Mount Tahan

2,187m (7,175ft)

There are 3 trail options available depending on your time constraints and physical fitness, requiring between 4 and 7 days to complete.

The shortest trail is the Sungai Relau (Relau River) Trail. This trail starts at 185m (607 feet) above sea level and requires 3 overnight stays at the various camps.

The Kuala Tahan Trail is the longest and oldest trail. This trail takes 7 days to complete. This route is the toughest but also the most scenic.

The last trail is the Merapoh Trail. This trail is a combination of the other two trails, where you’ll either begin at Kuala Tahan and descend to Merapoh or vice versa. This trail takes between 5 and 7 days to complete.

Mount Tahan isn’t a climb for beginners, but this shouldn’t deter you from considering this a climb only for advanced climbers. Summiting Tahan just requires climbers to pay attention to their physical fitness levels. The climb offers a mix of flat and steep sections, with plenty of ridges, river crossings, dense patches of jungle, slush, and ravines to keep things interesting.

If you take the Sungai Relau trail, you’ll experience 3 distinct sections of the climb on the 3 days. The first day isn’t too steep of a climb but the 4th and final river crossing of the day may have you waist-deep in water. The second day is a much steeper climb with just one river crossing. Be aware of the intertwined tree roots along the way and take advantage of the guide ropes and side railings. The final stretch isn’t as steep as the second-day climb but is windier and chillier than the rest of the trail.

The best time to climb is during the dry season from March to September. The weather in Malaysia is typically equatorial so expect temperatures averaging 24°C (75°F) during the day and 15°C (59°F) during the night. Mount Tahan is closed for trekking during September-October due to high rainfall.

This climb doesn’t require special equipment. It is a very long trek, though, so it is important to have high-quality hiking boots and make sure you have good wet-weather camping gear for the overnight stays.

There is a registration kiosk and toilets at the trailhead. There are built-in hand-holds, guide ropes, and hazard markings at technically difficult sections along the trail. There are also publicly displayed trail maps along the trail.
The starting point of the trek at Kulah Juram has drinking water and restrooms for a final wash before you begin. After that, food & potable water are only available from guides/porters.

Foreign travellers must file a report at the local police station before proceeding to the park entrance at Kuala Tahan or Merapoh to acquire their permit. A permit will be handed over once the fee has been paid, a guide has been hired and the baggage check has been completed. Porters are recommended as it is a multiple-day hike with no food or water available along the trek.

The nearest airports to the Taman Negara National Park, where Mount Tahan is located, are in Ipoh, Terengganu, and Kuantan. The starting point of the trail at Merapoh is 244 km away (150 miles) from Kuala Lumpur so you could also take the train, bus, or a 3.5-hour taxi/car ride.

Make sure you honestly evaluate your fitness and endurance levels before embarking on this hike, as this climb is particularly testing of one’s endurance. Also given it’s a multi-day hike at a relatively remote location, it is recommended to join a group instead of going alone.

Beware of snakes and insects, which thrive in the tropical environment and high humidity of Mount Tahan.