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.

Bukit Tabur West 16 Aug 2008

This time I joined a group of keen photographers to hike Tabur West, one of my favourite hiking places. We started at 7a.m. and completed the hike at 12.30 a.m. This the most leisurely hike with time well spent viewing the sunrise and the surrounding areas as well as touching base with trekkers sharing similar interest. The weather was dry with slight breeze and the heavy clouds provide a good cover against the hot sun. Photos on earlier trips can be found at:
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/01/tabur-west-1012008_10.html,
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2007/09/bukit-tabur-3092007_30.html,
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2007/03/bukit-tabur-1132007_11.html,
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2007/02/bukit-tabur-2712007_9.html and
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2006/10/bukit-tabur-2006-10-16.html.

For the photographs for this trek, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/3378.

Broga Hills 3 Aug 2008

This is the third trip to Broga Hills. The last trip was on 06.07.08 and the pictures are posted at http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/07/broga-hills-6-july-08_7.html.

As in the previous trip, we took the anti-clockwise route by following the regulars who meet up every Sunday at 6.30 a.m. We were unable to view the KL Tower and Twin-Towers this trip as it was a bit hazy. The weather was windy and cooling probably due to the haze shielding the sun. The wind did bring in a short shower towards the end of our hike near the gully section. After the hike, we lingered around the durian stall at the access road until about 11 a.m. when we proceeded to Chuan Kee at Broga Market to savour the smooth pan mee aka Tao Ma Chek (RM2.80 per bowl) and creamy ice kacang (RM2 per bowl).

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/3269.

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.

Bukit Saga 29 Jun 2008

Undaunted by the drizzle, we proceeded to extend our trek up Wangsa Cheras Hill aka Ah Pak San to Saga Hill, as planned. At Station 5 (373m elevation), we took a left turn (right turn goes to the waterfall) and trek to Station 6 (387m elevation). From here there was a clear signboard showing the trail to Saga Peak (377m elevation). The trek time for 1.5km from Station 6 to Saga Peak was about 30 minutes while we took 2 hour to hike 2km from trail head to Station 6; totalling 2½hours for 3.5km trail.

The large clearing, before Saga Peak, was abuzz with activities: young kids running about, adults playing Tarzan and woman folk having a chit-chat session over hot morning tea as well as some people busy building more wooden shelters/tables/structures. There was a huge notice board (put up by Saga Hiking Group comprising residents from Taman Saga, Ampang) welcoming hikers to Saga Hilltop and advising them against smoking, rubbish dumping and hunting.

We spent some time relaxing here and trying out several fitness exercises before back trekking to Station 6 where we continued down hill using another trail that passes through the rubber plantation but ends at the same trail head at Wangsa Cheras. The distance covered was about the same at 3.5 km.

Overall, it was a good solid ½ day trek covering 7km.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/3095.