Ubud Rice Fields Walk: 3 of the Best to see Rural Bali
Where do you go on an Ubud rice fields walk in Ubud once you’ve visited the famous Tegalalang rice terraces?
The great thing about visiting or living in Ubud is that there’s so much gorgeous sprawling countryside just a few steps from the centre of town.
During our two months living in the area, one of our favourite things to do was get out amongst the rice fields and beautiful rice terraces and discover new walks and views.
Ubud town is a spectacular place for a holiday, but it’s become busy during the day so you’ll often want to find somewhere to escape the crowds and heavy traffic. Going on an Ubud rice fields walk is the perfect remedy.
In this article, we’ll show you three of our favourite easy Ubud rice field walks, all of which take you through rural Bali where smiling rice farmers attend their crops and remote villas scatter the hillsides.
For each Ubud rice fields walk, we’ll show you how to get there, what you’ll see and a recommended stop for food and drinks.
A Quick Note on the Tegalalang Rice Terraces in Bali
We’ve written a whole article about day trips from Ubud and you can find more details about the Tegallalang rice terraces by checking out: Our Favourite Day Trips from Ubud in Bali.
Some of the most photographed and well-known images of Bali are of the Tegalalang rice Terraces near Ubud, and the Jatiluwih rice terraces of west Bali.
When you’re in Ubud, you shouldn’t miss this part of what UNESCO calls the “Cultural Landscape of Bali Province UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
We recommend visiting the rice terraces outside Tegalalng town which is about a 20-30 minute drive north of Ubud.
The Tegallalang rice terrace has become so famous and developed, that it is one of the main tourist attractions in Bali and certainly the most famous of the central Bali rice fields.
That means that they’re crowded and you have to pay fees for entrance and for different activities. They’re beautiful rice paddies but not always the relaxing atmosphere we are looking for when we want to escape Ubud for a few hours!
So once you’ve taken a day trip to the Tegallalang rice terraces, try these other walks amongst gorgeous rice fields not far from Ubud town centre.
The Cafe Ubud Rice Fields Walk
The most popular of the Ubud walks through the rice paddies doesn’t have a name so we’ve named it The Cafe Ubud Rice Fields Walk because of all the cafe options along the route!
This walk is through the nearby rice fields and is the most central to Ubud town which is why there is more development of warungs and coffee shops along the path. However, it’s by no means overdeveloped, not yet anyway.
As you leave Ubud centre, the start of this Ubud rice fields walk is lined with small warungs and guesthouses so the scenic views are not revealed until a few minutes later.
As the warungs become less frequent, the rice fields can be seen on both sides. The fields are in large numbers on this walk and if you’re lucky you may see farmers attending to their crops.
The path doesn’t seem to end. We kept walking for around 45 minutes until we decided to turn back.
As we previously mentioned, this Ubud rice fields walk offers plenty of coffee shops and warungs that provide spectacular views.
The most popular is Cafe Pomegranate, a stylish circular cafe with 180 degrees views of bright green rice fields.
How to get there
From Ubud Palace, walk West down JL Raya Ubud until the shops finish (less than 10 minutes).
Take the first road on the right (there’s a concrete beam going overhead on JL Raya Ubud at this point).
Keep walking up the small road (about 2 minutes) until it snakes to the left, you’ll see a narrow path on the right side which separates itself from the road by a concrete wall.
This path is the start of The Cafe Ubud Rice Fields Walk.
What’s great about this walk
- Central Ubud location
- Popular with tourists
- Views of rice fields along narrow paths
- Rural Bali life: you’ll see villagers going about tending their beautiful rice paddies using a traditional Balinese irrigation system
- Cafe Pomegranate for the best views (20 minutes from the start of the path)
- Duration – As long as you want
Recommended rice field tour – Sunrise, Rice Fields & Sekumpul Waterfall Full-Day Excursion
Campuhan Ridge Walk
What makes this Ubud rice fields walk a bit different from the rest is that the main part of the path does not go through any rice fields.
Instead, the route takes you along one of Ubud’s many ridges, offering great views over the valleys on both sides.
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is most popular at sunset so if you prefer your walks a little less crowded, we recommend going in the morning or middle of the afternoon.
Once you reach the end of the ridge path we recommend that you keep walking straight through the pleasant village of Bangkiang Sidem until you reach Karsa Kafe.
While passing through the village, there are a few painting and craft shops, small warungs, and a handful of accommodation options.
Once you get to Karsa Kafe, reward yourself with a drink while overlooking one of Ubud’s best rice terrace views.
How to get there
Get yourself to where the driveway and sign to Warwick Ibah Luxury Villas & Spa meets the main JL Raya Ubud (this is a 10-15 minute walk from Ubud Palace).
Follow the small road and turn left where the road forks. The road then drops down a steep slope.
Do not cross the bridge at the bottom, instead, the Campuhan Ridge Walk starts at the small path to the right of the bridge.
What’s great about this walk
- Central Ubud location
- Popular with tourists at sunset
- Views of palm trees and hillsides
- Village life
- Karsa Kafe for amazing rice terrace views
- Duration – 30 minutes to Karsa Cafe. 30 minutes back again on the same path.
Recommended rice field tour – Ubud Eco Walking Tour with Lunch Overlooking Rice Terrace
Penestanan Rice Field Walk
For an Ubud rice fields walk with far fewer tourists we recommend heading to Penestanan.
Penestanan is a village 4km away from Ubud town and is quickly growing in popularity as Ubud centre gets busier and busier. We lived in Penestanan during our 2 months living in Ubud.
This Penestanan rice field walk is located in the most northern part of the village, furthest away from Ubud town.
The remote location makes it the best Ubud rice field walk to see rural Bali without the interruptions of Udud tourism.
There are no warungs or cafes along this path, just acres of rice fields and terraces with welcoming farmers and locals going about their business.
There are a couple of great spots to grab a drink or something to eat at either end of the walk. At the Penestanan end, we recommend Oasis Yoga N Cafe and Paddy Point.
Both are extremely peaceful spots to enjoy a meal or drink while overlooking local rice fields.
At the other end of the path which meets JL Raya Lungsiakan, there’s a nice place called Terracotta Restaurant with breathtaking views across the rice fields of Penestanan.
How to get there
If you’re not staying in Penestanan, take a taxi to Warung Ting Ting which is located at the furthest point where cars cannot go any further.
Walk up the small road to the left of Warung Ting Ting and turn right at the top.
Here, the road turns into a footpath with villas on both sides. Keep walking, you’ll pass Oasis Cafe on the left, go past it (unless you want a drink) with the small rice field to your left.
Continue straight on, you’ll reach the awesome Paddy Point on the right (say hello to Nek the owner, he’s a lovely guy) and then take the path which snakes around Paddy Point to the right.
Keep going, don’t take any of the left turns, you’ll then reach some trees where the path starts. The path continues for 30 minutes until you reach JL Raya Lungsiakan.
The Penestanan rice field walk can be started from both ends.
What’s great about this walk
- Penestanan location
- Almost no tourists
- Views of rice fields
- Village and rural life
- Great drinking and eating options at both ends.
- Duration – Around 30 minutes.
Recommended rice field tour – Jatiluwih Rice Terraces 1-Hour Electric Bike Tour
These aren’t all the walks you can take through the rice fields in Ubud.
There are many more located around Ubud, some of which you may discover yourself by curiously wandering up a small road or path.
Or why not book a guided Bali Ubud Tour by Trip Guru which includes some walks amongst the rice fields and surrounding green landscape, while covering some other Ubud highlights on the same day?
That’s the wonderful thing about Ubud, at the moment, rural Bali is on its doorstep, but we noticed worrying signs of overdevelopment in certain areas so we’re not sure how long these Ubud rice fields views will last.
Take a walk now while you can!
Frequently Asked Questions About Ubud Rice Fields walks
What is the most famous rice field in Ubud?
The Tegalalang rice fields are the most famous rice fields and, many would argue, the most beautiful rice fields in Bali.
This is because they are rice terraces built into a 600-meter-high cliff, surrounds by rice paddies, palm trees, ponds, and mountains, and include activities like a giant swing complex, an infinity pool cafe, zip lining, and swimming.
How do I get to Tegalalang rice terrace?
To get to the famous Tegalang rice fields from Ubud town centre in central Bali, the most convenient way is to drive 9.6 km southeast on Jl. Raya Ubud towards Jl. Karna, turning onto Jl. Raya Andong and continuing on to l. Raya Tegallalang for a further 2.4 km.
Access routes have changed if you are going on foot and the popular route across the old bridge has been closed.
If you’re walking, for an entrance fee, there are many access points along Jalan Raya Tegalalang to the Tegalang rice fields through warungs and Giant Swings businesses (for an entrance fee).
Otherwise, follow the signs from car park on Jalan Raya Cebok car park for a few minutes and you’ll reach the ticket booth.
Pay the entrance fee and follow the well-marked path to the Tegalalang rice fields.
Where can I walk around in Ubud?
Around Ubud, you can walk between the rice terraces and rice paddies in dozens of locations, many of which are unmarked and unnamed.
The most popular rice fields in Ubud to walk among are:
- Tegalalang rice terrace,
- Kajeng, Penestanan, and Juwuk Manis rice fields,
- Campuhan Ridge,
- Jalan Subak Sok Wayah Walk (Sari Organik Walk),
- the various Sidemen valley rice paddies walks,
- Jatiluwih rice terraces, and the
- “Cafe” Ubud rice fields walk which meanders through the closets rice fields to Ubud town centre.
How long is the ridge walk Ubud?
The Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud is 1.2 miles or 2 km in each direction, so a total of 2.4 miles or 4 km.
You can extend the walk through Bangkiang Sidem village for stunning views of the village’s rice terraces.
Is the Campuhan Ridge Walk difficult?
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is not at all difficult, as evidenced by the large numbers of people of all ages and abilities trekking along the ridge at sunset.
You can take the Campuhan Ridge walk to Karsa Kafe and have a drink before beginning the return trip.
What time should I walk Campuhan Ridge?
There are two optimal times to walk Campuhan Ridge, The first is the most popular, which is sunset. This is the time when the Bali rice fields are at their most crowded with tourists! I
f you want to beat the heat and humidity and see farmers working in their paddy fields, early morning is the best time to walk Campuhan Ridge.
In fact, it’s the best time to visit all of the Bali rice fields and rice terraces.
Is Campuhan Ridge Walk worth it?
Walking among and alongside rice fields and rice terraces is a major tourist attraction in Ubud Bali.
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is deservedly the most popular rice fields walk that can be taken close to Ubud town centre.
That’s because it’s an easy trek and because you are able to see rice terraces, and local communities in their villages and at work in their rice paddies.
What is the most beautiful rice field in the world?
Photographers almost unanimously vote for the Banaue Rice Terraces which are located in the Philippines, in Ifugao province.
