There's something magical about exploring Bali on two wheels. The wind in your face, the freedom to stop wherever beauty calls, and roads that wind through landscapes you've only seen in dreams. After countless rides across this island, we've found our favorite routes - the ones we keep coming back to, the ones that make us fall in love with Bali all over again.
Here are the roads and destinations that have captured our hearts - complete with route maps and what you'll see along the way from Canggu.
1. Kintamani to Lunamoon
The Route Map
The Journey (2-2.5 hours, ~60km)
Starting from Canggu, head north through busy streets toward Mengwi. Pass local warungs, rice paddies appearing between buildings, and the ornate Mengwi Royal Temple (Pura Taman Ayun) - worth a quick stop.
From Mengwi, climb toward Sangeh, famous for its monkey forest and towering nutmeg trees. Traffic thins, temperature drops. Small villages appear - kids walking to school, farmers tending fields, roadside fruit stalls.
The climb steepens through Petang - tropical lowlands give way to pine forests and vegetable farms. Crisp, cool air. Views open wider around every bend.
Crest the caldera rim at Kintamani - Mount Batur rises from its crater lake, steam occasionally wisping from its slopes. Follow the ridge road to Lunamoon.
Why We Love It
Lunamoon sits perched with sweeping views of Mount Batur, Lake Batur, and the volcanic highlands. The food is immaculate - Thai-inspired dishes at affordable prices - and the atmosphere is pure magic.
Best time to ride: Leave Canggu at 5:30am for sunrise, or 2pm for golden hour.
2. Uluwatu Coastal Cliffs
The Route Map
The Journey (1-1.5 hours, ~30km)
From Canggu, head south through bustling Seminyak - boutiques, beach clubs - then through the chaos of Kuta where the airport roar fills the air.
South of Kuta, enter Jimbaran - the vibe shifts completely. Road curves around Jimbaran Bay, famous for seafood restaurants on the beach. Stop for a fresh coconut.
The best part: climbing onto the Bukit Peninsula. Road narrows, clifftop views begin. Pass hidden beach turnoffs - Padang Padang, Bingin, Dreamland - each accessible by steep cliff stairways.
Approaching Uluwatu - dramatic limestone cliffs drop straight into the Indian Ocean. The final stretch to Uluwatu Temple is pure coastal magic.
Why We Love It
Watching sunset over the ocean from a clifftop road puts everything into perspective. The famous Uluwatu Temple perches on a 70-meter cliff, surrounded by hidden beaches and steep stairways carved into rock. Riding here feels dramatic, wild, and utterly free.
Best time to ride: Leave Canggu at 3pm for the legendary Uluwatu sunset.
3. Tabanan Rice Fields
The Route Map
The Journey (1.5-2 hours, ~40km)
From Canggu, head northwest toward Tabanan town - the heart of Bali's rice-growing region. Paddies appear almost immediately. Flat roads pass through local markets and small villages.
In Tabanan, follow signs toward Penebel. Road begins to climb through increasingly spectacular rice terraces. Small irrigation channels run alongside - the ancient Subak system, UNESCO-recognized.
Final stretch to Jatiluwih - terraces cascade down mountainsides in perfect geometric patterns. Small entry fee (goes to preservation). Find a warung overlooking the paddies and take it all in.
Why We Love It
The Bali of postcards and dreams - but from a motorcycle, it's something else entirely. Roads curve gently through paddies, village life unfolds around you, pace slows to rural Bali rhythm. Peaceful, beautiful, the real Bali many tourists never see.
Best time to ride: Morning when light is soft and paddies shimmer with dew.
4. Ubud Forest Roads
The Route Map
The Journey (1-1.5 hours, ~35km)
From Canggu, head inland toward Mengwi. Increasingly green countryside, coast disappearing behind. Stop at Pura Taman Ayun if you have time - one of Bali's most beautiful temples, surrounded by lotus ponds.
From Mengwi, the road to Ubud takes you through the Ayung River valley. Landscape transforms - deep gorges carved by rivers, dense jungle pressing in, and those famous tree-tunnel roads where canopy closes overhead and filters sunlight into something magical.
Approaching Ubud - art galleries, craft workshops, entrance to Campuhan Ridge Walk. The surrounding roads - especially north toward Tegalalang or east toward Tirta Empul - offer endless exploring.
Why We Love It
Ubud's forest roads offer escape from Bali's heat and hustle. Mystical riding - you half expect something magical around every bend. Stop at Sacred Monkey Forest, explore jungle temples, or just ride and let the forest work its calming magic.
Best time to ride: Any time - the forest canopy keeps things cool all day.
5. Black Lava Fields (Mount Batur Camping)
The Route Map
The Journey (2.5-3 hours, ~70km)
From Canggu, follow the Kintamani route through Mengwi and up through Petang. Spectacular climb through the highlands - gain nearly 1,500 meters elevation.
At Kintamani, instead of stopping at viewpoints, continue on the road descending into the caldera. This is where it gets adventurous - road drops steeply down the crater wall toward the lake.
At the bottom: black lava fields - vast stretches of volcanic rock and sand from Mount Batur's eruptions (1963, 2000). Otherworldly landscape - black sand, twisted lava formations, volcano looming above.
Several spots allow camping with incredible views. Temperature drops significantly at night - bring layers.
Why We Love It
Adventure riding at its best. Raw, primal terrain unlike anything else on the island. Camp under stars with volcano silhouetted against the night sky, wake to sunrise over lava fields, experience Bali that few visitors ever discover.
Best time to ride: Afternoon for camping overnight, or early morning for dramatic light.
6. Cemagi Beach – Ride Your Bike Right Onto the Sand
Route from Canggu to Cemagi Beach • 15 min ride
The Journey from Canggu
Distance: 8 km | Time: 15-20 minutes | Route: Jl. Pantai Berawa → Jl. Raya Seseh → Cemagi Beach
This is the shortest and easiest ride on our list – perfect for a quick sunset session or morning photo shoot. Head north from Canggu along Jl. Pantai Berawa, passing the quieter stretch of beach villas and local warungs.
The road takes you through Seseh, a sleepy village that's kept its traditional character despite being so close to Canggu. You'll see local farmers working rice paddies, traditional Balinese compounds with their ornate gates, and very little tourist traffic.
Turn toward the beach at the Cemagi temple sign – the road narrows to a sandy track, and suddenly you're riding directly onto black sand beach. Yes, you can actually ride your motorcycle right onto the sand here. Time your visit for low tide when the sand is firm and flat.
Why We Love It
There's something magical about parking your bike with waves crashing behind it. Cemagi is one of the only beaches in Bali where you can actually ride onto the sand – most beaches have barriers or soft sand that'll swallow your wheels. The beach is usually empty, the sunsets are incredible, and the photos you'll get here are absolutely epic.
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🛵 Riding Tips for Bali
Early morning (6-9am) or late afternoon (3-6pm). Avoid midday heat and heavy traffic hours around 8am and 5pm near towns.
Helmet (we provide these), sunscreen, water bottle, light rain jacket (weather changes fast in the mountains), and cash for warungs and parking.
Main roads are generally good. Mountain roads can be narrow with sharp turns. Rice field roads may have potholes. Go slow and enjoy the scenery.
Pertamina stations are everywhere in southern Bali. In the mountains, fill up before leaving town. Our Nmax has a range of 200+ km so you're covered for any day trip.
Ready to Explore Bali by Bike?
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