Gunung Sarong Kris

Information

Elevation

573 m

Country

Indonesia (ID)

Location / Range

Weh Island (Sabang City)

Mountain type

Peak on a volcanic island (not independently active)

Volcanic?

No (non-volcanic)

Coordinates

5.8177, 95.2866

Difficulty

Moderate–strenuous (dense forest with no clear trail, a local guide is needed)

Best Season

April–October (dry season; avoid the rainy season because of slippery terrain)

Permits & Rules

No known official permit; however, the climb requires a local guide because the route is unmarked

Hazards

Dense forest with no clear route, difficulty finding a guide, no signal inside the forest

Description

Gunung Sarong Kris (573 m a.s.l.) is the third-highest peak on Weh Island, a volcanic island at the northwestern tip of Sumatra in Sabang City, Aceh. The name means 'dagger sheath' in the local language, and the mountain is characterised by dense, rarely visited tropical forest with little or no marked trail. The source of Pria Laot Waterfall — the island's only waterfall — lies on its slopes. The typical starting point is Batee Shok village (~88 m) on the eastern side of the range; locals know the mountain by this name rather than the cartographic 'Cot Kulam' (617 m, the highest peak). A machete, GPS, and a local guide are strongly recommended.