If you want to experience some of the magnificent views of the natural trails you can try hiking in Malaysia. If you take a stroll by the west and the east side trails you will find Bukit Tabur which is very jam packed during the weekends as the travelers can witness some of the most spectacular views of sunrise and sunset.
Outdoor hiking can be a lot of fun if you get the chance to visit the third highest mountain in South East Asia. The views from the mountain of Gunung Kinabalu will be simply unparalleled. You can even take the loop hike to the summit of Penang Hills which is approximately 11 km long.
1. Mount Kinabalu
Hiking is one of the prominent adventure activities in Malaysia. Mount Kinabalu is one of the well-known destinations for climbing enthusiasts. It is a perfect representation of beauty of Borneo Island.
Highlights – With its excellent species of flora and fauna, Mount Kinabalu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the world.
Facts – It takes around 5 hours to trek from Mount Kinabalu to Panalaban, This is the tallest mountain in South East Asia. Hikers must get permits for Sabah Parks & accommodation in Panalaban in advance. Starting point is Timpohon Gate and the ending point for hikers is Kinabalu National Park. Asia’s first Low Peak Circuit is available here.
Timings – The months between February and April are the best to climb Mount Kinabalu, as the climate is pleasant then.
Fee – Climb permit for local adults and kids – RM53 and RM31.80 respectively; for international adults and kids – RM212 and RM84.80 respectively.
2. Cameron Highlands Trails
If you are looking for some fantastic scenery when you undertake hiking, Cameron Highlands Trails is the place that you have to come to. With its pleasant climate and abundant greenery, it presents you some of the world’s best trekking trails.
Highlights – Cameron Highlands is the largest hill station in Malaysia and is known for its authentic mountain climate. The trails here are suitable only for professional trekkers as they are not maintained properly.
Facts – Cameron Highlands is filled with strawberry farms and tea plantations all along its trekking trails, so that tourists can stop and take some beautiful pictures. These trails are quite tough and tourists will have to find their own way out here. It takes around 2 hours to complete this trekking route.
Timings – December and January are cold and pleasant for trekking.
Climb fee – Mount Brinchang, which is the tallest peak (6666feet) can be accessed with a hiking guide for around RM120.
3. Gunung Belumut
At a height of 1010m, Gunung Belumut or Mount Belumut is one of the famous hiking destinations in Malaysia. Strategically located at just few hours from Singapore, many tourists come here as part of day-picnic tours to enjoy the flora and beauty of this summit.
Highlights – The trekking trails are mostly sloping; hence people with ample mountain hiking experience should take up hiking here. Though it is not one of those easy trails, it is definitely far easier than Cameron Highlands.
Facts – It takes around 5 hours to go up and 3 hours to come down this trip. Permits need to be obtained from Jabatan Hutan Kluang in advance for this. There are lots of places where one can sit and relax.
Timings – December – January is the best, as the climate is cold, but pleasant.
Fee – Permit costs RM150 per group, however big or small the group is; Hiking guide costs around RM140 for a group of 25 people maximum.
Gunung Lambak
4. Gunung Lambak
If you love to go on a hiking experience, but don’t have enough time on your hands, all you have to do is to visit Gunung Lambak, situated in Kluang Town, Johar. This hill is just 510m in height, but provides you a fit & healthy ambience.
Highlights – This hill doesn’t look like a perfect hiking spot; it looks more like a picnic spot with people coming in huge crowds especially during the weekends. Kids play merrily in the playgrounds located at the base of this hill, while adults enjoy peaceful banter amidst the sounds of various local food stalls set up here.
Facts – It takes just around one hour to get to the peak of this hill. The place is located easily from Singapore within 2 hours.
Timings – Period between November and March is the best.
Fee – No admission charges and no permits are required to get to its peak.
5. Gunung Nuang
At a height of 4898feet, Gunung Nuang is located in Selangor and is considered to be one of the tallest peaks in this area. It is quite smaller than most of the Malaysian mountains, which is why it is ranked 86th in the overall list of tall peaks here.
Highlights – The trekking trails in Gunung Nuang are quite stressful and tedious; therefore prior experience in mountain hiking is mandatory when people come here.
Fact – The trail starts from Pangsoon village at a height of 200m above sea level and the trails are accompanied by dense forests and river crossings. One has to then cross the tough terrains of Camp Lolo and Camp Pengasih to finally reach the peak. It takes around 5 to 6 hours to get to the top and about 4 hours downhill.
Timings – All through the year.
Fee – RM1 towards registration at the jungle forest.
6. Gunung Tahan
Gunung Tahan or Mount Tahan is located inside the Taman Negara National Forest and is a visual delight for locals and foreign tourists. At a height of 2187m, this is easily the tallest peak in Peninsular Malaysia. It requires a lot of physical endurance to scale this peak.
Highlights – One of the most challenging and tough trekking trails in the world, Only suitable for experts in mountain hiking.
Facts – There are 3 tough trekking trails here .They are – a) Sungai Relau to Gunung Tahan and back to Sungai Relau b) Sungai Relau to Gunung Tahan and to Kuala Tahan c)Kuala Tahan to Gunung Tahan and back to Sungai Relau. As trekking trails are quite arduous, people coming here for hiking should furnish relevant medical and fitness certificates.
Timings – June to September.
Fee – RM100 towards permit charges
7. Penang Hill Loop
Penang Hill Loop is one of the most reputed names in the trekking industry in Malaysia. There are many routes in which one can undertake this trip. One of the famous entrances is through Botanical Gardens. There is also a train that goes up and down the hill here.
Highlights – The paths along the trail routes of this mountain were laid in as early as 1825 and this is proof enough to show that Penang Hill is one of the sturdiest trekking routes in Malaysia in the recent times. Apart from sinking in the natural beauty of these trails, you can find a temple, mosque, bird park, food stalls selling local delicacies and many more sights as you go up the hill.
Facts – Western Hill is the highest peak in Penang Hill at a height of 2731feet above sea level. It takes about 5 hours to complete this route.
Timings – December to February.
Fee – No permit charges apply.
8. Gunung Jerai
Though there are many mountains in Malaysia, Gunung Jerai stands out purely because of its mystical and mythological charm even today. Located at a height of 3854feet, this peak is also known as Kedah’s Peak.
Highlights – At the base of the mountain, there are traces of ancient (century-old) Buddhist and Hindu temples, reverberating a sense of divinity that cannot be explained in words.
Facts – The trekking trails of this mountain are quite dangerous. There have been various cases of missing people reported in the past. Merbok to Yan trail is the most used route by people coming here. The complete trip may take anywhere between 9 and 10 hours for experienced hikers.
Timings – Any time during the year.
Fee – No need to get any permit.
9. Bukit Tabur
This is one of the lesser-explored destinations in Malaysia and its main attraction is its unspoilt beauty. Located at Taman Melawati, near the famous National Zoo, Bukit Tabur is less than 500m tall.
Highlights – One can get proficient in rock climbing skills as well at this peak, as all the way to the peak, one will find many sizes of rocks. Not recommended for people who are new to the area and who are new to trekking.
Facts – Though it takes just about 3 hours to finish the entire trekking trip, hiking at Bukit Tabur is not a walk in the park. The trails are tricky and confusing at most of the places. West, East & Far East are the 3 primary trails in this mountain. Use of professional guide is mandatory if one is new to the area.
Timings – September to February.
Fee – Hike permit charges come up to RM5 per person.
10. Broga
Broga or Bulkit Broga is also known as ‘Bukit Lalang’. It has been christened after the local species of grass which grows in abundance here.
Highlights:
Broga is largely known for its panoramic views that are at their very best at the dawn. Assuring, easy accessibility on foot, the hill is a prominent hiking destination both amongst the locals and tourists. Hiking atop the peak, visitors can relish on the spectacular views of the plains blended with a cool mix of oil palm plantations, rainforest and distant mountains.
Location: ‘Bukit Broga’ is a hill that is nestled in Semenyih. It lies at a height of 400 meters and is just a 40 minute drive from Kuala Lumpur on the trunk road to Broga. You can reach here after hiking a short distance post the University of Nottingham where the entry starts at oil palm estate which lies opposite to the rabbit park.
Price: There is a car park here which has an entrance fee of RM 2.
Timings: You can undertake a hiking trip here at any time of the day.