Hiking in KL
KL is a city that never sleeps. Being a busy city, you’d be surprised to find nature in the midst of a concrete jungle. All you have to have is an open heart to look for more. That is why, we have compiled a list of 15 spots for hiking in KL for all the hiking enthusiasts!
Read also: 15 Best Camping Sites in Malaysia for an Enjoyable Trip with Your Loved Ones
1. KL Forest Eco Park
Image Source: Trip Advisor
Located next to KL Tower, KL Forest Eco Park is a fantastic spot for hiking in KL. It is a nine-hectare park home to over 200 tree and mammal species, including exotic ones like silver leaf monkey and the long-tailed macaque.
You can go hiking all the way up to The Canopy Walk which offers beautiful views of the park’s oldest trees, such as the Jelutong and Merawan Batu.
Location: Jalan Puncak, Kuala Lumpur, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
2. Taman Tugu
Image Source: Ireka
Being a 66-acre green paradise, Taman Tugu is another place that must be on your bucket list for places to go hiking in Kuala Lumpur. It is essentially a preservation site of rainforest and it also tries to preserve all the indigenous trees.
There are also basic amenities such as a food stall, resting areas, washrooms and praying rooms. Taman Tugu currently has five hiking routes and you can pick any route to go for hiking because it will be suitable for people of all fitness levels!
Location: 94-1, Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, Kuala Lumpur, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.
3. Bukit Kiara
Image Source: Meowtain People
If you’re looking for a place to go hiking, walking, running, or simply spending time with your family, Bukit Kiara would be a perfect place for that. This park also has a children’s playground and an outdoor gym. Be sure to not feed any animals there because some monkeys on the hanging bridge can be violent if approached or offered food!
Location: 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
4. Ketumbar Hill
Image Source: Anna Evening
Being a part of a forest reserve that encompasses Bukit Apek and Bukit Saga, Ketumbar Hill is another wonderful spot for hiking in KL. It is a popular hiking destination for locals, especially in the early mornings and weekends. You will be rewarded with some gorgeous scenery of the mountain on one side with walking trails and a lake on the other side with many wild boars (don’t feed them!) that will roaming around the forest area.
Location: Jalan 6/95b, Taman Cheras Utama, 56100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.
5. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Kepong
Image Source: Visit Selangor
Gazetted as a Natural Heritage Site in the year 2009, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) is a spot for hiking in Kuala Lumpur where you get to burn calories while learning a lot about the gift of Mother Nature to Malaysia. Salleh Trail and Keruing Trail are the most well-known trails in FRIM. You will also have the opportunity to see Tongkat Ali which is a traditional Malay ginseng that is used to make a lot of useful things like pencils and it is also good for health!
Location: Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), 68100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
6. Pulai Trail Southern & Main Entrance
Image Source: Free Tree Society
Having an elevation range of 80m to 100m at Pulai Trail Southern & Main Entrance which is an amazing spot for hiking in KL with a 1 km uphill and downhill loop that may be reached through Jalan Negeri Sembilan or the Free Tree Society (FTS) Bangsar Nursery. Are you a beginner in hiking and have less experience?
Fret no more, as there is a very low chance of getting lost because FTS has been maintaining and safeguarding the trail since 2018. Enjoy a wonderful hiking experience at the Pulai Trail!
Location: Pulai Tree corner, Jalan Negeri Sembilan, Bukit Persekutuan, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
7. Pertama Trail
Image Source: Alamy
A hiking spot in KL for beginners, Pertama Trail is a 178m straight trail that can be a little bit challenging for people who are not physically fit. Its placement captures breezes, making the hike more delightful. Be sure to bring bug repellents and skin care products as this place has a lot of mosquitoes, according to locals.
Location: 77, Jalan Senjolong, Taman Bukit Ria, 56100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.
8. Gunung Nuang
Image Source: Tourism MPKJ
With the reputation of being the 86th highest peak in Malaysia, Gunung Nuang is another excellent spot for hiking. There are four stages that you need to cross when you are climbing this mountain which starts with Pang Soo village and ends at PuncaK Pengasih (the peak). Permits must be obtained from Pejabat Hutan Daerah Selangor Tengah for a fee of RM 5 per person.
Physical exhaustion is something that you are bound to experience once you have decided to hike a mountain like this but you can always enjoy good food when you are at the top of the mountain. So, keep that as a motivation when you are climbing the mountain!
9. Cempedak Trail
Image Source: Wikiloc
Exclusively made for an expert hiker, Cempedak Trail is a place for hiking in KL, not for the faint-hearted people. It takes an average of 4 hours and 55 minutes to finish this moderately difficult route. This trail is fantastic for trekking, especially for experienced hikers! For those who are beginners, you might want to train yourself first!
Location: 352, Jln Selangor, Bukit Persekutuan, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.
10. Sri Bintang Hill Trail
Image Source: Happy Go KL
Mostly hiked by the residents of Bukit Bintang area, Sri Bintang Hill Trail is a very friendly trailhead located on Jalan Bintang 8 and follows the Arara Trail where the trails are separated into two peaks. The first peak has resting areas such as benches and a beautiful view, the second peak on the other hand has ropes to assist you as the peak is very steep. Be sure to wear appropriate attire and practice caution as the trail might get muddy and treacherous during the wet season!
Location: Jalan 11/36, Taman Sri Bintang, 52200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.
11. Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi
Image Source: Central. Menarik
Functioning as a water catchment area, Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi has been gazetted as a green area that is suitable for activities such as hiking in KL. The basic facilities provided are children’s playgrounds, reflexology area, praying areas, toilets and parking. You can certainly expect to run into other people while exploring as it is a famous place for mountain bikers to ride apart from being a popular hiking spot!
Location: Bukit Kerinchi, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
12. Apek Hill
Image Source: Trip Advisor
Experience a 5.5-kilometer loop route near Cheras at Apek Hill which is a popular spot for hiking in KL. Bukit Apek has 6 stations and there are stations where you can rest and vendors will also be there to quench your thirst for water. You have to be fully prepared as it takes an average of 2 hours and 28 minutes to finish this challenging trip!
13. TTDI Park Extended
Image Source: The Perpetual Saturday
Get your heart pumping by going for a healthy hike at TTDI Park Extended which is a 5,500-step hiking trail. It would be a perfect spot to go together with your family members (even kids) as it is a very easy hike that would be perfect for amateur hikers. The main hiking spot is mostly paved with a few stepping stones and a fully paved circular route is also available for strollers!
Location: 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
14. Bukit Gasing
Image Source: Travel With Lens
A former rubber plantation, Bukit Gasing is now a famous spot for hiking in a forest covering around 100 hectares. In the last sixty years, it has been transformed into a sanctuary for varied flora species apart from being a hiking spot. Listen to the chirping of the birds and be amazed by the beautiful sight of floras while you hike up the mountain where you can meet people from all walks of life!
15. Keladi Trail
Image Source: Wiki Loc
Keladi Trail should also be on your list of best places to go for hiking in Kuala Lumpur. This trail has become a refuge for hikers and environment enthusiasts. You can even plan family vacations and activities that allow you to appreciate nature’s beauty while also spiritually listening to the earth’s music while you walk up the hiking trail which would also help to burn calories!
Location: Bukit Kiara Trail 2, Bukit Kiara, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
