Peguyangan Waterfall: Nusa Penida’s Scariest Staircase

Located at the bottom of an infamous blue staircase precariously clinging to the cliffside, the journey down to the Peguyangan Waterfall (locally called Air Terjun Peguyangan) is one of the most heart-pumping activities in Nusa Penida. 

To get to the falls, you need to climb down the craziest set of stairs we’ve ever seen. These things are literally clinging to the edge of massive seaside cliffs, dropping straight down to the ocean below.  

The stairs, painted a bright shade of blue, are seriously sketchy and not for the faint of heart. Not only are they insanely steep, but the way they are constructed is simultaneously impressive and incredibly scary. 

This article outlines everything you need to know to complete the journey to the Peguyangan Waterfall and tackle the vertigo-inducing blue stairs.

Peguyangan Waterfall on Nusa Penida

Peguyangan Waterfall | What to Expect

Getting there and parking

The parking lot for Peguyangan Falls is located at the end of a winding road on the southern edge of Nusa Penida. 

You will see a big sign saying that you’ve reached the end of the road directing you to park to the left. The parking lot is located right in front of a large warung (family-owned restaurant). 

When we parked, there was no one there to collect any parking fees and no signs indicated that we needed to pay, which is unlike most attractions on Nusa Penida. But we didn’t think anything of it and went on our way. 

When we returned to the parking lot and were getting ready to head out, a local man approached us and asked if we had paid for parking. He seemed a little sketchy and had no official signage to indicate that we should pay him so we quickly said that we had paid and left. 

Given how things are changing (becoming more touristy) on Nusa Penida, I’d expect there to be an official parking fee in place soon. 

Insider tip | You will also hear the falls referred to as Guyangan Falls. They are the same thing as Peguyangan Falls. We don’t know why they have two names but if you know why, drop it in the comments! 

Entrance Fees and Sarong Rental

Before you begin the journey down to the Peguyangan Waterfall, you will need to pay a 15,000 IDR per person entrance fee. 

From what we can tell, these funds help provide maintenance of the stairs and Hindu Temple. As you’ll see, stair maintenance seems pretty important here so no complaints about the entrance fee from us!

Also, it’s important to know that the Hindu Temple located near the falls at the bottom of the stairs is considered a holy place by the local people. Because of this, you will need to wear a sarong (ankle-length scarf tied around your waist) to hike to the falls.

When you pay the entrance fee, they will give you a sarong to wear and help tie it correctly around your waist. We tried to bring large scarves and fashion them as sarongs because we’d read there was an additional sarong “rental” fee. However, that was not the case. The sarong is included with your entrance fee, so there is no need to bring your own.

Be respectful of this sacred site | As you hike, you’ll see more local people than tourists making a pilgrimage down to the temple. Please remember that this is an important and holy place for them, so it’s important to act with respect towards their faith.  

Hiking down the infamous blue stairs

Once you’ve paid your entrance fee and been fitted with your stylish new sarong, it’s time for the fun (scary?) part to begin. 

Almost immediately, you’ll reach the first of several sets of metal stairs that are precariously attached to the side of the cliff. It’s hard to overstate just how wild these stairs are! 

The cliffs are hundreds of feet tall and feature a sheer drop straight into the ocean. The metal stairs protrude out from the cliffs and are somehow attached right into the side of the cliffs. The fact that you can see through the stairs, straight down into the ocean, hundreds of feet below, adds an extra layer of trepidation to the already fearful endeavor. 

Seriously, if you are afraid of heights do not attempt to climb down to Peguyangan Falls. 

All that being said, we enjoyed climbing down the stairs. Despite the fact that we were constantly clinging to the edge of the cliff, there are some some amazing views out over the ocean and some terrific photo ops along the way.  

Peguyangan Waterfall and Hindu Temple

It took us about 30 minutes to hike to the bottom of the blue stairs before we reached the Peguyangan Waterfall and adjoining temple. Before you reach the falls, you’ll pass a rather unsightly structure that looks like some sort of pump house. As soon as you pass that, you’ll see the Peguyangan Falls and temple. 

Unfortunately, the Peguyangan Waterfall itself isn’t anything that spectacular. There are a few streams cascading down the rock and into the ocean that are nice but there is no roaring waterfall here. 

However, the Hindu temple, which is used for the sacred water cleansing ritual, is a neat way to experience some of the local culture. 

Based on Hindu tradition, people make the pilgrimage down to the temple in order to be cleansed by the holy water. To do so, they must shower in the three small fountains and end with a quick wash in the fourth, main fountain. 

There are a few small statues and, as is common across Nusa Penida, burning incense and offerings are spread throughout the temple area. 

Natural infinity pools

Once you pass the temple, you can then continue down a final set of stairs (these are carved into the rock and are much sturdier than the blue stairs) to find a set of three natural infinity pools. 

Lounging in the three pools, each catching the cascading water from the pool above, is a great way to end the journey all the way to Peguyangan Falls. The water is crisp, clear, and refreshing, and there is a spectacular view from the pools of the ocean crashing into the cliffs below. 

I will note that the stairs and area around the pool are covered in water and the ground can be pretty slick so be careful. 

The journey back up the blue stairs

Once you’re done swimming in the infinity pools and exploring the temple, you can head back up to the parking lot the same way you came down – via the infamous blue stairs. 

The trek back up is steep and can be brutally hot in the sun so make sure you have enough water for the return journey. 

Peguyangan Waterfall | FAQ’s

How hard is the hike to Peguyangan Falls? 

I’d say the hike down and back to Peguyangan Falls is moderately challenging. The journey isn’t very long, maybe 20-30 minutes each way, but man, it is steep. 

Add in some additional time to collect your thoughts after the fear-inducing sections, and it certainly isn’t the easiest thing in the world.

That being said, you don’t need to be super fit to complete the journey to the Peguyangan Waterfall. It might take you a bit more time, but again, it’s not like you’re committing to a lengthy trek. 

How scary are the blue stairs? 

It’s hard to give an objective answer to this question because everyone’s sense of fear is subjective. 

Sarah is usually afraid of heights and anything that feels unstable but she tackled the blue stairs with only minor hesitation. 

In my opinion, there are three things about the stairs that make them scary. First, as described above, they are literally bolted into the side of the cliff so you are entirely at the mercy of the structural integrity of the construction work. If something were to break, you’d fall straight down into the ocean below. 

Now, it looks like some sections have been replaced, meaning some effort is being made to maintain the stairs. But, your life is in the hands of whoever built the stairs. 

Second, we didn’t love that you could see through the space between each stair. I don’t think there is anything inherently unsafe about this. It’s not like you could slip and fall through an opening (your phone is another story however), but it’s definitely vertigo-inducing to look down and see straight into the ocean hundreds of feet below.

And finally, the stairs are narrow and steep. There are a few sections that don’t quite fit two people passing each other, so sometimes you need to wait or squeeze past people.

What should I bring on a visit to Peguyangan Falls? 

Snacks, water, and sunscreen. The sun on Nusa Penida can be brutally hot so make sure you bring plenty of water, especially. Many parts of the journey are actually shaded but that won’t help with the heat and humidity. 

There is a warung located right at the parking lot where you can buy some refreshments. 

Is there anything else I need to know about the Hindu temple? 

Besides wearing the provided sarong, there is nothing in particular you need to do with respect to the sacred Hindu temple. Just keep your sarong on until you pass the temple. You can take it off the bath in the pools at the bottom.

You will see plenty of local people hiking down to the temple, usually dressed in all white, but they are very friendly and may even show you around the temple and the cleansing ceremony. 

Nusa Penida Resources

Questions about the fear-inducing climb down the blue staircase to Peguyangan Falls? Let us know in the comments section below!

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