Mount Rinjani’s Senaru Route Reopens to Hikers After Forest Fire

Indonesia reopened the Senaru hiking route to Mount Rinjani in West Nusa Tenggara on October 3, 2026, after firefighting operations and joint safety assessments confirmed a forest fire was fully extinguished, according to the Mount Rinjani National Park Agency (TNGR). The reopening restores normal access across five routes on the popular volcano, though authorities continue drone monitoring following a blaze that scorched more than 1,000 hectares of mountain pine, savanna, and undergrowth.

Reopening the Senaru Hiking Route on Mount Rinjani

The Senaru trail reopened following a joint safety evaluation and assessment involving several stakeholders, english.news.cn reported. Astekita Ardiarsito, head of the administration sub-division at the TNGR Office, confirmed that the route welcomed hikers again after park officials verified that the fire had been completely extinguished and inspected hiking facilities and infrastructure, according to ANTARA News.

With Senaru back in operation, five designated hiking routes within Mount Rinjani National Park are operating normally. Those routes include Sembalun, Senaru, Tibanuh, Tetebatu, and Aik Berik, ANTARA News reported. Park officials noted that prospective visitors planning to hike the mountain must register online through the eRinjani application.

Assessing the Setampol Hill Fire Damage

The forest fire began on September 22, 2026, at Setampol Hill in the Torean resort area of Mount Rinjani, ANTARA News reported. The blaze swept through mountain pine forests, undergrowth, bushes, grass, mountain savanna, and dry leaves, creating surface fires across the terrain. Tempo reported that the fire raised immediate concerns over visitor safety at one of the country’s most popular mountain destinations.

Preliminary monitoring by the TNGR Office as of September 29, 2026, showed the fire had affected approximately 1,098.75 hectares, according to ANTARA News. Park officials noted that this figure remains a preliminary estimate subject to updates based on ongoing field monitoring, drone documentation, and area boundary verification.

Teams Monitor Hotspots to Prevent Fire Reignition

Firefighting teams and park authorities continue drone monitoring and patrols from a distance of 350 meters to prevent the fire from reigniting, english.news.cn reported. Authorities located remaining hotspots exclusively on isolated trees that had previously burned and were no longer spreading, according to ANTARA News.

Ardiarsito stated that field teams remain on alert with strengthened surveillance through regular patrols and inspections of hiker belongings, ANTARA News reported. While the trails are open, authorities have not yet announced when finalized burn-area boundary measurements will replace the current preliminary estimate.