian and international volcanic catalogues, which also describe it as a stratovolcano on the island of Lombok.Rinjani volcano on the island of Lombok rises to 3,726 m The summit ridge forms the eastern edge of a large volcanic depression and gives extensive views over the island and the sea beyond.
The broken western side contains a caldera several kilometres across and a crater lake known as Segara Anak, a name that translates as “Child of the Sea”. The lake occupies much of the caldera floor and has a deep blue colour in clear weather, emphasised by the dark volcanic walls that surround it.The caldera contains the crater lake Segara Anak Inside the lake and near its eastern shore rises the smaller volcanic cone of Barujari, a younger formation that adds a second, sharper peak within the older crater landscape.
Volcanic history and national park protection
Gunung Rinjani is an active stratovolcano, and its recorded eruptions extend back to the nineteenth century. Volcanological records describe eruptions in years such as 1847, 1884 and multiple events during the twentieth century, with activity concentrated at the Barujari cone within the caldera.Historic eruptions have taken place at the Barujari cone A much older and far larger eruption in 1257 created the broad caldera that now holds Segara Anak, reshaping the western side of the volcano and leaving the present summit ridge as the caldera’s high rim.
Geological surveys place Gunung Rinjani within the Sunda Arc, a chain of volcanoes formed where the Australian Plate sinks beneath the Sunda Plate along Indonesia’s southern margin.Rinjani belongs to the volcanoes of the Sunda Arc The volcano and its surroundings are protected within Gunung Rinjani National Park, a conservation area established in 1997 that covers tens of thousands of hectares across northern Lombok.Gunung Rinjani is part of Gunung Rinjani National Park Within this protected area, forested slopes, high grasslands and volcanic formations create a marked transition from lowland farmland to high alpine terrain around the crater rim.
Trails, viewpoints and the scale of the crater
Routes on Gunung Rinjani climb from villages on the lower slopes through cultivated land, then into forest and higher open ground before reaching the caldera edge. The ascent involves sustained gradients, and paths on the upper volcano often cross loose volcanic ash and rock, which can feel unstable underfoot. From points on the rim, paths descend towards Segara Anak, with long series of steps and steep sections that demand steady footing and care.
From the caldera edge, the scale of the crater becomes clear: the lake extends for several kilometres, occupying a large part of the depression below the summit ridge.Gunung Rinjani dominates the northern half of Lombok The inner cone of Barujari rises from near the lake’s surface towards the level of the surrounding cliffs, making it a prominent feature when viewed from the rim.A post-caldera cone called Gunung Baru Jari stands within the lake The combination of high volcanic walls, crater lake and a younger cone in the middle gives Gunung Rinjani a layered volcanic landscape that is visible even without descending to the water.
Visiting Gunung Rinjani: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Gunung Rinjani rises in northern Lombok in Indonesia, east of Bali, and the usual approaches start from villages such as Senaru and Sembalun reached by road across the island.
- The ascent from the trailheads to the crater rim involves long, steep paths on volcanic ash and rock, and higher sections can feel exposed with significant drops into the caldera.
- Weather in the high areas of Gunung Rinjani can change quickly, with colder air and cloud at elevation compared with the coastal lowlands, so layered clothing and rain protection are important.
- Gunung Rinjani lies in Indonesia; the official language is Indonesian and the currency is the Indonesian rupiah.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Gunung Rinjani
Where is Gunung Rinjani?
Gunung Rinjani stands on the island of Lombok in Indonesia, forming the highest point of the island and a major feature of Gunung Rinjani National Park.
What can visitors expect on a visit?
Visitors can expect steep trails, forested lower slopes, open volcanic terrain near the crater rim and wide views over the Segara Anak crater lake and the inner Barujari cone.
What makes Gunung Rinjani distinctive?
Gunung Rinjani is distinctive for its high summit ridge, the large caldera holding Segara Anak and the younger Barujari cone rising from within the crater lake.
