Mountains Where I Started My Journey

Central Java feels like home for my hiking journey. When I was just starting out, these were the mountains that made me fall in love with high altitude. They were manageable enough that I didn’t give up, but beautiful enough to keep me coming back.

1. Mount Prau: The First Love

Prau was special. It wasn’t too hard—maybe 3 hours of huffing and puffing—but reaching that ridge felt incredible. The sunrise view facing Sindoro and Sumbing is still one of my favorites to this day. It’s crowded, but for a reason.

2. Mount Andong: The Friendly Neighbor

Whenever I miss hiking but don’t have much time, I go to Andong. It feels accessible. It’s a short hike, less than 2 hours. I remember my first solo attempt here; it gave me confidence because the path is so clear and there are warungs everywhere!

3. Mount Sindoro (Alang-Alang Sewu): The Gentle Giant

Sindoro intimidated me at first because it’s over 3,000 meters. But taking the Alang-Alang Sewu route was a good decision. It felt longer than Prau, definitely testing my legs, but the incline was manageable. Seeing the crater for the first time was a core memory unlocked.

Note to self/others: Even on “easy” mountains, weather can change fast. I learned to respect the mountain, no matter the height.