Danau Kerinci (Lake Kerinci) is a huge lake in the Jambi Province part of Kerinci Seblat National Park. It is a pretty lake at altitude and provides an interesting side trek for those visiting the park.
Danau Kerinci sits at an impressive 783m above sea level and covers an area of 42 square kilometers. It makes for a good daytrip from the main park gateway town of Sungaipenuh, 15kms to the north, and is surrounded by mountain peaks on the western flank.
Another popular lake in this region of the Kerinci Valley and Kerinci Seblat National Park is Lake Tujug. It’s a large crater lake and although smaller than Danau Kerinci, it features accommodation.
Kerinci Seblat National Park itself is a massive protected area that straddles the borders of four Sumatran provinces, including West and South Sumatra, Jambi and Bengkulu. Mount Kerinci (Gunung Kerinci) is the highest point at 3,805m, and the park contains many rare and impressive animals, such as the Sumatran rhino, tigers, and crocs plus loads of endangered birds.
Getting There & Away
Danau Kerinci and Kerinci Seblat National Park are best accessed via the town of Sungaipenuh, which lies within the Kerinci Valley. Minangkabau International Airport in Padang, 180kms to the northwest, is the main gateway airport, receiving flights from Jakarta in 1 hour, 30 minutes. Buses run to Sungaipenuh from Padang in around 10 hours while buses from Jambi City take 22 hours.