Waterfalls to Visit in Banyumas, Central Java

Banyumas is one of twenty-nine districts in Jawa Tengah (Central Java) province, with Purwokerto City as the capital.

Located near Mount Slamet -the biggest mountain on Jawa island- and surrounded by valleys and rivers, Banyumas has plenty of beautiful waterfalls or “curug” the locals would say.

Not so many are open to the public, but here are five I would recommend you to visit:

Curug Cipendok (waterfall)

Karang Tengah village, Cilongok sub-district – ±15 kilometers west from Purwokerto

The highest waterfalls in Banyumas (92 meters high).

Entrance ticket: IDR 7,000. They may give us a bottled drink, but I suggest you NOT take it because they will charge you another IDR 3,000, and the drink tastes weird unless you want to keep it as a souvenir.

Flying fox (for beginners) costs only IDR 10,000.
Roasted corn ± IDR 3,000.

Curug Gomblang (waterfall)

Baseh village in Kedungbanteng sub-district – ±12 kilometers west of Purwokerto

Two waterfalls with large water debit, but amazingly peaceful under. Get lost a bit among the kauri trees (Agathis dammara); you’ll find a path down to the Logawa River, mostly covered with bush. Be careful of the thorns and look around for the possibility of seeing wild raspberries. It can be very slippery in the rainy season.

Curug Belot (waterfall)

Pandak village, Baturraden sub-district – ±12 kilometers north of Purwokerto.

Swim and jump from the rock with the local children.

Curug Bayan (waterfall)

Melung village, Baturraden sub-district – ±13 kilometers north from Purwokerto

You’ll read both curug Gedhe and curug Bayan on a sign post, but curug Gedhe is a sacred place for the locals, so it’s not recommended to visit because you can’t do much there.

Relax, sit on a stone, and soak your feet in the pristine cool water of curug Bayan while viewing the surrounding, or try river tubing. There are also villas you can rent cost around IDR 350,000 – 1,500,000 per night. Entrance fee IDR 4,000.

Warning: Do not swim right under the waterfall. Some people trapped and died.

Curug Ceheng (waterfall)

Gandatapa village, Baturraden sub-district – ±15 kilometers northeast from Purwokerto.
This waterfall is located in the middle of the clove plantations and has become one of the famous camping grounds in Banyumas. Access is pretty straightforward. There is a hall where traditional performances are held at certain times.

The blend of curiosity and courage brings Eva to travel and explore exotic places. She believes that traveling is a journey of learning, a wide-opened door into experience and wisdom. Getting lost so many times made her decide to share more information on her travel blog and establish an outdoor tour guide service in her hometown. Find Eva at her travel blog – Traveling and Discerning.

Other articles by Eva:
Rock Climber’s Paradise in Siung Beach, Yogyakarta