Saturday Walks in Dili: Nature, Culture, Discovery and New Friends

It is 5:30 in the morning. Shawn leaves his home on a bike, pedaling toward a horizon painted in dusky orange, just minutes before sunrise. The only sound that awakens the silence comes from the soft clinking of the bike chain.

He steers the handlebars toward a trailhead where his group of fellow walkers awaits. Every Saturday, the group meets to explore Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, on foot. A group made up of foreigners and locals, they share one thing in common: the love of being outdoors and building community. They call themselves “Dili Saturday Walkers.”

Shawn has been living in Timor-Leste since January 2023 as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Not long after arriving in Tibar, a town close to Dili, he found the walking group on Facebook and decided to join one Saturday morning.

“I remember being quite nervous for that first hike. That’s when I met Mr. Yang, who had been leading the group for about eight years,” Shawn says. “He told me the group had been passed down from one leader to the next over the years.”

Before Yang returned to Korea, he handed the hiking pole to Shawn, as a symbol that Shawn was taking over the group as the lead.

A First Taste of Dili

If you have just arrived in Dili and want to acclimatize a little, this walking group will give you the first taste of Dili. But bear in mind that while the name “walkers” might sound easy, this weekly outing is far more than a casual walk. Most of the routes involve real hiking over hilly terrain and steep landscapes.

There are 25 designated walks and hikes to rotate through. They walk through the hills and ridges surrounding the famous statue of Jesus Christ, Cristo Rei. The scenery there changes dramatically between the rainy and dry seasons.

Sometimes, the hike brings the group to Uma Luliks, the sacred Timorese houses built of wood, with a pointed thatched roof and elevated on stilts.

Educational Bamboo Walk and Local Family Visit

Shawn also takes the group on a hike near where he lives in Tibar and volunteers at the bamboo institute.

Participants learn a great deal about bamboo from Shawn. For example, its economic value and environmental benefits such as soil stability and carbon sequestration. The hike ends at his host family’s home, where they serve everyone food and coffee, and in return, participants leave a small donation.

“My host family would be happy if I did this walk so they could have the Dili Saturday Walkers at the house each week. They love taking photos with all the foreigners that come to the house,” Shawn says.

Shawn will take the participants to his room to see the bamboo furniture he made. It is a highlight for everyone to experience the everyday life of the Timorese.

Hikes Outside Dili

There are a couple of bigger hikes outside of Dili. These hikes run in coordination with local tour guides, one of which is Mount Ramelau, the tallest mountain in Timor-Leste.

The hike starts as early as two in the morning. They reach the summit just in time for the first sunlight to spill across the surrounding mountains. At the top of the mountain stands the statue of Mother Mary.

“For the Timorese, this is a sacred pilgrimage. Being able to observe this sacred tradition adds special meaning to the hike,” Shawn notes.

Another hike outside Dili is Matebian. It takes a long time to get to the trailhead. The hike is steep and technical from the very beginning. The ground is loose in places, and the final ridge requires a steady head for heights.

Walk Into the Heart of Local Life

The group also does easier walks sometimes. They will walk along the coastal road and visit local street markets.

“Depending on the season, you might come across local fruits like snake fruit with its scaly skin. Peel off the skin and the flesh inside is very tasty,” Shawn adds. “Also, be sure to try some local snacks like grilled plantains or fried cassava.”

Along the way, local kids greet participants with a cheerful “Bondia,” which means “hello” or “good day” in English, and they return it with a fist bump. The group also shares the trail with local animals—roosters, dogs, pigs, goats, and cows—giving a real sense of the life and character of the city.

“There is something about moving through a place under your own power that gives you an immediate connection to the neighborhoods,” Shawn points out.

A Friendly Mix of Locals and Travelers

The walking group includes a good mix of expats, travelers visiting Dili from other countries, and local Timorese people. One of Shawn’s favorite parts at the start of each walk is having everyone say “Good Morning” in their own language.

“It is a small thing, but it really highlights how diverse and welcoming the group has become!” Shawn says with a smile.

They also include a stretching and cheering routine. with hands on hips, rotating their hips, they yell: “Saturday, Saturday, Saturday! Walk, Walk, Walk! Fighting!” —a slogan passed down by Mr. Yang that they continue to chant in his spirit.

If you are ever in Dili and come across a bunch of people yelling this slogan, don’t think it is a bootcamp-style workout routine. It is a community of people who enjoy being outdoors together, finding the most creative ways to explore Dili, meet new friends, and feel more connected to the country.

Quick Facts about Timor-Leste

The youngest nation in Asia, Timor-Leste gained its independence from Indonesia in 2002, following a United Nations sponsored referendum. In October 2025, Timor-Leste officially joined the ASEAN alliance, becoming the newest member in Southeast Asia. The major currency is the US dollar.

As Shawn puts it, Timor-Leste is a small, young country with beautiful landscapes, warm, welcoming people, and a humble, resilient spirit.

 

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