Malaysia is known for its glamorous cities, ancient temples, pristine beaches, delicious food and beautiful nature. Sightseeing in the city, picnicking at the beaches, visiting temples and gorging on the variety of yummy street food are some of the best things to do in Malaysia. While the city life of Malaysia is exciting, it is extremely important to explore the natural beauty of Malaysia to have a perfect holiday.

Malaysia is blessed with gorgeous rainforests, lush jungles, immaculate beaches and awesome mountain ranges that would not fail to take your breath away. If you love adventure and are missing out on your daily dose of exercise during your holiday, the best way to explore the natural side of Malaysia is to go on a hiking trip. There is no dearth of hiking trails in Malaysia. The hiking trail you choose should depend on your expertise in hiking. You would find hiking trails for beginners as well as experts. Here we will look into some of the best hiking trails you will find in Malaysia.

Bukit Tabur

Most people know Kuala Lumpur as a modern city filled with skyscrapers and luxurious buildings. However, what many do not know is that the city is surrounded by lush mountains. To enjoy the natural beauty of Kuala Lumpur, a hike on Bukit Tabur is a must. Bukit Tabur is located in Selangor and is a part of the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge. It has two hiking trails namely the west-side and the east-side. Whichever trail you choose, you would be rewarded with beautiful views at the summit. On one side, you would be able to see the Gombak Forest Reserve and the Klang Gates Dam, while you would be able to see the city of Kuala Lumpur on the other side. This is the best way to get a bird’s eye view of this modern city. Among the two hiking trails, the western side is more popular as the eastern side is steeper and riskier. Choose the latter only if you are a pro at hiking and always go on a guided tour.

Gunung Angsi

If you are a beginner when it comes to hiking, you would want to start with something easier like Gunung Angsi. At 825 meters, Gunung Angsi offers you an easier trail that can be completed within 3-4 hours. It is located in Ulu Bendul Recreational Park and is quite popular amongst locals too. While the view at the summit is amazing, you would also get to see beautiful views during your hiking journey. You get to walk through streams and view unique vegetation and insect life during your hike. After you have reached the summit, you can have a picnic while enjoying the view before starting your return journey.  You need to pay a nominal fee at the park ranger’s office if you want to go on a hike on this trail. Also, remember that this trail is quite crowded during the weekend. So it would be best to hike during the weekday if you want to enjoy your hike peacefully.

Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands is a hill station in Malaysia which is also a popular tourist destination. While the climate of Cameron Highlands is what attracts people to this place for a leisure holiday, it is also famous for its hiking trails. The major highlight of hiking on the hills of Cameron Highlands is definitely the beautiful view. You get to see jungle covered mountains, tea plantations and strawberry farms while hiking. The best part is that you would countless (around 13) trails here. While some of them are marked, some of them aren’t, giving you the opportunity to go on an adventurous tour. Hiking in Cameron Highlands involves walking through rough terrains, and the trek itself can be a little difficult. It can take anywhere between 2 hours to a day to complete the trek according to the trail you choose. Whichever way you choose, it is surely going to be a rewarding experience.

Gunung Kinabalu

If you are up for a challenge, Malaysia offers you its highest mountain, the Gunung Kinabalu. It is located at the Kinabalu National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a major hiking trail, and it takes almost two days to complete the entire trail. While the hike is really strenuous, the view you would see at the end of the trek is absolutely rewarding. As it is a challenging hike, it would be best to go on this hike along with a large group and a tour guide. Apart from the views, you can also enjoy the unique flora and fauna of the place during your hike.

Penang Hill Loop

Are you up for a jungle trek? If yes, the Penang Hill is perfect for you! Here, you can expect a 11 kilometre hike that takes around 5 hours to complete. The challenge here is that the trail is not entirely marked and the journey can be quite toilsome. However, the view at the summit and the experience during the hike make it worthwhile. Apart from picturesque views, you can view beautiful shrines and waterfalls during your journey. Also, there are some bird watching spots where you would get to spot some unique species of birds.

While these are some of the best hiking places in Malaysia, these are not the only ones. There are so many options that you are likely to get confused. So, if you are visiting Malaysia for the first time, these are the few hiking trails that you can start with. If you are all excited about your Malaysia trip, the only things you need to do are book your tickets and apply for your Malaysia visa as soon as possible. Have a happy journey and a wonderful hiking trip!