A team of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) students participating in the Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) has opened a hiking trail leading to the peak of Tokonanaka Island, Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi.
This initiative not only serves as a concrete step to develop new tourism potential but also symbolizes strong collaboration between students and local youth in fostering village development.
The trail opening was carried out on Sunday (Jul. 13).
Bimo Nur Rochim, a KKN student serving as the coordinator of the hiking trail project, led the initiative. Accompanied by Muhammad Sidik Efendi, Rochim emphasized the importance of providing access to the island’s highest point as a strategy for promoting nature-based tourism.
“We collaborated with four local youth from Tokonanaka,” Rochim said in a statement on Friday (Jul. 18).
According to Rochim, the four youth, Nabil, Muhdar, Syarif, and Fikram, voluntarily helped clear the previously inaccessible trail, which was overgrown with dense shrubs. The team used grass-cutting tools to clear the vegetation, which was dominated by nearly one-meter-tall wild ferns.
“Through teamwork and the spirit of cooperation, a previously impassable trail has now opened up, revealing spectacular views that directly face the open sea,” he said.
What makes this trail special is its summit, offering a 360-degree panoramic view from which visitors can admire the vast ocean and nearby small islands. Moreover, it is one of the few coastal spots where travelers can watch both sunrise and sunset from the exact location, making it a rare and beautiful experience.
“By opening this trail, we want to show that a small island like Tokonanaka has great tourism potential. We hope that in the future, this trail can be enjoyed by both tourists and the local community,” Rochim added.
Fendi, another KKN team member, highlighted the importance of involving local youth as the foundation for sustainable tourism development.
“We don’t want this program to stop at simply opening the trail. We hope that it will create collective awareness to preserve, maintain, and develop this trail together,” Fendi said.
Muhdar, one of the local youth from Tokonanaka who participated in the project, expressed his pride in being part of the effort.
“I am proud to be involved in opening this hiking trail. I hope it will eventually develop into a camping area and bring economic benefits to the local community through tourism,” Muhdar said.
With the opening of this hiking trail, Tokonanaka Island now offers another promising tourist attraction, a natural destination that combines the beauty of the sea and beaches with the adventure of hiking to an untouched peak.
This initiative marks an inspiring first step, highlighting Tokonanaka’s significant potential to grow into a community-based ecotourism destination.
Reporter: Saba Mortara/Muhammad Sidik Efendi
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Anisa Nurliana
Photograph: Saba Mortara