Sg Perah Trek 20 Jul 2008

We reached Tanjung Malim at 8.20 a.m. after an hour drive from Petaling Jaya. Immediately upon arrival we headed towards the market for our breakfast and to buy packed food for our trek.

At 9.15 a.m., we proceeded towards our destination which is at Kampung Orang Asli Chinggung settlement. The drive along the narrow lane which criss-crosses orchards and a few camping resorts (providing tube rafting activities) to the trail head took about 45 minutes. From here, we trekked about 1 hour to the picnic "island" spot. The clear trail, which runs parallel to a river, cuts through the jungle forest, bamboo groves and lalang clearing. Along the way, we spotted many towering durian trees but alas luck was not with us as we only found unripe fruits on the ground.

Our group, comprising 10 adults and 4 kids, set up camp on the "island" which is actually a vast collection of boulders, rocks and sand with shrubs and trees in the middle of Sg Perah. The "island" is large enough to accommodate 50 over picnickers. On that day, we were lucky to have the whole place to ourselves. The place is pristine and shady while the flowing river water is clear.

After spending 2½ hours lazying around, we packed and left at 1.30 p.m. and reached the trail head at 2 p.m. Immediately, thereafter we followed the durian lovers in search for the famed kampung durian basai. We came away disappointed as the 100-year old tree did not shed any fruits that day.

Overall, it is a relaxing and pleasant hiking cum picnicking trip. The round trip clocked 200 km and RM16.40 in toll cost.


For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/3239.

Broga Hills 6 Jul 08

This is my second trip. The first trip was on 16 March 2008. See link at http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/03/broga-hills-1632008_17.html.

We gathered at the Cheras Petronas Station, opposite Plaza Pheonix at 5.45 a.m. and made our way to Broga Hills using the Lebuhraya Kajang-Seremban (LEKAS) which cuts through Semenyih. Toll charges amounted to 50 sen at Batu 9 and 90 sen at Batu 11. It took us about 20 minutes to reach Nottingham University Entrance and then another 5 minutes to the access road to the trail head. The access road is located directly opposite a Rabbit Farm along the 1km milestone to Broga from Semenyih. For the roadmap please refer to:

Following a group of Kajang trekkers (who trek every Sunday @ 6.30 a.m.), we trekked about 5 minutes along the laterite road of the oil palm plantation, before we took a right turning into a rubber plantation. From here to the hilltop, we had to take a couple of turnings through the rubber plantation as well as crossing 2 streams and climbing up 2 steep gradients before ending at an open clearing at the highest hilltop. No visible man made markers can be found along the trail and one could easily get lost here without guidance.

Once at the hilltop, we merely followed the clearly visible path that cuts through the tall lalang downhill. Nearer towards the lowland, the highly eroded trail edges along several deep gullies before emerging into an open clearing planted with lemon grass (daun limau perut). From here, we followed the laterite road out towards Broga-Semenyih road. We completed the trek at about 9.30 a.m.

Generally, the trek could be graded as easy and the views from the hill tops were nothing less than fantastic.

Tip: The trail is quite slippery at several sections (with only lalang to hold onto) and a walking stick will be useful. Round trip by road from DU about 110 km.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/3097.