Hiking and Stuff

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 toward the lighthouse

The lighthouse

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

Gunung Datuk

Rated: 4.0/10

Gunung Datuk, with a height of around 885m above sea level, this mountain offer a very nice panoramic view of Negeri Sembilan and all the way to Strait of Melaka under good weather condition. The hike up of this mountain do require some physical stamina but it can be done by anyone who has at least some form of physical healthy lifestyle. To get here, "Hutan Lipur Gunung Datuk, Kota, Negeri Sembilan" or "2°32'36.8"N 102°10'08.9"E" can be set in Google Map. There are general public facilities well prepared here such as public toilet, car park (RM2) and cabin. The hiking fee is RM3 registration.

A map to Gunung Datuk from Monash University Malaysia

A zoom in map

The entrance to the hiking path is after the main entrance, pass through all the "pondok" house and right after the river crossing (There will be plenty of people there, so don't afraid to ask around if not sure). The path up to the top of the mountain would take around 1.5 - 2.5 hours approximately depending on fitness level. This mountain is fairly short in term of distance as the mountain gradient can be quite steep. Not only that, it remain quite steep the whole journey but it wouldn't be a problem for experienced hiker though. There one river crossing (bridge) and one mini stream crossing and the rest of the hike will be dry. On the side note, there is a fairly huge tree (for people like me is very huge) on the left after around 10-15 minutes hike up.

The view up here is spectacular and amazing and the best part, the hike up here can be done even by hiker who starting to love hiking. On the clear blue sky with no cloud in the sky, you can see the Strait of Melaka at the far end of the horizon. Though, to get up to the view, hiker have to overcome the fear of height since you will need to climb ladder up. But nevertheless, it all worth it. Don't let your fear pull you down and miss the awesome view this mountain provide. A few to note, the top of the mountain might become slippery during raining season but I not so sure about it since I have not been there during raining season.

A very huge tree

Hiking up the mountain

Almost there

Start of the ladder climbing

More ladder climbing

Last part to the highest top

Gunung Datuk

At the top of Gunung Datuk

In my opinion, this mountain has one of the best panorama view especially for a mountain that can be done by almost everyone. Though, it has a very long drive journey if you are from KL, which is a turn off. Nevertheless, it still a mountain to go if you want something new from the mountain in KL.

Edited: 13/9/2014

Tabur Hill (East Entrance)

Distance: 4km
Elevationg Gain: 200m
Rated: 2.5/10

NOTE: Entrance from the usual route has been fence up and blocked, the only entrance maybe through the village which you would usually exit. (There a trail beside the fence, walk along the fence then turn left at a T-junction)

As continuation from the previous entry, Tabur Hill (West Entrance), the story here will be similar.

Tabur Hill offer nice hiking and rock climbing experience for anyone who scale this hill. Tabur Hill, even with all the accident reports, I would still consider this side of the hill (west side) to be very safe as long as the hiker know his or her limit and know what he or she is doing. Do note, I would not recommend this hill to be the first hiking trip for any new hiker but go ahead if only you feel confident and would also not encourage hiking on the mountain while raining or right after the rain as the rock will be slippery.

To get to the path of the hike, one can use the following destination, "Jalan P 4, Taman Melawati, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia" or [3°13'55.774"N 101°45'0.468"E] as a guidance in this case. The actual spot to park your car and start hiking is shown in the map below. Just like the west entrance, there is no public facilities provided here.

A map to Tabur Hill (East Side) from Monash University Malaysia

A zoom in map to Tabur Hill (East Side)

Unlike the west entrance, the entrance point of the hike is not as grand as you seen in the west side. Although this side of the mountain also "required permit", but going early around 7, nobody will disturb you. On the east side of the mountain, the path up is tougher than the west side but the view up there is much nicer compare to the west side, to my opinion. I do consider the east side of the mountain to be safer than the west side of the mountain but do note, you still can fall and earn yourself a ticket to nearest hospital if not careful.

Trail route taken (Mapmyhike apps.) or
https://www.strava.com/activities/1779362675

The mountain hike up should take around 1.5 - 2 hours up and 1 hour plus down, depending on how much you want to stop and enjoy the view. Most of the path up are rock climbing style but it not very tough as rope are already provided to ease anyone. This hill can be loop around, which mean you can take an easier path after you done hiking up. You will meet with two fork roads in this case. Taking both right turn on the first and second fork road will lead to the exit around 350m away from where you started. Though,before heading to the right turn on the first fork road to head home, take the left turn for a final climb up to enjoy one of the best view that Tabur Hill can offer.

Park your car here and start the hike following the pipe

Just keep following the pipe

You will reach to the start of the path here

The dam

And that West Tabur Hill, the famous route up to Tabur

Taking the left turn will bring you up higher of Tabur Hill while right turn to head home

The last hike up to the highest peak can be a bit tough

The view of West Tabur Hill from the highest peak of East Tabur Hill

This part of the hill kinda remind me of Gunung Tahan

The view of Far East / Extreme Tabur Hill from the highest peak of East Tabur Hill

A huge fall if someone were to slip down

We made it!

The view of Far East / Extreme Tabur Hill from the highest peak of East Tabur Hill

The second fork road, take right to head home

This is the exit of Tabur Hill East, you are actually exiting through an orchard farm
(You will be able to see a lot of fruit trees around, but don't pluck them, it has it owner)

Exit at Jalan P3 where you have to walk back to Jalan P4 to your car which is around 350m apart

Overall, this hill does give that satisfying feeling of accomplishment if everything goes right. If you looking for bigger challenge, this Tabur Hill does offer one last tougher hiking trail which is Tabur Hill Far East and Tabur Hill Extreme. I am soon to complete that part of the hill.

(I have done Tabur Hill Extreme but Far East I may not plan to go)

NOTE: Entrance from the usual route has been fence up and blocked, the only entrance maybe through the village which you would usually exit.

Sadly the main entrance is being fenced up, though some are still able to make it to the top. I guessing they took the route starting from the village which you would usually come down from.

Last edited: 6 July 2017