Hidden Rice Field Hiking Route Behind the Bustling Streets of Ubud

When you first arrive in Ubud, the streets are filled with the roar of motorcycles and exhaust fumes, and the dense crowds of tourists are far from the spiritual paradise depicted in "Eat, Pray, Love." One day, while sitting in a café not far from the palace, I noticed a few tourists walking into the woods across the street. Following them, I stumbled upon the entrance to a hidden hiking route along the bustling road. The path under the coconut trees, the seemingly abandoned thatched huts in the rice fields, the chirping of insects and birds, the villagers working in the fields, and the children flying kites, along with the few tourists enjoying nature, create a world entirely different from the main street just a hundred meters away. Walking through the fields truly has a healing power. 🟢 Hiking Route 1: Sweet Orange Walk Trail This route passes through rice fields, villages, coconut groves, and residential areas. If you look closely, you can even spot a volcano in the distance. A section of the road is paved with mud bricks customized by tourists, which is quite creative. The 2-kilometer flat road can be completed in 1 hour, making it friendly for all fitness levels. Entrance: Enter the small road next to The PAON International Restaurant. Exit: The entrance to the market on Jl. Kajeng Alley, west of Ubud Palace. The order of entry and exit can be adjusted. 🟢 Hiking Route 2: Sari Organic Walk This route is longer, mainly featuring rice fields, coconut groves, and small rivers along the way. You can see locals harvesting rice in the fields, pass by a handmade silver workshop, Ubud Yoga House, and unique restaurants and homestays in the fields, all the way to a free healing school, School of Unified Healing. The slope is gentle, making it friendly for all fitness levels. Entrance: Enter Jl. Subak Sok Wayah next to ESCO. Exit: You can walk along the country road until you don't want to walk anymore, then take a detour to the main road and take a taxi back, or return the same way. It's 3 kilometers to the School of Unified Healing. Personally, I find these two hiking routes more diverse in terms of scenery than the popular Campuhan Ridge Walk. They offer shade, a mix of commercialized cafes and homestays, and a glimpse into the simple lives of the locals, making for a more leisurely experience. In contrast, Campuhan Ridge Walk is mostly paved with stone bricks, with a long stretch lacking shade and a view of large rice fields, coconut groves, and residential areas (only in the latter part). It's exposed to the sun during the day and has a certain slope, making it more tiring than the above two routes. Ubud