In Reply to: How rigorous are these walks? posted by Gina on Friday, 9. April 1999 at 08:03 Bali Time:
Nothing is very rigorous in Bali. There are some hills to tackle, so just take your time, no hurry. There's always sights to be seen, people to talk to, etc.
Around the Campuan/Penestenan area no particular level of fitness is required, but if you intend walking to Sayan, it's a fair trek. That's why I suggested bikeriding, even then no level of fitness is required. There are some cheap bikes you can hire, but I can give you details of young Wayan whom I hired my fantastic mountain bike from. I don't do heaps of riding at home, too mountainous where I'm from, need a motorbike. But there will be some hills around Ubud you'll have to hop off & walk up - no dramas though.
The walk/ride I mentioned around Laplapan, Pejeng, Bedulu & Peliatan is really superb, takes you off the main road around Laplapan & Pejeng right into small villages, locals schools shops, etc. Around Laplapan there's a couple of doozies of hills to tackle, but around Pejeng, Bedulu & Peliatan it's fairly flat - a rise or two. From Peliatan to Ubud is a slow incline. If you're not so fit, allow extra time - but that's all, these walks are really ok for those not so fit.
If you have a high level of fitness, I would suggest all of these walks even to Sayan. Another for the highly fit, would be a bike ride over to Tampaksiring, visiting Gunung Kawi. For that matter, bike ride around the whole Island, many people have done this & if you have the time it sure would be a great way to go. From what I've read the whole Island is highly accessible & easy to bike-ride around.
Selamat Jalan,
Jenni.