Jakarta. Authorities have temporarily closed all hiking routes on Mount Rinjani from Jan. 1 to Mar. 31, 2026, as part of hydrometeorological disaster risk mitigation and efforts to restore the conservation area’s ecosystem.

The policy was announced by Mount Rinjani National Park Authority (TNGR), which said the closure was prompted by the increased likelihood of extreme weather during the rainy-season transition, posing safety risks to visitors.

Head of the park authority Yarman said early-year weather conditions could trigger hydrometeorological hazards such as landslides, flash floods, and accidents along hiking routes.

“This closure is a measure to protect visitor safety and support conservation efforts. Weather conditions at the beginning of the year could increase the risk of landslides, flooding, and accidents along hiking trails,” Yarman told reporters on Monday.

All official hiking routes — Senaru, Torean, Sembalun, Timbanuh, Tetebatu, and Aik Berik — will be fully closed during the period, with no climbing activities permitted until the end of March.

The authority has also set administrative deadlines during the closure period. Online ticket reservations through the eRinjani system will close no later than Dec. 28, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. local time. The final check-in date for climbers is Dec. 31, 2025, while the last permitted check-out date is Jan. 3, 2026. Climbers who have already checked in before the closure will still be allowed to complete their activities within that window.

Yarman stressed that the closure is not merely an annual routine, but part of a broader strategy for sustainable conservation management. He said heavy climbing activity during the dry season had placed considerable pressure on hiking trails, vegetation, and environmental cleanliness.

“Mount Rinjani needs time to rest. Restoring hiking trails, vegetation, and the ecosystem is essential to ensure the area remains sustainable and safe for future visits,” he said.

Mount Rinjani is one of Indonesia’s most popular hiking destinations, attracting tens of thousands of domestic and international climbers each year, making environmental protection and visitor safety an ongoing challenge.

The park authority urged the public, tourism operators, and prospective climbers to comply with the closure, adding that official information on the reopening will be announced through its communication channels after further evaluations of hydrometeorological conditions and ecosystem recovery.

“Rinjani is not only meant to be enjoyed today, but must be preserved for generations to come,” Yarman said.