The Mount Merbabu National Park Office (BBTNGMb) has officially announced a temporary closure of two popular hiking trails, namely the Thekelan trail and the Selo trail. This step was taken to respect local community traditions and to facilitate preparations and execution of the Merapi Merbabu De Trail (MMDT) sports event, which will be held in the near future.
According to official statements, the Thekelan hiking trail will be inaccessible from Tuesday, July 28, 2026, until Thursday, July 30, 2026. Meanwhile, the hiking trail via Selo will be closed from Friday, July 31, 2026, until Sunday, August 2, 2026. During this period, all hiking activities, camping, and tourist visits through both access points are suspended.
Head of BBTNGMb, Anggit Haryoso, explained that this policy is a follow-up to requests from Karang Taruna Ngudi Luhur of Thekelan Hamlet and the Ranger Merbabu Selo Nature Lovers Group. The management urges hikers who have planned visits to promptly adjust their schedules or consider alternative hiking routes.
For information, there are four official trails on Mount Merbabu: Selo, Thekelan, Suwanting, and Wekas. Hikers who still wish to climb via the open trails are required to book tickets through the online booking system on the official website tngunungmerbabu.org.
All visitors are reminded to always adhere to the applicable hiking tourism protocols. The main focus of this policy is to maintain safety, cleanliness, and the preservation of the ecosystem in the Mount Merbabu National Park area for mutual comfort.
