Gembleng Waterfall is not quite as picturesque as other Bali waterfalls when viewed from the bottom, but it has a unique feature which makes it unmissable: a cliff top infinity pool! There’s actually a series of small plunge pools, but one in particular offers the full infinity experience. The water is cool and refreshing, the views are amazing and you’ll be surrounded by lush greenery - it’s what Bali dreams are made of!
It’s a very short but steep climb to reach the falls, and then a slippery few steps into the pool itself. You can then enjoy spectacular views and a refreshing dip in your own private plunge pool.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Gembleng Waterfall.
Gembleng Waterfall
The walk to get there
Distance: 250m each way
Elevation gain: 50m
Difficulty: Easy but steep
The walking trail at Gembleng Falls starts at the bottom of the waterfall and heads up to the top. The trail is all paved and a series of staircases take you steeply up the hill in just 10 minutes. It’s one of the best paths to a waterfall we’ve seen in Bali, and should cope with rain pretty well.
Along the way there are several side trails to the left which lead to various small pools and some good views of the main waterfall itself. It’s all very picturesque but gets even better as you near the top.
The walkway is very pretty, and as with every waterfall trail in Bali you’re spoilt by the scenery. You’ll have great views and pass plenty of stunning tropical plants as colourful butterflies and dragonflies crisscross the path.
If you’re visiting early morning, you’ll also be treated to wafts of incense all the way up, which definitely adds to the atmosphere.
Just before you reach the top of the falls you’ll have to remove your shoes to cross a small pool - or at least we did, water levels might be much lower further into the dry season.
This is where you’ll see the top of the falls above you and the small infinity pool to your left. There are actually two little pools, but only the cliff edge one has infinity style views.
Up to this point the track has all been well maintained and isn’t slippery. However the final few steps into the pool are quite the opposite. More on that next, but to finish the whole walk you need to climb a couple more staircases.
You’ll see a lookout on the left with vast views out over the jungle and rice paddies. To the right you can see the top of the falls which has its own tiny pool. It’s shallow but pretty and the water was a lovely shade of blue.
The infinity pool at Gembleng Waterfall
The infinity pool might be very small, but it’s deep enough for a proper plunge and the views are just gorgeous. It’s the perfect way to cool off from the intense Bali heat.
There’s only really room for two people which makes it feel even more special.
Unfortunately getting into the pool is a bit more challenging as the rock is always wet and therefore very slippery.
It’s pretty hard to find any grippy bits so take it slowly. I entered on the right side and exited on the left and the left definitely had more grip.
Once you’ve lowered yourself into the pool, it’s fairly deep. Although you obviously can’t swim, it is really refreshing.
The rock wall is quite substantial, but if the water flow is really heavy, then I wouldn’t recommend entering the pool. Unless there’s been a lot of freak rain then you should be fine in the dry season.
Gembleng Waterfall entry fee and access
Currently access to Gembleng Waterfall is by donation. We’d recommend giving a similar amount to the other waterfalls nearby (15k to 20k rupiah).
The road to get to the falls is sealed all the way but the final kilometre is very narrow. This is no problem on a scooter, but if you’re in a car you have to hope that no one comes in the other direction. It’s also tight to turn at the parking area. We visited by car and were grateful we didn’t meet any oncoming traffic as there really isn’t any way of passing!
Getting to Gembleng Waterfall
in terms of location, we visited from Sidemen which is less than a 25 minute drive away. The road is sealed all the way. It’s just over an hour from Ubud and 1 hour 20 from Kuta. It’s a straightforward journey but for the last kilometre, and that’s only an issue if you’re in a car rather than on a scooter.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, that we will earn a small commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase. This helps towards the costs of running our website. Thanks for your support.
