Highland Lakes

Highland Lakes

The Minang Highlands comprise some beautiful crater lakes. The most spectacular of them is undoubly Danau ("Lake") Maninjau. The lake measures 17 by 8 kilometres and is surrounded by steep, more than 500 metres high crater walls. It can be easily reached from Bukittinggi in approximately one hour. The road to the lake winds up the crater's rim to Embun Pagi. From here, the view over the lake is breathtaking. On a windless day, the lake shimmers like a mirror, reflecting an image of the crater walls. From Embun Pagi, the road winds down to the lake via Kelok Empat-puluh-empat, or 44 hairpin turns to the village Maninjau on the shore of the lake. Before making the descent, stop at one of the stalls to buy some peanuts. This will be highly appreciated by the monkeys who will be awaiting you on the way down.

Above and below: Danau Maninjau

Danau Singarak is located south of Padangpanjang and can also be easily reached from Bukittinggi. The lake is similar in size compared to Danau Maninjau, however the views are less spectacular, and the location of the lake is less peaceful. Along the east shore runs a part of the Trans Sumatra Highway, and a rail track used for freight trains transporting black coal from the mines in the region of Umbilin.

Danau Singkarak with Mount Marapi at background

	Further to the south, southwest of the city of Solok, are the twin lakes Danau Diatas ("Lake Above") and Danau Dibawah ("Lake Below"), located with a distance of only a few hundred metres between each other. The distance from Bukittinggi is some 130 kilometres and takes you along Danau Singkarak. After Solok, take the road in the direction of Padang and turn left at Lubukselasih. People grow markisa (passion fruit), the specialty of the region, which is sold at small road-side stalls. The road takes you through scenic tea plantations.
	Above: Markisa (passion fruit) sold at road-side stalls Left: Tea plantations

Some 30 kilometres from Lubukselasih you will reach the twin lakes. There is a junction where you can turn right, down to the shore of the "upper" lake, Danau Diatas. Turning left will take you up to a panorama point from which you have a scenic view over both the lakes. On top of the hill, passion fruits are growing and being sold by the local community. A small shop sells drinks and there are some facilities for a family picnic. However, hungry dogs begging for the remainders of your food makes the stay less relaxing than you would wish in this serene environment.

Right: Passion fruit

Go up to see Danau Dibawah ...