Penang Hill Forest Trail 31 Aug 2008

Though still tired from the preceding day Muka Head Trek (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/09/penang-muka-head-trail-30808_2.html), we enthusiastically packed ourselves into 3 vehicles and headed for the Penang Youth Park. From there, a bus ferried us to Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve for the trail head in respect of the Penang Hill Forest Challenge (“PHFC”) Trail. This trail, which covers a distance of 11,300m, ends at the Top Station of Penang Hill.

Starting at 9.45 a.m., we took 4½ hrs to complete 6,600 m hike from Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve to Station 1 along the Western Hill Road. The trail is clear and well marked. It is also quite popular with the locals. Proper ropes were secured to assist hikers along difficult steep gradients. At Eagle Point Deck sitting at an altitude of 725m, we were rewarded with spectacular views of the Teluk Bahang and its surrounding areas.

From Station1 along Western Hill Rd, one can opt to wait and thumb a lift from passing 4WDs or walk to the Penang Top Station, another 4700m away. We took the second option to enjoy the fresh air and to explore the surrounding areas. After replenishing our energy at the Top Station, we paid a fee of RM5 pax to a 4WD to take us downhill.

Overall, it was a very challenging trail meant for fit hikers.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/3382.

Pg Muka Head 30 Aug 2008

Immediately, after a hearty breakfast we proceeded to Penang National Park located in the north western corner of the Penang Island. There are 5 major trails. We chose the Muka Head Trail which involves a hike of over 2km of coastal trail. We started at 10.30 a.m. and after many photography stops, we reached the Muka Head Lighthouse at 2 p.m. According to the brochure, the trek time should be about 3 hours. The trail is dotted with bridges of wood, concrete and metal constructs over streams and rocky shoreline. Generally, the trail and the facilities appeared well maintained and litter free up to USM Centre. From hereon, the trail is more feral until the base of Muka Head Lighthouse, where one has to mount a series of concrete steps from sea level up to 242m in net elevation to the Muka Head Lighthouse built in 1883 (125 years old) by the colonial British. The weather was good and views from the Lighthouse were lovely.

From the Lighthouse we back trekked to USM Research Centre and took a boat back to Teluk Bahang for a fee of RM5 pax.

Our original plan was to take a boat from USM Research Centre to Pantai Kerachut (famed for its white sandy beach). From there, we could visit the Meromictic Lake and then trek back to Teluk Bahang, thereby completely an anticlockwise loop. However, our plan was dashed when we were told that the sea was too rough for the boat operator to ply.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/3380.