Authorities restrict hiking access as fires strain emergency resources and threaten visitor safety nationwide.
Indonesia’s escalating wildfire emergency is now directly affecting nature tourism. Hiking routes across nine national parks have been temporarily closed as authorities work to protect visitors and prevent firefighting resources from being diverted from priority fire zones.
Nine National Parks Face Hiking Closures
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni announced on August 31 that hiking activities would be temporarily closed in nine national parks because of elevated forest and land fire risks. The restrictions cover Mount Semeru in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Kerinci Seblat, Mount Ciremai, Tambora, Manusela, Bukit Baka Bukit Raya, Mount Gede Pangrango and Mount Leuser, as well as the Ilaga, Tsinga, Sugapa and Ugimba routes in Lorentz National Park.
170 Hikers Were Previously Trapped
Visitor safety became particularly urgent after approximately 170 hikers were trapped by spreading wildfires in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. Raja Juli emphasized that the restrictions are preventive and temporary rather than a permanent limitation on outdoor tourism, with an official circular from the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation expected to formalize the closures.
Fires Divert Critical Firefighting Resources
Wildfires inside protected areas are also complicating Indonesia’s wider emergency response. Water-bombing helicopters originally assigned to primary fire zones have had to be redirected to national parks, while mountainous and difficult terrain makes extinguishing fires particularly challenging. The government wants the closures to reduce additional emergencies and allow firefighting resources to remain focused on affected areas.
Some Hiking Destinations Remain Open
Not every major hiking destination has been closed. Limited hiking remains permitted under strict supervision and within designated safe areas at Mount Rinjani National Park, Mount Merbabu National Park, Mount Argopuro in the Hyang Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mount Halimun Salak National Park. Travelers are therefore advised to check official park information before beginning trips as wildfire conditions can change rapidly.
Indonesia Remains on Wildfire Alert
Although high-confidence hotspots nationwide fell to 946 as of August 30, including 455 in West Kalimantan and 308 in Central Kalimantan, authorities warn that Indonesia is not yet safe from the wildfire threat. Firefighting operations were still underway at 60 locations, while peat fires can continue smoldering underground even after visible flames disappear. The national park closures therefore reflect a broader effort to manage an emergency affecting tourism, ecosystems, public health and regional air quality.
Temporarily restricting hiking demonstrates how Indonesia’s wildfire crisis is extending beyond forests into tourism and public safety. For Indonesians, protecting national parks also means safeguarding biodiversity and communities dependent on nature tourism. For Singaporeans planning trips to Indonesia, particularly hiking and ecotourism holidays, checking current park restrictions will be increasingly important while fire risks remain elevated.
Sources: EN Antara (2026) , Xinhua (2026)
Keywords: Indonesia National Parks, Hiking Trail Closures, Indonesia Wildfires, Forest Fires Indonesia, Mount Semeru, Wildfire Tourism
