There Is No Shortage Of Amazing Hiking Places In Malaysia, But These Are The Best Hiking Trails & Places To Go For An Unforgettable Experience

Malaysia is truly one of the world’s most blessed countries when it comes to natural wonders.

From lush rainforests and towering mountain peaks to truly wondrous waterfall cascades, serene coastal trails, and rolling green hills. This country has much to offer to the adventurous outdoor explorers amongst us, no matter the level of experience.

With countless many options to explore, it can be tricky to pick the next hiking spot to challenge. But worry not, because we’ve curated a list of the topmost interesting hiking places in Malaysia that will guarantee an unforgettable experience.

We’ve chosen places from the far reaches of East Malaysia to the mainland of Peninsular Malaysia that will immerse you in Malaysia’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, so that you can experience the very best of the country’s natural landscapes.

So pack your hiking essentials, call up your equally adventurous buddies, lace up your comfiest hiking boots, and get your Montigo Ace Bottle ready to keep you hydrated because we’re going to explore some of the most spectacular hiking places in the country!

Top 13 Interesting Hiking Places In Malaysia For An Epic Adventure In This Part Of Southeast Asia

1. Kinabalu National Park

Nestled deep in the state of Sabah lies one of Malaysia’s most famous national parks and UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Kinabalu National Park. The national park is home to Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Malaysia with an elevation gain of 4,095m, and it is home to countless interesting endemic Bornean flora and fauna.

While it is one of the country’s most popular hiking destinations, Mount Kinabalu is actually deemed sacred to the indigenous Kadazan-Dusun tribe as a resting place for the souls of the departed. This ties back to its original name “Aki Nabalu” which literally means revered place of the departed. It’s also one of the reasons why strict regulations are in place to ensure proper hiking etiquette and cultural respect so that hikers may enjoy a safe and enjoyable hike.

Even so, many visit from all over the world to climb Mount Kinabalu for its unparalleled view of the sea of clouds, alpine meadows, and the once in a lifetime opportunity to capture the iconic photograph of the Malaysian Ringgit’s feature against Mount Kinabalu’s south peak, which is also known as “Puncak Seringgit”.

The trail leading to Mount Kinabalu’s summit is a gruelling one that demands peak physical fitness and stamina from hikers, alongside a readiness to acclimatise themselves to the impending altitude. Which is why it’s no surprise that hikers typically train months before attempting to challenge this hike.

It takes up to 2 days, including an overnight stop at a mountain lodge, before hikers arrive at the final ascent to the peak, and the hike cannot be attempted without a local guide per the Sabah Park Safety Regulations. It’s definitely not a hike for the faint of heart and beginners because of the dangerously steep inclines found along the hike.

Think 90-degree inclines, a hanging suspension bridge, lengthy steep staircases, rocky paths, and climbs that require the assistance of ropes for support. Not to mention the overall terrain that starts you off in a dense tropical rainforest before transitioning into mossy forests and rocky granite treks thereafter. But all in all, it is truly a natural wonder that hikers should attempt at least once in their lives.

2. Pinnacles of Kampar

If you’re not planning to train for Mount Kinabalu, I’d recommend giving Perak’s Gunung Nuang a pass in favour of the newly discovered Pinnacles of Kampar for a far more interesting experience.

The Pinnacles of Kampar is a majestic hidden gem found deep within the Kampar district in Perak. It was initially a secret spot amongst regular hikers living in the area, but its recent reveal on social media elevated its status as one of Malaysia’s most surreal natural rock formations to be visited.

What awaits you here is a striking landscape of large boulders and rock formations that blanket a hillside. From a distance, one would be reminded of an acupressure pebbled trail that used to be a regular mainstay in neighbourhood parks!

Hikers are able to trek through the elevated pathway that was built by the land’s owner to allow safe and easy passage through the place’s rugged and uneven terrain. Having said that, it is located on private property as the place was originally purchased to be used as a durian orchard - which is why you’ll need permission to access the Pinnacles of Kampar.

Once you’ve gotten permitted access, this hiking place is one of the easiest hiking loops around that spans up to 40 minutes at a leisurely pace.

Important Note: The Pinnacles of Kampar is currently closed as of July 2024 for the development of safe crossings and pathways approximately until January 2025 or earlier. Check back to find out if the place is officially open to the public before making your way there!

3. Gunung Tahan, Taman Negara National Park

Every country has a dedicated hiking spot that serves as a “rite of passage” for local hikers. Ours is Gunung Tahan, found within the nation’s famed Taman Negara National Park, and it is perhaps one of the best hiking places in Malaysia to visit if you want to experience the best of Malaysia’s varied ecosystem.

Standing tall at 2,187m, Gunung Tahan is Peninsular Malaysia’s tallest peak and oldest national park which spans across Pahang, Kelantan, and Terengganu, with Gunung Tahan itself being in Pahang.

Taking on the challenge to hike Gunung Tahan is considered by locals as a rite of passage as it is notoriously the most challenging hike in the country, surpassing even Mount Kinabalu’s difficulty! A full hike through its waterfall trails, lowland dipterocarp forests, montane forests, and cloud forests near the summit takes up to 7 days to be fully completed, with each zone bearing a name that originates from its endemic flora and fauna.

Every hiking activity at Gunung Tahan requires a permit and guided tour which typically begins at the Taman Negara Headquarters in the village of Kuala Tahan, located at the foot of Gunung Tahan. The experienced guide will assist you through your trek while generously sharing knowledge about the rainforest and its endemic species as you navigate through its trails.

This mountain calls for a high level of physical fitness and mental endurance as hikers can expect steep ascents, river crossings, and hours of jungle trekking, all while carrying a heavy backpack of hiking essentials and camping gear.

But having said all that, it is also one of the most rewarding hikes you’ll probably embark on thanks to the rare opportunity to spot endemic wildlife along the trail such as tapirs, deers, tigers, and native plant species like the Tualang Tree and Neram Tree. That this does not yet include the breathtaking view of the surrounding scenery that awaits you at the summit!

Bonus Note: Plan your trip here for the drier parts of the year to reduce your chances of encountering miserable weather for a truly memorable hiking trip.

4. Mossy Forest, Cameron Highlands

Looking for someplace with a truly magical experience? Then you won’t want to miss out on hiking at the Mossy Forest in the Cameron Highlands. The Mossy Forest is a magically captivating natural gem of an ancient montane forest that is situated on the slopes of Gunung Brinchang, one of the region’s highest peaks.

Exactly like its name depicts, the Mossy Forest is indeed completely blanketed in moss and ferns. Aside from its namesake, it is also renowned for its cool climate, consistent (almost perpetual) mist, and rich flora. If you’ve ever been to Singapore’s Cloud Forest in the Gardens By The Bay, think of the Mossy Forest as the natural equivalent, only better.

With thick layers of moss covering its trees, ground, walls, and rocks, the hiking spot takes on a magically green and almost otherworldly appearance. You can find rare species of ferns, orchids, pitcher plants, and more unique flora here in abundance, making it a must-visit for the nature enthusiasts amongst us hikers.

The bulk of the Mossy Forest hike mainly takes place on the site’s well-maintained boardwalk, which allows hikers of all physical fitness levels to explore the forest with ease. The boardwalk takes you through scenic parts of the forest while carefully placed signs that detail the various plant species found there line the trail. Oh and did we mention there is also an observation tower you can climb to get a truly stunning panoramic view of the highlands?

Bonus Tip: Since the ground is soft and rather spongy thanks to the moss, I strongly advise wearing proper shoes that are specially made to withstand slippery terrain to avoid potential falls.

5. Gunung Mulu National Park

The Gunung Mulu National Park is named after Sarawak’s second highest peak at 2,377m above sea level, which is also the national park’s resident mountain. 

While Mount Kinabalu was recognised by UNESCO as the “Centre of Plant Diversity for Southeast Asia”, Sarawak’s national park was recognised for its outstanding natural beauty and geological diversity as the home of one of the world’s most extensive cave systems. This includes the Sarawak Chamber - the largest known underground cave chamber in the world, and not forgetting the iconic bat-filled Deer Cave which is said to have one of the largest cave passages.

Caves aside, one of the most interesting features here is the Pinnacles. But don’t confuse it with our earlier mentioned Pinnacles of Kampar. The Pinnacles here are a series of sharp, jagged limestone spikes that rise dramatically from the forest grounds, serving as one of the most challenging, yet popular trails to hike in this national park.

The national park is also home to one of the longest tree-based canopy walkways in the world at 420m in length and 25m above the forest floor in height. Think observing the rainforest from up high, along with the rare opportunity to spot endemic birds, insects, and plant species.

Though it is indeed one of Malaysia’s most enchanting spots for natural wonders, the hiking difficulty here is as varied as the types of interesting things here. It ranges from easy to highly challenging depending on how much ground you intend to cover.

For starters, a fully guided hike to the summit typically takes up to 4 days, where hikers trek through dense jungles and steep climbs amidst unpredictable weather conditions that only the most experienced hikers ought to consider. Whereas beginner or intermediate hikers can always opt to enjoy the Canopy Walk without missing out on the wondrous nature of this stunning hiking place.

6. Broga Hill

Broga Hill, also known as Bukit Broga, is one of Malaysia’s most well known hiking trails for hikers of every level. It lies in the district of Semenyih in Selangor, which is an approximate 1 hour 30 minutes drive from the heart of Kuala Lumpur. This also explains why it is a popular haunt for the city’s hikers.

What attracts many to this particular hill are the sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding green hills, forests, and an almost bird’s eye view of Broga town itself. But the real compelling reasons are its breathtaking sunrise spot and picturesque golden grassy slopes of lalang, giving Broga Hill its lesser known nickname of “Bukit Lalang”.

While it’s named “Broga Hill”, it is actually home to a total of three peaks, with one of them being the famous Mount Tok Wan that is not to be confused with Kinabalu’s Gunung Tok Wan. The first is undoubtedly the most popular one, but more experienced and fit hikers can opt to continue onwards to the second the third peaks for the full hiking experience.

It is a relatively easy to moderately challenging hike that takes up to 1 hour to summit depending on your pace, and up to 2 hours and 30 minutes should you wish to conquer all three peaks. The type of terrain that awaits you on Broga are a mixture of grassy slopes, short steep sections, rocky outcrops, and dirt paths.

Do note that most of the hill is bald so it’s best to come prepared with sunscreen applied, a cap, and perhaps a breathable UV jacket on you to stay protected against the harsh sun rays while you’re venturing through the hiking trail.

Bonus Tip: It’s highly recommended to wear long sleeved apparel to prevent the sharp grass from leaving unexpected cuts on you.

7. Penang Hill

Penang Hill, also known as Bukit Bendera, may be one of the most popular tourist attractions for nature lovers (aside from the popular Penang National Park) because of the cooler climate at its peak, but its historical significance, stunning panoramic views, and variety of hiking trails makes it one of the best hiking trails for explorers and of course, hikers.

What awaits you on the many hiking trails of Penang Hill are colonial architecture, the opportunity to spot countless local wildlife and plant species, cultural structures, interesting natural rock and root formations, and a scenic ride up or down Malaysia’s oldest and only funicular railway.

Penang Hill’s many hiking trails makes this particular hiking place one that is suitable for all kinds of hikers. You have the most popular hiking trail, the Botanical Gardens hiking trail which begins at the Penang Botanical Gardens and leads to the summit. And then you have the more challenging Moon Gate hiking trail which takes up to 4 hours to complete thanks to its steep inclines.

But with all said and done, the most interesting Penang Hill hiking trail here by far is definitely the Bat’s Cave Temple Trail because of a particular section where numerous Golden Stupa surround the trail along the way, making for a somewhat otherworldly sight.

The terrain here is an interesting mixture where you have several trails that pass through the hill’s dense tropical forest, steep inclines that sometimes require rope assisted climbs, stone steps, mercifully paved sections, and of course, dirt paths.

8. Panorama Hill

Much like its namesake, Panorama Hill is home to one of the most idyllic vantage points in Malaysia. Think stunning sunrise sights, sweeping views of the surrounding green hills, mist-covered valleys, and a bird’s eye view of Sungai Lembing, a once major tin mining town that enjoyed its greatest heydays during the British colonial period.

What hikers love about Panorama Hill is its moderate level of difficulty, but highly rewarding scenery. Most begin their hike in the wee hours of the morning from 5:30am to summit just in time for the sunrise. And that is something you definitely should not miss out on because the sunrise casts a truly magical golden hue over the sea of clouds that sometimes blankets the valley below. But you really have to see it to feel it.

The terrain of Panorama Hill consists primarily of staircase climbs with over 1,000 steps to conquer to arrive at the summit. Even though the idea of climbing that many stairs (it’s three times of Batu Caves’ stairs) is enough to put off those with less than optimal knee strength and stamina, the stairs are well-maintained to provide hikers a safe and clear path to the peak.

That said, do take the time to pack a sandwich or snacks to enjoy a little picnic at the peak while taking in the beautiful scenery offered by Panorama Hill!

9. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)

It’s odd to recommend a research institute to hikers, but hear me out. The Forest Research Institute Malaysia, also known as FRIM, is not just a research institute. It is actually home to a well-preserved forest and nature walk where visitors can cycle, hike, or enjoy a picnic away from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle.

Hikers of all fitness levels can opt to challenge its many well-maintained nature trails, such as the Keruing Trail, Salleh Trail, and Rover Track. And the best part? The hiking trails here are incredibly welcoming with little to no steep inclines nor rocky climbs, except for the slightly steep hike that leads to the Canopy Walkway.

This makes FRIM an ideal place for new hikers to train up their stamina and get in the groove, while getting a glimpse into what they may expect in more vigorous hiking grounds.

But that’s not all! Hikers can also embark on a waterfall hunt to discover the many waterfalls and streams that make their home here such as the Sungai Kroh Waterfall. The rich flora of FRIM will also delight the horticulturalists among us as they will be treated to sightings of various protected and endemic species.

10. Bukit Sri Bintang

Bukit Sri Bintang is an interesting hiking place that also counts as a favourite for the nearby residents of Kepong and Desa Park City. It isn’t as renowned as the rest of the hiking places mentioned here, but it’s definitely a popular one for city hikers seeking a quick outdoor escape and a dazzling view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline during sunrise and sunset.

Hikers love this particular hill for its clean air even though it is still within the city, scenic sights, and friendly community. This place comes alive even more so during the weekends where groups of friends and families gather to hike.

The hiking trail here is considered a moderately challenging one as it also connects to the more extensive Bukit Kiara hiking trail, making it suitable for beginner to intermediate hikers. But if you only opt to hike Bukit Sri Bintang, it’ll be an easy hike.

The terrain here is a well-worn dirt trail coupled with some stone steps and the occasional steep sections, with well shaded stretches except for a particularly long stretch across lush green fields.

11. Mount Ophir

Locals who grew up reading the story of “Puteri Gunung Ledang” will know what we’re in for, because Mount Ophir is the very same mountain in that local legend.

Mount Ophir, also known as “Gunung Ledang”, is found in Johor and it’s arguably one of Malaysia’s most famous and mythologically significant mountains that stands majestically tall at 1,295m above sea level.

The mountain is renowned for the local legend of a mythical princess who is said to have lived on the mountain, making it a popular destination for history buffs and folklore enthusiasts. But that’s not why we’re here today - it’s also a popular mountain for veteran hikers to conquer as one of the country’s most challenging mountains to climb, which also takes up to 9 hours to conquer.

What awaits hikers here are lush panoramic views of the surrounding landscape consisting of forests, rivers, and on clear days, even the Straits of Melaka. Not forgetting various spots along the hiking trail that are tied to the famous legend.

There are a number of waterfall cascades that can be found along the way, along with some that require brief detours. One of them is the popular Puteri Waterfall, a multi-level cascade that looks truly spectacular and was named after the legendary princess.

Expect steep, rocky paths that require careful navigation, an infamous killer stretch of ladder climbs which hikers dub the “KFC”, only this one is called the Killer Fitness Centre, muddy paths, exposed tree roots, and rope climbs up slopes.

While it is exceptionally demanding, it is definitely a rewarding experience once you complete the hike thanks to its surreal natural beauty, challenging terrain, and immersive experience in local legend. Plus the deep sense of accomplishment once you’re done!