After One Week Open, Kelok 23 Trial Closed; Authorities Manage Visitor Traffic

YOGYAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The trial period for Kelok 23, the winding road on the Bantul-Gunungkidul border in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, was closed on Sunday evening (20/9/2026).

Authorities closed the entry point from Bantul.

"It was closed starting at 6:00 p.m. Western Indonesia Time," said Kretek Police Chief, AKP Joko Mulyono, when contacted by reporters in Bantul on Sunday evening (20/9/2026).

Officers were directing vehicles exiting after visiting Kelok 23.

Since it opened on Monday (14/9/2026), visitors have enthusiastically come to experience this road known for its scenic views along the southern coastal area of Bantul.

"Entries have been closed since 6:00 p.m. WIT. Those leaving to return home are still being directed," Joko explained.

Joko said he does not yet know when the Kelok 23 area will reopen.

"An evaluation will be conducted tomorrow after the seven-day trial period. That will be when the relevant agencies review the trial," he added.

One visitor from Gunungkidul, Suris, said that Kelok 23 becomes quite crowded in the late afternoon until evening.

Many people stop along the roadside.

"It's busy in the late afternoon when people come to watch the sunset. Yesterday it was very crowded," he said.

Another resident, Agung, said Kelok 23 is a great place to view the southern coastal region.

"The scenery is very beautiful. This might be one of the most stunning roads in DIY," he commented.

KOMPAS.com/ANGGARA WIKAN PRASETYA Beautiful Sunset Views from Around the Kelok 23 Road in Yogyakarta (16/9/2026).

Previously reported, Head of the National Road Implementation Working Unit in DIY Province, Tisara Sita, said that construction of the Kelok 23 road was completed last August.

Residents were allowed to pass from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. WIT.

"It is only permitted for two-wheeled vehicles and up to four-wheeled vehicles. Heavy vehicles are not yet allowed to pass," Tisara said when interviewed by reporters in Kretek, Bantul, on Monday.

Restrictions were imposed because additional work is still underway to create gentler road slopes; currently, larger vehicles have difficulty maneuvering.

This continuation process is expected to be completed by August 2027.

He admitted that the travel time difference between the Kelok 23 road and the old road is only about four minutes.

However, residents can now travel more safely and comfortably.

"Of course, in terms of views or scenery, it is definitely much more beautiful when viewed from the new Kretek-Girijati road," he said.