Mount Kinabalu

The best time to climb Mount Kinabalu is between March to August. Despite the tropical climate at the lower flanks, temperatures tend to drop at the summit. During June to September this can go down to around 3°C, while December-January sees temperatures going as low as -4°C. Climbers have even experienced snow at the summit.

Altitude:  The saying “slow and steady wins the race” comes to mind. Climbers are advised against hurrying up the path as the human anatomy needs processing time to gradually adapt to the higher altitudes with thinner, drier air.

Fatigue and pain:  It’s always best to carry ache relief creams/sprays and any knee or ankle support.

Slips and falls:  On the summit trail, climbers are advised to follow the guide and stay close to the guide ropes. Beware of locked knees on the slippery descent and stick to a slow, steady pace.

The hike is rather popular and is highly unlikely to be a lonely one. It’s always best to have your belongings safe in your possession.

Only 185 permits are issued per day at Sabah Parks, so early bookings come highly recommended in order to avoid disappointment. The entrance fee to the Kinabalu National Park will cost you around $5USD whilst the climbing permit should cost you less than $40USD.

Ambulance: 0060-088-218166

Police: 999

Fire: 994

The airport in Kota Kinabalu has regular flights from most major cities in South East Asia. From the airport you have a variety of options from rental cars to taxis, minivans and even the public bus to take that 88km distance from the airport to the Kinabalu National Park.

Your costs will vary depending on how long you plan on staying at Kinabalu. There are several plans by tour operators for climbing the mountain, but all you need is a 2D1N stay. Climbing permits are no longer issued for 1 day summits, so expect to pay around $200USD for your overnight stay.

This is one of the better mountains you can climb if you’re a beginner climber with reasonable fitness. However, if you’re still not inclined towards the summit, try out a walking trail at the Kinabalu National Park. There are around 9 different options available, each not taking longer than 2.5 hours to complete.

The usual trail up Kinabalu will present some minor challenges, but nothing that will require much mountaineering skills. However, there are plenty of rock climbing opportunities on the mountain and throughout the Crocker Range in which Kinabalu sits.

Mount Kinabalu presents few special challenges for women climbers, and many solo women climbers trek it. However, some may be turned off by the dormitory accommodation at the base camp, which at the time of writing is mixed, and doesn’t offer very much privacy to solo women hikers. There are some women guides that could take you up Kinabalu, so inquire with your tour provider to see if you can book one of them.

Kinabalu is a World Heritage biome, and for good reason. Its lower jungles and higher forests are diverse, unique, and vulnerable. So please be sure to leave only footprints, and take only photos. Extra karma points for those who bring a bag to take out some of the trash others have left behind.

The Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon had been around for over three decades before it was decided not to hold the races anymore in 2018. However, the TMBT, Malaysia’s oldest Ultra-Trail Marathon will be taking place in September 2019. The course will be set over the ridges and river valleys surrounding the base of Mount Kinabalu. The highest elevation on the race course is just below 2,000m.

The 9 walking trails are a great way to catch a glimpse of the ecosystem around Mount Kinabalu. There’s plenty of tropical rainforest, great for a little bird-watching.