There are two entrances to this national park, set on the shoulders of Gunung Merapi. The more developed entrance on Jl Kaliurang costs an extra 4Rp for some unknown reason and is surrounded by a dozen warungs, but it offers a more dramatic approach as the cliffs close in and loom over a ribbon road. Both gates access just a few kilometres of trails that lead to caves where Japanese soldiers hid during WWII, and two different hilltop views of Merapi.
Maps at the park entrance delineate the areas you are allowed to explore. Heed them and don’t venture further; in a sudden eruption, lava can flow down the mountain at 300km/h. A 15-minute walk to the Promojiwo viewpoint offers vistas of Merapi and takes you past forest incinerated in the 2010 eruption. A 3km hike to Puncak Plawangan offers better views.
Vogels Hostel arranges mountain walks to see the lava flows. The six-hour return trek starts at 4am and climbs 1400m up the mountain to see the glowing lava at its best (US$25 per person, minimum two people). Overnight camping trips, village tours and birdwatching walks can also be arranged.
Vogels' jeep tours (350,000Rp, four people) of Merapi mountain get you into old lava flows and close to the lookout if you'd rather not hoof it.
