Pastap Julu waterfalls

Two waterfalls in the forest above Pastap Julu village, two hours' walk up the river.

Pastap Julu, in Tambangan district, is a buffer-zone village of Batang Gadis National Park. It runs ecotourism together with the park office.

Aek Sampuran Namenek and Aek Sampuran Nagodang

From Panyabungan, Pastap Julu is about an hour by car or motorbike towards Bukittinggi. From the village it is about two hours on foot along the river and through the forest. At the end are two waterfalls: Aek Sampuran Namenek (the small one, about 10 metres) and Aek Sampuran Nagodang (the big one, about 35 metres).

The route suits trekking and camping. Rangers have recorded signs of Sumatran serow and tapir along it, and in 2015 a camera trap in the Pastap Julu forest photographed a serow. There is only a footpath, plus a park ranger post in the village.

River tubing on the Aek Mais

In 2017 the park office gave river-tubing equipment to the village rangers of Pastap Julu, and on 7 February 2018 tubing on the Aek Mais river was officially launched. Ask in the village whether it still runs and what it costs: we found no newer information.

Further in: the Ngai Sihayo river and Langit Saotik waterfall

For a full day out: from Hutagodang Muda village (45 minutes from Panyabungan) it is about five hours on foot along the Ngai Sihayo river to the Langit Saotik waterfall. There is only a footpath, so go with a local guide and a park permit.

The park's old records also mention the Pagaran Sigala-gala waterfall, but without directions.