Ijen Crater reopens after fires on 28 September
Published on 10/04/2026 at 01:56 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Ijen Crater reopened to visitors on 28 September 2026 after forest-fire response work ended and a safety assessment covered its hiking trails. The volcanic nature park lies between Banyuwangi and Bondowoso in Indonesia and is also known for its highly acidic crater lake and blue-fire phenomenon.
Ijen Crater reopening followed the September fires
The East Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency, known as BBKSDA Jawa Timur, restored public access from 28 September after closing the park on 4 September for emergency firefighting. The reopening applied to nature tourism, hiking, research and general education, as ANTARA reported on the reopening.
The decision followed the end of emergency operations, the extinguishing of the fires and an assessment of trail safety. Park officials also asked visitors to bring basic hiking equipment, including a torch, warm clothing and a protective mask, and to avoid actions that could trigger another fire.
Reopening restores access to the crater landscape
The park is a conservation area managed by the East Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency. Its administrative area includes Tamansari village in Banyuwangi Regency and Kalianyar village in Bondowoso Regency, according to the official park information.
The same site lists an area of 306,330 hectares and identifies the turquoise crater lake, the sunrise viewpoint, traditional sulphur mining and views towards Mount Ranti and Mount Raung among the park's features. The link between the reopening and these features is practical: visitors can again approach the managed hiking area, but the route remains subject to conservation and safety instructions after the fire.
Visiting Ijen Crater: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The reopening took effect on 28 September 2026 and covers nature tourism, hiking, research and general education.
- The official 2026 schedule lists 2 October 2026 as a full closure for Ijen Rijik, the park's routine cleaning and conservation programme.
- Visitors should prepare a torch, warm clothing, a protective mask and suitable hiking footwear, and must follow the park's safety instructions after the forest fires.
- The park is in eastern Java between Banyuwangi and Bondowoso. The official site identifies access areas in Tamansari village and Kalianyar village.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Ijen Crater
When did the Ijen Crater reopening take place?
Public access resumed on 28 September 2026 after emergency fire response ended and hiking trails underwent a safety assessment.
What was closed at Ijen Crater on 2 October 2026?
The official 2026 schedule lists a full closure on 2 October 2026 for Ijen Rijik, a routine cleaning and conservation programme.
Where is Ijen Crater and how do you get there?
The nature park lies between Banyuwangi and Bondowoso in eastern Java, with administrative areas in Tamansari and Kalianyar villages.
