Trips Malaysia

Gunung Belumut & Lambak Combo Trek

This is a weekend trip which combines 2 of the most popular day treks: Gunung Belumut & Gunung Lambak, which both are located near the town of Kluang, situated right in the middle of Johor State above Johor Bahru. Kluang ( Keluang ) is a Malay word for flying fox, a large fruit eating bat. Therefore Kluang is also known locally as the Bat Town.

Gunung Belumut ( 1004-m ) is located within the Gunung Belumut Recreational Forest about 18-km northeast of Kluang town. The name 'Belumut' is derived from the slippery and slimy stones that abound on the mountain. The park is reached on wheels via a well-maintained plantation road and is equipped with camping and resting facilities with a nice waterfall at the base of the mountain. It is a popular with families, school children and day trippers, especially on weekends which see the most number of visitors.

The Gunung Belumut day hike is a very physically challenging affair and it takes the average moderately-fit person about 7-8 hours to complete the up-down 6-km long summit trail. Hence it is not suitable for the 'not-so-fits' as the hike is unrelentlessly uphill ( and downhill ) all the way. There are distance-markers along the well-trodden jungle tracks and there're a series of knolls & steep slopes to overcome before one reaches the false summit before getting to the true summit of Belumut where there is a pyramid-like rock pinnacle.

Gunung Lambak is located 5km from Kluang and at half the height ( 510-m ) of Belumut, it is a much easier hike. It's also less 'remote' and facilities at its base include car parks, rest sheds, benches, toilets and camping sites. The trail consists of a series of wide, eroded and sometimes steep footpaths with fixed ropes which makes ascent & descent easier for most hikers. It's a popular place for local hikers and it's common to see them 'runninig' up and down the trail doing their workout rounds. At the summit, which is more spacious than that of Belumut, there is a hut shelter which provides respite from both rain and sun as well as rest for tired hikers before they make their way down.

Do note however that for those who are not in good physical shape, the Belumut day trek can be a challenging affair so good fitness is still a requirement.

This is a physically challenging trek of about 7-8 hours. All participants need to be of above-average fitness levels. Pre-trek training is a definite must for anyone who hopes to trek to the summit and back within this prescribed time. There will be a turnaround time - meaning everyone will have to turn around and descend from the mountain at any point of the summit trail by a certain time - to ensure that we shall make it back to the mountain before nightfall. All who join need to agree to this safety measure.

The climate is tropically humid and a trek in such condition can be physically draining. Everyone needs to be prepared for bad weather with basic waterproofing gear such as ponchos and rain-coats ( even umbrellas in camp is helpful ...! ). Waterproofing for your backpack is a must in the wet season and a trekking pole or walking stick would be useful.

The paths can be very slippery even during dry weather. Sandals not recommended and it is important to wear a pair of walking shoes to protect against potentially sharp rocks and tree roots. A walking stick may also be useful for the trek. And if it's the rainy season, be prepared for leeches ... your insect repellent may just be your saviour !