by Faridah Begum
Sunday May 11, 2008
Gunung Tahan, Pahang
Nestled within the National Park, the highest mountain in the peninsula offers the toughest trek to its peak, a journey to be undertaken only by the tough and strong-willed. It takes seven days to do a return trip on the classic Kuala Tahan trail while the other trails are through Merapoh and via the Kelantan entrance to the national park.
Gunung Ledang or Mount Ophir, Johor
One of the most frequently climbed mountains and with the highest fatalities in the Southeast Asia, Gunung Ledang has clearly marked trails leading to the peak and mesmerizing waterfalls along the way. It is a place shrouded in mystical legends and folklore. There is a very nice resort at the base of the mountain for those wanting to stay overnight.
Mount Stong State Park, Kelantan
One of the main attractions at the park is Gunung Stong (1,422m), a dome-shaped granite complex more than 500 million years old. Here, the seven-tiered Stong Waterfalls, reputed to be the highest in Southeast Asia, drops from a height of about 990m. Reaching the peak of the falls takes two hours of trekking for about one kilometer on steep inclines.
Kinabalu Mountain, Sabah
Established as a national park in 1964, Kinabalu Park was designated as Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 2000. The park is said to be a rich biological site where a great number of flora and fauna found in the four climate zones flourish. The park is also home to many species of orchids and carnivorous plants.
Cameron Highlands, Pahang
Tucked away amidst the clouds at 1,829m above sea level is Pahang’s premier hill resort, Cameron Highlands. The area is regarded as the ‘Green Bowl’ of the country, supplying its produce to major cities in Malaysia, as well as to Singapore. The cool and fresh air in the highlands offers an attractive retreat for city dwellers. One of its attractions is a time tunnel near Brinchang where old photographs can be viewed.
Mount Jerai, Kedah
Believe it or not, this mountain straddling the border between Kuala Muda and Yan in Kedah was once an island known as Pulau Serai. The country’s richest archaeological site, Bujang Valley, is located in the southern face of this mountain.
Bukit Larut, Perak
Located approximately 9km from Taiping, Bukit Larut or Maxwell Hill (Malaysia’s oldest and smallest hill resort) stands at 1,035m above sea level. Accessible only by government-owned four-wheel-drive vehicles, the road up twists and turns through tropical virgin jungle with the fresh green fragrance and cool air greeting you as you ascend.
Fraser’s Hill, Pahang
Fraser’s Hill derives its name from one of the more colorful characters in colonial history, James Louis Fraser, an
adventurer and fortune hunter, whose disappearance remains a mystery to this day. Rising 1,524m above sea level, the hill exudes a quiet rustic air, more in keeping with the solitude of an English countryside.
Penang Hill, Penang
Popular with foreigners and locals, the railway service, which started in 1923, is still a top attraction for those who want to chug along the beautiful hill. There is a resort atop the hill for those who want to savour a bird’s eye view of Penang island and take in the splendour and beauty of this place.
Bukit Tinggi, Pahang
Now known as Berjaya Hills, this holiday destination is just over an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. Its latest attraction, Colmar Tropicale, a replica of a collection of buildings from a 16th century French village, is often used as a movie set and the venue for corporate family day gatherings. -- Sunday Metro.
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