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Are you looking for a break away from all the monotony of everyday life?
Perhaps you want to have a little adventure in the process?
It’s time to grab your hiking boots and head straight to Johor.
Johor region, which is located on the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia, is home to one of the most treacherous mountains in the whole of Malaysia and is in close proximity to Singapore.
It is a mountainous region and as such has a series of mountains which are different in every aspect except that they are all found in Johor.
In this article, you will discover the 7 most captivating mountains or ‘Gunung’ as they are called in the local Malaysian language.
We will also give you directions on how to get to each one of them.
Captivating Hills in Johor
1. Gunung Pulai, Johor
When driving to Gunung Pulai you cannot fail to notice the most obvious landmark that tells you have arrived. It is the teacup landmark which bears the name Anggun Café and the road that leads to the starting trailhead of Gunung Pulai.
The 654m high mountain covers about 80 square kilometers of forest reserve and it is the closest area between Johor Bahru and Singapore.
Gunung Pulai also is known as Mount Pulai is one the most popular hiking spots in Johor. The flora and fauna found in Mount Pulai attract a lot of hikers in this part of the world.
Many Singaporeans and other visitors are attracted to Gunung Pulai because they believe that there is a historic connection between Mt Pulai and Singapore. The forest reserve is a water catchment area that feeds the Johor River which in turn supplies water to many Singaporeans.
Also read: Endau Rompin National Park (Ultimate Guide)
Gunung Pulai is also an exciting feature to many Singaporeans because it stands out in terms of coverage and height as compared to Singapore’s highest hill which stands at 164m above sea level.
The diversity in wildlife here is also appealing to most hikers. There is also a wide array of tantalizing local food which is purely irresistible to most visitors.
Contacts: +60 14-988 1988
How To Get To Gunung Pulai, Johor
After clearing with customs head directly to NS Highway and look out for exit 252, that is Kulaijaya /Kota Tinggi. After clearing Kulaiijaya toll look out for Hutan Liput Gunung Pulai sign on your right. Then drive along Jalan Sawahto JIn TM Gn Pulai, you will see lots of sand quarries and oil plantation along the way. After 11 km about 10 minutes of driving, you will come to the entrance of Kg Sri Gunung Pulai on your left.
2. Gunung Panti in Kota Tinggi, Johor
Gunung Panti is a Malay word which means Mount Panti. It is a treacherous but beautiful mountain which can be seen from as far as Kota Tinggi Waterfalls.
Its imposing outlines stand out as it challenges any adventure seeker to try it out.
Travelling along the road, one immediately notices that its left edge has an almost vertical face that stares menacingly at every passerby or motorist as if giving out an open challenge.
Also read: 16 Fun & Memorable Outdoor Activities In Johor
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Photo credits: embark.org
It is 485 meters high and its peak appears as if it is capped with a huge bolder which gives it an unmistakable identity. This is the perfect set up for any hiker who wishes to take up the daunting task of reaching its peak and discover what is in store.
Once at the peak, the mountain offers you a full circle view of the surrounding area not to mention beautiful scenery that awaits you at the top in form of flora and fauna. It will take any hiker about 2.5hrs to ascend and 2hrs to descend and climbing this mountain is not very taxing. Make sure you are dressed for the occasion as sometimes it can really get wet and you don’t want to be caught in the mess.
How To Get To Gunung Panti In Kota Tinggi
To reach its foothills, drive from Kota Tinggi town towards Air Terjun passing Kampong Batu Ampat, Air Terjun or Kota Rainforest Resort is about 8km from Kampong Batu Ampat. The road you should look out for should be on your right and about 50 meters before reaching Kota Rainforest Resort. Take the dirt road and you will find yourself at the foot of Mount Panti in no time.
3. Gunung Lambak in Kluang, Johor
Gunung Lambak is a twin peaked mountain with a higher peak reaching about 510 meters. Lambak, which is translated as Flea Mountain, is a little bit steeper than Gunung Panti and needs a lot of effort to hike.
The trail that leads to Lamback Mountain is ever rising and rough. Most parts of the trail have ropes which have been set up to help in the climbing.
On the outskirts of Kluang town, there is the Gunung Lambak Eco Resort where the trail starts. The steep trail is well known by hikers who have climbed the mountain before.
Photo credits: travelledpaths.com
It can offer a very good challenge to any hiker who wishes to conquer the Gunung Lambak. It takes about 2-3 hours to scale the mountain and back. Climbing the mountain is free as there are no permits or admission charges.
As a visitor, you can choose where to stay depending on your budget. You can choose the Eco Resort or Rail Hotel. The Eco Resort is a bit expensive because it has the necessary resources like camping facilities, swimming pool, kids playing ground and others. Food is also cheaper at the Green Home Wealthy Vegetarian Cafe and the Kluang coffee rail which has very odd operating hours.
How To Get To Gunung Lambak In Kluang
If you want to reach Gunung Lambak in Kluang and you are using the North-South Expressway, you should take the Air Hitam exit (interchange 244) and then take Highway 50 to Kluang town. When you are near Kluang you will see signposts for Gunung Lambak Recreational Forest which is on the southeast edge of the town.
4. Gunung Belumut, Johor
Gunung Belumut is about 1010 meters high and is located about 18km east of Kluang. This mountain is higher and steeper as compared to Lambak and Panti Mountains and takes an individual the whole day to trek up and down.
For a small group, it will take about 2days and one night to make the entire trek. There is a resort at the base of the mountain which offers some semblance of security to verify the trekker’s identities and permission.
There are charges for mountain climbing and using of the chalet for an overnight stay.
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Photo credits: meetup.com
The trekking route has three campsites along the way to the summit. The first campsite is located just a small distance from the base of the mountain. The second one is found on your way to the summit while the last one is found is just about 30 meters further up the second one.
The best campsite is the one at the base of the mountain with a flowing stream nearby. Both sides of the bank can be used as campsites with a capacity of about 20 people. The second campsite, a 30-minute walk from the summit, is relatively small with a holding capacity of about 12.
It is sheltered by trees and has an inadequate water supply. The last campsite is further up the mountain and much bigger with space for about 20 people. It is exposed and may pose lighting strikes danger. A sleeping bag must be carried as it is quite cold up here. It is also good to have some mosquito coil, salt and vinegar just in case of anything.
How To Get To Gunung Belumut, Johor
Take a bus from Singapore to Larkin terminal in Johor Bahru where you take another express bus to Kluang. The journey will last slightly over one and a half hours at an estimated cost of about RM 6.40 per person. Take a Taxi from Kluang Bus Interchange to Grunung Belumut Park at a cost of RM 30 for a one-way ticket or RM 60 for a two-way ticket. It may take 30 minutes to reach Belumut Park. Alternatively, you can arrange with the resort manager to bring you from either the train station or the bus station to the resort.
5. Gunung Arong in Mersing, Johor
Gunung Arong Recreational Forest is a forest reserve located in the Mersing District in Johor.
A stream runs through the entire length and breadth of the forest.
The stream offers maximum enjoyment to many hikers and adventure seekers, whose cooling and refreshing effects are an unforgettable experience.
Photo credits: gaiaadventurers.com
The Gunung Arong peak rewards hikers and trekkers alike with a panoramic view of the South China Sea and its neighbouring islands. In good weather, you can also be able to see the magnificent splendor of Pulau Tioman unfolding before your eyes. To reach the peak, which is about 255 meters high, one has to trek for about 2 hours.
After the trek, one can always relax at the Tanjung Resang Beach. This is a popular destination for many hikers. Its rough waves and wind creates the perfect situation to be in harmony with the wild nature.
How To Get To Gunung Arong In Mersing
Little is known if there is any public transportation to the area. Getting here is best done by personal vehicle or by private taxi. The area is in between Mersing and Endau. You will see a single small shop selling snacks serving as a registration counter.
6. Gunung Ledang, Johor
This is perhaps one of the most trekked mountains in Peninsular Malaysia. Gunung Ledang, which is also commonly known as Mount Ophir, can be accessed via two routes.
The Sagil Path is the most commonly used path and is much longer than the Asahan route. The Asahan route is less known because it is less accessible as compared Sagil. A few trekkers have used the route up the Ophir Mountain.
Photo credits: iwannatravel.com.sg
The start of the trek from Asahan is easily accessible by vehicles where you will see a signboard notice that warns trekkers to only use the Asahan route for both the descend and the ascend.
Transport arrangements should therefore be made to pick you up after descending from the mountain. The Asahan trail is also relatively cleaner than the Sagil one and there is no entrance charge or climbing permit. This path is wilder than Sagil and leads you to a campsite located about 1.5 hours away from the summit.
The campsite is large enough and can hold up to 10 tents in different locations. There is also a stream nearby which brings a lot of relief to any trekker.
How To Get To Gunung Ledang, Johor
Take a bus 170 from Singapore to Larkin Terminal in Johor Bahru. From there, take an Express bus from Larkin to Segamat at a cost of about RM 10 per person and takes about 3hours 15 minutes. From the Segamat Interchange to Asahan, you can take a Taxi at about RM 80 per cab. It takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach Asahan from here.
7. Gunung Muntahak, Johor
Gunung Muntahak is a 634m hill that is the main water source for the Kota Tinggi Waterfall. It is a largely undisturbed rainforest with little or no human intrusion.
The hill is hidden by other hills and it is hard to see from the main road leading to Kota Tinggi Waterfall.
Photo credits: timeoff2outdoors.com
It has the perfect condition for the growth of beautiful palm which is widespread in this rainforest. The trail to the summit is gentle and narrow, and has many obstructions as one makes his way towards the summit.
The ascent becomes more steeper and tiring as one gets close to the summit which does not offer any rewarding view as the area has thick and tall vegetation that obstruct any meaningful view.
How To Get To Gunung Muntahak, Johor
Take SBS bus 170 from Singapore to Larkin Terminal in Johor Bahru. Then take G.P. Express bus at Platform 33 from Johor Bahru Bus Interchange to Kota Tinggi Bus Interchange at a cost of RM 3.50 per person. At Kota Tinggi take a Causeway Link Bus no.66 to Gunung Muntahak at a cost of about RM 2.00. The ride will last about 30-45 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a Taxi from Kota Tinggi Interchange to Wet World resort entrance (The trek starting point) at a cost of RM 10-12.
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