Hiking Trails - Tmn Tun, Bukit Tabur and Tanah Rata (Part 1)
Perhaps one of the best exercise is done through walking/hiking. This form of exercise is not popular in Malaysia due to heat and humidity. In the temperate countries walking/hiking is a big 'sport'. Businesses are built around this sport through the manufacturing of haversacks, shoes and various apparels.
There are many advantages in walking.
1) It is easy on the knees and joints as the forest floors are mostly springy like that of a stadium's rubberised sports track.
2) It has a variety of scenery that keep changing, chasing away any forms of monotony.
3) It is a combination of aerobic (walking) and anaerobic (walking inclines/slopes) activities that work gently on the body as well as give the cardiovascular muscles a good workout.
4) And the forest offers a canopy that keep out the sun and heat.
I have gone hiking with this buddy of mine in Vancouver, London and Malaysia. He is the crazy one while I make time for it. The Malaysian trails around KL are to name a few FRIM, Malaysia Agricultural Park (MAP), Broga and paths found in our own housing estates. Out of KL, I like the hike at Penang Hill and Bukit Kledang (Menglembu). I have spent 2-3 hours at a time walking the FRIM and MAP. It is challenging as we go finding hills to climb and hike off the beaten track walking lesser used trails. This time round for his holidays in Malaysia, were able to walk the Tmn Tun, Bukit Tabur and Tanah Rata (will write about Tanah Rata in another post) trails.
Bukit Tabur
There are a few entrances. The trail is on the ridge. Basically, walking on the top of the Klang Gates limestone hills. It is a precipitous drop left and right. Lives have been lost. In times past there were lots of quartz scattered around the trail but sadly it is all gone now. There is little tree cover so start early and leave early. It can be very hot. Your truly found out the hard way. We started at 10:00am in the Bukit Mas Apartment carpark and finished at 3:15pm in the same.
Overlooking the Klang Gates dam.
The trail is well-marked. We reached Point 8 and turned back. We did enjoyed the various scenery under the cover of some trees which was not that much though.
See the curving walls of the dam on the left (middle).
Taman Tun/Bukit Kiara
This major trail is tarred/sealed. It is also a horse riding trail as the equestrian club is nearby. I start only from the Tmn Tun entrance. There are many trails besides the sealed road as evidence by detours that can be seen from the sealed road. I find this trail very convenient and easy to access. The downside is the hard surfaces unless one go off-track into the forest trails.
Wild Fowl and esp. macaques are found here and in many other trails. Watch out for them and you will be rewarded. Or for that they will find you out as you are in their territory.
There are many advantages in walking.
1) It is easy on the knees and joints as the forest floors are mostly springy like that of a stadium's rubberised sports track.
2) It has a variety of scenery that keep changing, chasing away any forms of monotony.
3) It is a combination of aerobic (walking) and anaerobic (walking inclines/slopes) activities that work gently on the body as well as give the cardiovascular muscles a good workout.
4) And the forest offers a canopy that keep out the sun and heat.
I have gone hiking with this buddy of mine in Vancouver, London and Malaysia. He is the crazy one while I make time for it. The Malaysian trails around KL are to name a few FRIM, Malaysia Agricultural Park (MAP), Broga and paths found in our own housing estates. Out of KL, I like the hike at Penang Hill and Bukit Kledang (Menglembu). I have spent 2-3 hours at a time walking the FRIM and MAP. It is challenging as we go finding hills to climb and hike off the beaten track walking lesser used trails. This time round for his holidays in Malaysia, were able to walk the Tmn Tun, Bukit Tabur and Tanah Rata (will write about Tanah Rata in another post) trails.
Bukit Tabur
There are a few entrances. The trail is on the ridge. Basically, walking on the top of the Klang Gates limestone hills. It is a precipitous drop left and right. Lives have been lost. In times past there were lots of quartz scattered around the trail but sadly it is all gone now. There is little tree cover so start early and leave early. It can be very hot. Your truly found out the hard way. We started at 10:00am in the Bukit Mas Apartment carpark and finished at 3:15pm in the same.
Check out the hills that look like the back of the dragon. These are limestone hills and are visible from Ulu Klang. It forms a natural boundary for the dam and reserved catchment area on the left and Taman Melawati on the right.
Overlooking the Klang Gates dam.
The trail is well-marked. We reached Point 8 and turned back. We did enjoyed the various scenery under the cover of some trees which was not that much though.
See the curving walls of the dam on the left (middle).
Taman Tun/Bukit Kiara
This major trail is tarred/sealed. It is also a horse riding trail as the equestrian club is nearby. I start only from the Tmn Tun entrance. There are many trails besides the sealed road as evidence by detours that can be seen from the sealed road. I find this trail very convenient and easy to access. The downside is the hard surfaces unless one go off-track into the forest trails.
This Way to Your Better Health - a cross junction with pavilions by the side.
Wild Fowl and esp. macaques are found here and in many other trails. Watch out for them and you will be rewarded. Or for that they will find you out as you are in their territory.
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