Efforts to enhance safety for climbers on Mount Rinjani are currently underway, with authorities undertaking physical improvements to its hiking routes.
The Rinjani National Park Office (BTNGR), in cooperation with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and local volunteers, began repair works on Sunday, 27 July 2025, focusing on the hazardous section between Pelawangan Sembalun and Danau Segara Anak.
In a video shared via BTN Rinjani’s official social media account, personnel from the TNI and volunteers are seen carrying equipment, iron panels, and generators along the trail. Iron stairs and railings have already been installed at specific points to ease the climb and descent.
Iron stairs and railings aim to improve stability on the steep and rocky sections of the trail, particularly those prone to slipping accidents during the rainy season.
“This initiative is undertaken to ensure the safety and comfort of hikers, as every repaired step reflects our collective responsibility to climb safely and return home securely,” the @btn_gn_rinjani account stated.
Hariyanto, Deputy for Destination and Infrastructure Development at the Ministry of Tourism, explained that the intervention seeks to maintain the integrity of the hiking experience while prioritising hiker welfare.
“The trail improvements are being carried out in the form of constructing steps to make it easier for hikers to walk on, not by installing artificial stairs,” he clarified during a press interview on Wednesday, 30 July 2025, as quoted by Antara.
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He further noted that the improvements focus primarily on areas identified as particularly dangerous, especially along the Pelawangan Sembalun–Segara Anak Lake trail.
“The primary objective of constructing the iron stairs is to make the hiking trails more stable and easier to traverse, especially in steep and slippery areas, thereby enhancing safety for hikers,” Hariyanto said.
The improvements are being implemented by a collaborative team involving BTNGR, the 1615 East Lombok District Military Command, the 18th Engineering Battalion (Yon Zipur 18/YKR), the Rinjani Squad, porters, and community volunteers.
Among the efforts, flat natural steps have been created using drilling machines to reduce the trail’s incline and slipperiness. An iron staircase was successfully tested by two porters carrying an 80-kilogram generator.
Rinjani Hiking Trails Closed from 1–10 August During Trail Repairs & Iron Stairs Installation
As part of the continued trail improvements and a response to a recent incident on the Segara Anak Lake route, BTNGR will temporarily close all hiking trails on Mount Rinjani for 10 days, from 1 to 10 August 2025.
Head of the Rinjani National Park Office, Yarman, announced the temporary closure following a coordination meeting held to evaluate safety concerns on the mountain.
“This closure will be in effect for 10 days, from August 1 to 10, 2025,” said Yarman in a written statement on Wednesday, 23 July.
The affected routes include the following six entry points:
- Senaru trail, North Lombok
- Torean trail, North Lombok
- Sembalun trail, East Lombok
- Timbanuh trail, East Lombok
- Tetebatu trail, East Lombok
- Aik Berik trail, Central Lombok
Visitors who have already purchased entry tickets for the affected period will be allowed to reschedule their visit within the remainder of the 2025 hiking season.
In response to public comparisons with mountain facilities in other countries, such as China, where escalators have been installed in some mountainous areas, Hariyanto affirmed the government’s commitment to preserving the natural character of Mount Rinjani.
“As we know, Mount Rinjani is an active volcano prone to landslides, so it is not suitable for the installation of escalators,” he said. “The installation of large-scale artificial structures like escalators would have a significant impact on the landscape, ecosystem, and biodiversity.”
He emphasised that maintaining the authenticity of the mountain is key to preserving its appeal. “The Rinjani National Park Office is also striving to maintain the authenticity of the climbers’ experience,” he added.
According to Hariyanto, the physical challenge of climbing Rinjani is itself an important attraction sought after by both international and domestic tourists.
