WHERE in the Klang Valley can you clamber up a peak at sunrise, enjoy jaw-dropping views of mist-wreathed, forest-cloaked reservoirs and still make it home in time for brunch? Bukit Tabur, that’s where.
This spiny quartz ridge hill in northwest Kuala Lumpur, wins hands down. A stunning backdrop for Taman Melawati, Tabur is part of the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge, the longest and oldest quartz ridge in the world, say geologists. It’s also home to the mountain goat, more than 30 frog species and five endemic plant species.
Although a relatively easy climb for experienced hiker, its razor-shaped rocks can be unforgiving. On certain stretches, you need to claw your way up and inch your way down vertical drops, so watch your step! Alas, the trail gets crowded on weekends.
Silver-leaf monkeys frolicking on the boardwalk near the park HQ. Another good spot, 30-minute’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, is Gunung Nuang (1,493m) in Hulu Langat, Selangor. It is the de facto training ground for hikers preparing for tougher climbs. With its clearly marked trails and the cool rivers near its base, the mountain is thronged by weekend warriors.
Nature guide John Chan prefers the Janda Baik route to Nuang. An hour’s drive from KL, this trail is more scenic, shorter and sees less human traffic. “You get to hear gibbons and hornbill calls whilst standing on the highest point in Selangor.”
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