Escape the Crowds at Bali’s Secluded Manuaba Waterfall in Gianyar
Bali is best known for its white-sand shores and towering temples. Yet deep inside its forests, travelers can find waterfalls that few visitors reach. One such site is Manuaba Waterfall, tucked in Gianyar. Surrounded by dense greenery and silence, it feels far removed from beach crowds. Here, mist rises from plunging water and the cool air offers a peaceful setting.
To reach this secluded spot, visitors follow a set of stone steps that drop steeply into a grove of tropical trees. The walk takes close to five minutes at a gentle pace. Ferns and vines cling to trunks overhead, dropping shafts of dappled sunlight onto dark, damp stones. Each step leads deeper into forest shade, creating a sense of anticipation for what lies below.
At the bottom, the first cascade reveals itself. It stands at only a few meters tall but its flow hits the pool with enough force to send fine droplets through the air. Rocks around the base wear a layer of bright green moss, soft under bare feet. A small ledge nearby allows a closer look at ribbons of water tracing down the cliff face. Bird calls drift in the background.
A rough path leads off to the right from the first fall. After moving about 200 meters over uneven ground, travelers come upon the second, larger cascade. This stretch of trail shows more exposed roots and occasional wooden steps. The soil can become slippery after rain, so careful footing works best. Signs of recent rains show in wet leaves and small puddles across the trail.
That second cascade drops from a height close to ten meters. Its surge delivers a steady wall of water that builds a low roar. When sunlight pierces through the canopy above, droplets catch light and scatter it across dark stone walls. A shallow pool forms at the base, deep enough for most adults to stand knee-deep, and cool enough to refresh on a hot afternoon. Visitors often feel a fine spray on their faces when standing near the plunge.
Leaving the falls brings a new test. Visitors must wade through a tight canyon carved by the stream. Water reaches most adults at knee height. Shafts of sunlight filter through narrow gaps overhead, tracing bright lines on wet stone walls. The passage stretches roughly 50 meters and at times narrows to a few feet across, requiring single-file travel. Dripping water echoes inside these walls, adding to the sensation of moving through a hidden channel.
A simple wooden pavilion stands near the first pool, its thatched roof offering dry shelter. A stone bench sits beneath it, giving visitors a place to rest after trekking through forest and canyon. Mild breeze carries the scent of damp earth and wild flowers across the space.
Manuaba Waterfall remains a low-key spot for those who prefer nature away from crowded beaches. Its two cascades, dense forest setting and canyon walk offer both calm views and light exertion. Few tours stop here, so hikers often have the space to themselves or share it with only a handful of locals. It promises a memory of clear water, mossy rocks and shaded trails.
