Exploring Banyu Wana Amertha: Four Secret Waterfalls in One Valley
If you tell me you are planning a trip up north to the lakes of Bedugul, I am immediately going to tell you to add Banyu Wana Amertha to your map. I discovered this place almost by accident while driving through the hills of Wanagiri, and honestly, it completely ruined other waterfalls for me. Why? Because you aren't just paying to see a single drop of water. You are stepping into a beautifully maintained hidden valley that holds four entirely distinct, gorgeous waterfalls along a single jungle trail.
The vibe here hits you the second you step out of your car. The air is cool, mountain-fresh, and completely smells like damp earth and wild moss. After paying the 40,000 IDR ticket, you start walking down a gentle, paved path. I loved that the local villagers didn't just clear the forest out; they turned the walk into a stunning botanical trail lined with bright tropical flowers, banana trees, and wild coffee bushes. The path splits as you go deeper, leading you down different paths into the ravine, and the whole walk takes about 15 minutes each way.
From Curtains of Water to Hidden Pools
The first spot you will probably encounter is the Bhuana Sari Waterfall, and it is an absolute jaw-dropper. Instead of a single heavy stream, the water trickles and sprays down a massive, wide rock face covered entirely in bright green moss and ferns. It looks like a giant, living curtain of water. You can walk right out onto a little wooden platform to feel the cool spray hit your face. If you keep walking along the main loop, you will hit the actual Banyu Wana Amertha cascade, which features two powerful streams rushing into a shallow gravelly basin.
We spent the most time just wandering between the different spots. There is another section with a deeper, clear pool where you can wade into the chilly mountain spring water. What surprised me the most was the sheer lack of crowds. Because most tourists stop at the famous lakeshore lookouts up on the main road, we shared this massive jungle canyon with maybe three other people. It felt incredibly raw, peaceful, and real.
A Few Honest Tips for the Trail
While the trail is mostly paved and has handrails, it is still a valley hike, which means you have to walk back up. The incline can be a bit steep, so don't rush it. If you have mobility issues or just feel completely exhausted after exploring all four spots, some of the local village guys offer a quick scooter ride back up to the parking lot for a few thousand rupiah. Make sure you wear shoes with decent traction because the spray from the curtain waterfalls keeps the wooden bridges and steps pretty damp. If you want a full morning of pure jungle exploration without the typical Bali crowds, this is the spot.
There are four distinct waterfalls spread across the valley network: Bhuana Sari (the famous wide curtain wall), Banyu Wana Amertha (the twin streams), and two other smaller, seasonal spring falls tucked along the loop.
You can comfortably wade, splash, and stand under the spray at most of the falls. One of the sections has a deeper natural pool that is perfect for cooling off, but the water is quite cold since it comes directly from mountain springs.
I recommend giving yourself at least 1.5 to 2 hours. The walk down to the valley only takes 15 minutes, but because there are multiple waterfalls connected by different paths, you will want extra time to explore and take photos.
The trail is actually one of the best-maintained paths in North Bali. It is mostly paved or stepped with bamboo handrails. It does get steep on the climb back up to the entrance, but it is much easier than the rough dirt trails found at other wild waterfalls.
Yes, the local community has built basic but clean toilet and changing facilities near the bottom of the trail where the paths split, so you can easily change into your swimwear.
