Mount Balease
| Mount Balease | |
|---|---|
| Buyu Balease / Gunung Tolangi | |
  Mount Balease Location in Sulawesi  Mount Balease Mount Balease (Indonesia) | |
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,016 m (9,895 ft)[1][2] |
| Prominence | 1,587 m (5,207 ft)[1][3] |
| Coordinates | 2°24′25″S 120°32′32″E / 2.4069°S 120.5421°E[1][3] |
| Geography | |
| Location | North Luwu and East Luwu regencies, South Sulawesi, Indonesia |
| Parent range | Karoue Mountains |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | Miocene–Pliocene (approx. 10 million years) |
| Non-volcanic mountain | |
Mount Balease (Indonesian: Gunung Balease), also known as Buyu Balease or Gunung Tolangi, is a mountain located in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.[2][4] With an elevation of 3,016 metres (9,895 ft) above sea level, it is the highest point of the Karoue Mountains and the second-highest mountain in South Sulawesi after Mount Latimojong (3,478 m).[2][1] The mountain is located on the border of North Luwu and East Luwu regencies.[2][4]
Mount Balease is known for its challenging long-distance trekking route, which can take 8 to 10 days to complete.[5][6] The mountain has two main peaks: Tolangi Peak (3,016 m) and Balease Peak (approximately 2,984 m).[6][3]
Geography
[edit source]Mount Balease is situated in the northern part of South Sulawesi, on the border of North Luwu and East Luwu regencies.[2][4] It is the highest point of the Karoue Mountains, a range that extends from north to south in the northern part of the province.[2] The mountain is located approximately 50 km north-east of the city of Palopo.[7]
The mountain consists of two main peaks: Tolangi Peak (also spelled Toelangi) at 3,016 m (9,895 ft) and Balease Peak at approximately 2,984 m (9,790 ft), located about 2 km apart.[3][6] The highest point is known locally as Gunung Tolangi or Toelangi.[3]
Geology
[edit source]Mount Balease is a non-volcanic mountain formed from magmatic or plutonic rocks, originating from magma that cooled and solidified beneath the Earth's surface.[2] According to geologist Prof. Asri Jaya of Hasanuddin University, the mountain was formed during the Miocene–Pliocene period, approximately 10 million years ago.[2] The mountain is composed primarily of granitic rocks.[2] This granitic composition contributed to the sand deposits carried by flash floods in the Mamasa region in September 2021.[2]
Ecology
[edit source]The mountain's slopes are covered with a variety of vegetation types, including tropical rainforest and moss forest (hutan lumut) at higher elevations.[2][6] The trail passes through dense forest with large trees, moss-covered rocks, and steep terrain.[5]
The area is known for its rich biodiversity, including various bird species, insects, and reptiles.[2] Hikers have reported encounters with snakes and bee attacks during expeditions.[2]
Recreation
[edit source]Mount Balease is a destination for experienced trekkers seeking a challenging long-distance hike. The mountain is classified as one of the "7 Long Track of Indonesia" (7 Long Track Indonesia), a list of seven mountains with the longest trekking routes in the country.[5][4]
Hiking
[edit source]The trek to the summit is considered one of the most difficult in Sulawesi.[5][4] The total trail distance is approximately 50 km round trip, divided into seven base camps (pos).[2][6] The hike typically takes 8 to 10 days to complete.[5][6] In one documented expedition, a group of experienced hikers took 21 days to complete the trek due to challenging conditions.[2]
The starting point for the climb is in Bantimurung Village, Bone-Bone District, North Luwu Regency, at an elevation of approximately 25 metres (82 ft) above sea level.[4] The trail passes through farmland and plantations, crosses four large rivers, and passes the Bantimurung Waterfall before entering dense forest.[4] The trail features steep terrain, mossy forest, long ridges, and river crossings.[2][4]
Challenges
[edit source]The mountain presents numerous challenges, including:
Permits
[edit source]Before climbing, hikers are required to obtain permission from the local village head and customary leader (juru kunci).[4]
See also
[edit source]
References
[edit source]- 1 2 3 4 "Balease". Peakbagger. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Widodo, Wahyu Setyo (2024-12-04). "Fakta-fakta Gunung Balease, Tempat 3 Pendaki Tasikmalaya Hilang Berhari-hari". detikTravel (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Buyu Tolangi-Balease". Gunung Bagging. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "6 Fakta Menarik Gunung Balease di Sulawesi dengan Jalur Pendakian Menantang Hampir 10 Hari". Liputan6 (in Indonesian). 2024-05-03. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kanaka, Weka (2024-12-05). "Tips Pendakian Long Track Ala Pendaki Gunung Balease". detikTravel (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Mengenal Gunung Tolangi Balease di Sulawesi Selatan". Mounture.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- ↑ "Buyu Balease". DBpedia. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
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