Gunung Tahan is the highest mountain on the Malayan peninsula and generally considered the most difficult summit in all of Malaysia. Gunung Tahan Height 2187 meters.The mountain is located in the heart of Taman Negara, the premier national park of Malaysia, and thereby can only be reached after several days of jungle trekking. On the way you will have to ford several rivers, climb very steep rooted paths. You are likely to encounter blood-sucking leeches, torrential rains, and you may encounter monkeys, poisonous snakes, tapirs, wild elephants, and tigers.
There are 2 approaches to the mountain. The traditional route is from Kuala Tahan in the south. It is a 55km trek. Guided trips generally advertise a minimum of 7 days for the round trip. The alternate approach is from Merapoh in the west. It is 46km from this direction although the first 14km is along a paved access-controlled single lane road. Guided trips on this route generally go at 5 days.
Upon departing, you will immediately cross a suspension bridge over a wide stream. The trail starts relatively flat and will meander through dense foliage and cross the river 3-4 times. I made the trip at the end of the monsoon season (late January), just after a heavy rain and the fords were only knee to thigh deep. After 13.5 km past road's end.
There are several more river crossings but I managed to stay dry by rock hopping. The most exciting crosses in the calm just behind the lip of a short but powerful cascade. There was even a rope strung up to ensure safety and balance. From here, the trail gets steeper and climbs steadily rather than the up-down you had been enduring. There is less running water, however, you are likely to remain completely soaked, if not from the rain or incessant drops falling from the canopy, then from your own sweat
After reaching Bonsai, a mere 5 km to the summit, better views of the surrounding landscape are possible. Not only will you start following a ridge line, but the ground becomes rockier and you have successfully climbed above all the towering trees down in the watershed. If you are lucky, the clouds might dissipate too. There is a good campsite 2.4 km from the summit with a convenient water source. |
