Gunung Slamet

Gunung Slamet is a basalt stratovolcano in Central Java rising to 3,428 meters (11,247 feet). The cone has several summit craters and steep flanks that transition into dense forest and open high plateaus.

The volcano has been active since at least the 19th century, with major eruptions in 1952, 1961, 1990, and 2009. Each of these phases brought ashfall and occasional evacuations of nearby villages.

The name Slamet comes from an Arabic word meaning safety, reflecting the hopes of people living on its slopes. Villages around the crater still hold ceremonies asking for protection from eruptions.

The climb from Bambangan village in Purbalingga takes six to eight hours along steep, often slippery trails. Warm clothing and rain gear are necessary as temperatures drop near the summit and rainfall is frequent.

Rainfall on the slopes is among the heaviest in Indonesia, exceeding 320 inches (8,000 millimeters) per year. Temperatures at the summit often drop below freezing at night, which is rare for a tropical region.

Location: Central Java

Elevation above the sea: 3,428 m

Made from material: basalt

GPS coordinates: -7.23909,109.21993

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:05