[UPDATED 31st January 2022]

Whether you’re rising early in Kuala Lumpur or Selangor, early mornings are the best times for a sun-kissed hike. They say the hiking trails will leave everyone breathless at every step of the way, but it’ll reward the most determined hikers with a breathtaking view. As the early sunlight casts its glow on these bustling cities, wake up and take your mornings to new heights. If you're ready to hit these hiking trails, be sure to read these essential tips before you go!

P.S. Here's more nature getaways you can check out in Malaysia:

• 16 Best Picnic Spots In Kuala Lumpur And Selangor For Weekend Gatherings
• 11 Romantic Nature Retreats Near KL For A Weekend Getaway
• There's A Gorgeous Stay In Janda Baik That Lets You Be One With Flora & Fauna

Essential tips you need to know before you go hiking

• Wear a long sleeve shirt and pants to avoid getting cuts from hiking
• Bring a foldable walking stick because you might need it on your journey down
• Put on mosquito repellent before your hike
• Carry a torchlight or wear hiking headlamps if you're planning an early morning hike
• Pack light because you don't want your bag to weigh you down
• Wear hiking shoes with good traction

Level: Easy

1. Bukit Sri Bintang, Kepong

Credit: @smearul for Instagram

It’s an easy peasy hike for the pros, but a great practice ground for beginners. Perched behind Desa Park City, Bukit Sri Bintang is filled with grassy hillside complete with a view of Mont Kiara landscape when you reach the top.

After you entered the entrance at Taman Sri Bintang (behind Desa Park City), you’ll meet a fork that consists of a clear (but muddy!) trail and another with uneven steps. Don’t worry about getting lost because whichever path you choose will lead you to the hilltop. As the trees pave way for the open grassy field, here’s where you’ll see the terrace houses and condos down below. Push your way to the top, so you’ll get a clear vantage point of the Mont Kiara skyline.

Address: Bukit Sri Bintang, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur

Entrance fee: Free

Duration: 1.5 hours (both ways)

Try this eatery for breakfast!

Aunty Manju’s Home of Banana Leaf, TTDI

Cuisine: Indian

Halal status: The restaurant is pork-free and uses Muslim-friendly ingredients

Opening hours: Open daily; 7AM-11PM

Address: 18, Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 1, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur

Directions: Take a 17-minute drive from Bukit Sri Bintang to this restaurant

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2. Kiara Hill Walk

Credit: @adilahghani for Instagram

Located between Taman Tun Dr Ismail and TPC Kuala Lumpur (formerly known as KL Golf & Country Club), this is a good place to hike in KL if you’re still a beginner, or just don’t feel like travelling far on that particular day. Other fun activities you can do here include slow walks, jogs, mountain biking, and picnics! Hikers and bikers share the same trail, so be mindful of each other. Here's a little advice for you though: don’t feed the monkeys if you encounter any during your hike! ?

Address: Changkat Abang Haji Openg, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur

Entrance Fee: Free

Duration: 1 – 2 hours

Opening hours: 7am-7pm daily

3. Chiling Waterfall

Credit: @milayaloo for Instagram

Level: Easy to moderate

4. Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Kepong

While it’s a bummer that the FRIM Canopy Walkway is permanently closed due to the declining health of the surrounding trees, there are a bunch of ways to experience the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM). First and foremost, you’re only allowed to explore the forest and nature trails with a FRIM nature guide. Here are some simple steps to apply for a FRIM nature guide:

• Head over to the FRIM One Stop Centre
• When you request for a FRIM nature guide, choose between two types of services: nature trekking (RM150 per guide) and night walk (RM250 per guide). Each guide can accommodate a group of 25 pax
• After you've made your payment, your guide will take you to 1-2 trails (popular choices: Keruing and Salleh Trails)
• This nature tour will take approximately 1-2 hours (depending on the number of trails)

While some trails are off-limits for research purposes, your guide can take you to their oldest trail named Keruing Trail, which is surrounded by statuesque timber trees. There are other trails to explore such as Salleh Nature Trail (1 hour) that is fenced by natural forest plantation as well as Engkabang Trail (45 mins) that focuses on biodegradation in the forest complete with sightings of hardworking termites on rotten trees. You can also check out migratory birds and wetland ecosystem along Sebasah Trail (40 mins). To witness the diversity of Malaysian under-storey plants, make your way to Razak Walk that is also Malaysia’s first disabled-friendly trail.

Address: Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Visitor Information Centre, 52109 Kepong, Kuala Lumpur

Contact number: +603 6279 7592 / +603 6279 7649

Entrance fee:

• Adults (with MyKad): RM1 per pax
• Adults (without MyKad): RM5 per pax
• Children (below 12 years old; with MyKid): Free
• Children (below 12 years old; without MyKid): RM1 per pax
• Vehicle entry: RM5 per vehicle
• Nature guide fee: RM150 per guide (nature trekking) and RM250 per guide (night walk). It is compulsory to hire a nature guide to trek around FRIM as it is not a public recreational park. Both fees can cater up to 25 pax per group.
• Camera fee: RM5 per camera

Duration: 1 hour (one way)

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Try this eatery for breakfast!

Dotty’s Pastries & Coffee, TTDI

Cuisine: Western

Halal status: While this Muslim-owned bakery is not halal-certified, all ingredients are sourced from halal-certified suppliers and no alcohol is served on the premise

Opening hours: Open daily; 8AM-10PM

Address: 20-G, Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 2, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur

Directions: Take a 17-minute drive from FRIM to this cafe

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5. Broga Hill, Semenyih

We're pretty sure you've seen Broga Hill in the Instagram feeds of your Malaysian friends. Known as 'Bukit Lalang', Broga Hill is a nature spot in Semenyih that is widely frequented by nature lovers, hikers, trail runners and photographers. Most of them will arrive at dawn to admire the incredible panoramic view.

Reaching the skies at 400 meters high, trekking up Broga Hill is not too difficult as the trail is pretty straight forward with only moderate slopes. A word of caution, it can be quite crowded during the weekends and public holidays, so if you can manage it, try going up during a weekday. You should also come prepared with water bottles, adequate cover and a ton of sunscreen as the hill doesn’t have much in the way of coverage so you’ll be exposed to the sun.

Climbing up Broga Hill, you’ll be able to see three viewing points marked by RHB signs at 880 feet, 1,150 feet and finally at the top at 1,312 feet. The entire climb will be enough to get your heart pumping but the scenic view of the plains, oil palm plantations and towns (complete with the distant mountains looming majestically in the background) makes the trek entirely worth it.

#HHWT Tip: As of 21 February 2020, no hiking permit is needed to climb Broga Hill. However, all hiking participants will need to pay a small fee at the entrance of the trail. Parking spaces are available, but we recommend that you come early during weekends as it's usually crowded in the morning.

Address: Broga Hills, Jalan Broga, Selangor

Entrance fee: RM2 per pax, RM1 per vehicle

Duration: 1-2 hours (both ways)

Try this eatery for breakfast!

Mee Tarik Warisan Asli, Bangi

Cuisine: Chinese

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Opening hours: Open daily; 11AM-11PM

Address: 50, 38, Jalan Medan Pusat 2C, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor

Directions: Take a 30-minute drive from Broga Hill to this restaurant

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6. Bukit Gasing, Petaling Jaya

There’s nothing quite like exploring one of the city’s remaining ‘green lungs’, and we’re talking about Bukit Gasing. If you’re new to this hill of many trails, come during the weekends when it’s packed with hiking enthusiasts (they’d be happy to point you to the right direction in case you got lost). Otherwise, you can get your peace and quiet on weekday mornings too.

Follow the trail and spot a hanging bridge, an Indian temple, and huge leafy trees along the way. What this place lacks in facilities such as toilets, tap water, and parking spaces, they make up with good hiking paths with clear directions.

#HHWT Parking Tip: To avoid causing traffic congestion, we recommend that you avoid parking along Jalan Tanjong 5/4 that leads to the forest park. Head over to the alternative parking spaces at Lembah Pantai Community Centre in Kampung Kerinchi and Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi instead. These parking spaces can accommodate approximately 100 vehicles each.

Address: Bukit Gasing Forest Park, Bukit Gasing, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Admission: Free

Duration: 2 hours (both ways)

Try this eatery for breakfast!

Gerai Seri Menanti (Ikan Bakar Jalan Bellamy), KL

Cuisine: Malay

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Opening hours: Mon-Sat; 10AM-11PM, Sun; 10AM-4PM

Address: Gerai Seri Menanti, Jalan Bellamy, off Jalan Istana, Bukit Petaling, 50460 Kuala Lumpur

Directions: Take a 15-minute drive from Bukit Gasing to this stall

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7. Bukit Besi, Cheras

We don’t talk about Bukit Besi as much as other hills in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, but it does deserve a spotlight too. To experience it yourself, head over to the road beside Altitude 236 Condominium (opposite OCBC Alam Damai) and walk until you reach the water reservoir tank. Turn right and continue walking until you see the city view.

It is said that the path will get steeper (and you’ll come across muddy steps after a rainy day) as you go along, but nothing can stop a determined hiker from reaching the vantage point. Bukit Besi has clear hiking pathways, and it’s best to stick to it. Besides the few checkpoints that you can explore, remember that the higher you go, the better the view!

Address: Bukit Besi, Alam Damai, Cheras, Selangor

Admission: Free

Duration: 2 hours (both ways)

Try this eatery for breakfast!

Nasi Lemak Village Park, Petaling Jaya

Cuisine: Malay

Halal status: Halal-certified

Opening hours: Open daily; 6.30AM-7.30PM

Address: Nasi Lemak Village Park, 5, Jalan SS 21/37, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Directions: Take a 35-minute drive from Bukit Besi to this restaurant

#HHWT Parking tip: To avoid your car from getting towed, it is advisable to park at Uptown 7 Multilevel Parking or the Starling Mall.

Level: Moderately challenging

8. Bukit Sapu Tangan, Shah Alam

Never underestimate the height of Bukit Sapu Tangan because the hiking trails do pack a punch. Hidden within Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam, the hill is the highest peak in this botanical garden. So follow the signage and traverse on foot along the tarmac pathway instead. You’ll occasionally hear birds chirping and monkeys swaying from tree to tree, but they’re harmless and there’s nothing to worry about.

Credit: @noraakmaliza for Instagram

Your sign of victory is the wooden tower that is located at the top of Bukit Sapu Tangan. Many happy hikers would take pictures here, so join in the fun! After that, step out to enjoy the view of Shah Alam’s concrete jungle against the real greenery you’re experiencing.

#HHWT Tip: As of 21 February 2020, do note that the four seasons temperate house is temporarily closed for visitors.

Address: Bukit Sapu Tangan, Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor

Entrance fee: While the entrance fee for Bukit Sapu Tangan is free, visitors are required to pay a conservation fee before entering Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam

• Adults (12-54 years old): RM3 per pax
• Children (below 6 years old): Free
• Children (6-11 years old): RM1 per pax
• Senior citizen (above 55 years old): RM1 per pax
• For parking fees, four seasons temperate house admission fees and more, check out this list.

Difficulty level: Moderate

Duration: 2-3 hours (both ways)

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Try this eatery for breakfast!

Restoran Hong Kong Muslim Food, Shah Alam

Cuisine: Chinese

Halal status: All ingredients are sourced from halal-certified suppliers

Opening hours: Sat-Thu; 11AM-11PM, Fri; 5PM-11PM

Address: 7, Jalan Plumbum Q7/Q, Seksyen 7, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor

Directions: Take a 36-minute drive from Bukit Sapu Tangan to this restaurant

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9. Apek Hill / Bukit Saga, Ampang

If climbing Gunung Tahan or Mount Kinabalu is part of your bucket list, Bukit Saga and Apek Hill (situated next to each other) is a great training ground thanks to its similarly challenging terrain. Every hiker will decided between two starting points. Since Trail A is currently closed off for construction work (at time of writing), tighten your shoe laces and make your way to Trail B.

While being surrounded by towering trees, it’ll take a while to reach Trail C that doubles as a second checkpoint, but you’ll know it when you spot a small temple. Then, stay determined until you reach Trail D that is also another spot to take a break. At this point, you’ll be so close to the waterfall, so don’t give up! The waterfall may be small in real life, but your sore feet will thank you after a cold dip in it.

Address: Apek Hill Trail, Taman Cheras Awana, 43200 Cheras 9 Miles, Selangor

Duration: 3-4 hours (both ways)

Try this eatery for breakfast!

Alanna’s Kitchen, Cheras

Cuisine: Arabic, Asian and Western

Halal status: Halal-certified

Opening hours: Mon-Fri; 11AM-3PM, 6PM-11PM, Sat-Sun; 11AM-11PM

Address: 8, Jalan Pandan Indah 1/23D, Pandan Indah, Cheras, 55100 Kuala Lumpur

Directions: Take an 11-minute drive from Bukit Saga to this restaurant

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10. Bukit Kutu, Kuala Kubu Bharu

Believe it or not, Bukit Kutu was previously a British colonial hill station called ‘Treacher’s Hill’. It was named after Sir William Hood Treacher who discovered this hill in 1893 while serving as a British colonial administrator until 1896. Today, hiking enthusiasts continue to challenge themselves with a morning hike on Bukit Kutu.

The fun begins after crossing two bridges that will take you through the Orang Asli village. Then, there will be a series of uphill climb where you’ll crawl underneath fallen branches and bamboo trees (watch out for the thorns!). It’s all part of the fun, and you’ll reach the top before you know it. At the top, there’s an open-air space where you can sit and rest. It's also a good opportunity to take out your tuna sandwiches and share it with your loved ones.

A hiking permit is needed to climb Bukit Kutu. These are the steps to apply for a hiking permit at Bukit Kutu.

• Email a permission request letter to the Hulu Selangor Forest District Office at [email protected] at least one week before your hiking date
• Contact the Hulu Selangor Forest District Office (+603 6091 6131) to inform them that you've emailed your request.
• If hiking in a group, the request letter should contain the hiking date, number of participants, hiking leader's name and contact number.
• You also need to submit a list of all hiking participants complete with their full names, identification card number, home address, contact number and emergency contact.
• You can pay the permit fee (RM5 per pax) directly at Hulu Selangor Forest District Office or send a money order (using Pos Laju will speed up the mail delivery) at least four days before your hike.
• Walk-ins are not encouraged as it'll take a few days for the officers to prepare your hiking permit.
• Do note that parking fee might be collected at the entrance of the trail when you drive through the Orang Asli settlement.

Address: Bukit Kutu, Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor

Admission rates: RM1 (Parking fee); RM5 (hiking permit fee per person)

Duration: 2.5-3 hours (both ways)

Hiking permit application

Hulu Selangor Forest District Office

Address: District Forest Office, Hulu Selangor, Jalan RP 4/1, Kompleks Kerajaan, Rawang Perdana, 48000 Rawang, Selangor

Contact: +603 6091 6131

Email: [email protected]

Try this eatery for breakfast!

Restoran Kudu Bin Abdul, KL

Cuisine: Indian-Muslim

Halal status: This restaurant is Muslim-owned and uses Muslim-friendly ingredients

Opening hours: Mon-Fri; 7.30AM-8PM, Sat-Sun; 7.30AM-7.30PM

Address: 335, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit, 50100 Kuala Lumpur

Directions: Take an hour drive from Bukit Kutu to this restaurant

Level: Challenging

11. Gunung Nuang, Hulu Langat

Credit: @sammiexuan for Instagram

After being closed for a while, we’re happy to share that Gunung Nuang has reopened to the public. Known as one of Selangor’s tallest peak, they say that conquering Gunung Nuang will leave you breathless, and I have to say it’s true. I was in college when I hiked Gunung Nuang for the first time, and it was tough for someone (like me!) who prefers fries over fitness. Your legs will be sore right after, but it will give you a renewed perspective about how you can do it all if you set your mind to it.

If you want to conquer Gunung Nuang via Hulu Langat, start early to escape the afternoon heat and complete your hike in time. They have a clear pathway for hikers, so follow it and you’ll be okay. You’ll come across a few checkpoints every now and then, so use it as a chance to sip some water.

You know you’ve reached the mid-point when you discovered a small waterfall. Cool and refreshing, you’ll realise that it’s exactly what you needed after a long hike. You can continue further to the top where the waterfall is much nicer. Wherever your final stop may be, always give yourself a pat on the back because Gunung Nuang is a challenging peak to beat.

#HHWT Tip: Another popular entry point for Gunung Nuang is via Janda Baik, and it has a shorter hiking duration (6-7 hours; both ways)

A hiking permit is needed to climb Gunung Nuang. These are the steps to apply for a hiking permit for Gunung Nuang.

• Email a permission request letter to the Selangor Tengah District Forest Department at [email protected] at least two weeks before your hiking date
• Contact the Selangor Tengah District Forest Department (+603 9081 4918) to inform them that you've emailed your request.
• If hiking in a group, the request letter should contain the hiking date, number of participants, hiking leader's name and contact number.
• You also need to submit a list of all hiking participants complete with their full names, identification card number, home address, contact number and emergency contact.
• You can pay the permit fee (RM5 per person) directly at Selangor Tengah District Forest Department or send a money order (using Pos Laju will speed up the mail delivery) at least four days before your hike.
• Walk-ins are not encouraged as it'll take a few days for the officers to prepare your hiking permit.

Address: Gunung Nuang, Hulu Langat, Selangor

Entry: RM3 parking fee

Permit: RM5 per person (hikers need to apply for their permits in advance)

Contact: +603 9081 4918 (Selangor Tengah District Forest Department)

Duration: 8-9 hours (both ways)

Hiking permit application

Selangor Tengah District Forest Department

Address: District Forest Office, Selangor Tengah, Tingkat 1, Blok B, Platinum Cheras, 43200 Cheras, Selangor

Contact: +603 9081 4918

Email: [email protected]

Try this eatery for breakfast!

Pau Pak Ngah, Ampang

Cuisine: Malay

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Opening hours: Open daily; 2PM-10PM

Address: Pau Pak Ngah, 17g, Jalan Bukit Indah 5, Taman Bukit Indah, 68000 Ampang, Selangor

Directions: Take a 1.5-hour drive from Gunung Nuang to this stall

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12. Gunung Semangkok

Credit: @marzlanmarzuki for Instagram

Gunung Semangkok is the highest peak in Selangor and it sits at the border of Selangor and Pahang. The hike at this mountain is a strenuous experience as the total distance to and from the peak comes up to around 30km! Hikers will also have to go through two challenging trails: Pine Tree Hill and Twin Peak. As you go along the tracks, you will encounter changes in altitude since you will be hiking uphill and downhill throughout the trip. Hikers can also catch a break and regain their energy at the camp site, Sungai Merah.

Address: Near to Fraser's Hill

Duration: 16 – 20 hours

Entrance Fee: No information on this

If you’re longing for some closeness to Mother Nature, hiking is a great way to take it to new heights. Take the chance to swap the sights of tall buildings with towering trees when you explore Broga Hill, Apek Hill and Gunung Nuang. After spending your morning leaving footprints on these popular hiking trails in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, treat yourself to delicious brunch and remind yourself why you should do it all over again. Then again, these trails are just the beginning of your hiking adventure. Plan your next one by choosing from 8 breathtaking hiking spots in Malaysia for a city escapade.