The Great Lombok Trail is an adventurous 91km, eight day eco-trail that winds its way from Tetebatu in East Lombok to Senggigi in West Lombok. It passes through mountains, villages, jungles, volcanic ravines, lakes and rice paddies. It’s an ongoing project of Jason & Anne Kelly from Bale Kreatif Tour and Travel in Ampenan. It’s on going because the route is constantly being updated and improved. And pioneering a northern route from Pusuk to Torean (North Lombok, east of Senaru) is well underway. The trail is a good introduction to the various human and natural environments in Lombok.

I interviewed Jason and Anne at their home in Gunung Sari. We drank Nina Bayan coffee and ate Christmas biscuits. “We’ve been in Lombok for twelve years. The Lombok Hash House Harriers introduced us to some pretty places in Lombok. Soon we were exploring on our own,” began Jason. Anne stepped in: “Jason taught Outdoor Education and ran an Army Cadet Unit. With a previous employer he also made hiking trails between Pusuk and the west coast. Sadly, they were never used. Two years ago, Peter Duncan suggested making the trail. The name and the original idea came from him hence the official finish of The Great Lombok Trail is at The Taman Unique Hotel in Senggigi.

I also like to hike and explore. I sipped my Nina Bayan arabica and asked the obvious question: How does one make a 91km eco-trail when maps of Lombok are so incomplete? Jason smiled “By walking a long way, by exploring, asking questions and having many adventures.” My mind boggled, “What kind of adventures?”

They went on to tell of sleeping in the starless jungle, walking unawares into an infantry exercise, creeping along dangerously steep ravines, crossing rivers and drinking lots of kupi bideng (traditional Lombok black coffee) with village people along the whole route.

Hearing that, I wondered out loud, “Is the Great Lombok Trail safe?” This time Anne spoke up. “Lombok is probably the friendliest place on the planet. Our experience has only been positive.” Jason nodded. “Not only that the Trail is divided eight doable sections of 8 – 12km long. We have escape routes along the way. We also take a good first aid kit. Some parts are very challenging, but my risk assessment training means that we don’t do dangerous. And we provide all the camping gear and food.”

Ninety one kilometres in eight sections. “Does one have to do all the Sections?” What would make someone want to take that long? What is there to see anyway?” I fired my questions like an automatic rifle.

Another sip of Nina Bayan. Anne shook her head. “Do the sections you want to do. Our new website (thegreatlomboktrail.com) will be up soon with details and photos for overnight and day walks.”

Jason piped up. “The adventurous & the pilgrims will want to do the whole trail because it’s there. There is much to see and enjoy along the way. Stop wherever you want to chew the cud with friendly village people. Drink lots of coffee, eat lots of rice & try the local food like sate bulayak and durian as you go. Enjoy the many waterfalls. See the shy Pituq Black Monkey. Walk the beautiful ravines. Swim in the streams. Soak up the sunshine as we cross kilometres of rice paddies with Mt Rinjani and Mt Meninting in view. Camping for eight days is an adventure in itself. And there are a million reasons for photos and selfies. Just take a look at The Great Lombok Trail on Facebook and Instagram!”

I found myself thinking about my hiking gear sitting the cupboard at home, unused for too long. “What of your competitors?” I asked. Anne grinned. “The Great Lombok Trail is a new tourist attraction in Lombok.

There is no competition. We want to enhance what local people were doing…” Here Jason showed me some photos on his Oppo smartphone. “We have worked with local businesses in Central Lombok and North Lombok providing training, encouragement and opportunity. We facilitated the development of a 3km hike through Lantan Village which is possibly the prettiest walk on the island.

I nodded in approval. One last question remained to be asked: prices. Jason spoke up. “Bale Kreatif’s packets and prices will be up on thegreatlomboktrail.com website. Due to Covid-19 we are offering specials on day, overnight and whole trail hikes. Do a section in a day, do two sections with a camp in between.

Four people, pretty much all inclusive, for Rp1-2,5 million for these. Check them out! After Covid-19 we expect prices to be comparable to those for climbing Mt Rinjani.” With that final word I drank the last of my wine brewed Nina Bayan arabica and left. I determined to find all my hiking gear when I got home from work.

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