3 weeks in Bali, Indonesia- 5/28- 6/15/2024

Day 7- Tegenungan Waterfall, Ubud -6/2/2024

Tegenungan Waterfall is one of the most popular and dramatic waterfalls in the Ubud area that is easy to reach, powerful, and surrounded by lush jungle. As soon as you arrive, you can hear the rumbling of the water before you even see it. Then, as you walk down the steps, the view opens up to this wide cascade pouring over dark rock cliffs into a big natural pool below.

From the top of the hill, Tegenungan Waterfall looks even more dramatic.  From up here you really feel the height and the scale of the waterfall, and you can hear clearly the sound of the rushing water. It’s one of those moments where you pause and take in the whole scene before making your way down toward the base.

From up here the whole valley opens up  with lush jungle wrapping around the cliffs, the river winding at the bottom, and the waterfall pouring powerfully into the pool below.

This is the view point and it’s one of those moments where you pause and take in the whole scene before making your way down toward the base.

View of the waterfall from the viewpoint.

Photo area right at the edge of the lookout, perfectly positioned so people can capture the waterfall in the background. It’s built just far enough from the drop to be safe but close enough that you get a full, unobstructed view of the falls.

Not far from the main viewpoint, we reached a charming photo spot framed off by a green metal fence, almost like a little designated corner created just for pictures. Behind the fence is the oval-shaped structure made of dried twigs, woven together into a nest-like frame. It blends beautifully with the jungle surroundings, giving it that natural, rustic Bali aesthetic you see in many scenic spots.

I climbed inside, sat down for a picture.  The waterfall appears perfectly in the background, the cascading water is framed neatly inside this natural-looking structure. It makes the whole photo look very artistic.

This is another spot for photo ops but I am too scared to climb inside. It’s one of those fun, creative Bali spots where nature, art, and photography come together, and it gives people a unique way to capture Tegenungan Waterfall without being right next to the falls themselves.

We are now going down to the base.

We followed the trail leading to the base of the Fall.

At the base of Tegenungan Waterfall, everything feels louder, wetter, and more dramatic.

As we walked down, we followed a narrow pathway lined with metal fencing, guiding us safely along the riverbank toward the main viewing area. The sound of the water gets stronger with every step.  At the end of the walkway, we came across that unique wooden sculpture shaped like a giant mouth. It’s carved to look like open lips or a stylized face, almost like you’re stepping into a natural frame. The idea is to have visitors stand inside the “mouth” and look outward, because right behind it, perfectly centered, you get a beautiful, powerful view of the waterfall.

  The water crashes down behind the sculpture, filling the background with movement and mist, while the wooden frame adds a fun and artistic touch. It’s one of the creative photo spots at the base of the falls, combining natural beauty with a bit of playful design.

The idea is to have visitors stand in the middle of the “mouth” and look outward, because right behind it, perfectly centered, you get a beautiful, powerful view of the waterfall.

After the wooden mouth sculpture, the path gets even more adventurous. A series of bamboo bridges stretch across the rocks and shallow parts of the river, creating a playful walkway that leads you closer to the base of the waterfall.  Each bridge connects from one big rock to another, like weaving through the river landscape.

 The bridges look simple, just bamboo poles tied together, but they’re surprisingly sturdy, gently bouncing under my feet as I crossed. Crossing it feels like a little adventure, just enough movement to make me smile, but safe enough for everyone to enjoy.

As I made my way across, the view of the waterfall keeps getting bigger and more dramatic, with the spray cooling the air and the roar growing louder. By the time you reach the other side, you’re much closer to the heart of the falls, and the whole experience feels immersive and exciting.

What makes Tegenungan special is how strong and full the waterfall looks year-round. Even in the dry season it still has a solid flow, and during the wetter months it becomes incredibly powerful, sending mist into the air and creating that cool, refreshing breeze around the base.

The surrounding landscape is full of green, tall trees, tropical plants, and the river winding its way through the valley. People often stand on the rocks for photos, dip their feet in the water, or just sit and watch the falls.

The area is lively, scenic, and filled with that deep rushing sound of cascading water, one of those classic Bali nature spots where you feel the energy of the island in the air.

In front of the  waterfall there is a big basin area, and it really adds to the atmosphere at the base of Tegenungan. The water collects there in a wide, calm pool surrounded by rocks, and people naturally gather around the edge, some sitting with their feet in the water, some dipping their hands in, others just relaxing and taking in the view.

From the basin, you get a wonderful perspective of the waterfall. The falls appear a bit farther away but perfectly framed, with the water pouring down the cliffs into the main pool below. It’s a peaceful spot compared to the areas right next to the rushing water.

NEXT... Batuan Temple, Ubud