A crater view
Lake Maninjau from above.
Domi-k-agam — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ahsanuz Zikri — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Firman Rusda — CC BY-SA 4.0
A summit on the rim of the ancient volcanic crater filled by Lake Maninjau, at about 1,200 metres, looking down on the wide blue lake in the crater floor and the surrounding mountains, and on clear days as far as the Indian Ocean on the horizon. The summit is known as one of Indonesia's best paragliding sites: wings launch from here out over the lake, international competitions are held, and visitors can try a tandem flight with an instructor in the right seasons. Around it are pine woods and cinnamon and coffee gardens. There is a small entry fee of about fifteen thousand rupiah, with cafés and viewpoints on site. It is cool up here, and mist can cover the lake in the afternoon. Come early in the morning for the clearest view; from here you can drive down to the lake by the famous forty-four hairpins, combining the visit with the Lake Maninjau page.
Lake Maninjau from above.
One of Indonesia's best sites.
The road down to the lake.
Agam regency, on the rim of the Maninjau crater, about 30 km west of Bukittinggi
Yes: local instructors offer tandem flights on days with suitable wind, usually in the morning. Ask about licensing and safety gear before booking.