Written by Rinjani Dawn Adventures » Updated on: June 16th, 2025
Trekkers who seek more than beautiful scenery usually get more than what they bargained for on the Lombok trails. Mount Rinjani is more than a trek; it is a challenging experience with cultural, physical, and spiritual gratification. Of the numerous places one stops at, one place wins hearts and tales: the crater lake Segara Anak. Once they go there, people find themselves being lured back once again into the mystical call of Mount Rinjani.
Here, we will discuss what keeps thousands of adventure seekers fascinated not only with the peak of this mountain but also with the crater lake located far inside the volcanic crater rim of Rinjani.
There is nothing quite like it to prepare trekkers to see Segara Anak for the first time. The lake lies at 2,000 meters above sea level in the middle of a large caldera, and is an intense turquoise blue against the grey and green volcanic surrounding cliffs. The setting seems otherworldly because of this contrast between water and rock, between silence and wind. Trekkers usually make camping sites beside the lake to enjoy the scenery during sunset and sunrise. Segara Anak, with its visual prowess, is among the best motivations individuals have when deciding to climb Rinjani Mountain.
The lake is not just a geographical phenomenon but also a holy place of the Sasak of Lombok and Balinese Hindus. People visit Segara Anak to offer sacrifices, to cleanse, and to get blessed. There are local folklore about supernatural powers guarding the lake. Even non-religious trekkers tend to be touched by the spiritual mood. This secondary level of meaning gives an extra emotional richness to an already memorable ascent on Mount Rinjani.
Natural hot springs that are part of an underground volcanic activity are a treat after a long day of a physically demanding trek. These springs, said to possess healing powers, are within a short walking distance to the lake and are regarded as a favorite spot among the locals and the tourists. Sore muscles, aching joints, and altitude strain appear to disappear in the hot mineral-filled water. Many trekkers also consider this leg of the climb as the point at which they felt they were finally in touch with Rinjani Mountain.
Freshwater fish such as carp and tilapia that were introduced years ago are stocking Segara Anak and are now doing well. The lake is not a commercial fishing zone, but one can engage in easy rod and line fishing. This relaxing exercise attracts trekkers who are not in a great hurry or need to have a day off to think. The calmness of the lake also provides some time of solitude, which is hard to experience at other times. These are the silent experiences that tend to trail on even after leaving Mount Rinjani behind.
Most people would get one type of awe, looking down at the lake from the rim. But what a different view is obtained by standing on its shore and gazing up at the ragged edge and the freshly-formed active cone, Mount Barujari. Those trekkers who find time to climb down to the crater and approach Segara Anak say that it is always worth doing. The hike uphill is quite steep; however, the experiences at the lake are more than the fatigue. Both panoramas are a reminder to the adventurers of how wild and enormous Rinjani Mountain can be.
Camping along the lake also gives the trekkers a chance to interact with other people on the same path. A starlit sky is enjoyed as campfires are lit, meals are shared, and stories of the climb are exchanged. The physical struggle provides an element of cohesion that is difficult to experience in normal life. It is a bonding process that, in most cases, creates lifelong friends out of strangers. Most people claim that their most memorable travel experiences occurred next to Segara Anak on Mount Rinjani.
Trekkers not only visit Segara Anak to view it. They arrive to heal, seek reflection, experience cultural immersion, and challenge themselves. The trip to the crater lake makes sense to the individual who undertakes it. All that is left are the memories and bonds, and a newfound appreciation of the natural beauty of the Rinjani Mountain.
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