5 Easy Trails for Beginners!

Happy New Year 2017!!!

On the first day of year 2017, we are gonna introduce some easy trails for beginners or anyone who wants to start exploring the Mother of Nature!

1. Broga Hill (Difficulty - 4 out of 10)

Well, I believe everyone knows this hill very well!
Famous for the sunrise view, Broga Hill is located at Semenyih.

It takes around 40 minutes drive from KL.

To get the best sunrise view, it's better to reach the peak by 6am.

If you reach the peak after that, the better viewpoints will be occupied by other hikers/visitors as it can be very crowded especially on weekends.

The trail to the peak is rather easy. One can reach the peak quite easily in 1 hour with normal pace.

Fees applicable:-

RM3 per car entry for parking

RM1 per pax for entry to Broga Hill trail (starting from Dec 2016)

More details here and here.

2. Chiling Waterfall (Difficulty - 4 out of 10)

Looking at its name, this place is well known for its very chilling waterfall at the end of the trail!

Also, for anyone who prefer a little bit of adventure, this trail offers river crossings as well, and there are total of 6 river crossings!!

It's located at Kuala Kubu Bharu.

To reach here, it takes around 1 hour drive from KL.

This place is well managed by the management and they provide camping sites as well as washrooms and bathrooms for those who need to take a shower after the water fun!

Do note that it might be very slippery during river crossings, hence rubber shoes (a.k.a. kampung adidas) is recommended if you're visiting Chiling Waterfall.

Also, it is not recommended to visit this place during rainy season as the water current will become strong and it could be dangerous.

Fees applicable:-

RM1 per pax for entry

Deposit is applicable for every food/beverage in bottled packaging - refundable if you bring out all the rubbish after consuming the food and bevarage (amount of deposit subject to management decision)

More details here.

3. Pisang Waterfall (Difficulty - 2 out of 10)

Located at Gombak, this place offers a big pool of waterfall at the end of its trail.

To reach here, you will need to Waze yourself to Kem Alang Sedayu, or simply view the map below for your reference.

The trail is very easy and requires minimal physical strength.

What is attractive here?

It's the tunnel that you'll have to pass through on your way to the waterfall!

Fees applicable:-

RM1 per pax for entry (as at Jan 2016)

More details here.

4. Setia Alam Community Trail A (Difficulty - 3 out of 10)

This place is actually a community trail located at Setia Alam.

There are few trails which leads to the peak.

For beginners, it is advised to start with Trail A (refer to image below for the starting point).

It takes around 30 - 45 minutes to reach the peak.

If you're aiming for sunrise view, it is recommended to start trekking at around 5.30am.

You're guaranteed for a very nice night view of the city and rewarded with beautiful sunrise!!

Fees applicable:-

None

5. Bukit Batu Putih, Tanjung Tuan (Difficulty - 2 out of 10 for trekking trail; 6 out of 10 for rock climbing trail)

Another easy trail for beginners would be Bukit Batu Putih which is located at Tanjung Tuan (Port Dickson).

For trekking trail, it is suitable for family or those who prefer hiking with a more leisure pace.

However, at the end of this trail you're required to do a little bit of rock climbing, but it is quite safe as long as you don't rush.

It takes around 15 to 20 minutes to reach the peak via this trail.

As for rock climbing trail, it is more suitable for those who are looking for a more adventurous hike.

Do note that it can be dangerous for those who are afraid of height or without good physical strength.

Fees applicable:-

RM1 per pax for entry

More details for trekking trail here.

Video for rock climbing trail click here.

Okay!

That's all for today's post.

Hopefully the info provided is helpful for you guys who are reading!

Until the next hike, ciaoz!!!

Broga Sunset Hike!

Broga Hill, a place well-known by almost everyone for its nice sunrise view.

For those who are not familiar with Broga Hill, it is located at Semenyih.
Many has sacrificed their sleeping time and came here as early as 5am, just to get a chance to peek at the sunrise from its peak!
Of course, we had done that too.

This time around, we did something different.
We went for BROGA SUNSET HIKE!!

During the evening it's not as packed as in the morning.
There was only a few cars at the parking space.
RM3 was collected per car as parking and entrance fee.

Hiking up took around 45 minutes to 1 hour, depends on your stamina.

By 6.30pm or so, we've reached the peak of Broga Hill.
There are 3 peaks, we stopped at the second one for the best sunset view.

Now, enjoy the sunset photos and time lapse!!

As the watch hit 7.10pm, we started to descent as it's getting dark.

In a nutshell, it is a totally different experience ascending in broad daylight, and descending in the dark at Broga Hill.
Familiar place, but a whole new experience.

Everyone enjoyed the hike and made new friends!!

Summary of the hike:-
1. Sunset time at Broga Hill started around 6.55pm, so if you want to view the best sunset, be sure to reach the peak by around 6.40pm
2. Bring torch light!! Whether you're going to Broga Hill for sunrise or sunset, torch light is a MUST as you won't want to hike in total darkness
3. Sufficient water and snacks
4. RM3 per car for parking fee and entrance

Until the next hike, ciao!!!

Bukit Broga and Gunung Tok Wan

So, our first official hike on 05/03/2016 - off to Bukit Broga and Gunung Tok Wan!!!

Many might have been to Bukit Broga before.

Located at Semenyih, it is a popular place for the beautiful sunrise!

I myself have been there for 4 times, but just until the Bukit Broga peak.

It was kinda late already when we reached the entrance of Bukit Broga, around 5.50am.

We get ourselves prepared in a super short time,

and ready to start the hike!

As mentioned, we were late already when we reached, hence there was a lot people around already.
At the entrance, in the mountain, and the peak.
People everywhere!!!
This is the only hill where you can see people queuing up to hike to the peak, like literally queuing in super long queue.

We reached the first summit of Bukit Broga after 40 mins.
You can actually reach there in shorter time, provided that you have the stamina and energy, and if there's very less people hiking there.

We stopped at the first summit for a while and waited for the sunrise. 
And this is what I got.

After the sunrise, we continued our hike to the peak of Bukit Broga.

 *the view of Bukit Broga first summit from the second summit*

*the view from Bukit Broga second summit*

To reach the utmost peak of this hill, 
You will have to pass through this...

Yes. And through this...

A rope is all you need!!! Haha.
All of us tried this and all of us succeed! *achievement unlocked*

Alternatively, if you're a not-so-extreme hiker, you can also use another route to reach the Bukit Broga peak.
Just follow the RHB signboard and walk to the right,
you will see another path which leads to peak.

Tadah!! The summit of Bukit Broga!!!

*the view from Bukit Broga peak*

Without stopping for too long time,

we proceeded to the entrance of Gunung Tok Wan.

It is right behind all the rocks at Bukit Broga peak.

Starting from here, you will see very very less hikers.

Most of them are only there for the sunrise scene,

hence they will stop at Bukit Broga peak, wait for the sunrise, then went back down after the sunrise.

The elevation along the way to Gunung Tok Wan peak is no joke.

There are more ups compared to downs,

But you can persuade yourself to keep moving by telling yourself the route back will be much easier!! 

That's how I get myself keep going though.

 *Going up*

 *And going up*

 *Still going up*

*Forever going up*

The real adventure begins when you see this...

The fallen big tree.

Get a friend to help you crossing this tree as it can be dangerous.

The bottom of this fallen tree are all roots which will easily break or too soft to step on it.

Hence has to be careful here.

Another challenge come when we reach this place,

where the path is completed blocked by another fallen tree.

But this time, it is even harder to cross over.

From the side I'm taking this photo, we have to cross the whole bunch of broken branches and the fallen tree to the opposite side.

Yes, the side where you see that blue shirt.

While crossing this, I got cramped twice.

Once on my right foot, once on my left calf.

But at last, all of us crossed this place and continue our hike to the peak.

Along the way, there are signs pointing the way to the peak, hence not to worry if you might get lost.

*the lover wannabe*

After I don't know how long, we've reached this place where we see many big rocks.

And this is the halfway point I guess, for the hike from Gunung Tok Wan entrance to its peak.

We believed that it used to be a river which was now dried up already.

We will have to go down there, and then hike up again.
And the hike is like this... 

We were awed by this view, it looks so hard to hike up there!!!

But still, we managed to hike up.

Also, another thing to be aware during this hike is the thorny trees along the way.

Once there was a friend who was unaware of the tree and just grab any tree for balance and got injured because of that.

And finally, we reached the peak after 3 hours hike from Bukit Broga first summit!!

That feeling when we reached the peak is indescribable.

We were all so tired, and when we see the peak, we were all like 'FINALLY!!!!!'.

There was a group of hikers already there when we reached the peak.

*The view of Gunung Tok Wan peak*

*The distance from Bukit Broga first summit to Gunung Tok Wan peak*

*Gunung Tok Wan peak - 675 meters above sea level*

*the Ouch Hiking Club founders group photo!! please pardon the temporary logo. LOL*

After catching our breath and had some food for stamina and energy recovery, we are all set to leave the place and head back to our car.

We reached Bukit Broga peak at around 12pm.

It was scorching hot during that hour, with the super hot sun during noon and no shades at all at Bukit Broga peak.

The heat is almost unbearable and our only wish during that time was to get some shades.

And finally, we are back to our car at around 1pm.

Off to change a clean set of clothes and lunch, then head home.

The summary/things to be noted for this hike:-

1. The hike started at 6am and ended at 1pm, total duration 7 hours (with a few short breaks in between).

2. Advised to bring at least 1 litre of plain water each, and also a small bottle of isotonic drink each. We are in a group of 5, with total of around 4 litres of plain water, 2 small bottles of isotonic drinks, and 6 packet drinks, and with all these we got out of water during the way out, when we almost reach the Bukit Broga peak.

3. A clean set of clothes for changing after the hike as you will get all the sands on your clothes especially when you are going down from Bukit Broga.

4. Make sure the girls can at least get changed in the car. The toilet at car park will be locked if the time is late. We reached car park around 1pm and the toilet was locked, hence my friend and I got changed in the car (luckily the sunshade is dark enough to prevent people looking in from the outside).

5. Extra water for cleaning off the sand on your face and body. As mentioned, the toilet is locked and no water pipe on the outside. Hence it is wise to bring extra water to clean yourself up after the hike, or the car will get all dirty.

6. A face towel to cover yourself from the scorching hot sun and the heat if you reach Bukit Broga peak at 12pm like us. To wet the face towel with some water for cooling down purpose.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for our next hike!

Till then, ciaoz!!!