Beyond the tourist-filled Tegallalang terraces lies Bali's authentic agricultural heritage: ancient rice fields where traditional farming continues unchanged. These five walking routes traverse working communities where rice cultivation remains central, revealing landscapes where farmers work by hand, water temples govern irrigation, and village life follows the growing cycle's rhythm—offering genuine encounters with Bali's living heritage.

Jatiluwih UNESCO Heritage Trail
Jatiluwih UNESCO Heritage Trail

Jatiluwih UNESCO Heritage Trail

This expansive system represents the most pristine example of Bali's traditional subak irrigation system, earning UNESCO World Heritage status. Unlike the terraces at Tegallalang, Jatiluwih's vast amphitheater of stepped fields stretches across six villages and multiple valleys, offering endless perspectives and photographic opportunities.

The dedicated heritage trail winds for 4-7 kilometers (depending on your chosen route) along narrow dikes between fields, past water temples and traditional farmers' shelters. What makes this walk exceptional is the sheer scale of the landscape—nowhere else in Bali can you experience such an expansive and continuously beautiful agricultural panorama. The higher sections offer breathtaking views across the terraces to the sacred mountains beyond, while closer inspection reveals the ingenious water management systems that have sustained these fields for centuries.

Why we rate it
These terraces constitute Bali's largest continuous rice growing region designated as UNESCO World Heritage for their perfect embodiment of traditional Balinese agricultural knowledge.
Best Time To Visit
Dawn to mid-morning (5:30-9:00 AM) for the best light and to watch farmers beginning their day in the fields.
Pro Tip
Bring small change for purchasing fresh coconuts and local fruits offered by farmers along the route - supporting these micro-enterprises helps sustain traditional farming families.
Location
Jatiluwih
Sidemen Valley Panoramic Path
Sidemen Valley Panoramic Path

Sidemen Valley Panoramic Path

Tucked in the shadow of Mount Agung lies Sidemen Valley, where some of Bali's most dramatic rice terraces cascade down steep hillsides. This lesser-known area offers a circular walking path that climbs gently through traditional fields, offering ever-changing perspectives of the terraced landscape against the backdrop of Bali's highest and most sacred mountain.

What distinguishes Sidemen's terraces is their dramatic vertical character, with some sections built on slopes so steep they seem to defy gravity. The trail passes through several small villages where you can observe not just rice cultivation but also the production of traditional endek and songket textiles, as weavers work on their looms in open pavilions. The combination of agricultural landscapes, traditional crafts, and the omnipresent silhouette of Mount Agung creates a multidimensional cultural experience.

Why we rate it
This location features the most dramatic mountainous backdrop with Mount Agung framing perfectly terraced slopes that are among the steepest on the island.
Best Time To Visit
Early morning for the best mountain views and fewer visitors. Alternatively late afternoon when Mount Agung often emerges from clouds.
Pro Tip
Understand that unlike tourist terraces different sections will be at various stages of the growing cycle - the best photos often come from contrasting adjacent fields at different stages.
Location
Sidemen
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Pupuan Highland Morning Walk
Pupuan Highland Morning Walk

Pupuan Highland Morning Walk

In Bali's less-visited western region, the Pupuan highlands offer a distinctly different rice terrace landscape—one characterized by gently rolling contours rather than the steep steps found elsewhere. This undulating agricultural tapestry is best experienced at dawn, when morning mist floats between the fields and mountains, creating an ethereal atmosphere that photographers dream about.

The walking trail follows ridge lines between fields, offering 360-degree views across valleys completely devoted to traditional agriculture. Besides rice, you'll see coffee, cacao, and clove plantations on the higher slopes, telling the story of Bali's agricultural diversity. The trail passes several small village temples where farmers make daily offerings to Dewi Sri, the rice goddess, maintaining the spiritual practices that have accompanied Balinese agriculture for centuries.

Why we rate it
These fields offer the most photogenic morning mist conditions of any rice terraces in Bali creating dreamlike landscapes especially during the early growing season.
Best Time To Visit
Arrive before sunrise (around 5:30 AM) for the magical experience of watching mist rise from the fields as the first light hits.
Pro Tip
The local farmers sometimes open their simple field huts to visitors for coffee - a small donation is appropriate if you're invited to share in this hospitality.
Location
Pupuan
Belimbing Sacred Water Temple Circuit
Belimbing Sacred Water Temple Circuit

Belimbing Sacred Water Temple Circuit

This circular walk in Bali's central-western regency centers around a sequence of subak water temples that control irrigation to one of the island's oldest terrace systems. Unlike more famous terrace walks, this route focuses on the spiritual infrastructure of Bali's agricultural system, visiting four water temples connected by flowing irrigation channels.

The path follows the water's journey from its mountain source through a series of increasingly elaborate temples, each marking a division point where water is shared between different farming communities. The final and largest temple features intricate carvings depicting agricultural deities and water management principles, demonstrating how deeply spiritual practice and agricultural science are intertwined in Balinese culture. Between temples, the trail crosses terraces cultivated by farmers using traditional methods passed down through countless generations.

Why we rate it
This walk provides the most comprehensive insight into Bali's sacred water temple system linking agricultural practice with spiritual tradition.
Best Time To Visit
Late afternoon (4-6 PM) when daily offerings are being placed at the water temples and the light turns golden across the fields.
Pro Tip
When visiting water temples respectfully observe but don't interrupt any ongoing ceremonies - farmers perform daily rituals that are integral to the traditional agricultural system.
Location
Belimbing
These are likely the oldest continuously cultivated rice fields in Bali dating back to the 9th century with archaeological evidence of ancient farming systems still visible.
Ancient Pejeng Rice Field Walk

Ancient Pejeng Rice Field Walk

Just a short distance from Ubud but a world away from its tour buses, the ancient village of Pejeng harbors some of Bali's oldest continuously cultivated rice fields. This gentle walking route connects some of the area's most significant archaeological sites via paths that wind through terraces believed to have been under cultivation since at least the 9th century.

What makes this walk unique is the juxtaposition of ancient monuments with living agricultural tradition. The path passes megalithic structures, ancient stone sarcophagi, and early temple foundations that pre-date most of Bali's current architecture, all while traversing fields still farmed using traditional methods. The area is especially known for growing heritage rice varieties, including the now-rare Bali red rice that once dominated the island's agriculture before modern strains were introduced.

Why we rate it
These are likely the oldest continuously cultivated rice fields in Bali dating back to the 9th century with archaeological evidence of ancient farming systems still visible.
Best Time To Visit
Morning hours to witness farmers at work or late afternoon to see the ancient stones and monuments in golden hour light.
Pro Tip
Visit the Pejeng Moon which is housed in a temple directly on the walking route - this ancient bronze kettledrum is believed to be over 2000 years old and linked to early rice cultivation in the region.
Location
Pejeng