Bukit Tabur

The weather is typical of tropical Southeast Asia: hot and humid, with a near constant possibility of rain on any given day. The monsoon will bring more rain, and more humidity.

Although there is always a temptation to see a sunrise or a sunset, this is not the peak for that. You want to climb during daylight hours when you can climb with good lighting.

Please don’t climb this solo, and reconsider your need to climb the full extent of this mountain if you or those you are travelling with are inexperienced, or not at full fitness. You will be treated to great views if you just reach the first peak (before it gets deadly).

Rain: Given that you will be scaling rocks, crags and even cliffs with the aid of ropes, you really shouldn’t be planning on going during the rain.

Wind: Although not a particularly windy part of the world, winds could be treacherous on such a mountain. Watch out particularly before rains arrive, as gust fronts of storms could come quite suddenly.

Be sure to tell some people where you’re going, when they can expect you to be back, and when they should call the authorities to go looking for you if they haven’t heard from you.

Bukit Tabur is in a relatively safe area with people around, so there needn’t be too much concern for your personal safety – concentrate more on your climbing safety.

At present, it’s unclear as to whether permits are required or not. It is a good idea to check in with the park office located in Cheras, Kajang to understand the latest status of the trail, but be prepared to be disappointed if they forbid you from climbing it (it is probably for good reason).

Police: 999

Ambulance: 999

Fire: 994

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is the nearest airport.

From Kuala Lumpur International, the trailhead is about a one hour drive away. You will have to get to the other side of Kuala Lumpur. You could opt to take the train from the airport and head out by taxi from there.

Accommodation is limited out there, but there shouldn’t be reason to hang around out there as it is only a half-day hike.

Hiking Bukit Tabur should be free. But we do recommend hiring an experienced guide.

This isn’t a good beginner’s climb. Although technical skills aren’t necessarily required for Bukit Tabur, they may come in handy.

Advanced climbers should enjoy Bukit Tabur for its mild technical and physical challenges packaged in a day-trip. There are plenty of vertical surfaces around for rock-climbing, so best check out local rock climbing providers to show you where and how best to approach them.

There are not safety issues unique to women on Bukit Tabur.

Bukit Tabur is a pretty unique environmental area that is worth taking steps to protect and preserve the area. Avoid wandering off the trail, and don’t leave anything behind. Extra karma for those who take home a bag full of other people’s rubbish!

This is definitely not a trail-running mountain. You need to be very careful on Bukit Tabur (although you could consider running back to the trailhead along the trail at the bottom of the mountain).

With the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge being such a unique geological zone, that is already in a biodiversity hotspot, it should be no surprise that the area has 265 species found nowhere else in the world. Keep an eye out for the Sumatran Serow – a rare type of goat-antelope.