Muka Head via Penang National Park entrance and Monkey Beach

Rated: 3.0/10

A hike in Pulau Pinang National Park. There always a saying where Pulau Pinang beach is usually dirty (And yes, Batu Ferringhi beach is consider dirty to my opinion), but this usually only refer to the tourist spot. Pulau Pinang still have very nice beach to enjoy much and such beaches are Pantai Kerachut and Monkey Bay. To get here, "5°27'35.658"N 100°12'23.062"E" or "Jalan Hassan Abas, Pulau Pinang" can be set in Google Map. There are general public facilities well prepared here such as toilet and car park. Hiker would also need to register at the counter before hiking.

The map to the entrance of P.P National Park

The map to the entrance of P.P National Park (zoom in)

There is a handful of hiking path in this national park, but fear not, all the fork roads have sign to where it leading. As mention before, the beaches here are very clean, though, were not only there for the beach. As usual, I like hiking up tall places to view the scenery which in this case is Muka Head Lighthouse. Our path were from the entrance, through both an university site beach (30min+) and Monkey Bay beach (1hour+) and finally Muka Head Lighthouse (1.5 hours+).

Trail route taken (Mapmyhike apps.)

With the height of around 200m+, the view around P.P. National Park can only be seen on top of the lighthouse which is open to the public from 9am - 3pm. Basically, you can climb to the top of the lighthouse and also it interior (just hope they don't out-of-nowhere turn on the light when you are in the "light room"). Though, the lighthouse corridor is narrow and will not fit a lot of people. The best part of this hiking trip is one get to swim at the ocean later after the hike. This hike can be done by anyone, with or no experience of hiking. The only steep elevation will be toward the lighthouse while other are just flat land. FYI, Monkey Bay and the university site beach does not have a strong current since of the geographical layout (I think). There is one more beautiful beach that the national park has to offer, Pantai Kerachut. Heard the waves there are stronger but jellyfish is plentiful.

Main Entrance

Hiking along the beach

Hiking along the beach

Hiking along the beach

Hiking along the beach

Hiking along the beach

Hiking along the beach

Hiking toward the lighthouse

The lighthouse

The lighthouse

The lighthouse

The lighthouse

The lighthouse

Swimming at Monkey Bay

Swimming at Monkey Bay

Swimming at Monkey Bay

Swimming at Monkey Bay

Swimming at Monkey Bay

Usually most hiker would only come here for the beautiful beach, some even overnight camp at Monkey Bay. Nevertheless, this is one place to find nature almost untouched by the overwhelming tourist. Would definitely come back here just to enjoy the scenery here. Hack, might even camp here if given a chance. (P.S. there actually a boat ride to Monkey Bay, but why take boat when hiking is free of charge and healthier ;)  ).

Edited: 26/9/2014