Batu Baginda: A Stunning Short Trek in Indonesia's Bintan Island

Batu Baginda offers a breathtaking hiking trail on Bintan Island in Indonesia, leading you to the top of a massive rock overlooking the jungle.

Most visitors to Bintan are unaware of this spot, but it's one of our favorite experiences on the island and part of the newly recognized UNESCO Geopark. Its name is sometimes spelled as "Batu Baginde."

The view from the summit is stunning, but having a drone would make it even better, as you could capture some aerial selfies to see how tiny you look atop the giant rock!

Hiking Batu Baginda

The hike to the top of Batu Baginda Rock isn't long but is quite steep. If you maintain a good pace, it will take you about 15 minutes.

Try not to linger in the jungle, as mosquitoes can be quite aggressive. Like many places in Indonesia, Bintan has dengue fever, so you wouldn't want to risk it.

The best approach is to keep moving until you reach the summit. The trail is short, and if you keep going forward, you won't encounter any fish bites.

Upon reaching the rock, there are ladders and ropes for climbing. It may look intimidating at first, but it's actually not that difficult. We climbed it in sandals.

When you first step onto the rock, it can feel a bit steep and may be slippery after heavy rain. Just take it slow and steady.

Voilà! You're on top!

The Viewpoint at Batu Baginda

Once you reach the top of the giant rock, the ground becomes flat, allowing you to walk around and enjoy a stunning 360-degree panorama.

It reminds me of Elephant Rock in my hometown of Missouri, but this one is even better because you can walk around on top of one of the largest rocks.

With a gentle breeze, you can see mountains to the north, the Java Sea to the south, vast jungles and palm oil plantations below, and another giant rock in the distance.

The name "Batu Baginda" (also spelled "Batu Baginde") is derived from Indonesian and roughly translates to "Rock of the Lord."

I think the name fits perfectly.

This is a magical place where I'd love to spend a whole day. While I was flying my drone and capturing photos of myself standing atop the giant rock, Intan was taking a nap.

If you have a drone, this is the perfect spot to use it. It's hard to understand how massive these rocks are unless you see them in person!

Check out these drone photos.