Benang Kelambu trail is a 1.5 km mostly-downhill walk through the foothills of Mount Rinjani in central Lombok, ending at a multi-tier waterfall where water filters through ferns to form a 30-metre curtain — hence 'kelambu' (mosquito net). The walk takes 30-40 minutes down, 45-60 minutes back up, with a swimming pool at the base. Best paired with neighbouring Benang Stokel falls.
# Hiking the Benang Kelambu Trail: Central Lombok's Curtain Waterfall
Benang Kelambu is one of Lombok's most distinctive waterfalls — not a single dramatic plunge but a 30-metre wall of water that filters through ferns and moss to form dozens of soft veils, like a beaded curtain. The Sasak name means "mosquito net," which is exactly what it looks like. The trail to reach it is short, mostly downhill, and one of the most accessible "real" waterfall walks in Lombok.
Distance: 1.5 km one way (3 km round trip)
Elevation change: ~150 metres descent (climb back on return)
Walking time: 30-40 minutes down, 45-60 minutes back up
Difficulty: Beginner — anyone with reasonable fitness
Trail type: Concrete steps, packed-dirt path, then rough rocks near the falls
The trail starts at the Aik Berik village entrance gate, where you pay the 30,000 IDR foreign entry fee and 5,000 IDR parking. From there, the path drops through cultivated land — clove, cocoa, and durian — before entering forest. The first 500 metres are concrete steps. The middle section is packed dirt. The final approach to the falls is uneven rocks and the occasional small stream crossing.
You'll pass:
The pace is leisurely. There's almost no shade in the upper farmland section but the lower forest is fully canopied. Mornings under 9am are cool and pleasant; afternoons are humid and tiring on the return climb.
Most visitors do both, in this order:
Benang Stokel (1 km from gate): A 30-metre single-drop classical waterfall with a small pool at the base. Photogenic but limited swimming. 15 minutes is enough.
Benang Kelambu (1.5 km from gate, 500m past Stokel): The main attraction — the curtain falls. Multiple tiers, swim-friendly pool, room to stand under various veils. Plan 45-60 minutes here.
If you only have time for one, Kelambu is the better choice. But the marginal effort to add Stokel is small, and most trekkers find both rewarding.
The pool at the base of Benang Kelambu is around 30 metres across and waist-to-chest deep in most places. The water is cool but not cold (this is mid-altitude lowland, not high-mountain). You can:
The main waterfall is divided into three main sections plus dozens of smaller streams. Local guides will point out the photogenic angles. Mid-morning light filters through the canopy and lights the curtain from above — the best time for photos.
The most common injury at Benang Kelambu is a fall on wet rocks at the base or on the return climb. Footwear matters — trainers with real grip, not flip-flops or smooth-soled sneakers. Hiking sandals like Tevas or Chacos are ideal because they handle the stream crossings without becoming waterlogged shoes.
The second risk is flash flooding. The catchment above the falls is steep, and a heavy rainstorm 5 km upslope can send a wall of brown water down with little warning. If the pool water visibly browns or the flow obviously increases, leave. This is mostly a wet-season concern — November-March — but it can happen any time.
The return climb is genuinely tougher than the walk down. The 150-metre vertical gain over 1.5 km is a moderate effort in cool conditions and a real workout in midday heat. Carry water and pace yourself. Older or less fit visitors should plan multiple short rest stops.
For central Lombok day-trippers from Kuta or Senggigi, factor in 350-500k IDR for a hired car-with-driver, or 100-150k IDR fuel for a self-drive scooter day.
Benang Kelambu is rarely a stand-alone destination. Common combinations:
A typical day-trip itinerary from Kuta: depart 7am, Aik Berik gate by 9am, Stokel and Kelambu by 11am, lunch in Mantang, Sade village 2-3pm, back to Kuta by 5pm. Doable in a single day with a driver.
Benang Kelambu is a poor choice in:
Mornings May-October are the sweet spot. If you can only come at an off time, prioritize early morning over late afternoon.
Benang Kelambu is in the Aik Berik village area, central Lombok, on the southern foothills of Mount Rinjani. 1.5 hours from Mataram (45 km), 1.5 hours from Kuta Lombok (50 km), 2 hours from Senggigi. By scooter the route through Praya and Mantang is straightforward — final 5 km is winding but paved. Most visitors arrive by hired car-with-driver (350-500k IDR return from Kuta or Senggigi).
Benang Kelambu vs Benang Stokel: They're 1 km apart on the same trail. Stokel is a single-drop classical waterfall, Kelambu is a curtain of multiple veils — most people visit both. Benang Kelambu vs Tiu Kelep (Senaru): Kelambu is shorter walk and gentler scenery; Tiu Kelep is dramatic single-drop with a swimmable plunge pool but longer trail and river crossings. Kelambu is the right choice for central Lombok day trips and travellers who want a walk-and-swim without serious hiking.