Trips Malaysia

Gunung Belumut Day Trek

18-km northeast of Kluang town lies Gunung Belumut Recreational Forest. 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. The park is popular with families, school children and day trippers, especially on weekends which see the most number of visitors.

A day trek up and down Gunung Belumut ( 1010-m ) is a very physically challenging affair. The roundabout trek takes about 7-8 hours for the average moderately-fit person along well-trodden jungle tracks ( which are posted with distance-markers ), crossing a series of knolls & steep slopes to reach first the false summit, then to the true summit of Belumut where there is a pyramid-like rock pinnacle. The trek will be a strenuous one for the not-so-fit as the 6-km long summit trail is unrelentlessly uphill ( as well as downhill ) all the way and for them, the hike can take up to 9 hours.

Among the prominent attractions here is Crown Rock ( Batu Mahkota ), a rock which looks like a giant crown, which can be seen after 2-3 hours of hike. The last water point is about 2 hours from the summit and hikers are advised to be equipped with sufficient water for their hike.

To climb the mountain, a permit is required from the Park Ranger Office located at the base of the mountain.

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 !