Gunung Sibayak

Lonely Planet review

Gunung Sibayak is probably the most accessible of Indonesia's volcanoes and on Sundays day-trippers from Medan are out in force. You need good walking boots because the path can be steep and slippery, and a layer of warm clothing as it gets cold at the summit. If doing the five-hour hike alone, it is recommended you hire a guide through the guesthouses.

There are three ways to tackle the climb, depending on your energy level. The easiest way is to take the track that starts to the northwest of town, a 10-minute walk past the Sibayak Multinational Resthouse. Take the left-hand path beside the entrance fee hut. From here it's 7km (4mi)- about three hours - to the top. On the way down it's worth stopping for a soak in the hot springs on the road back to Berastagi.